An unseasonably strong tornado outbreak began on January 7, 2008, and continued for nearly four days across the Central and Southern United States, with the hardest hit area being southwestern Missouri, northwestern Arkansas, and the surrounding area. In addition, a strong supercell in northern Illinois and southeastern Wisconsin produced that region's first January tornadoes since 1967.

More tornadoes occurred across the Mississippi Valley on January 8 and after a break in the activity on January 9, another round of severe weather took place in the Southern United States (primarily Alabama and Mississippi) on January 10. Several damaging tornadoes were reported that day, although no one was killed. A separate, unrelated EF1 tornado also struck the northern suburbs of Vancouver, Washington. In total, over the four-day period, 73 tornadoes were confirmed and four people were killed.

Meteorological synopsis An unseasonably warm air mass was entrenched over much of central and eastern North America with record highs for much of the region. Several record high temperatures were broken across several states and Canadian provinces from January 7 to January 9 as temperatures rose into the 70s (21–25 °C) as far north as the Ohio Valley with dewpoints in the high 50s and low 60s (14–17 °C) providing additional fuel for storm development.

In addition, many areas near the Great Lakes region reached the mid to upper 60s (17–20 °C) which allowed the northern cells to form, while several areas in southern Ontario and Quebec near the Canada-US border reached near .

A strong low-pressure area over the central Great Lakes and its associated cold front combined with intense wind shear to provide a favorable environment for supercell development. Despite only moderate instability (which meant only a slight risk of severe weather was issued by the Storm Prediction Center, and only modest probabilities for severe weather at first), supercells developed throughout the day over much of the central US and continued throughout the evening and overnight hours, continuing into the morning of January 8. The hardest-hit area was in the Ozarks, around Springfield, Missouri, where nearly continuous supercells developed throughout the evening, resulting in numerous tornado touchdowns. In addition to the tornadoes, hail larger than baseballs and damaging straight-line downburst winds as strong as were reported. At least three people were killed in Missouri as a result of the tornadoes. Two of these deaths occurred near Marshfield and there were also six injuries.

Strong tornadoes also touched down further north near Chicago and Milwaukee causing extensive damage along the Wisconsin/Illinois border as well as several injuries. Strong cells and lines also formed in Michigan prompting rare tornado warnings across central parts of Lower Michigan. Scattered thunderstorms were reported in Northern, Central and Southern Ontario on the evening of January 7. Tornado watches extended from eastern Oklahoma to southwestern Ontario on January 7.

Activity shifted across the Mid-Mississippi Valley on January 8 where tornado watches were issued across Arkansas and Tennessee and later extended across the Ohio Valley to near Columbus, Ohio and Dayton, Ohio until the early morning hours on January 9. A strong tornado in Pope County, Arkansas killed person and additional tornadoes were reported just west of Memphis. During the day, most of the activity was formed into a line that extended from the Ohio Valley to Alabama although thunderstorm-related wind damage was reported as far north as upstate New York and western Pennsylvania.

After a lull in activity on January 9, a separate system across the Southern United States led to more severe weather, including tornadoes, on January 10. A moderate risk of severe weather was issued by the Storm Prediction Center. Storms developed across Louisiana and Mississippi during the morning and noon periods moving into Alabama with additional storms developing as far north as central and eastern Kentucky where a tornado watch was issued stretching down towards eastern Louisiana and later into Georgia. Multiple strong tornadoes affected Mississippi, Tennessee, and Alabama that evening, including an EF3 tornado that severely damaged the town of Caledonia, Mississippi. More stable air farther east reduced the severe weather potential. In additions to these tornadoes, a rapidly advancing cold front moved into Oregon and Washington generated a severe thunderstorm that produced a damaging EF1 tornado on the north side of Vancouver, Washington on the afternoon of January 10. In addition to the tornado, several funnel clouds were also reported in the area. Wintry weather including snow, sleet and freezing rain on the northern side of the storm was reported from Wisconsin to Maine on January 10–11. Overall, this outbreak sequence killed four people and injured at least 62 others.

