A significant early season tornadic event affected portions of the Midwestern and Southern United States at the end of January 2013. The first signs of the outbreak came on January 23 as the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) detailed the eastward progression of a shortwave trough into an increasingly unstable air mass across portions of the lower Mississippi Valley; however, considerable uncertainty in the placement of severe thunderstorms caused the SPC to remove their threat outline. Succeeding many changes in the forecast, a Day 1 Moderate risk was issued for January 29, warning of the potential for widespread/significant damaging winds and a few strong tornadoes. The threat shifted eastward on January 30, encompassing a large section of the Southeastern United States. By late that day, the shortwave trough tracked northeastward into New England, ending the severe weather threat.

Between January 29–30, a total of 66 tornadoes were confirmed, making the event the seventh-largest winter tornado outbreak and fourth-largest January tornado outbreak on record. It was also the largest January tornado outbreak in Middle Tennessee on record and the second-largest tornado outbreak for any calendar month there. The strongest tornado, an EF3, impacted portions of Adairsville, Georgia, causing significant damage to an industrial building and several homes. One man was killed after a tree was downed on his mobile home, ending the longest-running streak without a tornado fatality in the United States which began on June 25, 2012. Another man who was taking shelter in a shed was killed by straight-line winds when a tree landed on the structure. A total of 25 people sustained injuries. Overall, the tornadoes resulted in an estimated $350 million (2013 USD) in damage.

Meteorological synopsis The final days of January brought a major tornado outbreak. In preparation for the event, the Storm Prediction Center outlined a rare Day 7 outlook region for portions of the Lower Mississippi Valley and Ark-La-Tex region. This region was subsequently removed by January 25 due to significant model differences, but was once again introduced in Day 4 and 5 convective outlook regions the following day. A Day 3 slight risk of severe weather was issued on January 27 from western Indiana down to central Texas, with the SPC warning of the potential for a significant severe weather event. A moderate risk of severe weather was forecasted in the afternoon January 28 Day 2 outlook, making it the fifth Day 2 moderate outlook issued in January over the past 15 years. While the main threat was expected to be damaging winds, produced by a potent squall line, the SPC also warned of a few strong, long-lived tornadoes. Numerous tornado watches were issued throughout the day as a squall line developed and worked eastward into the morning hours of January 30. In addition, a few semi-discrete supercells formed in the Lower Mississippi Valley. Multiple tornadoes touched down ahead of and along the squall line.

Confirmed tornadoes

January 29 event + List of confirmed tornadoes – Tuesday, January 29, 2013EF#LocationCounty / ParishStateStart Coord.Time (UTC)Path lengthMax widthSummary EF1WNW of OrlandoLoganOK12:48–12:49A pole barn was partially destroyed, with debris (mostly sheet metal) tossed several hundred yards. Several pieces of heavy farm equipment were either moved or overturned and many trees were either downed or partially debarked. EF1SSE of Cedar Springs to NNW of Caplinger MillsCedarMO17:00–17:03Several barns and outbuildings were damaged, with some destroyed. Homes suffered minor roof damage, a portable carport was destroyed, and numerous trees were downed. EF1SE of Vista to N of QuincySt. Clair, HickoryMO17:15–17:25At least four barns/outbuildings were destroyed and half of the roof was removed from another barn. Several homes sustained minor damaged and numerous trees were downed. EF2N of Short, OK to N of Natural Dam, ARSequoyah (OK), Crawford (AR)OK, AR20:55–21:04The tornado touched down just inside Oklahoma, downing numerous trees before moving into Crawford County, Arkansas. In Crawford County, a house suffered minor damage and thousands of trees and numerous power poles were downed. EF1NW of MarthasvilleWarrenMO21:14–21:15The roof was removed from a barn and a couple supporting poles were lifted . Several 2x4 planks from the barn were driven approximately into the ground. A few structures had loose siding and a two-story home suffered roof and wall damage. Many trees, some very large, were downed along the path. EF1WSW of Harris to S of GoshenWashingtonAR21:34–21:3940 to 50 houses and mobile homes suffered mostly roof damage. Several barns, chicken houses, and outbuildings were destroyed and many trees and power poles were downed. EF0NW of Chain of RocksLincolnMO21:36–21:37Several residences suffered minor roof damage and many trees were snapped, with some smaller ones being thrown for varying distances. EF1SW of BerryvilleMadisonAR21:57–21:59Several barns and outbuildings were destroyed and two homes sustained minor damage. Several cattle were killed and numerous trees and power poles were downed. EF0NW of MineolaWoodTX00:15–00:16A few trees were downed and tin roofing was removed from boat sheds along the shores of Lake Holbrook. EF0NW of StringtownBolivarMS00:48–00:49A large tree was uprooted and three homes suffered minor shingle damage. EF0SW of EnglandPulaskiAR02:01–02:06A few trees were downed and most of the roof was removed from a barn. The barn had previously lost its roof on April 25, 2011. EF1NE of DoniphanRipleyMO02:14–02:16Two houses sustained moderate roof damage, a porch was lifted over a house, and a small boat was blown approximately . A barn was heavily damaged and approximately 40 trees were downed. EF2ESE of Junland to NNE of FiskButlerMO02:45–02:47A small, older, poorly constructed home was leveled, a mobile home was destroyed, and a couple of small structures were blown over. Many trees were snapped along the path. EF0NNE of Monticello to S of Old UnionDrewAR02:51–02:56Several houses and a mobile home suffered roof damage, a carport was blown down, and another carport was blown against a tree line. Several outbuildings were damaged and many trees and power poles were downed. EF1SW of Delta to SW of DutchtownCape GirardeauMO03:13–03:19Ten buildings were damaged: Five businesses, two homes, one church, and two barns suffered roof damage, with a few of those structures losing their entire roofs. One home had roofing material that was blown into an adjacent house, damaging one side of that home. Numerous trees and power lines were downed as well. EF1S of JacksonCape GirardeauMO03:13–03:20Several barns and outbuildings were either damaged or destroyed. Other structures suffered roof damage, including a church, and trees were downed. EF2W of PioneerWest CarrollLA03:36–03:41The tornado removed the roof from a house and knocked down several walls. Several outbuildings were destroyed, several travel trailers were flipped, and a few other buildings suffered minor roof damage. Several trees were downed as well. EF0E of MulkeytownFranklinIL03:38–03:39Brief tornado with no damage. EF2GalatiaSalineIL04:16–04:18The tornado removed the entire roof from an unsturdy house and collapsed three out of the four exterior walls. Another house had roof decking damage. Several other houses had window, shingle, and decking damage. One more house lost its brick chimney, a machine shed was leveled, and another shed had large doors blown out. A carport was demolished and a pole barn-type garage and an awning were destroyed. Several very large trees were downed as well. Two people were injured. EF1S of Skene to WNW of ClevelandBolivarMS05:10–05:16Several homes suffered minor roof damage, with an awning being ripped from one home. Many trees, power poles, and traffic signals/signs were downed along the path. EF0SSE of Lynn Grove to NNW of WiswellCallowayKY05:36–05:39Several sheds/outbuildings were either damaged or destroyed. A dog kennel was damaged, a metal carport was demolished, and several homes suffered minor shingle damage. One home had its porch columns shifted. Several trees and power poles were downed as well, with trees falling onto two cars.

January 30 event