S. ejected many upper level disturbances that interacted with weak surface boundaries and deep moisture over the region.
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 persistent large upper level trough over the southwest U.S. ejected many upper level disturbances that interacted with weak surface boundaries and deep moisture over the region. On the 19th, strong storms and heavy rainfall occurred. Many flash flood reports were received as soils were saturated from earlier rainfall. A few storms produced damaging wind gusts over south central Missouri.
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 Mar 19, 2:36 AM CST, 2 hours 17 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Springfield MO
336 AM CDT Thu Mar 19 2020
.SHORT TERM...(Today and tonight)
Issued at 244 AM CDT Thu Mar 19 2020
Showers and thunderstorms were moving into southeast Kansas and
southwest Missouri early this morning as deep southwest mid level
has developed across the central US ahead of a large storm system
out west. A 50kt 850mb llj was pumping an abundant amount of
moisture (PW values 1.5in) into the area. A subtle mesoscale
convective vortex (MCV) was located just north of Vinita, Oklahoma
and was moving east/northeast towards the area. This will
continue to enhance the cluster of showers and thunderstorms this
morning as it moves northeast through the area. Rain rates will be
rather efficient (1 inch+ per hour). Soils are already saturated
and with flash flood guidance values low, the flash flood threat
is elevated and will be closely monitored this morning. The Flash
Flood Watch will remain in effect today for locations generally
south of Highway 54.
A second area of showers and thunderstorms southwest of Oklahoma
city will also continue to move northeast and will likely make it
up into the area by mid morning. Instability continues to increase
across the area and with the strong low level jet, could see a
strong to severe storm with damaging winds and small hail this
morning, however widespread severe weather is not expected with
this early morning activity. Some locally dense fog has developed
across south central Missouri however with the rain moving in,
visibilities should improve.
As we get into the mid to late morning time frame and beyond...
the upper level low will continue to move slowly northeast through
Colorado with a 120kt 300mb jet nosing into Oklahoma. Therefore
plenty of lift will continue to approach the area. Surface low
pressure across western Kansas will continue to deepen with gusty
southerly winds developing. The coverage of showers and storms
will likely begin to decrease by late morning however as
instability increases, storms may begin to become surface based,
especially heading into the afternoon hours. RAP model soundings
for areas along and east of US highway 65 this afternoon have
between 1000-2000 j/kg of ML CAPE along with 50-60kts of effective
bulk shear and mid level lapse rates around 7C/km. Therefore
supercells with large hail (up to golf balls) and damaging winds
will be possible. While the flow above 1 km is fairly
unidirectional, surface winds will at least initially be southerly
before veering southwesterly by afternoon, therefore there will
be a risk for tornadoes with SRH's around 250m2s2. At this time,
high res models generally point to two areas of concern. One area
being across the Truman Lake region with late morning storms
possibly becoming strong to severe as they exit our area to the
north. The other area being east of US Highway 65 and south of
Interstate 44 (south central Missouri). This region will have the
highest instability and shear for supercells. Storms will likely
be exiting the area by late evening (roughly 8-10pm ish). We will
be releasing a special balloon sounding today to assess the
atmosphere. A few scattered showers/storms will also be possible
overnight however not expecting those to be severe at this time.
Non thunderstorm southwest winds will gust up to 45mph today,
especially west of Springfield. Conditions will become close to
Wind Advisory criteria, however confidence was not quite high
enough to issue at this time. Temps will jump into the 70s, even
without much sun given the warm air advection. If clouds clear
quicker then highs could be too cool.
.LONG TERM...(Friday through Wednesday)
Issued at 244 AM CDT Thu Mar 19 2020
The actual cold front will move through during the early morning
hours Friday with cold air advection and perhaps some showers
occuring Friday morning/afternoon. Temps will be about 30 degrees
cooler on Friday with most places in the 40s. High pressure will
move north of the area Friday night and Saturday with a temps
Saturday morning in the upper 20s.
A quick moving system approaches Sunday, brining the next chance
of precip. Another shortwave approaches by Tuesday with more
rainfall. Active weather pattern continues next week as temps warm
some each day...
