Alert archive / Missouri / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 73, NWS Springfield, MO

July 9, 2026Benton County, Missouri

NWS Springfield, MO issued this tornado warning at Jul 9, 2026, 8:27 PM CDT for Benton County, Missouri. It was in force for 25 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
Jul 9, 2026, 8:27 PM CDT (01:27 UTC)
Expired
Jul 9, 2026, 8:52 PM CDT
In force
25 min
Issued by
NWS Springfield, MO
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.75 in

County Benton County, MO

The radar

The Pleasant Hill radar (KEAX), 110 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:28 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
Jul 9, 6:01 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Springfield, MO (KSGF), launched 00:00Z, 1.5 hours before the alert went out and 176 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 2026-07-10Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 2398 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, Springfield, MO at 00:00Z on 2026-07-10The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 102 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
2398 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-6 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1200 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
24 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
102 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
238 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
9.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

735 
WFUS53 KSGF 100127
TORSGF
MOC015-100215-
/O.NEW.KSGF.TO.W.0073.260710T0127Z-260710T0215Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Springfield MO
827 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2026

The National Weather Service in Springfield has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Northeastern Benton County in central Missouri...

* Until 915 PM CDT.

* At 827 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near Cole Camp, or 14 miles northeast of Warsaw, moving
  southeast at 15 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...
  Crockerville and Zora.

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 3845 9307 3835 9307 3835 9308 3824 9308
      3837 9328 3849 9316
TIME...MOT...LOC 0127Z 306DEG 12KT 3839 9319 

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

$$

Wise
2 follow-up statements
364 
WWUS53 KSGF 100138
SVSSGF

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Springfield MO
838 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2026

MOC015-100215-
/O.CON.KSGF.TO.W.0073.000000T0000Z-260710T0215Z/
Benton MO-
838 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 915 PM CDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL BENTON COUNTY...

At 838 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 7 miles southeast of Cole Camp, or 14 miles northeast of
Warsaw, moving southeast at 15 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...
Zora.

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 3843 9307 3835 9307 3835 9308 3824 9308
      3834 9323 3840 9319
TIME...MOT...LOC 0138Z 311DEG 13KT 3836 9315 

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

$$

Wise
996 
WWUS53 KSGF 100152
SVSSGF

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Springfield MO
852 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2026

MOC015-100202-
/O.CAN.KSGF.TO.W.0073.000000T0000Z-260710T0215Z/
Benton MO-
852 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL BENTON COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and has exited the warned area. Therefore, the warning has
been cancelled.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for
central Missouri.

&&

LAT...LON 3843 9307 3835 9307 3835 9308 3824 9308
      3834 9323 3840 9319
TIME...MOT...LOC 0150Z 306DEG 12KT 3833 9310 

$$

Wise

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 Jul 9, 6:45 PM CDT, 1 hour 42 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • 30-60% chance for storms this afternoon, and 40-80% chance Thursday night. Slight Risk for severe weather generally north of Hwy 60 and east of I-49 Thursday and Thursday night. Primary hazards include damaging winds up to 60-70 mph and localized flash flooding. Secondary hazards include hail up to quarters and weak tornadoes.
  • Flood Watch in effect until 7 AM Saturday. Multiple rounds of storms expected this afternoon/tonight, and Friday afternoon/tonight may bring localized areas up to 3-5 inches of rain.
  • Slight Risk for severe weather across the Lake of the Ozarks Region Friday. Damaging winds up to 60-70 mph and hail up to half dollars are the main risks.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 9, 6:45 PM CDT, 1 hour 42 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Springfield MO
645 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- 30-60% chance for storms this afternoon, and 40-80% chance
  Thursday night. Slight Risk for severe weather generally
  north of Hwy 60 and east of I-49 Thursday and Thursday night.
  Primary hazards include damaging winds up to 60-70 mph and
  localized flash flooding. Secondary hazards include hail up to
  quarters and weak tornadoes.

- Flood Watch in effect until 7 AM Saturday. Multiple rounds of
  storms expected this afternoon/tonight, and Friday
  afternoon/tonight may bring localized areas up to 3-5 inches
  of rain.

