Alert archive / Missouri / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 14, NWS Kansas City, MO

April 15, 2026Henry County, Pettis County, Missouri

NWS Kansas City, MO issued this tornado warning at Apr 15, 2026, 6:10 PM CDT for Henry County, Pettis County, Missouri. It was in force for 12 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Apr 15, 2026, 6:10 PM CDT (23:10 UTC)
Expired
Apr 15, 2026, 6:22 PM CDT
In force
12 min
Issued by
NWS Kansas City, MO
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Observed
Hail
0.75 in

Counties Henry County, MO, Pettis County, MO

The radar

The Pleasant Hill radar (KEAX), 71 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:09 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.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this tornado warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

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.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Apr 15, 3:40 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Springfield, MO (KSGF), launched 12:00Z, 11.2 hours before the alert went out and 175 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.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Springfield, MO at 12:00Z on 2026-04-15Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 192 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Springfield, MO at 12:00Z on 2026-04-15The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 163 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
192 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-57 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
810 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
30 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
163 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
148 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

465 
WFUS53 KEAX 152310
TOREAX
MOC083-159-152345-
/O.NEW.KEAX.TO.W.0014.260415T2310Z-260415T2345Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
610 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026

The National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Northeastern Henry County in west central Missouri...
  Southwestern Pettis County in central Missouri...

* Until 645 PM CDT.

* At 610 PM CDT, a tornado producing storm was located over Clinton,
  moving northeast at 25 mph.

  HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

  SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado. Storm chasers also confirmed a 
           tornado. 

  IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
           shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. 
           Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree 
           damage is likely.

* Locations impacted include...
  Clinton, Windsor, Calhoun, Coal, Tightwad, and Truman Lake.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a
basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3832 9380 3842 9380 3856 9352 3856 9351
      3857 9351 3860 9344 3851 9341 3851 9352
      3843 9351 3831 9352
TIME...MOT...LOC 2310Z 236DEG 22KT 3837 9376 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

CDB
1 follow-up statement
351 
WWUS53 KEAX 152322
SVSEAX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
622 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026

MOC083-159-152331-
/O.CAN.KEAX.TO.W.0014.000000T0000Z-260415T2345Z/
Henry MO-Pettis MO-
622 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN HENRY AND SOUTHWESTERN PETTIS
COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer appears capable of producing a tornado.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.  However, heavy rain is
still possible with this thunderstorm.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for central and
west central Missouri.

&&

LAT...LON 3832 9380 3842 9380 3856 9352 3856 9351
      3857 9351 3860 9344 3851 9341 3851 9352
      3843 9351 3831 9352
TIME...MOT...LOC 2321Z 236DEG 22KT 3841 9368 

$$

CDB

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this tornado 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 tornado warning went out at Apr 15, 2:50 PM CDT, 3 hours 20 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Strong to severe storms are expected to develop this afternoon and evening, with the best chances south and east of the I-35 corridor. Damaging winds and large hail are the primary threats, though isolated tornadoes cannot be ruled out.
  • Another round of severe weather is anticipated on Friday afternoon and evening, with all severe hazards possible. Confidence is higher than average that widespread coverage of storms is expected. Confidence is lower on convective mode, which will have significant influence on what severe weather hazards will occur with the storms. Stay tuned to the latest forecasts.
  • Much cooler weather is expected this weekend. Low temperatures on Saturday night may approach the freezing mark in northern Missouri.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 15, 2:50 PM CDT, 3 hours 20 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
250 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Strong to severe storms are expected to develop this afternoon
  and evening, with the best chances south and east of the I-35
  corridor. Damaging winds and large hail are the primary
  threats, though isolated tornadoes cannot be ruled out.

- Another round of severe weather is anticipated on Friday
  afternoon and evening, with all severe hazards possible.
  Confidence is higher than average that widespread coverage of
  storms is expected. Confidence is lower on convective mode,
  which will have significant influence on what severe weather
  hazards will occur with the storms. Stay tuned to the latest
  forecasts.

- Much cooler weather is expected this weekend. Low temperatures
  on Saturday night may approach the freezing mark in northern
  Missouri.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/...
Issued at 204 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026

Primary concern in the short term is severe-weather potential
this afternoon/evening. A weak surface low in eastern Nebraska
and western Iowa with an attendant cold front extending
southward through eastern Kansas will shift
eastward/northeastward this evening. Prompted by large-scale
lift from an approaching perturbation this afternoon, convection
is expected to initiate rapidly through late this afternoon
(storms already developing in southeast Kansas as of 2 pm).
Convection-allowing models (CAMs) have been consistently
developing initially discrete convection along the front roughly
near the I-35 corridor, growing quickly upscale into
clusters/lines as the storms progress quickly
eastward/northeastward through early evening.

