A cluster of severe thunderstorms moved through southwest Missouri on the morning of April 29th, 2025. Widespread wind damage and several tornadoes occurred.
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 cluster of severe thunderstorms moved through southwest Missouri on the morning of April 29th, 2025. Widespread wind damage and several tornadoes occurred. Significant wind damage with over 50,000 power outages occurred in Springfield alone. Numerous trees, powerlines and structures sustained damage from this system. A 90 mph wind gust was measured at the Springfield Branson National Airport.
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 Apr 29, 5:56 AM CST, 1 hour 18 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Springfield MO
656 AM CDT Tue Apr 29 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Slight Risk (2 out of 5) for strong to severe thunderstorms
this morning into the early afternoon. Primary hazards are
damaging wind gusts and large hail.
- Flood Watch in effect from 7 AM Today through 7 AM Thursday
with a Slight (2 of 4) to locally Moderate (3 of 4) Risk for
excessive rainfall. Multiple rounds of showers and
thunderstorms will result in widespread amounts of 1 to 3
inches, with localized amounts up to 4 to 6 inches.
- Shower and thunderstorm chances continue during the day
Thursday. Therefore, any lingering flood impacts may continue
for areas receiving more heavy rainfall.
&&
.SHORT TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 238 AM CDT Tue Apr 29 2025
As a cold front to our northwest continues its trek east,
current radar imagery shows strong thunderstorms moving towards
west-central and central Missouri focused along the front.
Satellite imagery shows a low-level moisture plume riding along
the southern periphery of a low-level jet spread from southwest
Missouri all the way to Quebec, with the moisture plume feeding
directly into the convergent flow along the front.
Though our west-central and central Missouri counties will be
clipped by some strong thunderstorms associated with the
existing line near Kansas City early this morning, the highest
risk for severe thunderstorms will be further south. The
storms moving into central Missouri are quickly running out of
instability to feed off of, and though instability has also
decreased slowly through the overnight hours further south,
there is still 1500-200 J/kg of MUCAPE available for the
anticipated development in central Kansas and northeast Oklahoma
to work with.
Evolution through the day today will look like this: morning
convection in central Missouri will decrease in intensity and
coverage as it moves further east. The decaying remains of these
storms will organize with a stronger cluster of developing
storms in south-central Kansas and northeast Oklahoma early
this morning (6-9 AM). The storms in Kansas and Oklahoma will
move more due east as they develop along the still-
southeastward- progressing cold front. This segment of storms
will be where our highest severe weather threat for the day
comes from, both in space and time. The severe risk for storms
will exit our south- central Missouri counties in the early
afternoon (12-2 PM).
Hazards associated with these strong to severe storms would
include hail to the size of quarters (more likely in elevated
storms that can sustain behind the front) and damaging wind
gusts 60-70 mph associated with embedded supercell-like
structures within the line, in addition to heavy rainfall and
associated localized flash flooding (see more below).
Front-parallel winds aloft will help support the formation of a
forward-propagating MCS, which will really work over the
morning environment and propel the cold front through our area.
The midday passage of the cold front will help to contain the
buildup of instability behind the front, with 00Z HREF mean
MUCAPE this afternoon remaining largely below 1000 J/kg besides
a small corridor near the central MO/AR border. However, more
recent runs of CAMs are showing considerably less, remaining
below 500 J/kg. This will work against the formation of
potential post-frontal elevated supercells, keeping development
behind the cold front through the day more akin to trailing
stratiform rain, with potential breaks/gaps in coverage between
"rounds" of development. However, if areas of instability can
recover sufficiently behind the MCS, some stronger storms could
be possible. As the day progresses and overnight into Wednesday,
severe weather becomes less and less likely.
Flood Watch goes into effect at 7 AM this morning through 7 AM
Thursday. Aforementioned parallel winds aloft will increase
training thunderstorm potential, where rainfall rates could
reach 1-2"/hr despite a fast storm motion and relatively low
residence time of the deepest convection. 1 hour flash flood
guidance is around 2.5" along the I-49 corridor, decreasing to
1-1.5" into the higher terrain of the eastern Ozarks.
