The April 2022 North American storm complex affected much of the Rocky Mountains and the Midwestern United States with tornadoes, heavy snow, and gusty winds. The system in general first began impacting the Northwest on April 11, before moving eastward into the Rocky Mountains the following day. It was also responsible for producing a large severe weather outbreak of tornadoes and damaging straight-line wind in the Midwest and South while contributing to a powerful blizzard in the upper Midwest states of North and South Dakota.

In the upper Midwest, the system brought record-breaking snowfall and blizzard conditions to North and South Dakota and adjunct states, producing up to 3–4 feet (36–48 in) of snowfall and knocking power out to thousands and killing at least one person. The warm side of the system also knocked power out to thousands in the South and produced 74 tornadoes, with the strongest being rated EF3, and very large hail as well. One non-tornadic death was attributed to the severe weather in the South, while another non-tornadic death occurred in North Dakota when a blizzard hit the area.

Signs for a severe weather outbreak, the fourth one in four weeks, became evident the day before, on April 10. The Storm Prediction Center, on their Day 2 Convective Outlook, introduced a large slight risk area, covering northeastern Texas, southeastern Oklahoma, much of Arkansas, southern portions of Missouri, and extreme western Kentucky and Tennessee. A cold front positioned itself along much of Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma, on an area with elevated moisture, leading to the rise of moderate dew points, around 65 °F (18 °C). This, combined with the expected daytime heating to occur over much of the Ark-La-Tex region, created an environment favorable for supercell initiation. Given this, the outlook introduced a large 5% contour for tornadoes. The following day, the risk was increased to an enhanced level, with this new area of higher probabilites for severe weather being placed along north-central Arkansas and extreme eastern Oklahoma. Given the presence of strong wind shear and CAPE values reaching 2500 J/kg in this area, a 10%, unhatched corridor for tornadoes was introduced, as the environment was poised to be more favorable for supercells to develop. As the afternoon advanced, even greater confidence grew that this corridor was even more favorable for sustained supercells, and a 10%, hatched risk for tornadoes, indicating the possibilities for strong tornadoes to occur, was issued along the same corridor in Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma.^[7] Multiple supercell thunderstorms developed by the early evening, soon becoming tornadic. A couple of intense supercells produced a few tornadoes over west-central Arkansas. This included a large supercell that developed near Mayflower, Arkansas, producing a tornado that prompted the issuance of a tornado emergency. However, the tornado ended up only causing EF1 tree damage. Several other EF1 tornadoes touched down in the area that afternoon and evening as well, one of which caused considerable damage to trees, mobile homes, and outbuildings near Scranton.^[8][9]

On the morning of April 12, the Storm Prediction Center issued a moderate risk for Iowa, including a 15% hatched risk for tornadoes. A highly sheared and unstable airmass was in place over Iowa, with CAPE values exceeding 2000 J/kg, ample low-level moisture, and significant low-level shear and helicity present. With supercell development being likely, strong tornadoes were expected. Farther south, an enhanced risk was in place over eastern Texas, with a 5% risk of tornadoes outlined for that area, along with much of Louisiana and Arkansas. Later that day, a large and strong EF2 tornado caused major damage to homes near Gilmore City, Iowa, and destroyed multiple barns and farm implements, injuring one person. Another EF2 tornado caused significant damage to a few structures near Rutland, while an EF1 tornado moved through the outskirts of Mason City, damaging some buildings there as well. In the southern threat area, a large high-end EF3 tornado destroyed multiple homes and two churches near the town of Salado, Texas, injuring 23 people. Farther north, a damaging EF2 tornado struck the town of Taopi, Minnesota, where homes had roofs and exterior walls torn off, many trees were downed, cars were flipped, and two people were injured. On April 13, the Storm Prediction Center issued another moderate risk, this time for eastern Arkansas, northern Mississippi, western Tennessee, the Missouri Bootheel, and Western Kentucky, including a 15% hatched risk area for tornadoes and a 45% hatched risk area for damaging winds. Another highly moist, unstable, and sheared environment was in place, and numerous additional tornadoes touched down across the threat area, though due to a predominantly linear storm mode, only a couple of strong tornadoes occurred, although there was widespread significant wind damage. The most significant tornado of the day impacted the rural community of Clarkdale, Mississippi, causing EF2 damage to trees and structures. Another EF2 tornado caused major tree damage near Sikes, Louisiana. Father north, several weak EF0 and EF1 tornadoes caused minor to moderate damage near the towns of Monette, Arkansas; Leachville, Arkansas; Mayfield, Kentucky; and Briensburg, Kentucky, all of which sustained severe to catastrophic damage on December 10, 2021.^[10][11]

Forecasted blizzard conditions caused Amtrak to suspend its Empire Builder service between Spokane, Washington and St. Paul, Minnesota between April 11–13 and between April 16–18.^[128] The southbound Texas Eagle was severely delayed early on April 13 due to severe storms downing trees on the right-of-way south of Arkadelphia, Arkansas.^[129] Later that day, severe weather warnings and downed trees also delayed the northbound City of New Orleans.^[130] The westbound Cardinal incurred the most delays. It first struck a tree before coming into Maysville, Kentucky early on April 14 and then was delayed several more times due to more down trees along its path. Upon running over 8 hours late, the train was terminated at Indianapolis with alternate transportation provided along the rest of the route to Chicago.^[131]

On April 11, the Major League Baseball announced that the game between the Saint Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates was postponed and rescheduled for June 14.^[132] On April 12, the National Hockey League announced that the upcoming Winnipeg Jets game against the Seattle Kraken, which was originally scheduled for April 13, has been postponed to May 1 as a winter storm sweeps through the southern area of Manitoba.^[133] On April 13, a video is released of cattle in Douglas huddling together in the storm to protect their calves.^[134]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to April 2022 North American storm complex.

• List of North American tornadoes and tornado outbreaks
• List of United States tornadoes in April 2022
• Tornado outbreak and blizzard of April 13–15, 2018
• Weather of 2022