Alert archive / Missouri / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 21, NWS Kansas City, MO

April 17, 2026Bates County, Missouri

NWS Kansas City, MO issued this tornado warning at Apr 17, 2026, 6:21 PM CDT for Bates County, Missouri. It was in force for 24 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 17, 2026, 6:21 PM CDT (23:21 UTC)
Expired
Apr 17, 2026, 6:45 PM CDT
In force
24 min
Issued by
NWS Kansas City, MO
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.75 in

County Bates County, MO

The radar

The Pleasant Hill radar (KEAX), 71 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:21 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.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Apr 17, 1:40 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Topeka, KS (KTOP), launched 12:00Z, 11.4 hours before the alert went out and 148 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, Topeka, KS at 12:00Z on 2026-04-17Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 2338 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Topeka, KS at 12:00Z on 2026-04-17The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 379 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
2338 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-172 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
934 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
44 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
379 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
354 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.8
Supercell composite
16.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

147 
WFUS53 KEAX 172321
TOREAX
MOC013-172345-
/O.NEW.KEAX.TO.W.0021.260417T2321Z-260417T2345Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
621 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

The National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Southern Bates County in west central Missouri...

* Until 645 PM CDT.

* At 621 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near Hume, or 9 miles northwest of Rich Hill, moving
  east at 60 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

  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...
  Butler, Rich Hill, Hume, Rockville, Foster, and Worland.

This includes Interstate 49 between mile markers 119 and 135.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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 3806 9461 3824 9461 3837 9407 3822 9408
      3821 9405 3807 9406
TIME...MOT...LOC 2321Z 261DEG 53KT 3817 9451 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

CDB
3 follow-up statements
288 
WWUS53 KEAX 172328
SVSEAX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
628 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

MOC013-172345-
/O.CON.KEAX.TO.W.0021.000000T0000Z-260417T2345Z/
Bates MO-
628 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 645 PM CDT FOR SOUTHERN
BATES COUNTY...

At 628 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Rich Hill, moving east at 55 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

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...
Butler, Rich Hill, Rockville, and Foster.

This includes Interstate 49 between mile markers 119 and 132.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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 3806 9454 3823 9450 3834 9407 3822 9408
      3821 9405 3807 9406
TIME...MOT...LOC 2328Z 269DEG 48KT 3810 9442 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

CDB
268 
WWUS53 KEAX 172333 RRA
SVSEAX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
633 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

MOC013-172345-
/O.CON.KEAX.TO.W.0021.000000T0000Z-260417T2345Z/
Bates MO-
633 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 645 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN BATES COUNTY...

At 633 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Rich Hill, moving east at 55 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

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...
Rich Hill and Rockville.

This includes Interstate 49 between mile markers 119 and 125.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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 3806 9440 3818 9435 3830 9407 3822 9408
      3821 9405 3807 9406
TIME...MOT...LOC 2333Z 269DEG 48KT 3810 9434 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

CDB
003 
WWUS53 KEAX 172341
SVSEAX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
641 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

MOC013-172351-
/O.EXP.KEAX.TO.W.0021.000000T0000Z-260417T2345Z/
Bates MO-
641 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN BATES COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT
645 PM CDT...

