Flash Flooding and Hail in Missouri, May 28 to 31, 2018

Name: Flash Flooding and Hail in Missouri, May 28 to 31, 2018
Start: 2018-05-28T14:20
End: 2018-05-31T23:42
Location: Missouri

May 28 to 31, 2018 · NWS SGF · 49 events in 14 counties and zones

Several rounds of severe thunderstorms impacted the Ozarks Region with large hail, damaging wind gusts, and heavy rainfall.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $9,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 49

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS SGF wrote it up.

Several rounds of severe thunderstorms impacted the Ozarks Region with large hail, damaging wind gusts, and heavy rainfall.

What forecasters said that day

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 28, 11:00 AM CST, 3 hours 20 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 28, 11:00 AM CST, 3 hours 20 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Springfield MO
1200 PM CDT Mon May 28 2018

.SHORT TERM...(Today and tonight)
Issued at 215 AM CDT Mon May 28 2018

We are currently on the southern edge of an upper level ridge
across the Upper Midwest. We also have subtropical storm Alberto
impacting the northern Gulf Coast Region. We will start to see our
surface winds become more easterly because of the influence of the
tropical system to our southeast. We will see a weak impulse ride
from east to west today across the region underneath the upper
level ridge. Most of the short term guidance like the HRRR,
NAMNest, and ARW show spotty convection developing after 18z
through the afternoon across the area. We will go with about a 20
percent coverage on the thunderstorms. Given the strong
instability, can't rule out a rouge pulse storm with gusty winds
and small hail. Most areas will not be lucky enough to see a
cooling shower with near record high temperatures likely this
afternoon. See climate section below for current records on the
books. All convection will dissipate by sunset.

.LONG TERM...(Tuesday through Sunday)
Issued at 215 AM CDT Mon May 28 2018

The tropical system will move northward across the Tennessee and
Ohio River Valley on Tuesday into Wednesday. We may see some
outer fringe affects with some moisture being thrown back to the
west. We could see a few scattered showers or storms across the
eastern Ozarks on Tuesday.

The upper level pattern changes for the middle of the week with
more westerlies becoming a player in our forecast for Wednesday
into Thursday. The first item to watch is models indicating a MCS
develop across Kansas and moving east-southeastward Tuesday night
into Wednesday morning. We will have to watch this feature and
given the instability and better shear, some strong to severe
storms are possible with damaging wind gusts being the main
threat.

Models show another complex of storms or MCS potentially develop
across the Plains Region and moving into the Missouri Ozarks
region Wednesday night into Thursday. A weak frontal boundary will
also sag down into the area by Thursday which would also be the
focus for additional shower and storm chances.

There is some difference on model solutions for next weekend. The
EURO keeps the area hotter and mainly dry with a strong upper level
ridge building across the central Plains and the storm track
shifting just to our northeast. The GFS is not as bullish on the
upper level ridge with the Ozarks staying in a northwest flow
along with slightly cooler temperatures. Right now the forecast is a
little uncertain on how the overall pattern will shake out by next
week. We will lean more on the EURO with this update on a hot and
mainly dry forecast for next weekend.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Tuesday afternoon)
Issued at 1153 AM CDT Mon May 28 2018

Isolated showers and thunderstorms can be expected this afternoon,
however coverage is expected to be too limited to include in the
TAFs. Short term amendments will be possible if storms threaten
any of the aerodromes.

Outside of storms, VFR is mainly expected through Tuesday morning.
The one exception will be the potential for fog around Branson
late tonight and early Tuesday morning. We have included a TEMPO
group for MVFR to cover this.

Winds will generally remain light and variable.

&&

.CLIMATE...
Issued at 231 AM CDT Fri May 25 2018

             Monday May 28th
             Record/Year
Springfield  90/2012
Joplin       92/1983
Vichy-Rolla  92/2012
West Plains  94/2012

&&

.SGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MO...NONE.
KS...NONE.
&&

SHORT TERM...Griffin
LONG TERM...Griffin
AVIATION...Schaumann
CLIMATE...Griffin

Hazardous weather outlook, May 28, 11:46 AM CST, 2 hours 34 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Springfield MO
1246 PM CDT Mon May 28 2018

KSZ073-097-101-MOZ055>058-066>071-077>083-088>098-101>106-291800-
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-
1246 PM CDT Mon May 28 2018

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

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight.

Weather hazards expected...

