Alert archive / Missouri / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 49, NWS Kansas City, MO
NWS Kansas City, MO issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Apr 3, 2026, 2:56 PM CDT for Atchison County, Holt County, Missouri. It was in force for 49 min. 3 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.
The facts
- Issued
- Apr 3, 2026, 2:56 PM CDT (19:56 UTC)
- Expired
- Apr 3, 2026, 3:45 PM CDT
- In force
- 49 min
- Issued by
- NWS Kansas City, MO
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Hail
- 1.0 in
- Wind
- 60.0 mph
Counties Atchison County, MO, Holt County, MO
The radar
The Omaha radar (KOAX), 131 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:55 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.
Open the radar archive at this moment
The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.
What was reported inside it
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 3, 3:35 PM CDT | HAIL 1.75 | Fairfax, MO | Report of golf ball sized hail. Time estimated from radar. |
| Apr 3, 3:42 PM CDT | HAIL 1 | 3 S Tarkio, MO | Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.). |
| Apr 3, 3:42 PM CDT | HAIL 1 | Tarkio, MO | Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.). |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
Did it verify
Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched 3 storm reports to this severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 39 minutes after it went out.
Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.
The watch it was issued in
The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 3, 2:20 PM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 6 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Topeka, KS (KTOP), launched 12:00Z, 7.9 hours before the alert went out and 153 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 22 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -402 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 515 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 58 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 601 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 659 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 4.0
The text
As transmitted.
473
WUUS53 KEAX 031956
SVREAX
MOC005-087-032045-
/O.NEW.KEAX.SV.W.0049.260403T1956Z-260403T2045Z/
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
256 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
The National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Atchison County in northwestern Missouri...
North central Holt County in northwestern Missouri...
* Until 345 PM CDT.
* At 256 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Shubert, or
13 miles southeast of Auburn, moving northeast at 40 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage
to roofs, siding, and trees.
* Locations impacted include...
Tarkio, Rock Port, Fairfax, Blanchard, Westboro, and Corning.
This includes Interstate 29 between mile markers 96 and 110.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for northwestern
Missouri.
&&
LAT...LON 4058 9520 4048 9520 4048 9518 4027 9518
4022 9547 4025 9549 4025 9552 4027 9556
4030 9556 4032 9561 4031 9566 4032 9566
4034 9562 4035 9562 4058 9537
TIME...MOT...LOC 1956Z 227DEG 33KT 4028 9563
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
CDB3 follow-up statements
078
WWUS53 KEAX 032014
SVSEAX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
314 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
MOC005-087-032045-
/O.CON.KEAX.SV.W.0049.000000T0000Z-260403T2045Z/
Atchison MO-Holt MO-
314 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 345 PM CDT
FOR ATCHISON AND NORTH CENTRAL HOLT COUNTIES...
At 314 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Fairfax, or 7
miles southwest of Tarkio, moving northeast at 35 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to
roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include...
Tarkio, Rock Port, Fairfax, Blanchard, Westboro, and Corning.
This includes Interstate 29 between mile markers 96 and 110.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for northwestern
Missouri.
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
&&
LAT...LON 4058 9520 4048 9520 4048 9518 4027 9518
4022 9547 4025 9549 4025 9552 4027 9556
4030 9556 4032 9561 4031 9566 4032 9566
4034 9562 4035 9562 4058 9537
TIME...MOT...LOC 2014Z 239DEG 30KT 4034 9545
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
CDB879
WWUS53 KEAX 032020
SVSEAX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
320 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
MOC005-087-032045-
/O.CON.KEAX.SV.W.0049.000000T0000Z-260403T2045Z/
Atchison MO-Holt MO-
320 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 345 PM CDT
FOR EASTERN ATCHISON AND NORTH CENTRAL HOLT COUNTIES...
At 320 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Fairfax, or
near Tarkio, moving northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to
roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include...
Tarkio, Fairfax, Westboro, and Corning.
This includes Interstate 29 between mile markers 96 and 108.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for northwestern
Missouri.
