A strong cold front developed a line of severe thunderstorms which produced multiple reports of wind damage across the Missouri Ozarks.
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.
A strong cold front developed a line of severe thunderstorms which produced multiple reports of wind damage across the Missouri Ozarks.
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 Oct 21, 6:14 PM CST, 3 hours 15 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Springfield MO 714 PM CDT Sat Oct 21 2017 ...Storms Later Tonight... .MESOSCALE DISCUSSION... Issued at 705 PM CDT Sat Oct 21 2017 A line of convection associated with an approaching cold front stretched from western Oklahoma into eastern Kansas and northwestern Missouri. Severe weather so far has been focused well to the south in Oklahoma within a more unstable airmass. The line of storms will move steadily east and southeast into southeastern Kansas and southwestern Missouri later this evening and into the Missouri Ozarks overnight. While the risk for severe weather continues the overall risk appears to be decreasing some. However will have to monitor storm activity in Oklahoma associated with a mid level shortwave moving northeast into area late tonight. Areas of west of Highway 65 stand the greatest risk of stronger storms. Damaging straight line winds will be the primary risks with any severe storms that materialize. While the tornado risk is very low any northeastward bowing segments will have to be monitored closely. Otherwise most everyone will receive showers and storms overnight and some much needed rainfall. && .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Tonight) Issued at 121 PM CDT Sat Oct 21 2017 As of 2 PM, a cold front extended from eastern Nebraska through central Kansas and into the Oklahoma Panhandle. Gulf moisture continued to advect north into the Plains and Ozarks ahead of the front with a fairly uniform area of lower to middle 60s dew points. Upper 60s dew points are starting to impinge on the I-40 corridor. Low-level water vapor imagery and morning soundings indicate that an expansive elevated mixed layer remains in place over the region. This has suppressed deep convection up to this point. However, the combination of vigorous short wave energy and increased frontal forcing are really beginning to work on the capping inversion. It should be noted that visible and infrared satellite trends along with modification of short term soundings indicate that the cap may become weak enough over the next hour or two for convective initiation along the front from central Kansas into northern Oklahoma. This is backed fairly well with short term convective allowing models (CAMs). Convection that fires across Kansas and Oklahoma will grow quickly upscale late this afternoon and early this evening due to extensive low and mid-level forcing. Thus, a line of strong to severe storms appears quite likely to move into our southeastern Kansas counties initially in the 7-9 PM time frame. This line of storms will then march east across western Missouri and the Missouri Ozarks overnight tonight. Short term models have actually increased the amount of instability that will be available this evening and overnight ahead of the front. This should allow the line of storms to remain more robust farther to the east across the Ozarks. We therefore agree with the Storm Prediction Center in the eastward expansion of both the Elevated and Slight Risk areas. Damaging wind gusts remain the main potential severe weather hazard with this line of storms. However, CAMs continue to indicate bowing structures embedded within the line. With 0-3 km bulk shear vectors expected to increase into the 30-35 knot range towards the northeast starting this evening, any bows which surge in a northeasterly fashion will have mesovortex tornado potential. There may be an initial hail risk over southeastern Kansas and western Missouri with any stronger embedded cores. .LONG TERM...(Sunday through Saturday) Issued at 121 PM CDT Sat Oct 21 2017 The cold front will be in the process of moving through the Ozarks during the first half of day Sunday. Convection will be well southeast of the by lunch time however, light rain and showers will linger across the area into the afternoon. The front will slow up significantly Sunday night which may allow for light rain to continue across portions of the southeastern Ozarks mainly east of an Ava to Rolla line. Temperatures will be on a downward trend behind the front through the middle of the week. A deep upper level trough will slide across the center of the country with models cutting of and upper low over the bootheel region Monday night. This will help to slow up the exit of the colder airmass and keep upper level troughing across the region into Wednesday morning which may bring an airmass with the potential for frost to portions of the area. A brief period of northwesterly upper level flow will occur for the end of the week before another deep upper level trough moves towards the region for the weekend with another chance for a frost or light freeze Saturday and Sunday mornings. