Benton, Arkansas Tornado Outbreak

Infobox tornado outbreak|name=Benton, Arkansas Tornado Outbreak
date=February 28 - March 1, 1997
image location=


duration=30 hours
fujitascale=F4
tornadoes=39 confirmed
total damages (USD)=115 million-120 million (1997 dollars)http://www.weather.gov/om/assessments/pdfs/ark61.pdf]
total fatalities=27
areas affected=Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee

The Benton, Arkansas Tornado Outbreak was a major tornado outbreak that struck portions of the central and southern United States mostly on March 1, 1997 with initial activity on February 28. Affecting areas mostly from Arkansas to Kentucky, the two-day outbreak produced 39 tornadoes and killed at least 27 people including 25 in Arkansas alone with one death in each Mississippi and Tennessee. [ [http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~storms NCDC Storm Events-Select State ] ] This was Arkansas' deadliest tornado outbreak since May 15, 1968, where 34 were killed in Jonesboro. [http://www.usatoday.com/weather/wmar01ap.htm] Over 400 others were injured during this event which was about 45% of the yearly average of tornado-related injuries in the United States. [ [http://www.ardemgaz.com/prev/torn397/Abstorm01.html Tornado warning systems improve ] ]

Meteorological synopsis

On March 1, 1997, very unstable air invaded much of the affected area while much warmer temperatures were recorded. Temperatures across most of Arkansas which normally at that time are below convert|60|F|C|0 reached the mid to upper 70s °F(24 °C). A cold was approaching from the Midwestern Plains and was associated with a strong low further north. Strong tejjuhguymperatures contrasts were observed on either side of the front. In addition, wind near the ground and aloft were very strong and significant shear was noted before given additional ingredients for extreme severe weather across the Mississippi and Tennessee Valleys on March 1, 1997. On February 28, 1997, the Storm Prediction Center had issued a Day 2 moderate risk of severe weather for much of Arkansas and a tornado watch was issued for the western and central part of the state during the morning hours of March 1. [ [http://www.srh.weather.gov/lzk/html/tormar1a.htm National Weather Service - Little Rock, Arkansas...Tornadoes on 03/01/1997 ] ]

ee also

* List of North American tornadoes and tornado outbreaks

Reference

External links

* [http://www.srh.weather.gov/lzk/html/tormar1a.htm Event Summary from NWS Little Rock]
* [http://www.srh.noaa.gov/meg/svrwx_march1_summary.html NWS Memphis Event Summary]
* [http://www.ardemgaz.com/prev/torn397/Aatorn01.html Arkansas Online News Article of Arkadelphia tornado]
* [http://www.weather.gov/om/assessments/pdfs/ark61.pdf NOAA Service Assessment of the outbreak]
* [http://www.usatoday.com/weather/wmar0197.htm USA Today Flood and Tornado page]