Confirmed EF-1 tornado in Benton County town from severe storms early Wednesday morning

One cell, warned for severe weather with a “tornado possible” tag, intensified near Highfill, about two miles west of Vaughn, around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday. It went on to produce a confirmed EF-1 tornado.

The twister’s damage path tracked just north-northwest of Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport. Emergency management reported significant damage to three homes, with several others and multiple chicken houses also affected.

What is a severe thunderstorm warning with a “tornado possible” tag?

The NWS issues tornado warnings based on detected rotation, and depending on the warning, it could indicate a confirmed tornado.

However, a “tornado possible” tag within a severe thunderstorm warning means the NWS detects broad rotation but not enough to issue a full tornado warning.

Storm was rotating, but why couldn’t radar see it? 

This storm showed broad rotation, but due to the location of the radar beam and its expansion, it overshot the area of rotation. The radar beam scanned at around 5,000 feet, and the rotation was very strong below the beam, making it undetectable at that scan height.

This story will be updated as the National Weather Service releases more information. Stay with Your Weather Authority for the latest.