A significant early spring tornado outbreak occurred during the afternoon and evening hours of March 5, 2022 in the Midwest, primarily in the state of Iowa, before transitioning to a damaging wind event across northern parts of Illinois and Indiana. Multiple tornadoes were reported, several of which were produced by a dominant supercell thunderstorm in central Iowa. One long-track, low-end EF4 tornado caused major damage near the towns of Winterset and Norwalk, resulting in six fatalities. Multiple other supercells spawned along an area of moderate destabilization in northern Missouri, prompting further tornado warnings in southern Iowa, as they entered a highly favorable environment for maturing. Large hail and damaging wind gusts accompanied the storms, which continued their passage across the Midwestern states into overnight. More tornadic weather was confirmed in Arkansas and Missouri the next day and into the early morning of March 7. In addition to that, straight line winds killed one person near Hazel, Kentucky when a semi trailer was blown over on US 641. Another non-tornadic fatality occurred in western New York as the storm approached.March 2022 National Climate Report, National Centers for Environmental Information

Meteorological synopsis March 5 On March 4, the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) issued a slight risk outlook for severe weather for a negatively tilted shortwave trough positioned over the High Plains. The outlook included the possibility of strong winds, large hail, and a 5 percent chance for tornadoes, mostly throughout southern Iowa. The next day, the SPC upped their alert level to an enhanced risk, centered in Iowa, as a stronger certainty arose for severe weather. The probabilities for damaging winds were increased to 30 percent, and the probabilities for tornadoes were elevated to a 10 percent, unhatched area (indicating a <10% chance of EF2 or stronger tornadoes) centered along southwestern Iowa. The outlook referenced an increase in destabilization, coupled with a modest low level jet at around , in an area with moderate dew points, at around . At noon, the SPC issued its first tornado watch, for southern Iowa and northwestern Missouri, discussing the moderate probabilities for tornadoes to occur, although a major tornado outbreak was not expected.

As the afternoon advanced, multiple supercell thunderstorms developed in the area of concern, rapidly developing into powerful, tornadic storms. One of these cells became dominant over southwestern Iowa, producing two weak tornadoes. It recycled its mesocyclone and produced a violent, long-track EF4 tornado, prompting the issuance of multiple PDS tornado warnings. It caused tremendous damage in the towns of Winterset and Norwalk, resulting in six fatalities. Following these fatalities, it caused moderate damage in Pleasant Hill. After the tornado dissipated, the supercell would produce three more tornadoes, one rated EF1, and two rated EF2. Multiple other tornadic storms would soon develop in northern Missouri and advance into southern Iowa, leading to more PDS tornado warnings. One of these tornadoes reached EF3 intensity, causing a fatality near Chariton. Large hail and a few damaging wind gusts accompanied the supercells.

As the supercells gradually weakened over eastern Iowa, they congealed into a long squall line, as the storm system moved into western Illinois and southern Wisconsin with weak tornadoes touching down in both states. As the overnight hours progressed, the squall line produced damaging wind gusts all throughout the north and central regions of Illinois and Indiana, including in the Chicago metropolitan area. One weak tornado touched down in Indiana, while another two more touched down in Ohio. It eventually progressed and dissipated over the Great Lakes, over northern Michigan and southern Ontario.

March 6–7 After the initial round of storms dissipated overnight on March 5, a new shortwave trough began stationing itself over in the southern southwestern Plains on the late-morning of March 6. The SPC issued an enhanced risk for the regions encompassing northwestern Arkansas and southwestern Missouri. A , 500 millibar low level jet ejected into the Ark-La-Tex region, interacting with dew points of around , indicating moderate instability. This created an environment conductive to severe weather, and a 10% hatched risk for tornadoes was introduced for the northern region of Arkansas, as supercells capable of producing a few strong tornadoes were expected. A 30% contour of damaging winds was also noticed, along the same general areas in Arkansas. As such, the SPC issued its first tornado watch for the day, encompassing extreme southeastern Oklahoma, northern portions of Arkansas, and the southern portions of Missouri, including the Missouri Bootheel.

Multiple supercells developed as the afternoon progressed, quickly maturing as they entered the unstable atmosphere stationed over northern Arkansas. Several tornadoes were reported, three of which were produced by a long-track, intense supercell. One low-end EF2 tornado struck Sage, Arkansas, injuring six people. Tornadic activity continued past midnight into the early morning of March 7. One non-tornadic fatality occurred early that morning when a semi truck carrying logs was blown over on U.S. 641 near Hazel, Kentucky, ejecting and killing the passenger. A large slight risk area was issued for that afternoon from northern Alabama northeastward through the Northeastern United States for the threat of damaging winds, although isolated tornadoes were possible from northern Alabama to eastern Kentucky. Scattered severe weather occurred in the southern part of the risk area while a narrow, but strong squall line produced widespread wind damage in the northeast that afternoon with a total of 194 reports of severe wind gusts and wind damage. However, no tornadoes touched down and no further injuries occurred. The severe threat ended once all the storms pushed offshore.