&&
.LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/...
Issued at 238 AM CDT Tue Apr 29 2025
Models continue to come closer into agreement on rainfall
totals, though location of the heaviest precipitation axis is
still not well agreed upon. Storm total rainfall amounts have
decreased slightly for Tuesday - Thursday due to the decrease in
model spread. We now anticipate widespread rainfall totals in
the 1-3" range, with localized amounts in the 4-6" range. As
mentioned above, much of the rainfall will come in short bursts,
which will increase the associated flash flooding potential,
especially in flashy basins.
Rainfall will continue through Thursday in several rounds, with
breaks in precipitation likely between some rounds. Despite some
short respites from rain, recovery time will be minimal with the
repeated development and movement of storms into the area from
our southwest on Wednesday into Thursday. With the heaviest
precip axis shifting south, confidence in widespread flash
flooding is decreasing relative to previous forecasts, but
confidence in localized areas of flash flooding and river
flooding remains high, especially in the flood-prone areas of
far southwest Missouri.
&&
.AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 641 AM CDT Tue Apr 29 2025
Strong thunderstorms are congealing into a line along the
southern extent of a cold front in southeast Kansas to start
the TAF period off, which will kick off a wet period with
intermittently degraded flight conditions. Rain will continue
behind the leading edge of thunderstorms, perhaps with brief
breaks between showers but with rain generally prevailing
through the day. Winds will shift dramatically behind the front,
shifting from south-southwesterly to northerly for the
afternoon before becoming southerly again this evening.
&&
.SGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
KS...Flood Watch through Thursday morning for KSZ073-097-101.
MO...Flood Watch through Thursday morning for MOZ055>058-066>071-
077>083-088>098-101>106.
&&
SHORT TERM...Camden
LONG TERM...Camden
AVIATION...CamdenHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Springfield MO 505 AM CDT Tue Apr 29 2025 KSZ073-097-101-MOZ055>058-066>071-077>083-088>098-101>106-301015- 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- 505 AM CDT Tue Apr 29 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of the Missouri Ozarks and extreme southeast Kansas. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Weather hazards expected... Marginal tornado risk. Slight hail risk. Slight thunderstorm wind damage risk. Elevated lightning risk. Elevated excessive rainfall risk DISCUSSION... Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to move into the area this morning, with severe thunderstorm hazards primarily being hail up quarters and damaging wind gusts up to 60 to 70 mph. There is a low potential for additional thunderstorm development behind the cold front this afternoon, and if afternoon thunderstorms are able to form, supercells with all hazards (primarily large hail) could be expected. Heavy rainfall with the day's thunderstorms will elevate river and flash flood risks in southwest Missouri. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms will bring additional rainfall to the region through Thursday. Breaks between rounds will be short, which will limit recovery and sustain concerns for river and flash flooding. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed this morning into this afternoon for southwest Missouri and portions of far southeast Kansas. && More detailed information can be accessed at: http://www.weather.gov/sgf/dsspacket This product in graphical format...along with other weather... hydrological and climate information...at http://www.weather.gov/sgf Camden
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Springfield MO
358 AM CDT Tue Apr 29 2025
MOZ055-056-290945-
Benton MO-Morgan MO-
358 AM CDT Tue Apr 29 2025
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHERN BENTON AND NORTHERN
MORGAN COUNTIES THROUGH 445 AM CDT...
At 358 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from 9 miles north of Smithton
to 6 miles south of Sedalia to near Windsor. Movement was east at 55
mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Cole Camp, Mora, Florence, Ionia, Syracuse, Brandon, Stover,
Crockerville, and Versailles.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3868 9284 3860 9284 3843 9263 3845 9351
3847 9352 3851 9351 3851 9330 3854 9329
3853 9307 3869 9306
TIME...MOT...LOC 0858Z 271DEG 50KT 3881 9314 3862 9327 3848 9349
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
PerezSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Springfield MO
702 AM CDT Tue Apr 29 2025
KSZ097-101-291245-
Cherokee KS-Crawford KS-
702 AM CDT Tue Apr 29 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHERN CHEROKEE AND CRAWFORD
COUNTIES THROUGH 745 AM CDT...