- Slight Risk for severe weather across the Lake of the Ozarks
  Region Friday. Damaging winds up to 60-70 mph and hail up to
  half dollars are the main risks.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/...
Issued at 345 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2026

Somewhat complex features are splayed around our region today.
An MCV associated with this morning's activity is currently
exiting through east Missouri. A secondary, smaller MCV is just
moving out of NE KS into NW MO. At the surface, an outflow
boundary from residual morning activity is currently oriented NW
to SE from Kansas City, down through Stockton and into south-
central MO. This has been slowly lifting NE as a warm front
through the early afternoon. Elsewhere, a surface low is over
southern KS, which is helping keeping winds more
southerly/southeasterly rather than southwesterly. Cloud debris
from the morning complex has been hanging around the region,
keeping temperatures in the mid to upper 80s across the area.

Slight Risk for severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening:

The MCV moving into NW MO and residual outflow/warm front draped
across the area is our focus for new thunderstorm development
and potential severe weather this afternoon. From a conceptual
model mental picture standpoint, synoptic ascent ahead of the
MCV should kickstart storms along the surface boundaries SE of
Kansas City. Indeed, the cumulus clouds around the Kansas City
area is gaining some better texture. When storms form there,
they should move southeast along the warm front/outflow boundary
which is producing an SBCAPE gradient across our area (>3000
J/kg SW of the boundary, and <2000 J/kg NE of the boundary).
Latest CAMs and WoFS output has been slowly gravitating to this
conceptual model with storms developing and moving into our area
around 4-5 PM and lasting through the evening. Our 12Z sounding
depicted decent inverted-V thermo profiles below 700 mb. This,
paired with Theta-E Diffs around 22-25 C, will promote largely a
damaging wind threat with storms that form along this region
(northeast of a Nevada to West Plains line). Added shear from
the MCV influence (0-6 km bulk shear around 30-35 kts), would
promote some line segments as well with enhanced winds up to 70
mph possible.

There is still a secondary weak tornado threat focused along
wherever the warm front/outflow boundary settles this afternoon
and evening. Yesterday's discussion mentioned three things that
needed to happen for the tornado threat to materialize. A) The
MCV enhanced low-level shear and curvature greater than modeled.
Check! Our VAD along with RAP analysis shows 35-40 kts of 0-6
km bulk shear, 20-25 kts of 0-1 km bulk shear, and 30-40 kts of
0-3 km shear. Additionally, it all appears to be curved with
near 100-150 m2/s2 0-1 km SRH (200-300 m2/s2 0-3 km SRH). B)
Dewpoints needed to be on the upper-end of the percentile
spectrum. Check! Observations across the area depict dewpoints
around 72-77 F. C) Temperatures needed to be cooler than
forecast to inhibit very high dewpoint depressions and LCLs.
Check! Temperatures across the area are in the middle to upper
80s rather than the lower 90s the HRRR had forecasted. This is
keeping LCLs a bit lower. All things together introduces a low-
end weak tornado risk, especially along the warm front/outflow
boundary where added vorticity and surface-based inflow will be
available.

Flood Watch in effect until 7 AM Saturday Morning:

As the night goes on, the nocturnal inversion will settle in
and the LLJ will decouple and increase to 30-40 kts. This will
overlap the warm front/outflow boundary in which storms will
track over during the afternoon. With skinny elevated 1500-2000
J/kg MUCAPE profiles at the nose of the LLJ along with 1.8-2.0
inch PWATs, additional storms are expected to develop across the
eastern Ozarks. Storm motions to the southeast will be parallel
to the initiating boundary, increasing the risk for training
storms. Efficient rainfall paired with a training risk leads to
a flash flooding potential. Therefore, a Flood Watch has been
issued for areas east of Miller to Howell Counties. Even just a
bit of training could result in localized areas of 3-5 inches of
rain within the Watch area. Since storm motions are fast,
flooding risk will be localized to areas that see training of
multiple storms.

These overnight storms are expected to continue through early
Friday morning until the nocturnal LLJ dissipates with daytime
mixing. Dry periods are then expected Friday morning.

