Alert archive / Kansas / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 29, NWS Springfield, MO

April 26, 2026Cherokee County, Kansas

NWS Springfield, MO issued this tornado warning at Apr 26, 2026, 8:44 PM CDT for Cherokee County, Kansas. It was in force for 61 min. 2 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, 8:44 PM CDT (01:44 UTC)
Expired
Apr 26, 2026, 9:45 PM CDT
In force
61 min
Issued by
NWS Springfield, MO
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
2.0 in

County Cherokee County, KS

The radar

The Tulsa radar (KINX), 125 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:47 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
Apr 26, 9:43 PM CDTTORNADOHallowell, KSRating EF1. Estimated peak wind 105 miles. Path Length 4.37 miles. Path width 500 yards. Several trees uprooted or snapped, empty rail cars overturned, grain bins significantly damaged. Outbuildings were destroyed. Numerous power poles bent, snapped, and broke
Apr 26, 9:49 PM CDTTSTM WND DMGHallowell, KSMultiple trees downed including tress on houses.

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 one storm report to this tornado warning; the first came 59 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.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Apr 26, 3:22 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Springfield, MO (KSGF), launched 00:00Z, 1.7 hours before the alert went out and 115 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 00:00Z on 2026-04-27Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1115 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 00:00Z on 2026-04-27The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 128 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 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
1115 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-60 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1306 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
52 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
128 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
227 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.8
Supercell composite
7.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

723 
WFUS53 KSGF 270144
TORSGF
KSC021-270245-
/O.NEW.KSGF.TO.W.0029.260427T0144Z-260427T0245Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Springfield MO
844 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026

The National Weather Service in Springfield has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Western Cherokee County in southeastern Kansas...

* Until 945 PM CDT.

* At 844 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located over Altamont, moving east at 20 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado and hail up to two inches in diameter.

  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...
  Sherman, Faulkner, Hallowell, and Melrose.

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.

Tornadoes are extremely difficult to see and confirm at night. Do not
wait to see or hear the tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

&&

LAT...LON 3734 9507 3734 9494 3700 9496 3702 9507
      3723 9508
TIME...MOT...LOC 0144Z 282DEG 16KT 3721 9527 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.00 IN

$$

Camden
1 follow-up statement
772 
WWUS53 KSGF 270211
SVSSGF

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Springfield MO
911 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026

KSC021-270245-
/O.CON.KSGF.TO.W.0029.000000T0000Z-260427T0245Z/
Cherokee KS-
911 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 945 PM CDT FOR WESTERN
CHEROKEE COUNTY...

At 911 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Altamont, moving east at 15 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...
Sherman, Sherwin, Faulkner, and Hallowell.

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.

Tornadoes are extremely difficult to see and confirm at night. Do not
wait to see or hear the tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

&&

LAT...LON 3712 9495 3705 9496 3708 9507 3723 9508
      3734 9507 3734 9494
TIME...MOT...LOC 0211Z 275DEG 11KT 3722 9523 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.00 IN

$$

Camden

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 Springfield, MO wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Apr 26, 6:23 PM CDT, 2 hours 21 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, 6:23 PM CDT, 2 hours 21 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Springfield MO
623 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 SUNDAY/...
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 /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 623 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026

Thunderstorms are developing from northern Missouri into
central Oklahoma this evening. This activity will continue to
develop and track east across the area this evening into
tonight. MVFR to IFR conditions will occur with the storms.

Gusty southeasterly winds will occur tonight and will become
southwesterly Monday morning and afternoon and be gusty. A cold
front will move across the area on Monday and additional storms
will be possible Monday afternoon and evening.

&&

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

&&

SHORT TERM...Burchfield
LONG TERM...Burchfield
AVIATION...Wise
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 26, 8:07 PM CDT, 37 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Springfield MO
807 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026

KSZ073-097-101-MOZ055>058-066>071-077>083-088>098-101>106-280115-
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-
807 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of the Missouri
Ozarks and extreme southeast Kansas.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Weather hazards expected...

  Slight tornado risk.
  Enhanced hail risk.
  Enhanced thunderstorm wind damage risk.
  Elevated lightning risk.
  Elevated excessive rainfall risk
  Limited non thunderstorm wind risk.

DISCUSSION...

Thunderstorms have developed from central Missouri to the
southeast into southeastern Kansas/Northeastern Oklahoma this
evening. This activity will continue to move east across the area
this evening into the overnight hours. Large hail up to the size
of baseballs, damaging winds up to 70mph, and a few tornadoes.

Locally heavy rainfall and localized flooding will also be
possible with storms that track across the same locations this
evening and tonight.

.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 across the entire area
  this evening into 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

Wise

In the hours before

Local storm report, Apr 26, 7:35 PM CDT, 1 hour 9 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Springfield MO
735 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026

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

0732 PM     Hail             3 WSW Cane Hill         37.57N 93.78W
04/26/2026  E1.00 Inch       Dade               MO   Emergency Mngr

            Dade county line on Stockton lake.

&&

MB
Local storm report, Apr 26, 7:39 PM CDT, 1 hour 5 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Springfield MO
739 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026

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

0735 PM     Hail             4 SW Pittsburg          37.81N 93.36W
04/26/2026  E2.00 Inch       Polk               MO   Public

            Report from mPING - Hen Egg (2.00 in.).

&&

MB
Local storm report, Apr 26, 7:46 PM CDT, 58 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Springfield MO
746 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026

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

0742 PM     Hail             1 S Arcola              37.53N 93.87W
04/26/2026  E1.75 Inch       Dade               MO   911 Call Center

&&

MB
Local storm report, Apr 26, 7:53 PM CDT, 51 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Springfield MO
753 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026

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

0658 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Collins                 37.89N 93.63W
04/26/2026                   St. Clair          MO   Emergency Mngr

            Damage to a brick building in Collins.

&&

MB
Local storm report, Apr 26, 8:08 PM CDT, 36 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Springfield MO
808 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026

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

0807 PM     Hail             Walnut Grove            37.41N 93.55W
04/26/2026  M1.75 Inch       Greene             MO   Fire Dept/Rescue

&&

EW
Local storm report, Apr 26, 8:39 PM CDT, 5 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Springfield MO
839 PM CDT Sun Apr 26 2026

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

0817 PM     Hail             Morrisville             37.48N 93.43W
04/26/2026  E1.75 Inch       Polk               MO   Emergency Mngr

&&

EW

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 26, 9:14 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatSGFCherokee, Crawford46 min
Apr 26, 9:30 PM CDTTornado WarningSGFCherokee, Crawford45 min
Apr 26, 9:38 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedSGFCherokee52 min
Apr 26, 9:51 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningSGFCherokee, Crawford6 hr
Apr 26, 10:02 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedConsiderable damage threatSGFCherokee43 min
Apr 26, 10:37 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatSGFCherokee38 min
Apr 26, 11:17 PM CDTRiver Flood WarningSGFBourbon17 hr
Apr 27, 2:10 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSGFBourbon35 min
Apr 27, 2:40 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSGFBourbon21 min
Apr 27, 4:15 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementSGFBourbon60 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Kansas, 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.