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
&&
LAT...LON 4058 9520 4048 9520 4048 9518 4027 9518
4022 9547 4025 9549 4025 9552 4027 9556
4030 9556 4031 9560 4053 9537
TIME...MOT...LOC 2020Z 236DEG 28KT 4037 9542
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
CDB214
WWUS53 KEAX 032033
SVSEAX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
333 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
MOC005-087-032045-
/O.CON.KEAX.SV.W.0049.000000T0000Z-260403T2045Z/
Atchison MO-Holt MO-
333 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 345 PM CDT
FOR EASTERN ATCHISON AND NORTH CENTRAL HOLT COUNTIES...
At 333 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Fairfax, or 10
miles south of Tarkio, moving northeast at 35 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to
roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include...
Tarkio, Fairfax, and Corning.
This includes Interstate 29 between mile markers 96 and 106.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for northwestern
Missouri.
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
&&
LAT...LON 4058 9520 4048 9520 4048 9518 4027 9518
4022 9547 4025 9549 4025 9552 4027 9556
4030 9556 4050 9538
TIME...MOT...LOC 2033Z 221DEG 29KT 4030 9542
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
CDBWhat forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Kansas City, MO wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Apr 3, 12:35 PM CDT, 2 hours 21 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Severe Storms Friday Late Afternoon Through Evening
- Additional Flooding Possible With Heavy Rainfall
- Cooler Over the Weekend, Start of Next Week
Area forecast discussion, Apr 3, 12:35 PM CDT, 2 hours 21 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO 1235 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Severe Storms Friday Late Afternoon Through Evening - Additional Flooding Possible With Heavy Rainfall - Cooler Over the Weekend, Start of Next Week && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 1137 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026 Surface low and associated mid-level short-wave trough has moved into the Great Lakes Region, and the trailing cold front has pushed southeastward toward the Interstate 44 corridor. Low-level stratus and lingering moisture primarily across Iowa and northern Missouri will result in low stratus and fog potential mainly across our northern zones this evening. The front should stay outside of the forecast for most of the evening. Elevated convection may develop along the front closer to Interstate 44 as the low-level jet intensifies this evening. This activity is expected to miss our southern and southeastern zones. The quiet weather conditions will be short-lived, a stronger mid- level trough and strong vorticity maxima, currently working across the Intermountain West eventually ejects out of the Front Range and lifts into the Plains. Stronger dCVA over the past 18-24 hours developing another strong surface cyclone over the Front Range and High Plains, and this will begin to push eastward. Surface pressure falls expand eastward mainly along the stalled cold front by Friday morning. Low-level flow turns southerly and will push the boundary back northward as a warm front. Dewpoints have not drastically decreased on the backside of this boundary, and continued moisture transport throughout Friday will foster dewpoint temperatures likely into the mid and upper 60s in the warm sector of this system. Given the setup, would expect strong isentropic ascent, leading to increasing cloud cover, showers, and if any kind of mid-level perturbation moves through, perhaps elevated convection. The 00z HRRR hints at isolated to scattered elevated shower/storm activity on the cool side of the effective warm front starting late morning and continuing through the early afternoon. While some small hail could be possible with this, most of this activity should be weak. Heading into the afternoon, most CAMs are in decent agreement on the warm front surging into central Iowa, with the tighter moisture gradient positioned in southern Iowa. The WAA and theta-e transport will provide MUCAPE pushing upwards of 2500 J/kg through the afternoon. A big question for afternoon instability will be if cloud cover breaks apart at any point. Given the amount of moisture still present even on the cool side of the boundary, it may take a notable compact ridge axis or some other kind of sharp but short-lived shot of subsidence to clear things out. With the moisture content on the boundary layer and even up through about 850mb, boundary layer mixing may not be as robust throughout the warm sector if dense cloud cover remains in place. RAP and HRRR soundings so far for Friday afternoon, while higher in CAPE values, are not overly impressive with lapse rates. The other thermodynamic factor, will be the trend of mid-level lapse rates. Most model guidance depicts the H5 short-wave trough closing up, with a lot of the mid-level vorticity being wrapped around over the Central Plains, while the surface low still moves eastward. As a result, H5 cooling above the warm-sector will not be as prominent immediately above the surface warm sector as it would be if the wave remained open and negatively titled. This disconnect in kinematics is the complicating factor for Friday's forecast because it lowers confidence in storm mode evolution through the