&&
.AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Thursday night)
Issued at 1150 PM CDT Wed Mar 18 2020
VFR conditions can be expected at the TAF sites for a few more
hours, becoming MVFR as showers and thunderstorms push into the
region during the early morning hours Thursday (07Z to 09Z). A
few instances of IFR conditions will be possible within heavier
thunderstorms. Expect this activity to stick around through the
middle morning hours before departing to our east. Meanwhile,
surface winds will be primarily out of the south through tonight
and tomorrow. Winds will gust at all TAF sites at 25 to 30 knots
all through the day on Thursday. Additionally, there will be LLWS
of 40 to 45 knots present into the early morning hours. A second
round of activity is expected Thursday afternoon into Thursday
evening, bringing an addition chance for showers and thunderstorms
during the early afternoon hours. As this system slides to the
east tomorrow evening, flight conditions will improve to VFR once
again.
&&
.SGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MO...Flash Flood Watch through this evening for MOZ068>071-077>083-
088>098-101>106.
KS...Flash Flood Watch through this evening for KSZ097-101.
&&
SHORT TERM...Burchfield
LONG TERM...Burchfield
AVIATION...PerezHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Springfield MO 429 AM CDT Thu Mar 19 2020 KSZ073-097-101-MOZ055>058-066>071-077>083-088>098-101>106-200930- 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- 429 AM CDT Thu Mar 19 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of the Missouri Ozarks and extreme southeast Kansas. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Weather hazards expected... Limited tornado risk. Elevated hail risk. Elevated thunderstorm wind damage risk. Elevated flooding risk. Significant lightning risk. Limited non thunderstorm wind risk. Elevated fog risk. DISCUSSION... Showers and thunderstorms will continue to move through the area this morning. Frequent cloud to ground lightning, wind gusts up to 50 mph and small hail will be possible with the strongest storms. Heavy rainfall leading to flooding of creeks, streams and low water crossings will also be possible across the area as multiple rounds of rainfall occur this morning. Areas of fog will reduce visibilities to one mile at times across south central Missouri this morning. Strong to severe thunderstorms will then be possible from late morning into the afternoon and early evening. While the entire area has a chance for a severe storm, the highest chances look to occur east of Highway 65 and south of Interstate 44. Damaging winds, large hail to the size of golf balls and tornadoes will be possible in the strongest storms. The tornado threat is limited at this time and mainly confined to areas along and east of Highway 63 in the eastern Ozarks. Southerly winds will become gusty by late morning and afternoon with wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph possible, especially west of Highway 65. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. There is a slight chance for more thunderstorms early next week. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will likely be needed today for flooding and severe reports. && 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 Burchfield
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Springfield MO
329 AM CDT Thu Mar 19 2020
KSZ097-101-MOZ077-088-093-190930-
Cherokee KS-Crawford KS-Barton MO-Jasper MO-Newton MO-
329 AM CDT Thu Mar 19 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR CHEROKEE...EASTERN CRAWFORD...
BARTON...NORTHWESTERN NEWTON AND JASPER COUNTIES UNTIL 430 AM CDT...
At 328 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from West Mineral to near Baxter Springs to near
Fairland. Movement was northeast at 60 mph.
Half inch hail and wind gusts up to 45 mph will be possible with
these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Joplin... Pittsburg...
Carthage... Neosho...
Webb City... Prairie State Park...
Carl Junction... Lamar...
Baxter Springs... Frontenac...
Columbus... Galena...
Girard... Oronogo...
Seneca... Granby...
Carterville... Duquesne...
Arma... Sarcoxie...
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 44 between mile markers 0 and 32.
Interstate 49 between mile markers 20 and 76.
LAT...LON 3767 9466 3767 9462 3765 9461 3764 9408
3730 9408 3729 9405 3705 9406 3676 9452
3677 9462 3700 9462 3700 9507 3725 9508
TIME...MOT...LOC 0828Z 221DEG 50KT 3727 9493 3705 9479 3681 9482
RothsteinSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Springfield MO
425 AM CDT Thu Mar 19 2020
MOZ066-067-077-078-088-089-093-094-191015-
Vernon MO-Cedar MO-Barton MO-Jasper MO-Dade MO-Newton MO-
St. Clair MO-Lawrence MO-
425 AM CDT Thu Mar 19 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EASTERN BARTON...NORTHEASTERN
NEWTON...CEDAR...NORTHERN LAWRENCE...SOUTHEASTERN VERNON...
