Tornadoes · United States · Missouri · 2017

EF0 tornado, Rocky Mt, Missouri, March 6, 2017

This EF0 tornado ran 0.3 miles across Morgan County on March 6, 2017, touching down at 10:36 PM CST and reaching 50 yards wide. It killed nobody, and did $100,000 of property damage.

The rating scale

Tracks are drawn in the color of the rating. The Enhanced Fujita scale rates the damage rather than measuring the wind: the speeds are what that damage is taken to imply.

  1. EF065 to 85 mphthis tornado

    Light damage. Surface peeled off some roofs, gutters and siding damaged, branches broken, shallow-rooted trees pushed over.

  2. EF186 to 110 mph

    Moderate damage. Roofs badly stripped, mobile homes overturned or badly damaged, exterior doors lost, windows broken.

  3. EF2111 to 135 mph

    Considerable damage. Roofs torn off well-built houses, frame homes shifted on their foundations, mobile homes destroyed, large trees snapped or uprooted, cars lifted off the ground.

  4. EF3136 to 165 mph

    Severe damage. Whole stories of well-built houses destroyed, large buildings badly damaged, trains overturned, trees debarked, heavy cars lifted and thrown.

  5. EF4166 to 200 mph

    Devastating damage. Well-built houses leveled, structures with weak foundations moved some distance, cars thrown and large missiles generated.

  6. EF5over 200 mph

    Incredible damage. Strong frame houses swept off their foundations, car-sized missiles thrown more than 100 meters, steel-reinforced concrete badly damaged, high-rise buildings deformed.

  7. Unrated

    The survey recorded a tornado but could not put a number on it, most often because it crossed open country and damaged nothing a rating can be read from.

The record

Rating
EF0
Date
March 6, 2017
Touchdown
10:36 PM CST (04:36 UTC)
Lifted
10:37 PM CST (04:37 UTC)
On the ground
1 minutes
Path length
0.3 miles (0.5 km)
Path width
50 yards (46 m)
Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$100,000
County
Morgan County
Touchdown point
38.247, -92.716
Lift-off point
38.246, -92.710
Record number
1703062236-01

The damage survey

2 damage points were recorded along this path by NWS SGF, in the Damage Assessment Toolkit the survey teams carry. The strongest indicator was rated EF0. The highest wind the damage implies is 85 mph.

Survey points are preliminary and are the raw material the published rating was built from. Source: NWS Damage Assessment Toolkit.

What the Weather Service recorded

A strong cold front pushed through the region during the evening and overnight hours of March 6th-7th, 2017. The front interacted with instability and strong wind shear across the region to produce quite a bit of wind damage and a few tornadoes.

An EF-0 tornado damaged some outbuildings and docks south of Rocky Mount in Morgan County. Maximum wind speed was estimated 75 to 85 mph.

From NOAA NCEI's Storm Events Database, the narrative the local forecast office wrote for Storm Data.

The warnings

7 minutes of warning. NWS SGF issued a tornado warning for this county at 04:29 UTC, 7 minutes before the tornado touched down, in force until 05:00 UTC.

The county was under a tornado watch, issued at 00:54 UTC and running to 05:36 UTC.

Issued (UTC)ExpiredProductOffice
16:00 UTC02:00 UTCWind AdvisorySGF
00:54 UTC05:36 UTCTornado WatchSGF
03:43 UTC04:45 UTCSevere Thunderstorm WarningSGF
04:11 UTC05:15 UTCSevere Thunderstorm WarningSGF
04:29 UTC05:00 UTCTornado WarningSGF
17:00 UTC01:00 UTCRed Flag WarningSGF
18:00 UTC20:08 UTCFire Weather WatchSGF

Every warning and watch covering the touchdown point that day, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service products. Lead time is measured from the issue of the warning in force to the touchdown time in the database, both of which were recorded to the minute by different people.

The forecast that day

The Storm Prediction Center had this point in a Enhanced Risk, with a 0.05 chance of a tornado within 25 miles. The outlook in force was issued at 00:54 UTC.

SPC's Day 1 convective outlook as it stood when the tornado began, read at the touchdown point. The same archive is on the radar archive.

The air that afternoon

The radiosonde launches on either side of the tornado, from the nearest station that was launching then, drawn and analyzed the way Storm Lab does: the same diagram, the same parcel and shear definitions SPC's mesoanalysis uses.