Confirmed tornadoes

January 7 event + List of confirmed tornadoes – Monday, January 7, 2008EF#LocationCounty / ParishStateStart Coord.Time (UTC)Path lengthMax widthDamageSummary EF0SW of Lowry CitySt. ClairMO2022–2023A few trees were damaged. EF0SE of LincolnBentonMO2054–2055A local newspaper reported a brief tornado touchdown that heavily damaged a pole barn. EF3N of Poplar Grove to NNE of HarvardBoone, McHenryIL2130–2148A shed, a house, and other structures had sections of their roofing ripped off. A large barn was destroyed while a second, poorly constructed one was blown over. A two-story farm house and associated garage were leveled. Several other buildings were severely damaged. A second garage was blown down, a moving freight train was partially derailed, and numerous trees were snapped or uprooted. A semi-trailer was flipped. EF0SSW of MexicoAudrainMO2155–2156A machine shed and several trees were damaged; numerous tree limbs were downed. EF3NE of Pell Lake to NNW of Paddock LakeWalworth, KenoshaWI2202–2217In Walworth County, three structures sustained minor damage and two structures sustained moderate damage. After crossing into Kenosha County, the tornado impacted Wheatland; 77 homes were affected, 25 sustained minor damage, 27 sustained major damage, and 25 were completely destroyed. In Brighton, 10 homes were affected, 3 sustained minor damage, 3 sustained major damage, and 4 were completely destroyed. Numerous trees were snapped, uprooted, or debarked. Damage to some structures suggested an EF4 rating, but lack of proper anchoring prevented an upgrade. This became the earliest confirmed tornado in Wisconsin.First tornado of 2022 in Wisconsin confirmed in Dane County, WSAW News, March 7, 2022 EF1KenoshaKenoshaWI2239–2243Two homes sustained minor damage and one home sustained major damage in Somers. In Kenosha, 1 home was affected, 21 sustained minor damage, 6 sustained major damage, and 5 were completely destroyed; a church was destroyed as well. Several power lines were toppled, and dozens of trees were snapped or uprooted. EF2SW of AuroraBarryMO2306–2325Eight mobile homes were destroyed in a mobile home park. Additional houses and farm outbuildings were damaged. EF1SSE of MackinawTazewellIL2322–2325A pole barn was destroyed while a house and other outbuildings were damaged. A chain link fence and a few tree limbs were downed. EF0E of PinevilleMcDonaldMO2350–2351A few trees sustained minor damage. EF2Northwestern RepublicGreeneMO2357–0005Nearly 15 houses were severely damaged or destroyed. An elementary school sustained major damage to its roof. EF3NE of Springfield to E of LebanonGreene, Webster, LacledeMO0029–01333 deaths – A long-tracked and significant tornado caused extensive damage to homes, trees, and outbuildings. One death occurred in rural Greene County while an additional two occurred in Webster County. EF0WSW of RepublicLawrence, ChristianMO0128–0138A few farm houses and outbuildings were damaged. EF2NE of Springfield to WNW of MarshfieldGreene, WebsterMO0132–0156Several homes and outbuildings sustained severe damage. EF0N of BlandGasconadeMO0150–0151Several trees were uprooted and tree limbs snapped. EF0S of HiwasseBentonAR0205Multiple trained storm spotters observed a brief tornado over open country. EF3SSE of DixonPulaski, PhelpsMO0206–0219In Pulaski County, a few homes and outbuildings were destroyed, injuring three people. In Phelps County, one home and several outbuildings were destroyed. EF0SW of WattsAdairOK0208Multiple trained storm spotters observed a brief tornado over open country. EF1W of WashburnMcDonald, BarryMO0215–0229Numerous trees and a few structures were heavily damaged or destroyed. EF0WNW of ClarksvillePikeMO0230–0235Sporadic tree damage was observed. EF0W of NeboPikeIL0240–0243Sporadic tree damage was observed. EF1ENE of ElklandWebster, DallasMO0242–0248A home, several outbuildings, and trees were damaged. EF0E of CentertonBentonAR0250Multiple trained storm spotters reported a brief tornado over open country. EF2SW of LebanonLacledeMO0300–0308A home and numerous outbuildings were destroyed. EF0W of SeligmanBarryMO0312–0313A few trees were damaged. EF1S of NixaChristianMO0336–0337Numerous homes were damaged and two mobile homes were destroyed. A woman was injured after being hit by flying debris. EF1N of Doolittle to S of BellePhelps, MariesMO0340–0458In Phelps County, one home sustained roof damage and numerous trees were damaged. In Maries County, approximately 40 structures were damaged, including a mobile home that was destroyed. Four airplanes were damaged at Rolla National Airport, where an ASOS station measured a gust of . EF0S of MarshfieldWebsterMO0357–0410A few outbuildings and trees sustained minor damage. EF0SSW of OaksCherokeeOK0428–0430Two barns and the roofs of several houses were damaged. A number of trees were uprooted.

January 8 event