event. Starting with the mid to late afternoon time frame, when most of the forecast area is well within the warm sector, temperatures in the mid to upper 70s and dewpoints in the mid to upper 60s. With the right combination of surface pressure falls and convergence especially near the warm front, there may be some lift for discrete activity between 19-21z, probably some where along or north of Hwy. 36. Current CAM guidance does not depict anything robust initiating on the warm side of this boundary, and a look at model soundings near the warm front show that even with lower LCLs, the level of free convection for parcels is still fairly high. In order to get anything during the afternoon, we may need some kind of mid-level vort maxima to provide that extra lift, which will be hard to come by if the H5 wave closes off. Now if the forcing is there to get an updraft, and storm motion can keep it from crossing to the cool side, the low-level shear environment is quite impressive, with 0- 1km bulk shear values upward of 40 kts and low-level SRH values pushing above 150 m^2/s^2, and the structure of the model hodographs do show strong cyclonic curvature, especially in the axis of surface pressure falls where surface winds back through the afternoon. This could help to sustain a low-level mesocyclone. However, the deep layer shear over the warm sector could be a problem. The stronger H5 height gradient and associated jet streak is shaping up to be well displaced northwest of the surface warm sector. So while raw values of 0-6km bulk shear are showing 40+ kts, most of that is occurring within the first 0-2km. Current HRRR sounding hodographs actually show backing between 3-6km, as the mid-level flow is not substantially faster than the lower-level flow. Initial cells that would move with the mean wind may actually experience some suppression. For deep convection to be fully supported by the wind shear, a left-mover would have the best kinematic support for sustaining development, but that would also be more likely to take its motion across the boundary to the cool side. Therefore, if initiation happens near the warm front in the afternoon and deviates left, will have potential to produce larger hail, perhaps above 2 inches. Limiting factor would be the lapse rates as currently progged, but just enough CAPE through the hail growth zone may still be present. The low-level SRH and hodograph shape would suggest some tornado potential with discrete convection on the warm side of the boundary as low-level mesocyclone development could be favored, especially with any rightward motion. However, unsure if the deeper layer shear would be able to sustain such an updraft for a long enough period that allow the low-level meso to persist. Any discrete convection on the warm side would also present a wind threat, especially if a supercell mode could be achieved. This afternoon development is the lower confident part of the forecast with uncertainty if things will even initiate, and then will it have what it needs to be sustained. Watching the wind profile and tracking areas of clearing will be the main mesoanalysis task through Friday morning and early afternoon. Later into the afternoon and evening, surface cyclone moves eastward, and may deepen some but the main dCVA displaced northwest may prevent further deepening by the evening hours. Attention will then turn to the cold front and increasing convergence along it, and the potential for a triple point if the cyclone begins to occlude. This would likely develop in north-central Missouri. Deep layer shear should increase some through the evening in close proximity to the cold front, though a lot of it may be confined behind the cold front as the closed H5 low moves eastward, allowing for better mid- level flow heading into the evening (compared to the afternoon). While convergence increases, there may a brief window between 22z- 00z where a discrete updraft could take on a supercellular mode with its inflow taking advantage of the warm-sector, presenting all severe hazards. Larger hail should be supported with better lift, and perhaps better mid-level lapse rates. Mid-level shear should also be better that would not suppress updraft development in the same way that the warm front setup could earlier in the day (along with favorable storm motion toward the warm sector). Low-level SRH values will still be high and low-level hodographs could still be curved cyclonically enough to support a tornado threat with a discrete storm, especially along a triple point if surface winds can remain backed. As of right now, this corridor would probably be along or north of Hwy. 36 if a triple point develops. Along the rest of the cold front and remainder of the warm sector south of Hwy. 36, surface winds may veer, which would reduce SRH quite a bit. As the low-level jet then cranks up, most of the cold front should fill in, eventually leading to an MCS and QLCS of some kind. With decent 0- 3km bulk shear, a well organized QLCS may not be out of the question, but just depends on how rapidly the upscale growth occurs. As this develops, damaging winds become the primary threat. If a strong QLCS mode is realized, the kinematics may be there to support mesovortex generation along the leading edge of the line. This may require notable surges and rear-inflow jets to develop for this to be achieved though. Most CAMs are fairly progressive with this front, having the system