  Limited hail risk.
  Limited thunderstorm wind damage risk.
  Limited lightning risk.
  Limited excessive heat risk.
  Limited fog risk.

DISCUSSION...

  Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected this
  afternoon. Gusty winds up to 50 mph, dime size hail, frequent
  lightning, and brief heavy rainfall will be possible with
  these storms.

  A few storms may also become severe with damaging wind gusts
  to 60 mph and quarter size hail. The main potential for
  severe storms would generally be along and north of a
  Pittsburg, Kansas to Bolivar to Rolla, Missouri line. Storms
  will quickly diminish this evening.

  Heat index values in the middle and upper 90s will continue
  into early this evening.

  Patchy fog can again be expected tonight around area lakes
  and in valleys mainly across southern Missouri.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday.

  Isolated to scattered thunderstorms will be possible Tuesday
  mainly along and east of the Highway 65 corridor. Cloud to
  ground lightning will be the primary threat from these storms.

  Areas of fog are expected Tuesday night, especially across
  south-central Missouri.

  There is a potential for a large cluster of thunderstorms to
  track southeast through portions of the area from Tuesday
  night into Wednesday morning and again from Wednesday night
  into Thursday. There will be at least a limited risk for
  strong to severe storms, especially from Wednesday night into
  Thursday due to increasing wind shear and a highly unstable
  atmosphere.

  Afternoon heat indices in the middle to upper 90s can be
  expected this week with values around 100 degrees likely
  Friday and Saturday along and west of the I-49 corridor.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

  Spotter activation will not be needed through tonight.

&&

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

Schaumann

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 28, 2:10 PM CST, 10 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Springfield MO
310 PM CDT MON MAY 28 2018

MOZ094-102-282115-
Barry MO-Lawrence MO-
310 PM CDT MON MAY 28 2018

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHERN BARRY AND SOUTHERN
LAWRENCE COUNTIES UNTIL 415 PM CDT...

At 309 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Aurora, moving west at 15 mph.

Nickel size hail and wind gusts up to 45 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Monett...                         Aurora...
Marionville...                    Pierce City...
Purdy...                          Verona...
Pioneer...                        Mcdowell...
Pleasant Ridge...                 Wheelerville...
Madry...

LAT...LON 3683 9407 3701 9406 3702 9364 3682 9361
      3679 9406
TIME...MOT...LOC 2009Z 080DEG 14KT 3694 9373

Raberding

Special weather statement, May 28, 2:20 PM CST, 0 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Springfield MO
320 PM CDT MON MAY 28 2018

MOZ055-282115-
Benton MO-
320 PM CDT MON MAY 28 2018

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR BENTON COUNTY UNTIL 415 PM CDT...

At 320 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Cole Camp to 8 miles west of Stover.
Movement was west at 15 mph.

Nickel size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with
these storms.

Locations impacted include...
Truman State Park...              Truman Lake...
Warsaw...                         Lincoln...
Cole Camp...                      Ionia...
Palo Pinto...                     Lakeview Heights...
Brandon...                        Crockerville...
Zora...                           Racket...
Edmonson...                       Mora...
Hastain...                        Whitakerville...

LAT...LON 3818 9308 3819 9350 3821 9352 3851 9351
      3851 9330 3853 9329 3853 9307
TIME...MOT...LOC 2020Z 084DEG 12KT 3853 9322 3840 9314 3829 9307

Raberding

The radar

The Springfield radar (KSGF), 41 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:22 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

28 hail, 15 thunderstorm wind, 6 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When: May 28, 2:20 PM CST
Where: Lawrence County, Aurora
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.970, -93.720

Several trees and power lines were blown down.

Hail, Barry

When: May 28, 2:48 PM CST
Where: Barry County, 0.55 mi W of Monett
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.920, -93.930

Hail, Benton

When: May 28, 2:50 PM CST
Where: Benton County, 1.09 mi E of Warsaw
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 38.250, -93.360

Hail, Shannon

When: May 31, 3:34 PM CST
Where: Shannon County, 1.38 mi N of Birch Tree
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.000, -91.500

Thunderstorm Wind, Shannon

When: May 31, 3:34 PM CST
Where: Shannon County, 0.88 mi NE of Birch Tree
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 36.990, -91.490

Several trees were blown down.

Hail, Taney

When: May 31, 3:40 PM CST
Where: Taney County, Branson
Measured: 2.5 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.650, -93.220

Tennis ball size hail fell for about 5 minutes.