Slight Risk for severe storms Friday afternoon and evening:

But wait! The synoptic boundary is still expected to hang around
the area during the day Friday as only weak zonal flow is over
the area. CAMs are actually in pretty good agreement on the
location and timing of another MCV moving through the central
Plains and being over the Kansas City area Friday afternoon.
Lift and enhanced shear ahead of this along the synoptic
boundary will focus redevelopment of storms, potentially severe,
Friday afternoon and evening. This would be focused within the
Lake of the Ozarks region where shear will be better closer to
the MCV. As the environment will not change much, multicell
clusters with damaging winds up to 60-70 mph will be the main
threat, but with a bit better shear forecasted, hail up to half
dollars are also possible.

A flooding risk will also evolve again Friday night with the
LLJ, especially over areas that see the most rain today and
tonight. Therefore, the Flood Watch stays in effect through
Friday night.

&&

.LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
Issued at 345 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2026

Marginal Risk for severe thunderstorms and flooding Saturday:

The synoptic boundary will continue to sag southward during the
day Saturday. Once again, little change to the environment will
keep a severe and flooding risk across the area, but focused
mainly across southern Missouri as the boundary moves southward.
That said, exact details will become more apparent with
mesoscale features that develop overnight Friday.

Dry weather returns next week with more seasonable temperatures:

An overturning wave break over the northern CONUS into the
southeast states will bring more seasonable temperatures to the
area to start next week with highs in the middle to upper 80s
and lows in the upper 60s to lower 70s.

In the extended 7-14 day range, the wave break will dip into the
Ozarks, bringing another heat dome to the area. The CPC gives a
50-60% chance of Heat Index values exceeding 105 F at some
point during the July 14-18 timeframe.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SATURDAY/...
Issued at 641 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2026

Isolated to scattered thunderstorms (some severe) will continue
into tonight, mainly at KSGF. KBBG and KJLN may also see non-
severe showers and storms, but probabilities are less than 25%
at this time. Expect LLWS at all sites tonight.

&&

.SGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
KS...None.
MO...Flood Watch through Saturday morning for MOZ057-058-070-071-
     082-083-097-098-106.

&&

SHORT TERM...Price
LONG TERM...Price
AVIATION...Titus
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 9, 3:46 PM CDT, 4 hours 41 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Springfield MO
346 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2026

KSZ073-097-101-MOZ055>058-066>071-077>083-088>098-101>106-102100-
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-
346 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2026

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

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight.

Weather hazards expected...

  Marginal tornado risk.
  Marginal hail risk.
  Slight thunderstorm wind damage risk.
  Elevated lightning risk.
  Elevated excessive heat risk.
  Elevated excessive rainfall risk

DISCUSSION...

Heat index values may reach the upper 90s to around 100 degrees
today in areas that see more sunshine today. Cloud cover and
storm chances limit overall confidence in excessive heat, however.

There is a 30 to 60 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms
this afternoon. There is a Slight (2 of 5) Risk for severe
thunderstorms this afternoon and evening with damaging winds up to
60 to 70 mph as the primary threat, and hail up to the size of
quarters and weak tornadoes as the secondary threats.

There is a 40 to 80 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms
tonight with a Slight (2 of 4) Risk for excessive rainfall and
localized flash flooding as some rainfall amounts could reach 3 to
5 inches.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

There is a Marginal to Slight Risk for severe thunderstorms Friday
afternoon and evening, especially over the Lake of the Ozarks
region. Damaging winds up to 60 to 70 mph and hail up to half
dollars are the main risk. Heavy rainfall and localized flooding
will also be possible.

A Marginal Risk for severe thunderstorms and flooding exist south
of Highway 60 Saturday afternoon.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

 Spotter activation may be needed today and tonight for areas
northeast of a Nevada to West Plains line.

&&

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

Price

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 9, 6:36 PM CDT, 1 hour 51 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Springfield MO
636 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2026

MOZ079-080-090-091-100015-
Dallas MO-Polk MO-Greene MO-Webster MO-
636 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN WEBSTER...
SOUTHWESTERN DALLAS...SOUTHEASTERN POLK AND NORTHEASTERN GREENE
COUNTIES THROUGH 715 PM CDT...