SOUTHEASTERN ST. CLAIR...EASTERN JASPER AND DADE COUNTIES UNTIL 515
AM CDT...
At 424 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Lamar to Diamond. Movement was northeast
at 50 mph.
Penny size hail and wind gusts up to 40 mph will be possible with
these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Carthage... Neosho...
Stockton Lake... Stockton State Park...
Mount Vernon... Lamar...
Granby... Stockton...
Greenfield... Sarcoxie...
Lockwood... Jasper...
Diamond... Golden City...
Miller... Everton...
Carytown... Fidelity...
Dadeville... Jerico Springs...
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 44 between mile markers 15 and 58.
Interstate 49 between mile markers 36 and 73.
LAT...LON 3689 9438 3759 9432 3808 9351 3792 9352
3791 9357 3783 9357 3783 9362 3781 9363
3774 9363 3774 9361 3728 9363 3728 9361
3716 9361
TIME...MOT...LOC 0924Z 227DEG 42KT 3750 9417 3699 9431
RothsteinSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Springfield MO
504 AM CDT Thu Mar 19 2020
MOZ091-095-096-191045-
Douglas MO-Webster MO-Christian MO-
504 AM CDT Thu Mar 19 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHERN WEBSTER...NORTHWESTERN
DOUGLAS AND EASTERN CHRISTIAN COUNTIES UNTIL 545 AM CDT...
At 504 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Sparta, or near Ozark, moving northeast at 30 mph.
Penny size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Ozark... Rogersville...
Seymour... Sparta...
Fordland... Diggins...
Oldfield... Elkhead...
Bruner... Keltner...
Christian Center... Chadwick...
Linden... Dogwood...
LAT...LON 3686 9320 3707 9321 3709 9317 3709 9307
3716 9306 3732 9280 3719 9268 3701 9269
TIME...MOT...LOC 1004Z 238DEG 27KT 3695 9312
RothsteinSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Springfield MO
517 AM CDT Thu Mar 19 2020
MOZ068-078>080-089-090-094-191100-
Cedar MO-Dallas MO-Polk MO-Greene MO-Dade MO-Hickory MO-Lawrence MO-
517 AM CDT Thu Mar 19 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR HICKORY...WESTERN DALLAS...
SOUTHEASTERN CEDAR...POLK...NORTHEASTERN LAWRENCE...NORTHERN GREENE
AND EASTERN DADE COUNTIES UNTIL 600 AM CDT...
At 517 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Humansville to 7 miles south of Fair Play
to near Miller. Movement was northeast at 40 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Bolivar... Pomme de Terre Lake...
Pomme De Terre State Park... Stockton Lake...
Willard... Buffalo...
Ash Grove... Fair Grove...
Pittsburg... Humansville...
Walnut Grove... Polk...
Pleasant Hope... Fair Play...
Hermitage... Weaubleau...
Urbana... Morrisville...
Wheatland... Everton...
LAT...LON 3741 9308 3721 9380 3748 9366 3777 9370
3783 9361 3783 9357 3786 9357 3807 9326
3806 9306
TIME...MOT...LOC 1017Z 229DEG 37KT 3776 9364 3753 9360 3725 9380
RothsteinThe Springfield radar (KSGF), 82 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 10:53 UTC.
35 flash flood, 29 flood, 3 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Flooding occurred at Roaring River State Park with the river gauge rising about three feet in a short period of time.
Law enforcement reported a car stuck in the water near the James River, Hootentown access.
Water was reported over the road near the intersection of State Highway 86 and CC.
Water was reported over the road in Seneca.
State Highway 97 was closed at the Kelly Branch due to flooding.
State Highway 413 was closed due to flooding along the Pine Run Creek.
State Highway O was closed due to flooding at Tory Creek.
State Highway 125 was closed due to flooding at a low water area.
State Highway 86 was closed due to flooding at a low water area.
State Highway FF was closed due to flooding at Panther Creek.
State Highway Z was closed due to flooding at Finley Creek.
State Highway 125 was closed due to flooding at a low water area.
State Highway U was closed due to flooding at Pedelo Creek.