Hail, Taney

When: May 31, 3:40 PM CST
Where: Taney County, 0.89 mi SE of Forsyth
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 36.670, -93.110

Hail, Taney

When: May 31, 3:40 PM CST
Where: Taney County, 0.69 mi N of Forsyth
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.690, -93.120

Hail, Taney

When: May 31, 3:40 PM CST
Where: Taney County, 1.11 mi E of Rockaway Beach
Measured: 2.5 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.700, -93.150

Tennis ball size hail was reported near Rockaway Beach and fell for about 10 minutes.

Hail, Taney

When: May 31, 3:40 PM CST
Where: Taney County, 2.35 mi SSW of Walnut Shade
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 36.700, -93.220

Thunderstorm Wind, Taney

When: May 31, 3:40 PM CST
Where: Taney County, 0.69 mi N of Forsyth
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 36.690, -93.120

The Forsyth Fire Department reported a roof collapse due to heavy rainfall.

Thunderstorm Wind, Taney

When: May 31, 3:40 PM CST
Where: Taney County, 0.55 mi E of Rockaway Beach
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 36.700, -93.160

There was tree damage in Rockaway Beach.

Hail, Taney

When: May 31, 3:43 PM CST
Where: Taney County, 1.31 mi ENE of Forsyth
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.690, -93.100

Hail, Howell

When: May 31, 3:45 PM CST
Where: Howell County, 1.49 mi SSW of West Plains
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 36.710, -91.860

Hail, Taney

When: May 31, 3:50 PM CST
Where: Taney County, 0.69 mi N of Forsyth
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 36.690, -93.120

Pictures of baseball size hail were reported on Facebook.

Hail, Taney

When: May 31, 4:00 PM CST
Where: Taney County, 1.11 mi E of Rockaway Beach
Measured: 2.5 in hail
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 36.700, -93.150

There were multiple reports on Facebook of tennis ball size hail around Rockaway Beach.

Hail, Ozark

When: May 31, 4:44 PM CST
Where: Ozark County, 0.89 mi SE of Thornfield
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.710, -92.660

Hail, Oregon

When: May 31, 4:45 PM CST
Where: Oregon County, 3.92 mi NE of Thayer
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.560, -91.500

Hail, Ozark

When: May 31, 4:53 PM CST
Where: Ozark County, 0.55 mi E of Thornfield
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.720, -92.660

Thunderstorm Wind, Shannon

When: May 31, 5:00 PM CST
Where: Shannon County, 6.18 mi NNE of Blue Spgs
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Utility Company
Coordinates: 37.130, -91.600

Several tree limbs were blown into power lines.

Hail, Shannon

When: May 31, 5:32 PM CST
Where: Shannon County, 0.55 mi E of Eminence
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.150, -91.360

Hail, Taney

When: May 31, 5:40 PM CST
Where: Taney County, 1.49 mi NNW of Bradleyville
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.800, -92.910

Hail, Wright

When: May 31, 5:40 PM CST
Where: Wright County, Mansfield
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.120, -92.580

Thunderstorm Wind, Taney

When: May 31, 5:40 PM CST
Where: Taney County, 0.55 mi W of Bradleyville
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Post Office
Coordinates: 36.780, -92.910

Several trees were blown down near the post office.

Thunderstorm Wind, Shannon

When: May 31, 6:03 PM CST
Where: Shannon County, 2.65 mi NE of Munsett
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Utility Company
Coordinates: 37.150, -91.300

Several trees were blown down on power lines.

Hail, Ozark

When: May 31, 6:15 PM CST
Where: Ozark County, 0.55 mi W of Lutie
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 36.580, -92.680

Thunderstorm Wind, Dent

When: May 31, 6:25 PM CST
Where: Dent County, 4.87 mi S of Short Bend
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Utility Company
Coordinates: 37.680, -91.420

Several tree limbs were blown down into power lines.

Flash Flood, Taney

When: May 31, 6:30 PM CST to 8:30 PM CST
Where: Taney County, 0.79 mi WSW of Brownbranch to 0.63 mi WSW of Brownbranch
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.795, -92.833

Caney Creek was flooded out of its banks.