At 636 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Fair Grove, or 9 miles northwest of Strafford, moving east at 25 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.

Locations impacted include...
Fair Grove, Pleasant Hope, Olive, Elkland, Ebenezer, Bassville, and
Charity.

This includes Interstate 44 between mile markers 97 and 98.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for
southwestern Missouri.

&&

LAT...LON 3732 9331 3747 9332 3753 9295 3730 9295
TIME...MOT...LOC 2336Z 267DEG 20KT 3739 9322

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Wise
Special weather statement, Jul 9, 7:59 PM CDT, 28 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Springfield MO
759 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2026

MOZ056-057-100145-
Miller MO-Morgan MO-
759 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2026

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN MILLER AND SOUTHERN
MORGAN COUNTIES THROUGH 845 PM CDT...

At 758 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Versailles to 8 miles north of Laurie to 6
miles south of Stover. Movement was southeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Lake of The Ozarks, Eldon, Versailles, Lake Ozark, Laurie, Sunrise
Beach, Barnett, Gravois Mills, Olean, Bagnell, Lakeside, Rocky Mount,
Etterville, Lakeview, and Aurora Springs.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

If on or near LAKE OF THE OZARKS, get out of the water and move
indoors or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to
10 miles from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you
are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter
now! Do not be caught on the water in a thunderstorm.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for
central Missouri.

&&

LAT...LON 3838 9241 3834 9241 3816 9260 3821 9264
      3823 9271 3822 9276 3819 9277 3820 9296
      3821 9293 3823 9296 3819 9301 3822 9299
      3827 9305 3827 9308 3838 9307 3836 9295
      3848 9278
TIME...MOT...LOC 0058Z 296DEG 26KT 3841 9276 3833 9286 3835 9301

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Wise

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 9, 7:03 PM CDTTornado WarningSGFSt. Clair42 min
Jul 9, 7:59 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementSGFMorgan46 min
Jul 9, 9:15 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementSGFMaries60 min
Jul 9, 9:25 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSGFMaries, Phelps50 min
Jul 9, 10:09 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSGFPhelps32 min
Jul 9, 11:16 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSGFDent44 min
Jul 9, 11:49 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningSGFDent, Phelps6 hr
Jul 10, 1:16 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisorySGFMaries, Phelps6 hr
Jul 10, 1:46 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningSGFMaries, Phelps6 hr
Jul 10, 6:01 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisorySGFDent, Phelps4 min
Jul 10, 6:05 AM CDTAreal Flood WarningSGFDent, Phelps115 min
Jul 10, 6:44 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatSGFBenton46 min
Jul 10, 7:15 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatSGFBenton, Camden, Miller, Morgan45 min
Jul 10, 7:20 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisorySGFMaries, Miller, Morgan, Phelps6 hr
Jul 10, 7:47 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningSGFMaries, Phelps2 hr
Jul 10, 7:58 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSGFCamden, Maries, Miller, Morgan47 min
Jul 10, 8:05 AM CDTAreal Flood WarningSGFDent, Phelps14 hr
Jul 10, 8:23 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisorySGFBenton, Miller, Morgan6 hr
Jul 10, 8:41 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementSGFMaries, Pulaski49 min
Jul 10, 9:15 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementSGFPhelps30 min
Jul 10, 9:58 AM CDTAreal Flood WarningSGFMaries, Phelps12 hr
Jul 10, 12:28 PM CDTAreal Flood WarningSGFMaries10 hr
Jul 10, 12:31 PM CDTAreal Flood WarningSGFMaries, Phelps9 hr
Jul 10, 5:45 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSGFDouglas, Howell45 min
Jul 10, 6:13 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementSGFHowell47 min
Jul 10, 6:29 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementSGFHowell46 min
Jul 10, 6:34 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSGFHowell, Shannon, Texas56 min
Jul 10, 6:39 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSGFHowell51 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.