State Highway CC was closed due to flooding at the Sims Branch.
State Highway W was closed at Turkey Creek due to flooding.
State Highway 97 was closed due to flooding at the Spring River.
Highway 37 was closed at the the Spring River low water crossing due to flooding.
State Highway Y was closed due to flooding at Flat Creek.
State Highway U was closed due to flooding along Flat Creek.
State Highway C was closed due to flooding along Flat Creek.
State Highway V was closed at Deer Creek due to flooding.
State Highway D was closed due to flooding at Crane Creek.
Highway K was was flooded near Cowskin Creek.
The Finely River was flowing out of its banks and into a riverside park in Ozarks. One water rescue occurred with the subject rescued safely.
Flooding was reported on Highway K at the Finley Creek.
Cologna Road at the Pomme De Terre River was closed due to flooding.
Greenwood Road was flooded at the Pomme De Terre River.
State Highway k was closed due to flooding at Turn Back Creek.
Highway B was flooded at Panther Creek.
State Highway BB was closed due to flooding at Cahoochie Creek.
Main Street was closed due to flooding from Coons Creek.
State Highway DD is closed due to flooding at Turnback Creek.
State Highway BB was closed due to flooding at Gabriel Creek.
State Highway AA was closed due to flooding at Coon Creek.
State Highway C was closed due to flooding at Wolf Creek.
State Highway J was closed at the Osage Fork Gasconade River due to flooding.
State Highway H was closed due to flooding at Murphy Creek.
Water 2 feet deep was reported at the intersection of Farm Road 120 and 35 over the Sac River Bridge.
A vehicle was reported swept away by flood waters near the Silver Lake Branch on Highway U. No injuries were reported and the passengers self rescued.
State Highway U was flooded at the South Prong Jacks Fork due to flooding.
State Highway TT was closed at Crooked Creek due to flooding.
State Highway NN was closed at Rocky Creek due to flooding.
State Highway D was closed due to flooding at Center Creek.
State Highway 125 was closed due to flooding at Brushy Creek.
State Highway O was closed due to flooding at the Spring River.
Springfield Road in Willow Springs and Vernon Road south of Willow Springs were flooded, along with several low water crossings on secondary roads in the county.
State Highway 126 was closed due to flooding at the North Fork Spring River.
State Highway 181 was closed due to flooding at Bryant Creek.
State Highway EE was closed due to flooding at the Gasconade River.
Highway E was closed at Coopers Ford due to flooding.
The Gasconade River and Woods Fork were flooding out of their banks.
State Highway H was closed due to flooding at Rocky Creek.
State Highway HH was closed due to flooding at Carr Creek.
State Highway H was closed due to flooding at Sycamore Creek.
State Highway T was closed due to flooding at Possum Walk Creek.
State Highway U was closed at Mikes Creek due to flooding.
Highway WW was closed due to flooding at Big Buffalo Creek.
State Highway CC was closed at Elkhorn Creek due to flooding.
State Highway H was closed due to flooding at the North Fork Spring River.
A vehicle was swept off the road where the Eleven Point River crosses County Road 1550. A water rescue was performed and the passengers were recovered safely.
The combination of excessive rain and water releases from Table Rock Lake caused flooding along Lake Taneycomo. The Branson city campground was evacuated and water approached a few homes in the Sunset Park subdivision.
State Highway Y was closed due to flooding at the Gill Branch.
A tree was knocked onto a house off of Highway JJ, southeast of South Fork.
High wind gusts downed a tree at the China Union Church.
Severe wind gusts downed a tree along County Road 8390.
State Highway KK was closed due to flooding at Dry Wood Creek.
One person was rescued safely after a vehicle was swept off a low water crossing on Cross Timbers Road at Cane Creek.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Missouri in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyWarnings in Missouri, March 2020
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: 881568, 881573, 881583, 881584, 881609, 881574, 881579, 881580, 881569, 881588, 881589, 881591, 881581, 881592, 881611, 881585, 881605, 881570, 881571, 881572, 881623, 881624, 881613, 881582, 881593, 881594, 881595, 881625, 881596, 881598, 881626, 881586, 881627, 881587, 881628, 881633, 881637, 881597, 881576, 881639, and more.