Alert archive / Missouri / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 77, NWS Springfield, MO

August 19, 2026Shannon County, Missouri

NWS Springfield, MO issued this tornado warning at Aug 19, 2026, 9:51 PM CDT for Shannon County, Missouri. It was in force for 28 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
Aug 19, 2026, 9:51 PM CDT (02:51 UTC)
Expired
Aug 19, 2026, 10:19 PM CDT
In force
28 min
Issued by
NWS Springfield, MO
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
1.75 in

County Shannon County, MO

The radar

The St Louis radar (KLSX), 181 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 02:54 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
Aug 19, 9:42 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Springfield, MO (KSGF), launched 00:00Z, 2.9 hours before the alert went out and 240 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 2026-08-20Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 2738 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 2026-08-20The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 67 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
2738 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-90 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1575 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
53 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
67 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
191 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.8
Supercell composite
13.7

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

979 
WFUS53 KSGF 200251
TORSGF
MOC203-200330-
/O.NEW.KSGF.TO.W.0077.260820T0251Z-260820T0330Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Springfield MO
951 PM CDT Wed Aug 19 2026

The National Weather Service in Springfield has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  East central Shannon County in south central Missouri...

* Until 1030 PM CDT.

* At 951 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near Eminence, or 15 miles northwest of Van Buren,
  moving southeast at 25 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado and golf 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...
  Ozark National Scenic Riverways.

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 3710 9106 3708 9109 3709 9121 3705 9122
      3708 9127 3719 9121 3715 9104 3714 9103
      3714 9102 3709 9102
TIME...MOT...LOC 0251Z 295DEG 23KT 3714 9124 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN

$$

Titus
2 follow-up statements
934 
WWUS53 KSGF 200308
SVSSGF

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Springfield MO
1008 PM CDT Wed Aug 19 2026

MOC203-200330-
/O.CON.KSGF.TO.W.0077.000000T0000Z-260820T0330Z/
Shannon MO-
1008 PM CDT Wed Aug 19 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1030 PM CDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL SHANNON COUNTY...

At 1008 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 8 miles northwest of Van Buren, moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and golf 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.

This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
east central Shannon County.

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 3709 9118 3718 9115 3715 9104 3714 9103
      3714 9102 3709 9102 3710 9106 3708 9109
TIME...MOT...LOC 0308Z 285DEG 25KT 3710 9111 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN

$$

Titus
610 
WWUS53 KSGF 200319
SVSSGF

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Springfield MO
1019 PM CDT Wed Aug 19 2026

MOC203-200329-
/O.CAN.KSGF.TO.W.0077.000000T0000Z-260820T0330Z/
Shannon MO-
1019 PM CDT Wed Aug 19 2026

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

The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 300 AM CDT for
south central Missouri.

&&

LAT...LON 3709 9118 3718 9115 3715 9104 3714 9103
      3714 9102 3709 9102 3710 9106 3708 9109
TIME...MOT...LOC 0318Z 295DEG 23KT 3707 9103 

$$

Titus

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 Aug 19, 6:18 PM CDT, 3 hours 33 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Slight risk of severe storms this afternoon and evening, mainly east of Highway 65. Damaging winds are the most likely hazard with large hail and a tornado being secondary hazards. Additional, non severe storms will develop late tonight south of Springfield.
  • Hot and humid conditions continue to the south of a cold front on today with far southwest Missouri having the best chance (50%) of seeing heat index values near 105 again.
  • Temperatures will range from the upper 80s northeast of Springfield to the 90s elsewhere through the rest of the week. The next chance of rain (10-20%) arrives Saturday.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 19, 6:18 PM CDT, 3 hours 33 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Springfield MO
618 PM CDT Wed Aug 19 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Slight risk of severe storms this afternoon and evening,
  mainly east of Highway 65. Damaging winds are the most likely
  hazard with large hail and a tornado being secondary hazards.
  Additional, non severe storms will develop late tonight south
  of Springfield.

- Hot and humid conditions continue to the south of a cold front
  on today with far southwest Missouri having the best chance
  (50%) of seeing heat index values near 105 again.

- Temperatures will range from the upper 80s northeast of
  Springfield to the 90s elsewhere through the rest of the week.
  The next chance of rain (10-20%) arrives Saturday.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
Issued at 100 PM CDT Wed Aug 19 2026

Current Conditions and Synoptic Overview: Water vapor and upper
air analysis shows a compact shortwave trough moving southeast
out of Nebraska and into Kansas and Missouri. A corridor of warm
air aloft (capping) exists across most of the area ahead of a
surface front. This front was moving into Missouri along a
surface low in southeast Kansas. A warm front then stretched out
east across southern Missouri. Clouds were beginning to clear
out which is allowing that warm front to lift northeast towards
Springfield. Temps varied across the area with 70s northeast of
Springfield to the low to mid 90s southwest of Springfield.
Gusty winds were occuring near and behind the warm front with
lower dewpoints southwest of the warm front. Latest
mesoanalysis suggests that the airmass remains capped with ML
CAPE around 1500j/kg. 0-6km shear was in the 30-40kt range.