Confirmed tornadoes

March 5 event + List of confirmed tornadoes – Saturday, March 5, 2022EF#LocationCounty / ParishStateStart Coord.Time (UTC)Path lengthMax width EF0NE of EmersonMontgomeryIA21:02Multiple storm chasers reported a tornado. Minor damage occurred. EFUSSW of CorningAdamsIA21:38–21:40This was the first tornado from the Winterset supercell. No damage was reported. EF0N of CromwellAdams, UnionIA22:01–22:05This was the second tornado from the Winterset supercell. The tornado was confirmed from video evidence and caused no known damage. EF4N of Macksburg to Southern Norwalk to NE of NewtonMadison, Warren, Polk, JasperIA22:26–00:006 deaths – See article on this tornado – Five people were injured. EF2NE of Leon to E of DerbyDecatur, Wayne, LucasIA23:07–23:33This tornado passed just south of Garden Grove, ripping the roof off of a house and damaging or destroying several outbuildings. The tornado also passed near Humeston, producing additional damage to outbuildings, snapping power poles, and downing numerous trees. EFUNE of Garden GroveDecatur, WayneIA23:20–23:24A tornado touched down north of the previous tornado, causing no known damage. EFUSE of DerbyLucasIA23:28–23:33This tornado touched down just north of and was on the ground at the same time as the previous EF2 tornado near Derby. No notable damage occurred. EF3E of Derby to E of CharitonLucasIA23:33–23:531 death – This low-end EF3 tornado touched down after the EF2 tornado near Derby dissipated. Multiple homes were severely damaged or destroyed, a small music venue had its roof torn off, and gas leaks were reported. Barns and outbuildings were also completely destroyed, along with the Pin Oak Marsh Lodge Educational Center near Chariton. The tornado moved directly through Red Haw State Park, where small structures were destroyed at a campground, boat docks were destroyed, and one person was killed when an RV camper was thrown. Many large trees and power poles were snapped along the path, and one person was injured. EF2SW of Allerton to E of CorydonWayneIA23:38–23:51A strong tornado touched down near Allerton and clipped the southeastern edge of town, where a manufactured home had its roof torn off, power poles were snapped, and trees were downed. A concession stand was completely destroyed at the local baseball field, and two frozen turkeys that originated at a residence nearly a half-mile away were found at that location. A machine shed was destroyed near Corydon before the tornado dissipated. EF0S of CharitonLucasIA23:40–23:42This was a satellite tornado of the EF3 Chariton tornado. It looped around that tornado before being absorbed by the larger circulation, causing little to no damage. EF2NW of Kellogg to NE of NewburgJasper, Poweshiek, TamaIA00:04–00:28This large multiple-vortex tornado touched down three minutes after the EF4 tornado dissipated. Trees and power poles were snapped, and outbuildings were destroyed along the path. EF2S of TamaTamaIA41.9024|-92.6332|name=Tama (Mar. 5, EF2)}}00:33–00:42This was the fifth tornado from the Winterset supercell. A house had its roof torn off, trees were downed, outbuildings were damaged, and vehicles were flipped. EF1SW of Garrison to W of UrbanaBentonIA01:10–01:26This was the final tornado from the Winterset supercell. Several power poles were snapped, and trees and outbuildings were damaged before the tornado moved into the northwest side of Vinton. In town, the tornado damaged many structures including mobile homes, homes, and buildings at an industrial park. The tornado continued to the northeast of Vinton where it damaged trees and outbuildings before dissipating. EF0W of DavenportScottIA02:37–02:38A brief, weak tornado damaged a shed and downed a few trees. EF1WNW of DavenportScottIA02:37–02:41Several barns and outbuildings were either damaged or destroyed, and trees were downed along an intermittent path. EF1NE of Erie to NW of ProphetstownWhitesideIL03:13–03:18Farm sheds and trees were damaged along the path. EF1SE of StoughtonDaneWI03:48–03:57Several homes and outbuildings were damaged, and trees and tree limbs were downed. EF0NE of Kilbourne to E of EastonMasonIL04:11–04:19This tornado damaged trees and knocked over six irrigation systems. EF1S of FarmersvilleMontgomeryIL04:57–05:00One farm home had its garage roof and porch awning ripped off. Several barns and other farm buildings sustained significant damage, and a semi-truck on I-55 was flipped.

March 6 event