Alert archive / Missouri / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 23, NWS Springfield, MO
NWS Springfield, MO issued this tornado warning at Apr 26, 2026, 6:09 PM CDT for Cedar County, St. Clair County, Vernon County, Missouri. It was in force for 51 min. 12 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 26, 2026, 6:09 PM CDT (23:09 UTC)
- Expired
- Apr 26, 2026, 7:00 PM CDT
- In force
- 51 min
- Issued by
- NWS Springfield, MO
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 2.5 in
Counties Cedar County, MO, St. Clair County, MO, Vernon County, MO
The radar
The Springfield radar (KSGF), 71 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:10 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 26, 6:10 PM CDT | HAIL 1.75 | 4 Sse Harwood, MO | North of Dedrick. |
| Apr 26, 6:12 PM CDT | HAIL 1.25 | El Dorado Springs, MO | Report from mPING Half Dollar (1.25 in.). |
| Apr 26, 6:14 PM CDT | HAIL 2 | 2 W El Dorado Springs, MO | west of El Dorado Springs. |
| Apr 26, 6:14 PM CDT | HAIL 2.75 | 2 Sse El Dorado Springs, MO | Image of baseball sized hail 2 miles southeast of El Dorado Springs. Time estimated via radar. |
| Apr 26, 6:18 PM CDT | HAIL 1.75 | 1 S El Dorado Springs, MO | Reported at a hospital. |
| Apr 26, 6:20 PM CDT | HAIL 1.5 | El Dorado Springs, MO | Report from mPING Ping Pong Ball (1.50 in.). |
| Apr 26, 6:20 PM CDT | HAIL 2 | 1 S El Dorado Springs, MO | |
| Apr 26, 6:20 PM CDT | HAIL 2.75 | 1 Ssw El Dorado Springs, MO | |
| Apr 26, 6:22 PM CDT | HAIL 1 | El Dorado Springs, MO | Report from mPING - Quarter (1.00 in.). |
| Apr 26, 6:40 PM CDT | HAIL 2.75 | 3 Ene Caplinger Mills, MO | |
| Apr 26, 6:55 PM CDT | HAIL 3 | 3 S Collins, MO | Between Collins and Humansville. |
| Apr 26, 6:58 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | Collins, MO | Damage to a brick building in Collins. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
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.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 26, 3:22 PM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 8 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Springfield, MO (KSGF), launched 12:00Z, 11.2 hours before the alert went out and 105 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
- 5 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -295 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1183 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 35 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 195 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 203 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
577
WFUS53 KSGF 262309
TORSGF
MOC039-185-217-270000-
/O.NEW.KSGF.TO.W.0023.260426T2309Z-260427T0000Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Springfield MO
609 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026
The National Weather Service in Springfield has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Cedar County in southwestern Missouri...
Southern St. Clair County in west central Missouri...
Northeastern Vernon County in west central Missouri...
* Until 700 PM CDT.
* At 608 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near El Dorado Springs, moving east at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and tennis ball size hail.
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...
Stockton Lake, Stockton State Park, El Dorado Springs, Stockton,
Montevallo, Collins, Roscoe, Harwood, Gerster, Bearcreek, Masters,
Olympia, Caplinger Mills, Wagoner, Arnica, Tiffin, Filley, and
Cedar Springs.
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 3798 9351 3792 9351 3791 9357 3783 9357
3783 9362 3781 9363 3774 9363 3774 9361
3759 9362 3774 9420 3799 9419
TIME...MOT...LOC 2308Z 286DEG 35KT 3781 9409
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.50 IN
$$
Didio2 follow-up statements
980
WWUS53 KSGF 262324
SVSSGF
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Springfield MO
624 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026
MOC217-262333-
/O.CAN.KSGF.TO.W.0023.000000T0000Z-260427T0000Z/
Vernon MO-
624 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN VERNON COUNTY IS CANCELLED...
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for central,
southwestern and west central Missouri.
&&
LAT...LON 3798 9351 3792 9351 3791 9357 3783 9357
3783 9362 3781 9363 3774 9363 3774 9361
3766 9362 3775 9407 3799 9406
TIME...MOT...LOC 2323Z 276DEG 33KT 3781 9393
$$
MOC039-185-270000-
/O.CON.KSGF.TO.W.0023.000000T0000Z-260427T0000Z/
Cedar MO-St. Clair MO-
624 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CDT FOR NORTHERN
CEDAR AND SOUTHERN ST. CLAIR COUNTIES...