Springfield, MO (KSGF), 00:00Z

4.6 hours before the tornado, 178 km from the path. March 7, 2017.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Springfield, MO at 00:00Z on 2017-03-07Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel lifted from the surface. Mixed-layer CAPE 629 joules per kilogram, CIN -16, lifted condensation level 1110 meters above ground. Wind barbs in knots down the right edge.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed. The warm shading is its CAPE, the cool shading the inhibition it has to break through.
HodographHodograph, Springfield, MO at 00:00Z on 2017-03-07The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers as a curve, rings every 10 meters per second labeled in knots. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 319 square meters per square second, 0 to 6 km bulk shear 54 knots.1939587897117Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km. RM and LM are the right and left moving storms Bunkers' method gives; the shaded area is the 0 to 1 km storm-relative helicity.
Mixed-layer CAPE
629 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-16 J/kg
Surface CAPE
821 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1110 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
54 kt
0-1 km bulk shear
32 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
319 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
542 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
1.7
Supercell composite
8.2
0-3 km lapse rate
6.8 K/km

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

Springfield, MO (KSGF), 12:00Z

7.4 hours after it, 178 km from the path. March 7, 2017.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Springfield, MO at 12:00Z on 2017-03-07Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel lifted from the surface. Mixed-layer CAPE 0 joules per kilogram, CIN -101590, lifted condensation level 2080 meters above ground. Wind barbs in knots down the right edge.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed. The warm shading is its CAPE, the cool shading the inhibition it has to break through.
HodographHodograph, Springfield, MO at 12:00Z on 2017-03-07The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers as a curve, rings every 10 meters per second labeled in knots. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -321 square meters per square second, 0 to 6 km bulk shear 80 knots.1939587897Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km. RM and LM are the right and left moving storms Bunkers' method gives; the shaded area is the 0 to 1 km storm-relative helicity.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-101590 J/kg
Surface CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
2080 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
80 kt
0-1 km bulk shear
24 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-321 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
-140 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0
0-3 km lapse rate
2.3 K/km

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The radar

The Springfield radar (KSGF), 128 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the touchdown began at 04:34 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment, over the track

Reflectivity and velocity, decoded from the Level II archive in the browser. Volumes take a few seconds to open the first time.

What was reported nearby

Local storm reports within 60 km of the path, in the three hours either side.

Time (UTC)ReportWhereCountyRemark
01:47 UTCNON-TSTM WND GST 44KlieverMoniteau, MO
03:30 UTCTSTM WND DMG5 W EdmonsonBenton, MOTREES AND POWER LINE DOWN ON OO HIGHWAY NORTHEAST OF WARSAW.
04:03 UTCTORNADO1 Wnw ArgyleOsage, MOA NWS STORM SURVEY TEAM DETERMINED AN EF-1 TORNADO BEGAN AROUND 0.75 MILES WEST NORTHWEST OF ARGYLE AND MOVED EAST NORTHEAST ACROSS SOUTHERN OSAGE COUNTY LIFTING 1 MILE NORTHEAST OF FREEBURG. THE PATH LENGTH WAS 7.3 MILE
04:15 UTCTSTM WND DMG3 Ene PrestonHickory, MOTREE BLOWN OVER ONTO SHED. .
04:15 UTCTSTM WND DMGPrestonHickory, MOPRESTON AREA: ONE HOME HAD ROOF BLOWN OFF WITH WATER DAMAGE INSIDE THAT RESIDENCE AFTER THE STORM. ENTRYWAY AWNING RIPPED OFF BUILDING IN TOWN. BILLBOARD SIGN DESTROYED.
04:33 UTCTORNADO1 Wsw Macks CreekCamden, MONWS SURVEY TEAM DETERMINED THAT AN EF1 TORNADO WITH 100-110 MPH WINDS DAMAGED A MOBILE HOME, OUTBUILDINGS AND TREES FROM 1 MILE SOUTHWEST OF MACKS CREEK TO 1.5 MILES SOUTHEAST OF MACKS CREEK. MAXIMUM WIDTH 1/4 MILE.
04:37 UTCTORNADO1 S Rocky MountMorgan, MOEF0 TORNADO PRODUCED 75-85 MPH WINDS THAT DAMAGED OUTBUILDINGS AND DOCKS. MAX WIDTH WAS 50 YARDS WIDE.
04:37 UTCTORNADO2 S Rocky MountMorgan, MOEF0 TORNADO PRODUCED 75-85 MPH WINDS THAT DAMAGED OUTBUILDINGS AND DOCKS. MAX WIDTH WAS 50 YARDS WIDE.
04:50 UTCTSTM WND DMG2 Sse Rocky MountMorgan, MOREPORTED AT OAK KNOLL ROAD, ROCKY MOUNT, MO PART OF BUILDING ON ROAD.
04:50 UTCTSTM WND DMG3 N LaurieMorgan, MOHWY 5 TREE LANDED ON HOUSE.
05:15 UTCTSTM WND DMG4 Sw TuscumbiaMiller, MOROOF BLOWN OFF BARN.
05:15 UTCTSTM WND DMG4 Wsw TuscumbiaMiller, MOROOF BLOWN OFF BARN.
05:17 UTCTSTM WND DMGMacks CreekCamden, MOCONFIRMED STRUCTURAL DAMAGE ON CEMETERY ROAD IN MACKS CREEK. WAITING FOR ADDITIONAL REPORTS.
05:18 UTCTSTM WND DMGMarys HomeMiller, MOMINOR DAMAGE TO A METAL SIGN AND OUTBUILDING. PICTURE FROM SOCIAL MEDIA AND TIME ESTIMATED BY RADAR.
05:33 UTCTSTM WND DMGMacks CreekCamden, MOHWY W, CARPORTS DAMAGED, MOBILE HOME DESTROYED, ONE SPOTTER REPORTS IT LOOKS LIKE A WAR ZONE.
05:33 UTCTORNADO1 Wsw Macks CreekCamden, MONWS SURVEY TEAM DETERMINED THAT AN EF1 TORNADO WITH 100-110 MPH WINDS DAMAGED A MOBILE HOME, OUTBUILDINGS AND TREES FROM 1 MILE SOUTHWEST OF MACKS CREEK TO 1.5 MILES SOUTHEAST OF MACKS CREEK. MAXIMUM WIDTH 1/4 MILE.