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Sunday evening) Issued at 705 PM CDT Sat Oct 21 2017 Pilots can expect deteriorating flight conditions tonight as a cold front and associated storms move across the region. Thunderstorms will overspread the area from the west while ceilings lower the frontal passage later tonight. Gusty southerly winds will shift to the northwest as the front passes with low level wind shear persisting ahead of the front. Improving flight conditions will return during the day Sunday. && .SGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MO...NONE. KS...NONE. && MESOSCALE...Foster SHORT TERM...Schaumann LONG TERM...Hatch AVIATION...Foster
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Springfield MO 848 PM CDT Sat Oct 21 2017 KSZ073-097-101-MOZ055>058-066>071-077>083-088>098-101>106-230200- 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- 848 PM CDT Sat Oct 21 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. Limited Hail risk. Elevated Thunderstorm wind damage risk. Limited Flooding risk. Significant Lightning risk. Limited Non thunderstorm wind risk. DISCUSSION... A line of strong to severe thunderstorms will push across the outlook area from west to east from late evening into overnight. Damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph will be the primary hazard with this activity. Large hail to the size of quarters are also possible. There is a limited risk for a couple of tornadoes. The greatest risk for severe storms will occur generally along and west of US Highway 65. Frequent cloud to ground lightning will also occur with these storms. The line of thunderstorms will reach areas along and west of Interstate 49 between 9 PM and midnight and the US Highway 65 corridor from midnight to 3 AM. These storms are then expected to weaken as they shift east of US Highway 65 during the early morning hours Sunday, exiting the Eastern Ozarks between 5-7 AM. There is also a risk for some localized flooding, particularly in southeastern Kansas and western Missouri. Widespread flooding is not expected. Southerly winds will gust up to 35 mph at times across the area through Tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. Northwest winds will gust up to 30 mph on Tuesday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed from late evening into the overnight across southeastern Kansas and southwestern Missouri. && 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 Foster
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Springfield MO
835 PM CDT SAT OCT 21 2017
KSZ073-097-220230-
Bourbon KS-Crawford KS-
835 PM CDT SAT OCT 21 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR BOURBON AND CRAWFORD COUNTIES
UNTIL 930 PM CDT...
At 834 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Lone Elm to 7 miles southeast of Buffalo.
Movement was east at 45 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with these storms. Several
weather observations reported wind gusts between 40 and 50 mph
across portions of eastern Kansas with this line of storms.
Locations impacted include...
Pittsburg... Fort Scott...
Frontenac... Girard...
Arma... Marmaton...
Cherokee... Mulberry...
Chicopee... Mccune...
Franklin... Bronson...
Arcadia... Uniontown...
Walnut... Fulton...
Redfield... Hepler...
Mapleton... Burgess...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
Monitor the weather situation closely. Listen for possible warnings
and be prepared to take appropriate action should severe weather
threaten.
&&
LAT...LON 3804 9508 3803 9461 3734 9462 3735 9507
3750 9509
TIME...MOT...LOC 0134Z 262DEG 39KT 3812 9527 3763 9560
GriffinSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Springfield MO
914 PM CDT SAT OCT 21 2017
KSZ097-101-220330-
Cherokee KS-Crawford KS-
914 PM CDT SAT OCT 21 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR CHEROKEE AND CRAWFORD COUNTIES
UNTIL 1030 PM CDT...
At 912 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Galesburg to near South Coffeyville.
Movement was east at 40 mph.
Half inch hail and wind gusts up to 55 mph will be possible with
these storms. A 52 mph wind gust was recently reported at Parson,
Kansas. Several wind reports of 45 to 50 mph have been reported
across eastern Kansas.
Locations impacted include...
Pittsburg... Baxter Springs...
Frontenac... Columbus...
Galena... Girard...
Arma... Cherokee...
Weir... Lowell...
Sherman... Mulberry...
Scammon... Chicopee...
Mccune... Franklin...
Arcadia... Walnut...
West Mineral... Treece...
This includes Interstate 44 near mile marker 0.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
Monitor the weather situation closely. Listen for possible warnings
and be prepared to take appropriate action should severe weather
threaten.