Hot Conditions: With additional heating, afternoon temps will
push the upper 90s to around 100 along and southwest of a Joplin
to Branson line. Temps will then gradually taper off to the
northeast. Heat indicies around 100-105 will likely occur in the
Heat Advisory area and no changes are planned before its
expiration this evening.

Severe Storm Potential: As we progress through the afternoon,
mid level height falls will begin to overspread the area and
will help to force convective initiation along the main surface
front across the eastern CWA. 12z HREF and REFS along with
latest HRRR trends suggest that the highest potential for storm
development will be east of Springfield after 3pm. The corridor
from Rolla to Houston to Gainesville and east is most favored.
Steep mid level lapse rates and sufficient bulk shear will
promote severe storm development. Most guidance suggests storms
will grow into one or two small clusters with damaging winds to
70mph the most likely hazard. Given the increased bulk shear,
the forecast Large Hail Parameter of 4-6 would support a few
instances of large hail to the size of golf balls, however most
instances would be less than that. The storms that develop
further north (closer to Rolla) would have the higher hail
potential, especially if storms can remain isolated. Given the
boundary in the area, there will be a low tornado potential
however it would have to take a favorable boundary interaction
for that to occur and confidence in that occuring is low.

Thunderstorms look to move out of the CWA after 8-9pm however a
low level jet will develop overnight along the Missouri/Arkansas
border. The forecast 850mb front will be across southern
Missouri therefore scattered showers and storms are likely to
develop along that boundary and then sag south into Arkansas.
These storms are not forecast to be severe however a few could
produce small hail/brief gusty winds before moving out. Rainfall
amounts with the afternoon/evening and overnight storms will
generally be one inch or less.

&&

.LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 100 PM CDT Wed Aug 19 2026

Hot Conditions: The area looks to remain in a northwest flow
pattern through at least the weekend, and perhaps into early
next week. A 850mb temp gradient looks to set up from southwest
to northeast across the area therefore a decent surface temp
gradient will also likely set up with the warmest temps west of
Springfield. Highs in the mid/upper 90s are likely in these
areas, especially locations where drought is increasing. Mean
dewpoints continue to come in lower during the afternoons
(middle/upper 60s) which should help with keeping heat indicies
at or below 100. The NWS Heat Risk tool shows mainly moderate
levels with some increase to major by the end of the weekend and
next week, most likely due to the prolonged heat.

Rain Chances Saturday-Monday: Rain chances currently are 20
percent or less at times over the weekend into early next week.
Ensembles have trended a little wetter at times though depending
on timing of waves moving down the northwest flow aloft. If the
ridge remains further west of the area then precip chances
would be less and more confined west of the area. Confidence is
low during this time frame and will need to pin down details a
little more with future updates.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z THURSDAY/...
Issued at 616 PM CDT Wed Aug 19 2026

Showers and storms will be possible near KBBG this evening, but
otherwise think precipitation will not be a concern for other
TAF sites. Fog is possible at KSGF tonight into Thursday morning,
but the site will be toward the southern extent of the fog
bank, so predictability is low.

&&

.SGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
KS...None.
MO...Heat Advisory until 8 PM CDT this evening for MOZ093-101>105.

&&

SHORT TERM...Burchfield
LONG TERM...Burchfield
AVIATION...Titus
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 19, 9:04 PM CDT, 47 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Springfield MO
904 PM CDT Wed Aug 19 2026

KSZ073-097-101-MOZ055>058-066>071-077>083-088>098-101>106-210215-
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-
904 PM CDT Wed Aug 19 2026

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

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Weather hazards expected...

 Marginal hail risk.
 Slight thunderstorm wind damage risk.
 Limited lightning risk.
 Elevated excessive rainfall risk
 Elevated Fog risk.

DISCUSSION...

Thunderstorms across the eastern Ozarks may be strong to severe
late this evening into the early overnight hours. Damaging winds
to 70 mph is the most likely hazard. Large hail to the size of
half dollars and a tornado are secondary, lower confidence hazard
types.

Flooding potential remains low and confined to the far eastern
Ozarks where any storms can move over the same areas.

Fog, possibly locally dense, is possible tonight across portions
of central and southwest Missouri.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

Hot and conditions are expected again across the area through the
end of the week and into the weekend with mostly dry conditions.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

 Spotter activation may be needed this evening for portions of the
eastern Ozarks.

&&

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

Titus

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 19, 9:16 PM CDTTornado WarningSGFShannon44 min
Aug 19, 9:25 PM CDTTornado WarningSGFShannon35 min
Aug 19, 9:31 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSGFDent, Shannon29 min
Aug 20, 5:45 AM CDTDense Fog AdvisorySGFBenton, Camden, Dallas, Hickory, Laclede, Maries and 6 more4 hr

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.