MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE — A potentially dangerous round of nocturnal severe storms is expected to erupt Sunday afternoon and intensify into the evening across the Mississippi Valley, placing portions of Arkansas, Tennessee, Illinois and Indiana in the path of a high-impact squall line capable of destructive winds and tornadoes.
Forecasters warn this will not be a typical spring thunderstorm setup. Instead, a powerful upper-air disturbance marked by a sharp dip in the jet stream will swing overhead, fueling rapid storm organization and strengthening a fast-moving line of severe weather.
Enhanced Risk Centered on Mississippi Valley Corridor
The Sunday, March 15 outlook highlights a Level 3 out of 5 Enhanced Risk stretching from eastern Arkansas through western and middle Tennessee into southern Illinois and southern Indiana.
Cities within or near the enhanced corridor include:
- Little Rock, Arkansas
- Memphis, Tennessee
- Nashville, Tennessee
- Jackson, Mississippi
- Evansville, Indiana
- Southern Illinois communities near the Mississippi River
A broader Level 2 Slight Risk extends north and east toward Indianapolis, Indiana and portions of Ohio.
Squall Line Expected to Develop in Arkansas
The severe line is forecast to initiate during the midafternoon across western Arkansas before rapidly filling in along the advancing cold front…