At 623 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near El Dorado Springs, moving east at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and two inch hail.
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...
El Dorado Springs, Stockton, Collins, Roscoe, Gerster, Tiffin,
Caplinger Mills, Filley, Cedar Springs, and Arnica.
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 3798 9351 3792 9351 3791 9357 3783 9357
3783 9362 3781 9363 3774 9363 3774 9361
3766 9362 3775 9407 3799 9406
TIME...MOT...LOC 2323Z 276DEG 33KT 3781 9393
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.00 IN
$$
Didio038
WWUS53 KSGF 262335
SVSSGF
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Springfield MO
635 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026
MOC039-185-270000-
/O.CON.KSGF.TO.W.0023.000000T0000Z-260427T0000Z/
Cedar MO-St. Clair MO-
635 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CDT FOR NORTHERN
CEDAR AND SOUTHERN ST. CLAIR COUNTIES...
At 635 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 7 miles north of Stockton, moving east at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and baseball size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
El Dorado Springs, Stockton, Collins, Roscoe, Gerster, Tiffin,
Caplinger Mills, Filley, Cedar Springs, and Arnica.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 3798 9351 3792 9351 3791 9357 3783 9357
3783 9362 3781 9363 3774 9363 3774 9361
3766 9362 3776 9399 3788 9401 3799 9396
TIME...MOT...LOC 2335Z 274DEG 31KT 3781 9383
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.75 IN
$$
DidioWhat 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 Springfield, MO wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Apr 26, 2:17 PM CDT, 3 hours 52 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Increasing chances for severe thunderstorms as early as late afternoon but more likely this evening through the overnight hours. Several rounds/clusters of thunderstorms are possible. Thunderstorms hazards include potential for hail up to lime size (2 in diameter), damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph and tornadoes. Highest severe potential is along and north of Interstate 44 however uncertainty remains with storm mode.
- Severe thunderstorm redevelopment likely Monday afternoon and evening for locations east of Highway 65, with a greater Enhanced (3 of 5) Risk east of Highway 63. Large hail to the size of baseballs, damaging winds to 70 mph, and tornadoes are all possible.
- Marginal (1 of 5) Risk for severe thunderstorms Tuesday afternoon in far south-central Missouri. Large hail is the main hazard.
- Localized flooding may occur with any training storms this weekend into Tuesday. A corridor of slightly higher flooding potential could develop along and north of Highway 54 tonight into Monday.
- Mostly dry with cooler than average temperatures Wednesday and onward.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 26, 2:17 PM CDT, 3 hours 52 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Springfield MO 217 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Increasing chances for severe thunderstorms as early as late afternoon but more likely this evening through the overnight hours. Several rounds/clusters of thunderstorms are possible. Thunderstorms hazards include potential for hail up to lime size (2 in diameter), damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph and tornadoes. Highest severe potential is along and north of Interstate 44 however uncertainty remains with storm mode. - Severe thunderstorm redevelopment likely Monday afternoon and evening for locations east of Highway 65, with a greater Enhanced (3 of 5) Risk east of Highway 63. Large hail to the size of baseballs, damaging winds to 70 mph, and tornadoes are all possible. - Marginal (1 of 5) Risk for severe thunderstorms Tuesday afternoon in far south-central Missouri. Large hail is the main hazard. - Localized flooding may occur with any training storms this weekend into Tuesday. A corridor of slightly higher flooding potential could develop along and north of Highway 54 tonight into Monday. - Mostly dry with cooler than average temperatures Wednesday and onward. && .SHORT TERM /THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/... Issued at 130 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026 Current Conditions and Synoptic Overview: Water vapor and upper air analysis shows a weak shortwave moving through northern Kansas with stronger energy seen moving through Colorado and New Mexico. The synoptic pattern remains very complex with a nearly stationary north to south front across central Kansas. The warm front with significantly higher surface dews/instability was beginning to lift north through southern Oklahoma. The 12z KSGF sounding, meso trends and satellite data still supports a capped airmass across southwest Missouri with limited low level cloud cover. In response, temps have warmed into the middle and upper 70s. As of early afternoon, storms have formed across central Kansas and were likely elevated in nature mostly, however the southern end is becoming more surface based. Thunderstorm Potential This evening - Overnight/Monday Morning: A messy and complicated forecast exists with the potential for multiple clusters/rounds of storms. There