At 702 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Mccune, or 12 miles northeast of Oswego, moving northeast at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Franklin, Frontenac, Beulah, Girard, Pittsburg, Croweburg, Yale,
Carona, West Mineral, Farlington, Brazilton, Mccune, Sherman,
Mulberry, Cherokee, Opolis, Greenbush, Roseland, Chicopee, and Ringo.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 AM CDT for
southeastern Kansas.
&&
LAT...LON 3754 9509 3768 9486 3767 9462 3727 9462
3721 9508 3738 9507 3739 9509
TIME...MOT...LOC 1202Z 221DEG 29KT 3732 9500
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
WiseSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Springfield MO
731 AM CDT Tue Apr 29 2025
MOZ077-291315-
Barton MO-
731 AM CDT Tue Apr 29 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT BARTON COUNTY THROUGH 815 AM
CDT...
At 731 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Mindenmines, or near Pittsburg, moving northeast at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Oakton, Burgess, Liberal, Mindenmines, Irwin, Iantha, Oskaloosa,
Verdella, Lamar Heights, Prairie State Park, Lamar, Hannon, and
Arcadia.
This includes Interstate 49 between mile markers 62 and 76.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 AM CDT for
southeastern Kansas...and southwestern Missouri.
&&
LAT...LON 3765 9462 3764 9420 3746 9419 3736 9461
TIME...MOT...LOC 1231Z 233DEG 29KT 3748 9460
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
WisePreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Springfield MO
746 AM CDT Tue Apr 29 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0721 AM Hail 1 N Cherokee 37.36N 94.81W
04/29/2025 M1.00 Inch Crawford KS Fire Dept/Rescue
1 inch hail just North of Cherokee.
&&
TEOPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Springfield MO
757 AM CDT Tue Apr 29 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0754 AM Flash Flood 3 SE Chicopee 37.35N 94.71W
04/29/2025 Crawford KS Public
Report from mPING, River/Creek overflowing,
Cropland, Yard, Basement Flooding.
&&
TEOPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Springfield MO
812 AM CDT Tue Apr 29 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0810 AM Hail Galena 37.08N 94.64W
04/29/2025 M1.00 Inch Cherokee KS Amateur Radio
1 inch hail in Galena KS.
&&
TEOThe Springfield radar (KSGF), 99 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 13:14 UTC.
89 thunderstorm wind, 9 hail, 7 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
A trained spotter reported winds of 70 mph.
Quarter sized hail was reported.
Quarter sized hail was reported lasting more than three minutes.
Penny sized hail was reported.
Ping pong ball sized hail was reported.
Multiple trees were reported down.
A large tree was reported down in town.
Quarter sized hail was reported.
Very strong straight line winds blew a portion of a barn roof onto I-29 at the 23 Mile Marker blocking the southbound lane. Multiple trees, some large, were also down in a large swath.
Quarter sized hail was reported.
Quarter sized hail was reported.
Several large trees were snapped off part way up.
Several outbuildings and a few barns were damaged by high winds.
Golf ball sized hail was reported in a mostly rural area between Webb City and Orornogo. Some minor roof and vehicle occurred to a few homes.
Heavy rain and winds estimated from 50-60 mph was reported.
Quarter sized hail was reported.
Multiple trees and powerlines were reported.
Multiple trees were reported down.
Multiple trees were reported down.
An NWS survey found that an EF-1 tornado began at 8:55 AM 3 miles south of Freistatt near CR 1090 and CR 2210. The tornado had a path length of 4.18 miles, a width of 100 yards, and maximum wind speeds of 90 mph. It ended at 9:00 AM around CR 1125 and CR 1131. The tornado uprooted many trees and damaged many large limbs. It also damaged the roofs of outbuildings including a turkey barn and a residence. At its peak intensity, the tornado destroyed a small outbuilding, uprooted many trees, downed powerlines, and threw tin well downwind.