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

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

&&

LAT...LON 3806 9440 3818 9435 3830 9407 3822 9408
      3821 9405 3807 9406
TIME...MOT...LOC 2341Z 261DEG 53KT 3811 9423 

$$

CDB

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 17, 1:42 AM CDTFlood WatchEAXBates, Carroll, Cass, Chariton, Clay, Cooper and 11 more26 hr
Apr 17, 8:39 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningEAXCass, Henry, Johnson30 hr
Apr 17, 8:39 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningEAXBates, Cass, Henry24 hr
Apr 17, 9:07 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningEAXCooper11 hr
Apr 17, 9:07 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningEAXCooper, Saline6 days
Apr 17, 9:07 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningEAXJohnson, Pettis3 days
Apr 17, 9:07 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningEAXCooper45 hr
Apr 17, 1:16 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXGentry, Nodaway, Worth44 min
Apr 17, 2:03 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXGentry, Nodaway42 min
Apr 17, 2:27 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXCaldwell, Carroll, Daviess, Grundy, Livingston, Ray48 min
Apr 17, 2:27 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXBuchanan, Platte48 min
Apr 17, 2:31 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXCaldwell, Daviess, Grundy44 min
Apr 17, 2:33 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXGentry, Harrison42 min
Apr 17, 2:34 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXHoward, Randolph41 min
Apr 17, 2:35 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXGentry, Harrison, Worth40 min
Apr 17, 2:38 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXBuchanan, Platte37 min
Apr 17, 2:40 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXCaldwell, Ray35 min
Apr 17, 2:47 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXAndrew, DeKalb, Gentry28 min
Apr 17, 2:47 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXRay28 min
Apr 17, 2:51 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXDaviess, Grundy, Linn, Livingston, Mercer, Putnam and 1 more39 min
Apr 17, 2:55 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXGentry, Grundy, Harrison, Mercer, Worth50 min
Apr 17, 2:57 PM CDTTornado WarningEAXBuchanan, Platte33 min
Apr 17, 2:59 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXRandolph31 min
Apr 17, 3:07 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatEAXAndrew, Buchanan, Holt, Platte38 min
Apr 17, 3:09 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatEAXCaldwell, Carroll, Daviess, Livingston51 min
Apr 17, 3:11 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatEAXAndrew, Buchanan, Clinton, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry and 1 more64 min
Apr 17, 3:14 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXMercer, Putnam31 min
Apr 17, 3:25 PM CDTTornado WarningEAXBuchanan, Clinton, Platte20 min
Apr 17, 3:26 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXMercer, Putnam, Sullivan49 min
Apr 17, 3:33 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXGrundy, Mercer, Sullivan27 min
Apr 17, 3:33 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatEAXHarrison, Mercer, Putnam57 min
Apr 17, 3:39 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXBuchanan, Platte42 min
Apr 17, 3:39 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXGrundy, Linn, Livingston, Mercer, Sullivan36 min
Apr 17, 3:45 PM CDTTornado WarningEAXGrundy, Linn, Livingston, Sullivan45 min
Apr 17, 3:51 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXBuchanan, Caldwell, Clinton, Daviess, DeKalb39 min
Apr 17, 3:56 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatEAXGrundy, Linn, Livingston, Mercer, Sullivan64 min
Apr 17, 4:08 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXAdair, Mercer, Putnam, Schuyler, Sullivan52 min
Apr 17, 4:20 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXCaldwell, Clinton, Daviess, DeKalb, Grundy, Livingston40 min
Apr 17, 4:24 PM CDTTornado WarningEAXAdair, Linn, Macon, Sullivan37 min
Apr 17, 4:35 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threatEAXCass40 min
Apr 17, 4:44 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXClay, Jackson, Platte, Ray46 min
Apr 17, 4:53 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXAdair, Caldwell, Daviess, Grundy, Linn, Livingston and 2 more52 min
Apr 17, 4:58 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threatEAXCaldwell, Daviess, Grundy, Livingston33 min
Apr 17, 4:59 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXAdair, Macon, Putnam, Schuyler46 min
Apr 17, 5:02 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningEAXClay, Jackson, Platte3 hr
Apr 17, 5:02 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threatEAXBates, Cass, Jackson58 min
Apr 17, 5:11 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatEAXBates, Caldwell, Carroll, Cass, Clay, Henry and 4 more79 min
Apr 17, 5:13 PM CDTTornado WarningEAXCass, Jackson32 min
Apr 17, 5:23 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXAdair, Chariton, Linn, Livingston, Macon, Randolph67 min
Apr 17, 5:25 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatEAXClay, Jackson35 min
Apr 17, 5:39 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXBates, Henry66 min
Apr 17, 5:43 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXAdair, Macon, Schuyler47 min
Apr 17, 5:46 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXBates, Cass44 min
Apr 17, 5:47 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXCaldwell, Carroll, Chariton, Lafayette, Livingston, Ray and 1 more43 min
Apr 17, 6:01 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXJohnson, Lafayette, Pettis, Saline30 min
Apr 17, 6:20 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXCarroll, Chariton, Howard, Linn, Macon, Randolph and 1 more42 min
Apr 17, 6:30 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningEAXBates, Cass, Henry45 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.