Hail, Shannon

When: May 31, 6:30 PM CST
Where: Shannon County, 1.3 mi WNW of Shannondale
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 37.410, -91.470

Hail, Shannon

When: May 31, 6:35 PM CST
Where: Shannon County, 5.11 mi SSE of Akers
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.310, -91.540

Hail, Texas

When: May 31, 6:41 PM CST
Where: Texas County, 0.88 mi SW of Success
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.440, -92.090

Thunderstorm Wind, Shannon

When: May 31, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Shannon County, 4.38 mi ENE of Winona
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Utility Company
Coordinates: 37.050, -91.260

Several trees were blown down reported by a local utility company.

Hail, Ozark

When: May 31, 7:06 PM CST
Where: Ozark County, 0.69 mi N of Gainesville
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 36.610, -92.430

Thunderstorm Wind, Webster

When: May 31, 7:09 PM CST
Where: Webster County, 1.77 mi NE of Diggins
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.190, -92.850

Several tree limbs were blown down in a city park.

Thunderstorm Wind, Webster

When: May 31, 7:11 PM CST
Where: Webster County, 1.77 mi NE of Diggins
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.190, -92.850

Several tree limbs were blown down.

Hail, Stone

When: May 31, 7:18 PM CST
Where: Stone County, 0.88 mi SW of Jamesville
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 36.960, -93.380

Thunderstorm Wind, Shannon

When: May 31, 7:20 PM CST
Where: Shannon County, 3.08 mi ENE of Gang
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Utility Company
Coordinates: 37.240, -91.180

Several tree limbs were blown into power lines.

Hail, Dent

When: May 31, 7:27 PM CST
Where: Dent County, 1.3 mi ENE of Montauk
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 37.460, -91.680

Hail, Wright

When: May 31, 7:58 PM CST
Where: Wright County, 0.55 mi E of Hartville
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 37.250, -92.510

Hail, Stone

When: May 31, 8:00 PM CST
Where: Stone County, 0.69 mi N of Ponce de Leon
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.880, -93.350

Hail, Dent

When: May 31, 8:04 PM CST
Where: Dent County, 2.14 mi NNW of Turtle
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 37.560, -91.430

Flash Flood, Dent

When: May 31, 8:34 PM CST to 10:34 PM CST
Where: Dent County, 0.74 mi E of Montauk to 0.9 mi E of Montauk
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 37.452, -91.687

There was flash flooding at Montauk State Park.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ozark

When: May 31, 8:51 PM CST
Where: Ozark County, 1.66 mi W of Lawndale
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.630, -92.280

A large tree fell on a dog house killing the dog.

Flash Flood, Shannon

When: May 31, 9:00 PM CST to 11:00 PM CST
Where: Shannon County, 0.67 mi NE of Eminence to 0.7 mi NE of Eminence
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.157, -91.361

Several low water crossings were flooded around the Eminence area.

Flash Flood, Douglas

When: May 31, 9:07 PM CST to 11:07 PM CST
Where: Douglas County, 3.03 mi NW of Midway to 3.07 mi NW of Midway
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 37.060, -92.640

Highway B was flooded with debris in the road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ozark

When: May 31, 9:13 PM CST
Where: Ozark County, 2.16 mi NW of Tecumseh
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Post Office
Coordinates: 36.600, -92.310

Several trees and limbs were blown down in the Tecumseh and Hardenville areas.

Flash Flood, Ozark

When: May 31, 9:40 PM CST to 11:40 PM CST
Where: Ozark County, 0.98 mi NW of Tecumseh to 0.94 mi NW of Tecumseh
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.590, -92.292

Tecumseh Fire Department reported water over the road at several spots.

Flash Flood, Ozark

When: May 31, 9:42 PM CST to 11:42 PM CST
Where: Ozark County, 0.47 mi NNE of Gainesville
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.607, -92.428

Main Street in Gainesville was flooded. Water came up 3 feet while observing the flooding.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When: May 31, 10:21 PM CST
Where: Lawrence County, 0.69 mi N of Aurora
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.980, -93.720

Several tree limbs were blown down in town.

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Missouri in 2018 Every state in 2018 This day in weather history Warnings in Missouri, May 2018

Sources

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: 754159, 754131, 754132, 754133, 754160, 754134, 754135, 754136, 754137, 754138, 754161, 754162, 754139, 754140, 754141, 754142, 754143, 754144, 754145, 754163, 754146, 754147, 754148, 754164, 754165, 754149, 754166, 754124, 754150, 754151, 754152, 754167, 754153, 754168, 754169, 754154, 754170, 754155, 754156, 754157, and more.