Large hail will be the primary threat with discrete storms,
with wind damage becoming more possible with time as storms grow
upscale. Wind profiles are generally favorable for splitting
supercells (confirming the large hail threat), but mean
mid/upper flow is largely parallel to the approaching front.
Storm interactions should be frequent as more and more cells
develop, so the process of congealing may be quite fast. This
would likely mute the tornado threat, but the risk is not
negligible. Low-level shear is more than adequate for tornadoes,
and LCLs lower from west-to-east across the forecast area (and
are sufficiently low everywhere).

The good news is that the storms will be progressive, so the
flooding risk is low today. The storms should generally be out
of the forecast area by 9 or 10 pm, with the rest of the night
expected to be dry. With the Pacific origins of today's weather
system, Thursday should continue the streak of warm days (highs
mainly in the 80s), with shortwave ridging keeping things dry
(continuing through Thursday night).

&&

.LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 204 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026

Primary concern is the severe-weather episode expected on Friday
afternoon/evening.

A deepening longwave trough in the western U.S. will slowly
approach the northern/central Plains Friday. A predecessor
vorticity maximum will eject northeastward into the Missouri and
Mississippi Valley regions Friday afternoon/evening, in advance
of a strong cold front moving southeastward from the northern
into the central Plains. Substantial large-scale lift will be
present (via warm advection and differential cyclonic vorticity
advection) as the cold front approaches north/west portions of
the forecast area Friday afternoon. Storms will rapidly develop
during the afternoon along the front. Thermodynamic and
kinematic profiles will be very favorable for severe storms, but
the extensive nature of the large-scale lift and the largely
parallel upper flow to the surging front suggests storm
interactions will be rapid, resulting in quick upscale growth
into an extensive line of storms with time. Damaging winds and
QLCS tornadoes are possible as the line develops/matures, with
large hail and isolated tornadoes the main threats during the
initial stages of convective development Friday afternoon.
Confidence is rather high that the entire region will see
storms, with potentially numerous reports of severe weather,
but given the rapid upscale growth expected...the messy
resultant nature of the convection poses uncertainty with the
magnitude of the severe risk. If storms can maintain a discrete
nature for a sufficiently long period of time, an isolated
strong tornado could occur given the highly favorable
environment.

Flash flooding is also more of a concern on Friday, as multiple
rounds of storms may develop during the afternoon/evening,
especially if storms end up training on the south side of the
developing mesoscale convective system (favoring southern
portions of the forecast area). With recent rains across the
area, we remain rather vulnerable for instances of flooding,
particularly with small streams/creeks and in urban areas.
Precipitable water values Friday afternoon will be unseasonably
high (generally 1.3-1.6 inches), and training convection will be
possible during the evening as the low-level jet increases,
impinging on the southeastward-progressing cold front.

As the cold upper trough moves into the central Plains by
Saturday, strong cold advection upstream of the front will bring
much colder temperatures to the region by Saturday. Highs on
Saturday will be 20-30 degrees colder than Friday, with lows
Saturday night approaching the freezing mark in northern
portions of the forecast area as a strong surface high
approaches. Not out of the question we have to issue a few
frost/freeze headlines for that period.

Warmer temperatures will commence quickly, with Sunday warming a
good ten degrees with subsequent warming on Monday and Tuesday
to temperatures a good 10-15+ degrees above average. The next
chance for precipitation comes by the middle of next week, as
long-range models are showing another active period developing
for the close of April.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z THURSDAY/...
Issued at 1149 AM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026

Main aviation concern this afternoon is convection, with storms
expected to develop near the KC terminals around/after 20z.
Think best timing for storms at MCI/MKC/IXD will be in the
20-22z time frame, but it still remains possible (around 50
percent chance) that storms develop mostly east of the TAF
sites with no impacts at the terminals. On the other hand, if a
storm develops and affects a terminal, impacts could be
significant, with IFR/LIFR VSBYs and strong/erratic wind gusts
in torrential rain and frequent lightning. Storms should move
east of the terminals by 23z, with VFR thereafter. Southwest
winds 15 to 20 kt with gusts 25 to 30 kt are expected this
afternoon, gradually veering to west and northwest this evening,
before diminishing and becoming light/variable after 06z. A
steady south breeze should develop after 15z Thursday.

&&

.EAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MO...None.
KS...None.

&&

SHORT TERM...CMS
LONG TERM...CMS
AVIATION...CMS
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 15, 5:07 AM CDT, 13 hours 3 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
0507 AM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026

KSZ025-057-060-102>105-MOZ001>008-011>017-020>025-028>033-037>040-
043>046-053-054-161007-
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-
0507 AM CDT Wed Apr 15 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...Thursday through Tuesday.

