A strong upper level system moved through the Midwest region and produced a squall line of thunderstorms across the Missouri Ozarks. This squall line of storms produced numerous reports of wind damage and a few weak tornadoes.
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Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS SGF wrote it up.
A strong upper level system moved through the Midwest region and produced a squall line of thunderstorms across the Missouri Ozarks. This squall line of storms produced numerous reports of wind damage and a few weak tornadoes.
The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at May 15, 1:35 PM CST, 3 hours 55 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPRINGFIELD MO 235 PM CDT Fri May 15 2015 ...Unsettled Weather This Weekend Followed By Cooler Weather Again Early Next Week... .SHORT TERM...(This Evening through Saturday) Issued at 222 PM CDT FRI MAY 15 2015 A weak impulse is currently moving across the Missouri Ozarks and lifting northeastward. Scattered convection has developed ahead of the impulse across central Missouri and the eastern Ozarks where instability is better. This convection will continue to move northward. There appears to be a little subsidence behind the exiting upper level impulse. Additional isolated to widely scattered convection is possible elsewhere through the evening hours where the sun is able to add some instability but it will be limited. Short range models like the HRRR and RUC13 keep most of the convection redevelopment towards central Missouri this evening. Later this evening...for the most part the weather should be fairly quiet. Will mention the possibility of some patchy fog near large lakes and river valleys by sunrise in the morning. Forecast cape for tomorrow approach 2500 J/KG but the deep shear will be limited around 20 to 25 knots for most of the day over the Ozarks. The better dynamics will be just to our west across Kansas and Oklahoma for severe convection. Scattered convection will develop around the Missouri Ozarks by midday to afternoon on Saturday with the best potential over south central Missouri. Models indicate that the leftover severe convection that develops across Kansas and Oklahoma will move into southeast Kansas and extreme western Missouri late Saturday evening and overnight. There is a slight risk for severe weather Saturday evening for these areas with the main threat being damaging wind gusts and large hail. MUCape will be between 1500 to 2000 J/KG with Bulk shear values increasing to 40 knots by Saturday evening over southeast Kansas and western Missouri. Line segments and clusters of convection is expected moving eastward from Kansas and Oklahoma into the western Missouri Ozarks. Total QPF this weekend is expected on average between 0.5 to 1.0 of an inch. .LONG TERM...(Sunday through Friday) Issued at 222 PM CDT FRI MAY 15 2015 The main upper level support and energy moves away from the area on Sunday and Sunday night. Models indicate the best potential for additional convection develop on Sunday afternoon and evening will be south and east of I-44 across south central Missouri. There is a very limited potential for a couple strong storms over south central Missouri Sunday evening. A cold front finally makes some progress into the area by Monday. There will be a chance for showers and storms across south central Missouri before the front clears through the area. Cool and drier air will move in for Monday night through Tuesday evening. Temperatures will be below average. The weather pattern becomes unsettled again by the middle and end of next week. Another broad trough develops across the western U.S. and weak shortwaves and impulses will move across the central Plains and Midwest starting Wednesday through Friday with scattered rain chances and thunderstorms. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Saturday Afternoon) Issued at 1240 PM CDT FRI MAY 15 2015 For the KSGF, KJLN, and KBBG TAFS: Scattered showers and storms will be possible across the area this afternoon into early this evening. Storms are expected to develop, but with the scattered nature of this activity covering the potions in the TAFS with Tempo groups since they will not be widespread. The convection should push east of the area overnight with mainly dry conditions expected. MVFR ceilings will be possible early Saturday morning with light fog possible at the KBBG TAF site. Additional scattered showers and storms will be possible Saturday morning but the better chances should remain south and west of the area until the afternoon hours which is beyond this TAF period. && .SGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MO...NONE. KS...NONE. && SHORT TERM...Griffin LONG TERM...Griffin AVIATION...Wise
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPRINGFIELD MO 457 PM CDT FRI MAY 15 2015 KSZ073-097-101-MOZ055>058-066>071-077>083-088>098-101>106-162200- 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- 457 PM CDT FRI MAY 15 2015 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF THE MISSOURI OZARKS AND EXTREME SOUTHEAST KANSAS. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT. WEATHER HAZARDS EXPECTED... LIMITED HAIL RISK. LIMITED THUNDERSTORM WIND DAMAGE RISK. LIMITED LIGHTNING RISK. DISCUSSION... ISOLATED TO WIDELY SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP ACROSS PORTIONS OF THE OUTLOOK AREA THIS EVENING AND WILL THEN REMAIN POSSIBLE INTO THE OVERNIGHT PERIOD. OCCASIONAL CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING WILL BE THE MAIN HAZARD WITH ANY STORMS. A FEW OF THE STRONGER STORMS MAY BE CAPABLE OF HAIL TO THE SIZE OF NICKELS AND WIND GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 50 MPH. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY. PERIODIC CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT THE OUTLOOK AREA THROUGH THE WEEKEND. THERE WILL BE A LIMITED TO ELEVATED RISK FOR SEVERE STORMS ACROSS SOUTHEASTERN KANSAS INTO WESTERN MISSOURI SATURDAY NIGHT...WITH A LIMITED RISK CONTINUING INTO SUNDAY. AN UNSETTLED WEATHER PATTERN MAY RETURN FOR THE MIDDLE AND END OF NEXT WEEK WITH SCATTERED THUNDERSTORM CHANCES. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE NEEDED THROUGH TONIGHT. && MORE DETAILED INFORMATION CAN BE ACCESSED AT: HTTP://WWW.WEATHER.GOV/SGF/SITREP(ALL LOWERCASE) THIS PRODUCT IN GRAPHICAL FORMAT...ALONG WITH OTHER WEATHER... HYDROLOGICAL AND CLIMATE INFORMATION...AT HTTP://WWW.WEATHER.GOV/SGF(ALL LOWERCASE) WFO SGF
The Springfield radar (KSGF), 42 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:29 UTC.
