Multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms over a two day period produced numerous weak tornadoes and wind damage reports across the Missouri Ozarks. Training of storms led to localized heavy rainfall and minor flooding reports.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
Multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms over a two day period produced numerous weak tornadoes and wind damage reports across the Missouri Ozarks. Training of storms led to localized heavy rainfall and minor flooding reports.
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 18, 7:32 PM CST, 3 hours 16 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Springfield MO
832 PM CDT Thu May 18 2017
.MESOSCALE DISCUSSION...
The National Weather Service in Springfield Missouri is currently
monitoring for the risk of organized storms through the overnight
hours.
Thunderstorms over Kansas and Oklahoma were trending stronger over
the past hour, particularly in Tulsa where INX was measuring 70
plus mph winds off the surface.
Short term models show both low level cape and helicities
increasing into the early morning hours, suggesting that all modes
of severe weather will be possible.
Will also monitor the flash flood situation closely, as stream
flows are elevated and soil conditions are moist.
A special 03z sounding may be launched to sample the increased low
level cape and low level helicity values.
&&
.SHORT TERM...(This evening through Friday)
Issued at 250 PM CDT Thu May 18 2017
An upper level low is slowly pushing east across the Rockies
region this afternoon as an associated area of surface low
pressure is located across northwestern Texas. A warm front
extends from the surface low across southern Kansas into central
Missouri. A dry line extends south of the low across western
Oklahoma and Texas. Supercells are currently developing along the
dry line and will continue to develop along the dry line this
afternoon. Storms will also begin to develop farther to the north
across Kansas into northern Missouri this afternoon near the warm
front.
These storms will lift to the northeast and the cold pools should
congeal with line segments forming as they approach the area.
Will have to watch exactly where the lines develop to see
exactly what areas are affected. The storms that develop across
Kansas will likely lift northeast into northern Missouri north of
the area. We may need to watch any lines that form across
Oklahoma and Texas to track northeast into the area.
An unstable air mass will remain in place across the area this
evening and tonight so expect any line of storms that can develop
to likely maintain themselves as the track to the northeast across
the region. The storms will likely start to push into
southeastern Kansas and western Missouri between 8 and 10pm then
spread east into the overnight hours. Winds in excess of 60 mph
and hail to the size of quarters are expected with the strongest
storms. Late this evening into the overnight hours low level shear
will increase and if any line segments can surge to the northeast
there will be a meso vort potential with a tornado risk.
As the upper level energy lifts off the main low later tonight
additional storms will likely develop across Kansas and spread
east into the area late tonight into early Friday. The severe risk
with these storms will be lower but a few strong storms will still
be possible. These storms will linger into Friday before spreading
off to the northeast by Friday evening.
.LONG TERM...(Friday Night through Thursday)
Issued at 250 PM CDT Thu May 18 2017
The upper level low will spread into the Plains Friday
afternoon/evening with additional storms developing across
Oklahoma and Kansas again. These storms will once again form into
a line or line segments and spread into the area later Friday
evening into Friday night. These storms will spread across the
area into Saturday. Winds up to 70mph will be possible with these
storms and hail up to quarters with the strongest updraft. Low
level shear will once again increase Friday evening and night and
will lead to the potential of meso vorts and a tornado risk with
any lines that can surge to the northeast.
The storms will end from west to east on Saturday. Widespread 1
to 3" of rainfall with locally heavier amounts are expected from
tonight through Saturday with the heaviest occurring across
southeastern Kansas and Western Missouri. With multiple rounds for
rain expected we did issue a Flash Flood Watch for southeastern
Kansas and Western Missouri tonight into Saturday morning.
Cooler conditions will then occur Sunday into the first part of
next week and the region will be in a northwest flow pattern. May
have to watch for a couple waves riding the northwest flow and
creating shower and storm chances for the area Monday night into
Wednesday.
&&
.AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Friday evening)
Issued at 619 PM CDT Thu May 18 2017
VFR conditions are expected for this evening. Showers and
thunderstorms will then push out of Oklahoma from late this
evening into the overnight period. MVFR and brief IFR conditions
can be expected around these storms, along with locally gusty
winds.
The threat for thunderstorms will then persist into Friday,
however timing remains in question.