&&
LAT...LON 3768 9508 3767 9462 3700 9462 3700 9507
3738 9507 3739 9509 3750 9509
TIME...MOT...LOC 0212Z 270DEG 31KT 3742 9542 3702 9559
GriffinSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Springfield MO
956 PM CDT SAT OCT 21 2017
KSZ073-MOZ066-220400-
Bourbon KS-Vernon MO-
956 PM CDT SAT OCT 21 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR BOURBON AND VERNON COUNTIES UNTIL
1100 PM CDT...
At 956 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from Prescott to 8 miles north of Girard. Movement
was east at 35 mph.
Dime size hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with
these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Nevada... Fort Scott...
Marmaton... Sheldon...
Bronson... Montevallo...
Uniontown... Walker...
Schell City... Bronaugh...
Fulton... Redfield...
Moundville... Richards...
Milo... Mapleton...
Deerfield... Metz...
Harwood... Stotesbury...
This includes Interstate 49 between mile markers 77 and 107.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
Monitor the weather situation closely. Listen for possible warnings
and be prepared to take appropriate action should severe weather
threaten.
&&
A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect until 400 AM CDT for
southeastern Kansas...and southwestern and west central Missouri.
LAT...LON 3804 9508 3804 9461 3806 9461 3806 9449
3805 9424 3802 9423 3805 9421 3804 9419
3806 9413 3804 9411 3805 9410 3803 9406
3764 9408 3765 9462 3767 9462 3768 9509
TIME...MOT...LOC 0256Z 271DEG 23KT 3807 9468 3763 9482
GriffinSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Springfield MO
1000 PM CDT SAT OCT 21 2017
MOZ077-088-220415-
Barton MO-Jasper MO-
1000 PM CDT SAT OCT 21 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR BARTON AND JASPER COUNTIES UNTIL
1115 PM CDT...
At 959 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Fort Scott to near Cherokee. Movement was
east at 40 mph.
Dime size hail and wind gusts up to 55 mph will be possible with
these storms. There have been several reports of 50 to 55 mph wind
gusts along the gust front with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Joplin... Carthage...
Webb City... Prairie State Park...
Carl Junction... Lamar...
Galena... Oronogo...
Carterville... Duquesne...
Sarcoxie... Duenweg...
Jasper... Golden City...
Liberal... Airport Drive...
Alba... Purcell...
Nashville... Mindenmines...
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 44 between mile markers 10 and 32.
Interstate 49 between mile markers 36 and 76.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
Monitor the weather situation closely. Listen for possible warnings
and be prepared to take appropriate action should severe weather
threaten.
&&
A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect until 400 AM CDT for
southeastern Kansas...and southwestern and west central Missouri.
LAT...LON 3765 9461 3764 9408 3730 9408 3729 9405
3705 9406 3706 9462
TIME...MOT...LOC 0259Z 263DEG 39KT 3779 9473 3736 9485
GriffinThe Springfield radar (KSGF), 108 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 03:28 UTC.
17 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A power line was blown down in Nevada. A pick up truck pulling a twenty foot trailer was blown off the road into the median about two miles south of Nevada.
Fire department estimated wind gusts up to 60 mph.
A utility trailer was flipped over due to strong winds in Walker.
A power line was blown down in Carthage.
A power line was blown down in the town of Jasper.
There was damage to a shop roof. There were several small trees and large tree limbs blown down.
A large tree was blown down onto the Highway 160 just east of the Lockwood Drive-in.
A few trees were blown down east of Jane along Highway 90.
A silo was destroyed at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds. Time was estimated by radar.
A power line was blown down near Missouri Street and Kearney in north Springfield.
A wind gust of 61 mph was measured on the south side of Fair Grove.
Wind gusts up to 60 mph were estimated but no damage was reported.
Three trees were blown down in Forsyth.
An intermittent path of minor wind damage to shingles and trees from west of Seymour into the city. The debris was initially thrown in a divergent direction at the start of the event...continuing in an easterly manner into Seymour.
Several trees were blown down in the southern portion of Laclede County including the Falcon and Competition area.
Wind gusts up to 65 mph were estimated but no damage was reported.
A tree was blown down on E Highway just north of Moody in Howell County.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Missouri in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in Missouri, October 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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 721770, 721796, 721783, 721784, 721785, 721786, 721787, 721788, 721789, 721790, 721797, 721798, 721792, 721793, 721794, 721799, 721795.