From the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service local storm reports.

This ground now

The live radar over the trackEvery 2017 tornado in MissouriEvery tornado in Missouri since 1950Warnings in force in Missouri nowThe forecast where you are

The other tornadoes of March 6, 2017

53 more were confirmed in the United States that day.

DateTimeRatingWherePath (mi)Width (yd)DeathsInjuriesDamage
March 65:04 PM CSTEF1Faribault, MN9.3200
March 65:23 PM CSTEF0Webster, IA2.430
March 65:28 PM CSTEF1Webster, IA2.950$70,000
March 65:35 PM CSTEF0Geary, KS0.150
March 65:36 PM CSTEF0Wabaunsee, KS16.150
March 65:37 PM CSTEF0Pottawatomie, KS0.025
March 65:37 PM CSTEF0Wabaunsee, KS0.150
March 65:38 PM CSTEF1Freeborn, MN11.9300
March 65:39 PM CSTEF1Sherburne, MN8.8300
March 65:59 PM CSTEF0Wabaunsee, KS1.950
March 66:13 PM CSTEF0Shawnee, KS5.250
March 66:27 PM CSTEF0Boone, IA17.985$125,000
March 66:30 PM CSTEF0Nodaway, MO5.825
March 66:58 PM CSTEF1Hardin, IA6.3300$25,000
March 67:05 PM CSTEF0Butler, KS0.150
March 67:19 PM CSTEF1Warren, IA4.8100$80,000
March 67:24 PM CSTEF2Clay, MO19.61,000
March 67:29 PM CSTEF1Marion, IA5.3120$50,000
March 67:35 PM CSTEF1Marion, IA6.880$20,000
March 67:38 PM CSTEF1Franklin, KS3.050
March 67:40 PM CSTEF1Mercer, MO10.3100
March 67:47 PM CSTEF0Marion, IA5.565$25,000
March 67:51 PM CSTEF0Johnson, KS0.3100
March 68:03 PM CSTEF0Jackson, MO2.325
March 68:11 PM CSTEF3Jackson, MO17.740012
March 68:16 PM CSTEF2Wayne, IA14.9250$2.0 million
March 68:30 PM CSTEF1Appanoose, IA8.060$40,000
March 68:33 PM CSTEF2Appanoose, IA9.790$750,000
March 68:34 PM CSTEF1Lafayette, MO1.850
March 68:40 PM CSTEF0Carroll, MO6.0100
March 68:46 PM CSTEF1La Crosse, WI2.6200$290,000
March 68:56 PM CSTEF1Chariton, MO19.8100
March 69:10 PM CSTEF0Pettis, MO3.925
March 69:17 PM CSTEF0Henry, MO7.825
March 69:40 PM CSTEF0Cooper, MO17.4400
March 69:40 PM CSTEF1Shelby, MO18.51501
March 69:44 PM CSTEF1Adair, OK6.1650$100,000
March 69:50 PM CSTEF0Dubuque, IA5.725$5,000
March 69:56 PM CSTEF2Louisa, IA0.3150
March 610:00 PM CSTEF1Hickory, MO0.8100$5,000
March 610:05 PM CSTEF2Muscatine, IA1.82003$100,000
March 610:13 PM CSTEF2Muscatine, IA25.31,000$52,000
March 610:18 PM CSTEF1Cedar, IA16.6100$110,000
March 610:19 PM CSTEF2Scott, IA34.7200
March 610:24 PM CSTEF1Camden, MO2.04001$100,000
March 610:40 PM CSTEF0Clinton, IA4.450
March 610:51 PM CSTEF1Washington, AR6.4400$40,000
March 610:53 PM CSTEF1Whiteside, IL1.510
March 611:03 PM CSTEF1Osage, MO7.375
March 611:17 PM CSTEF1Montgomery, MO20.9150
March 611:38 PM CSTEF2Newton, AR36.67001$400,000
March 611:51 PM CSTEF1Saint Charles, MO3.11003
March 611:52 PM CSTEF1Mason, IL6.8150$150,000

What this means

Ratings are the survey's, read off the damage rather than measured; the rating scale is above. Tornado counts rise through the record as reporting improved, so a year in the 1950s is not comparable with one today except for the strongest tornadoes, which were always noticed.

Sources

NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database, 1950-2025, the official record kept by NOAA's Storm Prediction Center.