&&
.SGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MO...Flash Flood Watch from 1 AM CDT Friday through Saturday morning
for MOZ055-066>068-077-078-088-089-093-101.
KS...Flash Flood Watch from 1 AM CDT Friday through Saturday morning
for KSZ073-097-101.
&&
MESOSCALE...Cramer
SHORT TERM...Wise
LONG TERM...Wise
AVIATION...SchaumannHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Springfield MO 923 PM CDT Thu May 18 2017 KSZ073-097-101-MOZ055>058-066>071-077>083-088>098-101>106-200230- 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- 923 PM CDT Thu May 18 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of the Missouri Ozarks and extreme southeast Kansas. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Weather hazards expected... Limited Tornado risk. Elevated Hail risk. Elevated Thunderstorm wind damage risk. Elevated Flooding risk. Significant Lightning risk. DISCUSSION... Thunderstorms will impact portions of extreme southeast Kansas and the Missouri Ozarks through the overnight hours. Winds up to 70 mph and hail up to the size of quarters will be possible with this activity. There will also be an isolated tornado risk with any line segments that can surge to the northeast generally along and west of Highway 65. Areas of heavy rain is likely tonight. Any training of storms may lead to localized flooding due to high water tables from previous excessive rainfall over the past couple of weeks. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Thunderstorms are expected to linger into early Friday and dissipate by late morning. Additional strong to severe thunderstorms are expected Friday evening into the overnight hours. Damaging wind gusts and large hail will be the primary risks with these storms as they continue into Saturday. Storms should come to an end from Saturday night into Sunday morning with storm total rainfall area wide of 1 to 3 inches. The heaviest rainfall amounts and better flooding potential is expected to occur over southeast Kansas and west central Missouri. Additional thunderstorms will return Monday night into Tuesday as another storm system moves in from the northwest. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed through the overnight hours. && More detailed information can be accessed at: http://www.weather.gov/sgf/sitrep This product in graphical format...along with other weather... hydrological and climate information...at http://www.weather.gov/sgf Cramer
The Springfield radar (KSGF), 105 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 04:46 UTC.
41 thunderstorm wind, 16 tornado, 5 flash flood, 3 hail, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.
Several medium size trees and large tree branches were blown down near Liberal.
A brief EF-1 tornado touches down along Golf Ridge Road in southeastern McDonald County. The tornado was about one mile long and up to 100 yards wide. Numerous trees were snapped and uprooted. Several homes had damage with windows knocked out and roof damage. One home had half the roof blown off. Estimated maximum winds were up to 95 mph.
A large tree was blocking Farm Road 1100 and Farm Road 2205.
An EF-0 tornado uprooted numerous trees and damaged boat docks southeast of Shell Knob. Estimated maximum winds were up to 85 mph.
Several trees were blown down on Highway 39 north of Farm Road 2135.
A power line was blown down on Highway 413 across from the Reeds Spring High School.
A brief EF-0 tornado touched down in Branson. It damaged a hotel and the local outlet mall. There was one person with a head injury. Estimated maximum winds were up to 75 mph.
An EF-1 tornado tracked from Rockaway Beach to just northwest of Taneyville. Numerous trees were damaged and uprooted. Estimated maximum winds were up to 100 mph.
A large tree was blown down on Cox Road across from Wanda Gray Elementary.
Several large tree limbs were blown down on the road.
A large tree was blown down across Highway 76.
Numerous trees were blown down on Hulls Ford Road.
There was several homes with roof damage.
Several homes had roof damage.
An EF-0 tornado uprooted numerous trees along the path. Some trees fell on homes. Estimated maximum winds were up to 85 mph.
A large tree was blown down near the intersection of State Highway D and Highway 125.
Several trees were blown down on East Skyline Drive and Ridgeline Road.
An EF-0 tornado uprooted mutliple trees. Several homes were damaged from fallen trees around the Chadwick area. Estimated maximum winds were up to 85 mph.
A tree was blown down on to a home causing significant roof damage.
Several trees were blown down on DD Highway south of Goodhope close to Plainview School.
Several large trees were blown down near Rogersville. There were pictures on social media.
Two very large oak trees were blown down on Leming Road at the Douglas and Christian County line.
An EF-1 tornado damaged at least one home with roof damage. An outbuilding was destroyed. Numerous trees were snapped and uprooted. Estimated maximum winds were up to 90 mph.