seems to a growing trend that as stronger lift moves east this afternoon, storms across central Kansas will continue to move east and expand in coverage and intensity. These storms could clip locations along and north of Highway 54 by late afternoon and evening. Large hail to 2 inches in diameter is the most likely hazard given the elevated nature. If they become more surface based then the damaging wind threat would increase. The other focus area to watch this evening will be across southern Kansas into Oklahoma, especially near the triple point as that warm front will continue to lift north. The low level jet will continue to increase this evening into the overnight hours and should force the development of supercells. CAMS suggest that these could congeal into clusters and move northeast into southeast Kansas and southwest Missouri through the overnight hours. Instability and wind shear will actually increase further through the overnight (especially elevated CAPE), therefore large hail to 2 inches in diameter and damaging wind gusts to 70mph will be the most likely hazards. The tornado threat remains uncertain. Any supercells that can remain close to that warm front (which will be moving towards the area) will have the potential for a tornado, with locations across southeast Kansas and western Missouri in a conditional intensity 1 category for strong tornadoes, if a tornado where to form. Forecast STP (significant tornado parameter) values across the west look to get to 1-3, therefore we will need to monitor the environment closely tonight. With lift continuing overnight and the mean flow out of the west/southwest, we could see multiple rounds of thunderstorms, especially along and north of Interstate 44. The further south of I-44 it remains uncertain how much we will see. If the warm front is slower to move in then storms could move in further south than forecast. This will likely be an evolving situation with additional updates likely through this evening. Flooding Potential: Some of the more recent CAMS suggest a corridor of training thunderstorms along and north of Highway 54. Confidence is low on how this will evolve however if this does occur, a corridor of 2-3 inches of rainfall could occur which would cause flooding. Will continue to monitor this potential this afternoon and any potential need for any short fuse Flood Watches. Thunderstorm Potential Monday Afternoon/Evening: Thunderstorm clusters may be ongoing Monday morning, especially north of I-44. This creates a complicated thermodynamic environment for afternoon/evening storm redevelopment. There is enough consensus in 12z HREF data to support thunderstorm redevelopment as the strong lift moves into Missouri, however it should be noted that most of the strongest lift will be north of the area. Forecast soundings for Springfield and points east for the afternoon hours support a very unstable and highly sheared airmass. Strong southerly winds with gusts to 35mph will pump in surface dews in the 60s with high temps in the 80s. Mean SB CAPEs may reach 3000j/kg with 0-6km shear of 50-60kts. Forecast large hail parameters from the RAP suggest values as high as 20 which would allow for hail larger than baseballs. The low level flow helicity not be particularly strong in the afternoon with the surface winds out of the southwest however it does increase in the evening. Therefore the tornado threat should increase as storms move east, especially east of Highway 63 where strong tornadoes are possible if storms don't congeal and SRH is high enough. There remains uncertainty how early and how far west storms redevelop. Most guidance does not show storms along or west of I-49 however most seem to want to develop them near the Highway 65 corridor (in the 3-6pm window) and then really increase the strength as they go east. This will be a rapidly evolving situation across the eastern half of the area with additional updates likely. && .LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... Issued at 130 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026 Additional Storm Potential Tuesday: There is a continued trend that highlights the front lifting north Tuesday, back into southern Missouri. Additional energy will move into the area and could force another round of thunderstorms. Most of the storms may remain elevated north of the front with large hail the main concern. However if the front lifts any farther north (closer to I-44), then we will need to monitor for additional hazards as storms could try to become more surface based. Pattern Change Mid/Late Week: A split flow pattern then develops for mid to late week with northwest flow aloft over the area and a cut off low south of California. While confidence in rain chances in this pattern is low, confidence is high that temperatures will drop back to or perhaps below average with highs in the 60s and lows in the 40s. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z MONDAY/... Issued at 1143 AM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026 Confidence is high that VFR conditions will prevail through the afternoon and evening. Confidence is much lower with the thunderstorm potential this afternoon through tonight. Have tried to keep the prob30s limited to tonight/overnight when the thunderstorm chances are higher at JLN and SGF. However if storms develop earlier, then we made need amendments. Winds will remain southeasterly with a gradual shift to the south tonight into Monday. Wind gusts on Monday will increase to around 25-30kts. Low level wind shear is likely at the sites overnight into Monday. && .SGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... KS...None. MO...None. && SHORT TERM...Burchfield LONG TERM...Burchfield AVIATION...Burchfield