A large tree was blown onto a home causing minor damage.
Multiple trees and powerlines were reported down.
An National Weather Service survey found that an EF-1 tornado began at 9:00 AM near Highway 60 between Verona and Aurora and ended in eastern Aurora just east of Highway 60. The tornado had a path length of 4.88 miles, a width of 100 yards, and maximum wind speeds of 90 mph. The tornado damaged the roof of a church, caused minor damage to several other structures, and uprooted many large trees.
A home suffered minor siding and roof damage.
A home suffered moderate siding and roof damage from high winds.
A vehicle was trapped in downed power lines. No injuries were reported.
The mesonet station GW5516 at Mount Vernon measured a 58 mph wind gust.
A National Weather Service survey found that an EF-0 tornado began at 9:09 AM near the Lawrence County and Stone County line along CR 2210, about 2 miles west of Bradfield. The tornado had a path length of 5.17 miles, a width of 50 yards, and maximum wind speeds of 80 mph. It ended at 9:14 AM along Barke Road on the Lawrence County border side of the intersection of Stone and Christian counties. The tornado mainly uprooted many large trees in a convergent pattern, resulting in some nearby structural damage to a few outbuildings.
Multiple trees and powerlines were reported down.
Minor damage was reported to buildings with debris being blown downwind.
A National Weather Service survey determined that 74 mph winds downed multiple cedar limbs and tore roof panels off an outbuilding driving them into the ground in all directions.
A large tree was reported down blocking Highway P.
A large tree was reported down blocking the road.
A large tree was reported down.
A large tree was reported down on County Line Road blocking the west bound lane of traffic.
A large sign was blown over at the Hoods Truck stop on I-44.
An outbuilding was blown down and a chain link fence was damaged.
The ASOS at the Springfield-Branson airport measured winds gusting from 65 to 90 mph during a 10 minute period. Several limbs on trees were downed and minor damage occurred to flashing on a small outbuilding at the NWS Office.
A large tree was reported down on Highway O near Alder Road.
Several large trees were reported down blocking the road.
A large tree was reported down and blocking bridge access.
A barn suffered minor wind damage to its roof.
Several large trees were reported down on Highways T and EE blocking the roads.
Significant wind damage was reported to the gas station at the corner of Highways AB and EE.
A National Weather Service storm survey determined that a brief EF-1 tornado occurred approximately 3 miles southwest of Elwood around 9:24 AM. It progressed northeast for a little over a minute before dissipating to strong straight-line winds at 9:25 AM approximately 1.5 miles southwest of Elwood. The tornado had a path length of 1.55 miles, a width of 50 yards, and estimated maximum wind speeds of 90 mph. Many trees were uprooted in different directions, with some trees falling on a residence. It also damaged the roof of a barn and outbuilding.
A large tree was down on a car causing significant damage.
High winds caused significant damage to a 30x50 Machine shed with another smaller shop building and a home also suffered minor damage.
A wind gust of 88 mph was measured by personal equipment.
The ASOS at the Springfield-Branson National airport measured a 64 mph wind gust.
A National Weather Service storm survey determined that a brief, weak EF-0 tornado began at 9:30 AM near Eaglecrest St. The tornado damaged an auto repair shop with partial roof removal and wall collapse. The tornado path was intermittent to the northeast crossing Highway 160 before lifting near a storage shed business where awning damage occurred and a travel trailer was overturned.
The ASOS at the Springfield-Branson National airport measured a 75 mph wind gust.
Multiple trees and powerlines were reported.
Several large tree limbs were reported down.
Multiple trees were reported down.
A large tree was reported down blocking the road.
Multiple trees and powerlines were reported down.
Large trees and limbs were reported down covering a parking lot.
Minor roof damage occurred to a home neat the Downtown Springfield airport and the KOLR 10 TV Studio.