A large tree was blown down on the road.
Several large trees were block down on to power lines and poles.
Lightning struck a home. The owner indicated sparks from appliances when the lightning hit the house.
A large tree limb was blown down on to a car on Highway C.
Several large trees and tree branches were blown down about three miles northeast of Windyville. There were pictures on social media.
An EF-0 tornado briefly touched down about one mile north of Dawson. There was damage to several trees and one home had roof damage. Estimated maximum winds were up to 85 mph.
There were several reports of large trees and power lines blown down in the Mountain Grove area.
An EF-0 tornado touched down on the northeast side of Thayer. Numerous trees were uprooted and damage. Some homes had minor damage. Estimated maximum winds were up to 85 mph.
A few large tree limbs were blown down.
An EF-1 tornado touched down near the Newton County and McDonald County line southeast of Seneca. The tornado lifted near Highway DD and Eagle Drive. There was roof damage to several homes and outbuilding. Estimated maximum winds were up to 90 mph.
There was damage to trees and a few buildings along Hottle Springs Road just south of Highway 60.
An EF-1 tornado touched down along Highway 60 on the north side of Neosho. Numerous trees were damaged along the path. A few homes were damaged. Estimated maximum winds were up to 95 mph.
Several power lines were blown down on High Street.
Several trees and power lines were blown down.
Several trees and power lines were blown down in the Neosho area.
The emergency manager estimated 60 mph wind gusts.
An EF-1 tornado touched down southwest of Mount Vernon. The tornado damaged a few outbuildings and crossed I-44. At least one car was blown off the interstate near mile marker 43. The car had a large piece of wood flown through the windshield but the driver was not injured. Several trees were uprooted. Estimated maximum winds were up to 95 mph.
A barn was blown on to the roadway at OO Highway just west of 39 Highway.
An EF-0 tornado touched down on the north side of Miller. There were a couple outbuildings damage and several trees were uprooted. Estimated maximum winds were up to 85 mph.
Several large tree limbs were blown down near Everton and Lockwood.
A brief EF-0 tornado touched down southeast of Everton in rural Dade County along County Road 231. Multiple trees were damaged along the path. Estimated maximum winds were up to 80 mph.
A brief EF-0 tornado touched down east of Everton. Several trees were damaged on either side of East Dade Road 152. Estimated maximum winds were up to 80 mph.
An EF-0 tornado touched down near the Greene County and Polk County line northwest of Walnut Grove. Several trees were uprooted and there was damage to outbuildings. Estimated maximum winds were up to 85 mph.
There was a picture of quarter to half dollar size hail on social media.
Multiple trees were blown down and a garage was damaged.
Several power lines were blown down behind a bank in Humansville.
Several pictures from social media showed a tree blown down on a camper near Windyville.
A boat dock was damage at the Moorings Yacht Club on Lake of the Ozarks. Electrical connections from the dock were pulled out of the ground.
Several trees were blown down.
Several large trees were blown down on Webb Road near the intersection of County Road J.
There were pictures from social media of a large tree blown down on to a mobile home. There were power lines blown down as well.
Several pictures on social media indicated large trees were blown down and damage around the Crocker area.
Highway W in Pineville just north of 8th Street was flooded.
Several large tree limbs were blown down at a home north of Marshfield.
Excessive rainfall caused flash flooding along Brushy Creek. Highway 125 was flooded and impassable near Brushy Creek.
A section of Farm Road 1050 was impassable due to flash flooding.
There was fast flowing water over Greenwood Road at the headwaters of the Pomme De Terre river.
Highway Y was impassable west of Ava due to flooding of Cowskin Creek.
A circus tent was blown down in Thayer. Several trees and power lines were blown down across Highway 63.
A large tree fell on to a truck in Alton. This report was from social media.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Missouri in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Missouri, 2017Warnings in Missouri, May 2017
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: 698477, 698446, 698456, 698444, 698460, 698457, 698442, 698441, 698830, 698462, 698458, 698466, 698470, 698468, 698437, 698440, 698467, 698463, 698445, 698459, 698473, 698478, 698472, 698451, 698464, 698475, 698439, 698469, 698479, 698449, 698492, 698453, 698471, 698474, 698450, 698996, 698447, 698480, 698832, 698997, and more.