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 26, 2:17 PM CDT, 3 hours 52 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Springfield MO 217 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026 KSZ073-097-101-MOZ055>058-066>071-077>083-088>098-101>106-271930- Bourbon-Crawford-Cherokee-Benton-Morgan-Miller-Maries-Vernon- St. Clair-Hickory-Camden-Pulaski-Phelps-Barton-Cedar-Polk-Dallas- Laclede-Texas-Dent-Jasper-Dade-Greene-Webster-Wright-Newton- Lawrence-Christian-Douglas-Howell-Shannon-McDonald-Barry-Stone- Taney-Ozark-Oregon- 217 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of the Missouri Ozarks and extreme southeast Kansas. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Weather hazards expected... Slight tornado risk. Enhanced hail risk. Enhanced thunderstorm wind damage risk. Elevated lightning risk. Limited excessive rainfall risk DISCUSSION... Thunderstorm potential will increase late this afternoon and evening, especially along and north of Highway 54. Large hail up to 2 in in diameter and damaging winds up to 70mph are the most likely hazards with this activity. Other storms look to form later in the evening and overnight hours across southern Kansas and northern Oklahoma. These storms will also move into the area, mainly along and north of Interstate 44. Large hail up to 2 inches in diameter, damaging winds to 70mph and a few tornadoes will be possible. Several clusters of storms could move through the area overnight. If storms do move over the same areas, localized flash flooding could occur. Currently the highest potential for this is along and north of Highway 54. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Additional strong to severe thunderstorms are likely Monday. All modes of severe storms will be possible on Monday. There is the potential for significant severe weather hazards along and east of Highway 63 Monday afternoon and evening. Wind gusts will also increase to 30-35 mph Monday. A lingering Marginal (1 of 5) Risk for severe storms exists across portions of south-central Missouri Tuesday afternoon and evening. The main hazard with these storms is large hail. Any slow-moving or training storms could result in a localized flooding risk. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will likely be needed later today and tonight. && More detailed information can be accessed at: http://www.weather.gov/sgf/dsspacket This product in graphical format...along with other weather... hydrological and climate information...at http://www.weather.gov/sgf Burchfield
In the hours before
Local storm report, Apr 26, 4:34 PM CDT, 1 hour 35 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Springfield MO
434 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0412 PM Hail Fort Scott 37.84N 94.71W
04/26/2026 E1.00 Inch Bourbon KS Public
Social media picture of quarter size hail in
Fort Scott, Kansas.
&&
MBLocal storm report, Apr 26, 6:05 PM CDT, 4 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Springfield MO
605 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0549 PM Hail Nevada 37.84N 94.36W
04/26/2026 E2.00 Inch Vernon MO Public
Report from mPING. Hen Egg (2.00 in.).
&&
MBLocal storm report, Apr 26, 6:07 PM CDT, 2 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Springfield MO
607 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0550 PM Hail 1 WNW Nevada 37.85N 94.37W
04/26/2026 E1.75 Inch Vernon MO Amateur Radio
&&
MBLocal storm report, Apr 26, 6:08 PM CDT, 1 minute before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Springfield MO
608 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0603 PM Hail Walker 37.90N 94.23W
04/26/2026 E2.50 Inch Vernon MO Storm Chaser
Windshield shattered due to tennis ball size
hail.
&&
MBThe office that day
Everything else NWS Springfield, MO issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 25, 7:32 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | SGF | McDonald | 39 min |
| Apr 26, 4:12 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | SGF | Vernon | 15 min |
| Apr 26, 5:25 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | SGF | Vernon | 65 min |
| Apr 26, 5:49 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | SGF | Vernon | 41 min |
| Apr 26, 5:55 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | SGF | Barton, Jasper | 50 min |
| Apr 26, 6:12 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | SGF | St. Clair | 48 min |
| Apr 26, 6:18 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | SGF | Barton, Jasper | 57 min |
| Apr 26, 6:44 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | SGF | Barton, Dade | 61 min |
| Apr 26, 6:49 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | SGF | Benton, Hickory, St. Clair | 41 min |
| Apr 26, 6:51 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | SGF | Cedar, Hickory, Polk, St. Clair | 39 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.