A home suffered minor roof damage near Highways AB and EE.
A tree was reported down on a home causing minor roof damage.
A barn suffered significant wind damage with roof and siding damage.
Two large trees were down on the road in town.
Multiple trees were reported down.
Multiple trees and powerlines were reported down.
Multiple trees and powerlines were reported down throughout Springfield and portions of western and southern Greene County. Springfield City Utilities reported hundreds of poles and transformers along with miles of line. Tree damage was extensive with an estimated 30,000 cubic yards of tree debris collected.
The ASOS at the Springfield- Branson National Airport measured an 81 mph wind gust.
A large tree was reported down covering the road.
A large tree was reported down.
Multiple trees and powerlines were reported down. Some power poles were snapped at the base and a couple of homes had damage from winds and falling trees.
A large tree was reported down.
Multiple large tree branches were downed by high winds with on puncturing the roof of a home.
A semi-truck was reported laid on its side on the west bound lane of I-44 at the 75 mile marker.
Multiple trees were reported down.
Significant tree damage along Scenic Road was reported with a large tree falling on a home causing moderate to severe roof and structural damage.
A National Weather Service survey determined that an EF0 tornado began at 8:35 am near Boulder City and moved nearly due north for around 2 miles with a maximum width of 50 yards and peak winds of 80 mph. Along its path the weak tornado damaged numerous trees with some uprooted. A couple outbuildings also suffered minor damage as well.
Numerous large branches and trees were reported down. Several homes had shingles removed.
Numerous large branches and trees were down with one crushing a small outbuilding.
High winds caused a portion of a roof to peel off a building in downtown Springfield.
Several trees were reported down with one on a home causing minor roof damage.
Multiple trees were reported down.
A National Weather Service storm survey determined that an EF-0 tornado touched down west of Fair Grove around 9:40 AM and lifted around 10:10 east of Bassville, MO. Many trees were uprooted or split and many large limbs broken. A small residence and farm outbuilding sustained minor damage. Damage was limited along the western portion of the track and was observed to increase along and east of Farm Roads 181 and 48. Before diminishing again as it approached Highway 65, with greater tree damage again viewed east of the Highway before the path ended east of Bassville.
Multiple trees were reported down and blocking portions of Highway U and Finbrooke Roads.
A large tree was uprooted.
Multiple trees were reported down.
A 65 foot radio tower collapses after a Gill Windmaster Anemometer mounted 20 up on the tower measures a 91 mph wind gust.
A large tree was reported down blocking the road in town.
A large tree was on a home causing moderate roof and structural damage. Trees were also down a multiple (7) outbuildings causing minor to significant damage.
A large tree was reported down blocking the road.
Several large limbs of greater than 3 inch diameter were reported down.
Several large trees were reported down with one falling on a green house.
Multiple large limbs were reported down.
Several large tree limbs were reported down.
Minor damage was reported to the roof and siding of a metal building.
Multiple trees and powerlines were reported down.
Multiple trees and powerlines were reported.
Powerlines and a power pole were reported down.
Multiple large limbs and trees were reported down.
Several large trees were reported down blocking the road.
A large tree was split in half.
The roof of a barn was peeled off and some large branches were downed.
Roof damage occurred to a barn at Highway C and Bright Prairie Road.
Several large trees limbs were reported down.
Multiple trees and powerlines were reported down.
Several trees were snapped with at least one on a home causing minor damage.
Multiple trees were reported down.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Missouri in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Missouri, 2025Warnings in Missouri, April 2025
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: 1255960, 1250749, 1250751, 1250750, 1250754, 1256056, 1255962, 1250752, 1255963, 1250753, 1250755, 1255968, 1256027, 1250756, 1255961, 1250757, 1255967, 1255986, 1256001, 1255601, 1255965, 1255966, 1255599, 1256000, 1256003, 1255969, 1256002, 1255604, 1256038, 1255977, 1256063, 1256006, 1255988, 1256013, 1256018, 1255993, 1256025, 1255973, 1255978, 1255983, and more.