27 thunderstorm wind, 6 tornado, 1 hail, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.
A large tree limb was blown down on to a powerline.
There was a public photo shared on social media of half dollar sized hail.
A large tree was blown down in Nevada.
A NWS Storm survey found an EF-1 tornado started in northeast Oklahoma and crossed into southwest Missouri near about 4 miles south of Seneca. The tornado lifted about 4 miles west of Neosho. Several outbuilding structures were completely destroyed. Numerous trees were uprooted. The path width was approximately 200 yards wide and the path length was approximately 10 miles long. Maximum winds were estimated at 90 mph.
Numerous trees were damaged or blown down along with several power lines in Seneca. Minor damage occurred to several homes because of fallen large tree branches and trees.
Fire chief estimated wind gusts up to 60 mph.
Wind gusts up to 60 mph were estimated.
A wind gusts of 55 knots was measured at Business Highway 49 and South Street.
Several large trees were snapped and uprooted around the town of Diamond. A couple trees fell on houses and outbuildings which caused minor damage.
Several power lines were blown down east of Sarcoxie.
Several trees blown down in Monett. One tree damaged a boat. Another tree was on a house and an outbuilding.
A NWS storm survey found an EF-1 tornado touched down about 3 miles northeast of Monett and lifted about 3 miles east of Freistatt. This tornado had a path length of about 4 miles and a width of 100 yards. Several outbuildings were completely destroyed. and one house had minor roof and siding damage. Numerous trees were uprooted or snapped along the path. The maximum winds estimated were up to 90 mph.
Several large trees were blown down in a nearby field.
A hay shed was completely destroyed.
A 5th wheel camper was heavily damaged and moved 20 feet. An outbuilding was destroyed at Farm Road 2180.
Amateur radio reported wind gusts estimated up to 60 mph on the north side of Mount Vernon.
A lightning strike at the Table Rock Dam damaged two of the four hydro-power generating units. These two units remained offline for about 30 days until repaired. Each turbine unit would normally generate 50,000 Mwh of electricity. Power generated at the hydro-dam was decreased by half of normal capacity. Time was estimated by radar.
Numerous large tree branches were broken at Stockton State Park.
Several trees were blown down and one power line down.
A large tree fell on to a car which caused severe damage to the car. There were no injuries.
An EF-0 rated tornado occurred east of Dunnegan. Multiple trees were damaged in the area with damage consistent with winds up to 80 mph. The tornado had a path length of just under two miles with a width of 100 to 200 yards.
An EF-0 tornado touched down about east of the community of Cliquot near East 380th Road and South 109th Road. The tornado lifted about 2 miles South of Pittsburg near Highway 64 and East 318th Road. Numerous large tree branches were broken and tree tops snapped. Severe trees were uprooted. Two houses had minor roof and siding damage. Several fences were damaged. The path length was approximately 10 miles and a path width of 100 yards. Maximum winds were estimated up to 85 mph.
An EF-0 tornado briefly touched down southeast of Flemington. The tornado touched down near South 85th Road and 330th Road. The tornado lifted near South 95th Road and Highway V. A couple outbuildings were destroyed. Numerous trees had severe tree damage with large branches broken and tree tops snapped. Several trees were uprooted. The path was approximately 2 miles long and 100 yards wide. Maximum winds were estimated up to 85 mph.
Several trees were blown down and an outbuilding destroyed north of Dunnegan.
Several large trees were blown down around Willard. Trees were down at Highway Ab and Highway 112 and at Highway 101 and Highway 106. Several fences were damaged by fallen trees.
Several large tree branches were blown down.
Several trees were down across a road.
A NWS storm survey revealed that an EF-0 tornado briefly touched down in rural Dallas County. A detached garage was separated from the foundation and blown 5 feet to the west. A large sliding door from a shop was peeled off and thrown approximately 80 yards to the northeast. Approximately 7 trees were snapped around the farm. Several shingles were peeled off a home.
Several trees were uprooted as well as minor structural damage to a home which included shingle damage and siding.
A wind gust of 58 mph was measured.
A semi trailer was blown over along Highway 38.
There was minor damage to a greenhouse as well as a large tree limb on a fence.
A large tree and several large tree branches were blown down in Hartville.
A large tree was blown down across Highway 7 between Richland and Buckhorn.
Numerous trees were blown down and a barn had roof damage about a mile west of Highway 42 along Maries Road 215.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Missouri in 2015Every state in 2015This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Missouri, 2015Warnings in Missouri, May 2015
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 566532, 566499, 566534, 566506, 566544, 566555, 566557, 566556, 566549, 566545, 566536, 566509, 566550, 566551, 566552, 566559, 569561, 566554, 566546, 566569, 566510, 566529, 566518, 566538, 566543, 566548, 566547, 567109, 566568, 566560, 566561, 566565, 566563, 566564, 566566.