Please go to https://weather.gov/media/eax/DssPacket.pdf for more information on
potential weather hazards.

.KEY MESSAGES...

* Active weather pattern continues with multiple additional chances
  for strong to severe thunderstorms, today/Wednesday and Friday.
  - Today/Wednesday: SPC Day 1 Slight Risk
  - Friday: SPC Day 3 Enhanced Risk

* Warm temperatures (upper 70s to low/mid 80s) are expected to
  persist through the work week, then cooler and drier
  conditions expected this weekend and into early next week.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Apr 15, 5:46 PM CDT, 24 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant HIll MO
546 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0448 PM     Hail             4 NE Coffey             40.15N 93.97W
04/15/2026  E2.00 Inch       Harrison           MO   Public

            photo relayed via social media.

&&

BT
Local storm report, Apr 15, 5:48 PM CDT, 22 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant HIll MO
548 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0541 PM     Hail             2 NE Stanley            38.87N 94.63W
04/15/2026  E1.00 Inch       Johnson            KS   Public

            Mping report.

&&

BMW
Local storm report, Apr 15, 5:51 PM CDT, 19 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant HIll MO
551 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0545 PM     Hail             1 W Stanley             38.85N 94.68W
04/15/2026  E1.00 Inch       Johnson            KS   Emergency Mngr

            Estimated quarter sized hail from spotter,
            time estimated by radar.

&&

spg
Local storm report, Apr 15, 5:53 PM CDT, 17 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant HIll MO
553 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0447 PM     Hail             2 S Hamilton            39.72N 94.00W
04/15/2026  E1.00 Inch       Caldwell           MO   Public

            Taken from social media, time estimated from
            radar.

&&

spg
Local storm report, Apr 15, 6:01 PM CDT, 9 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant HIll MO
601 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0500 PM     Hail             2 WNW Kingsville        38.76N 94.10W
04/15/2026  E1.25 Inch       Johnson            MO   Public

            Taken from social media, estimated ping
            pongs. Time estimated from radar.

&&

spg
Local storm report, Apr 15, 6:05 PM CDT, 5 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant HIll MO
605 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0559 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Adrian                  38.40N 94.35W
04/15/2026                   Bates              MO   Public

            Taken from social media, video of bent power
            poles and shingles blown off house. Time
            estimated by radar.

&&

spg

The office that day

Everything else NWS Kansas City, MO issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 14, 11:11 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXAtchison49 min
Apr 14, 11:51 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementEAXAtchison39 min
Apr 15, 12:48 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementEAXAtchison27 min
Apr 15, 1:15 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementEAXAtchison30 min
Apr 15, 3:52 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXClay, Jackson, Platte38 min
Apr 15, 4:08 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXCaldwell, Clinton, Daviess, DeKalb40 min
Apr 15, 4:13 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXBates, Cass47 min
Apr 15, 4:35 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXDaviess, Grundy, Harrison, Mercer40 min
Apr 15, 4:40 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXCaldwell, Carroll, Daviess, Livingston, Ray50 min
Apr 15, 4:47 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatEAXCass, Jackson43 min
Apr 15, 4:52 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXCass, Jackson, Johnson, Lafayette38 min
Apr 15, 5:02 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXClay, Jackson43 min
Apr 15, 5:04 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatEAXGrundy, Harrison, Mercer41 min
Apr 15, 5:14 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXJackson, Lafayette, Ray46 min
Apr 15, 5:15 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXDaviess, Grundy, Livingston, Mercer, Putnam, Sullivan34 min
Apr 15, 5:27 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXJackson33 min
Apr 15, 5:27 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXCaldwell, Clay, Clinton, Jackson, Ray48 min
Apr 15, 5:29 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXCarroll, Chariton, Linn, Livingston46 min
Apr 15, 5:34 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXCaldwell, Clinton, Daviess, Ray41 min
Apr 15, 5:36 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXHenry39 min
Apr 15, 5:51 PM CDTTornado WarningEAXHenry24 min
Apr 15, 5:56 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXBates, Cass, Henry, Johnson22 min
Apr 15, 6:02 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXCaldwell, Carroll, Daviess, Linn, Livingston, Ray43 min
Apr 15, 6:10 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXCarroll, Chariton, Linn, Livingston50 min
Apr 15, 6:14 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXHarrison, Mercer, Putnam22 min
Apr 15, 6:16 PM CDTTornado WarningEAXHenry, Pettis6 min
Apr 15, 6:46 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXGrundy, Mercer, Putnam, Sullivan44 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Missouri, 2026Every tornado warning in 2026Tornadoes 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.