past Hwy. 63 in Central Missouri between 04- 05z. We will see if this changes with subsequent model runs, especially with that mid-level wave closing off, that may delay the propagation of the cold front. With the amount of moisture transport across the warm sector, PWATs are progged to reach around 1.75 inches along portions of the expected QLCS or MCS and with enough MUCAPE into evening, may lead to efficient rainfall rates. This system though is expected to be more progressive than the Wednesday system though, which should help to limit training storms. But, for our eastern and southeastern forecast zones that are still seeing lingering flooding, may be augmented once again even if event total QPF is no more than 2 inches. At this point, have not issued a flood watch yet, but as 06z guidance comes in, a flood watch may become necessary for the southeastern third or even two-thirds of the forecast area. River and creeks throughout central Missouri may continue to see rises as this system passes through. After this system passes into the Great Lakes Region Saturday morning, amplified ridge over the western CONUS will provide mid- level northwesterly flow across our area through much of the weekend, providing an AVA regime and surface anticyclone development. This will keep temperatures cooler through Monday. Weak perturbation through the flow may provide some shower activity into portions of Monday and Tuesday. By the middle of next week, surface high pressure moves eastward, low-level returns southerly and should push temperatures back into the upper 60s and lower 70s. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/... Issued at 1235 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026 MVFR/VFR ceilings areawide, currently impacting terminals. Gusty southerly winds have begun across terminals due to the passage of the warm front, with the front gradually making its way further north in the next few hours. TSRA expected to impact terminals as early as 22z, exiting around 1z with the passage of the cold front. Behind the front, winds will turn northwesterly, and gradually calm through the evening. Ceilings will begin to rise, prompting VFR conditions through the remainder of the forecast period. && .EAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MO...None. KS...None. && DISCUSSION...Krull AVIATION...SPG
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 3, 5:09 AM CDT, 9 hours 47 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO 0509 AM CDT Fri Apr 03 2026 KSZ025-057-060-102>105-MOZ001>008-011>017-020>025-028>033-037>040- 043>046-053-054-041009- Atchison KS-Miami-Linn KS-Doniphan-Leavenworth-Wyandotte-Johnson KS- Atchison MO-Nodaway-Worth-Gentry-Harrison-Mercer-Putnam-Schuyler- Holt-Andrew-De Kalb-Daviess-Grundy-Sullivan-Adair-Buchanan-Clinton- Caldwell-Livingston-Linn MO-Macon-Platte-Clay-Ray-Carroll-Chariton- Randolph-Jackson-Lafayette-Saline-Howard-Cass-Johnson MO-Pettis- Cooper-Bates-Henry- 0509 AM CDT Fri Apr 03 2026 This hazardous weather outlook is for northwest...north central and west central Missouri...as well as extreme eastern Kansas. .DAY ONE...Through tonight. Please go to https://weather.gov/media/eax/DssPacket.pdf for more information on potential weather hazards. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Please go to https://weather.gov/media/eax/DssPacket.pdf for more information on potential weather hazards. .KEY MESSAGES... - Severe Storms Friday Late Afternoon Through Evening - Additional Flooding Possible With Heavy Rainfall - Cooler Over the Weekend, Start of Next Week
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Apr 3, 2:43 PM CDT, 13 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
243 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
MOZ001-032015-
Atchison MO-
243 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN ATCHISON COUNTY
THROUGH 315 PM CDT...
At 242 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Peru, or 9 miles northeast of Auburn, moving northeast at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of northwestern
Atchison County.
This includes Interstate 29 between mile markers 120 and 123.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for northwestern
Missouri.
&&
LAT...LON 4058 9577 4058 9555 4047 9569 4049 9568
4051 9569 4052 9566 4055 9566 4056 9567
4056 9569 4052 9571 4052 9575 4054 9577
TIME...MOT...LOC 1942Z 215DEG 35KT 4052 9577
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
CDBThe office that day
Everything else NWS Kansas City, MO issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 3, 2:43 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | EAX | Atchison | 32 min |
| Apr 3, 3:42 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | EAX | Atchison, Nodaway | 32 min |
| Apr 3, 3:47 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | EAX | Atchison, Nodaway | 28 min |
| Apr 3, 4:12 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | EAX | Nodaway | 35 min |
| Apr 3, 4:22 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | EAX | Nodaway | 11 min |
| Apr 3, 6:19 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | EAX | Andrew, Buchanan, Platte | 41 min |
| Apr 3, 6:50 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | EAX | Platte | 25 min |
Nearby
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Missouri, 2026Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2026
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.