Tornadoes · United States · Missouri · 2018

EF0 tornado, Cody, Missouri, May 3, 2018

This EF0 tornado ran 0.3 miles across Greene County on May 3, 2018, touching down at 2:17 AM CDT and reaching 50 yards wide. It killed nobody, and did $30,000 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
May 3, 2018
Touchdown
2:17 AM CDT (07:17 UTC)
Lifted
2:18 AM CDT (07:18 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
$30,000
County
Greene County
Touchdown point
37.092, -93.104
Lift-off point
37.094, -93.099
Record number
1805030117-01

The damage survey

7 damage points were recorded along this path by NWS SGF, in the Damage Assessment Toolkit the survey teams carry. The strongest indicator was rated EF1. The highest wind the damage implies is 95 mph.

  • a barn destroyed and trees uprooted. hay bail thrown across field. 50 yards wide and up to half mile long. up to 80 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

Severe thunderstorms caused damaging wind and large hail.

An EF-0 tornado briefly touched down with maximum estimated wind speeds up to 80 mph and a path of a quarter of a mile. The tornado had a width of 50 yards. A barn was destroyed and trees were uprooted near the intersection of East Farm Road 186 and Farm Road 241.

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 07:10 UTC, 7 minutes before the tornado touched down, in force until 07:24 UTC.

The county was under a severe thunderstorm watch, issued at 04:16 UTC and running to 08:09 UTC.

Issued (UTC)ExpiredProductOffice
04:16 UTC08:09 UTCSevere Thunderstorm WatchSGF
07:06 UTC07:27 UTCSevere Thunderstorm WarningSGF
07:10 UTC07:24 UTCTornado WarningSGF
08:31 UTC10:14 UTCHigh Wind WarningSGF

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 Slight Risk, with a 0.05 chance of a tornado within 25 miles. The outlook in force was issued at 05:45 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

7.3 hours before the tornado, 66 km from the path. May 3, 2018.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Springfield, MO at 00:00Z on 2018-05-03Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel lifted from the surface. Mixed-layer CAPE 1170 joules per kilogram, CIN -40, lifted condensation level 1041 meters above ground. Wind barbs in knots down the right edge.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°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 2018-05-03The 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 113 square meters per square second, 0 to 6 km bulk shear 44 knots.19395878Sfc1 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
1170 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-40 J/kg
Surface CAPE
1723 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1041 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
44 kt
0-1 km bulk shear
17 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
113 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
164 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
1.0
Supercell composite
5.6
0-3 km lapse rate
5.9 K/km

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

Springfield, MO (KSGF), 12:00Z

4.7 hours after it, 66 km from the path. May 3, 2018.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Springfield, MO at 12:00Z on 2018-05-03Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel lifted from the surface. Mixed-layer CAPE 363 joules per kilogram, CIN -131, lifted condensation level 962 meters above ground. Wind barbs in knots down the right edge.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°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 2018-05-03The 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 394 square meters per square second, 0 to 6 km bulk shear 51 knots.19395878Sfc1 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
363 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-131 J/kg
Surface CAPE
16 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
962 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
51 kt
0-1 km bulk shear
45 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
394 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
310 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
3.3
0-3 km lapse rate
4.4 K/km

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The surface observations

Springfield (SGF), 30 km from the path, in the two hours either side.

Time (UTC)Temp (°F)Dew point (°F)WindGust (kt)Pressure (mb)Weather
05:20 UTC180° 13 kt1014.2
05:25 UTC170° 13 kt181014.2
05:30 UTC170° 10 kt1014.2
05:35 UTC170° 11 kt1014.2
05:40 UTC170° 11 kt1014.2
05:45 UTC180° 12 kt1014.2
05:50 UTC180° 11 kt1014.2
05:52 UTC7366180° 12 kt1014.2
05:55 UTC180° 12 kt1014.2
06:00 UTC180° 12 kt1014.2
06:05 UTC180° 11 kt1014.2
06:10 UTC170° 12 kt1014.2
06:15 UTC180° 9 kt1013.9
06:20 UTC180° 7 kt1013.9-RA
06:25 UTC180° 7 kt1013.9-RA
06:30 UTC190° 8 kt1013.9-RA
06:35 UTC190° 7 kt1013.9-RA
06:39 UTC7267210° 9 kt1014.2VCTS +RA
06:40 UTC220° 8 kt1014.2+RA
06:44 UTC7167230° 7 kt1014.6TSRA BR
06:45 UTC220° 8 kt1014.6RA BR
06:50 UTC 1014.9+RA BR
06:52 UTC7167210° 19 kt281014.2+TSRA BR
06:55 UTC 1013.9+RA BR
07:00 UTC220° 14 kt1013.9-RA BR
07:05 UTC220° 14 kt1014.2-RA BR
07:10 UTC210° 12 kt1014.6-RA
07:15 UTC210° 14 kt1015.2-RA
07:19 UTC6964210° 13 kt1015.6VCTS -RA
07:20 UTC210° 13 kt1015.6
07:25 UTC220° 12 kt1015.9-RA
07:30 UTC230° 8 kt1015.9-RA
07:35 UTC220° 12 kt1015.9-RA
07:38 UTC6864210° 12 kt181015.9-RA
07:40 UTC 1015.6RA
07:45 UTC 1015.6RA BR
07:50 UTC190° 9 kt141015.6RA BR
07:52 UTC6763200° 11 kt1015.9RA BR
07:55 UTC180° 9 kt1015.2RA
08:00 UTC160° 15 kt201013.9-RA
08:05 UTC 1013.5-RA
08:10 UTC170° 21 kt1013.5-RA
08:15 UTC 1012.9-RA
08:20 UTC 1012.9-RA
08:25 UTC 1012.2-RA
08:30 UTC 1012.5-RA
08:35 UTC180° 28 kt1013.2-RA
08:40 UTC 1012.9RA
08:45 UTC 1012.2RA
08:50 UTC 321010.8RA BR
08:52 UTC6560150° 24 kt341010.8RA
08:55 UTC 1010.5-RA
09:00 UTC 1010.2-RA
09:05 UTC160° 14 kt1010.5-RA
09:10 UTC160° 14 kt1010.8-RA
09:15 UTC170° 13 kt1011.2

From the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of airport observations.

The radar

The Springfield radar (KSGF), 31 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the touchdown began at 07:15 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
07:10 UTCTSTM WND DMG3 E Fremont HillsChristian, MOTWO MILES EAST OF LAMBERTS IN OZARK. MANY TREES UPROOTED; ONE NEIGHBORS POOL AND CABANA AND POOL HOUSE DESTROYED; ANOTHER NEIGHBOR BROKEN WINDOW, FENCE AND SHINGLES OFF ROOF. TIME ESTIMATED BASED ON RADAR. PICTURES SENT
07:10 UTCTORNADO2.5 North of OzarkChristian, MOCORRECTS PREVIOUS TORNADO REPORT FROM 2.5 NORTH OF OZARK. THE DAMAGE PATH BEGAN NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF NORTH 3RD STREET AND SUNSET ROAD, WHERE MINOR ROOF DAMAGE OCCURRED. THE STORM THEN MOVED NORTHEAST AND CAUSED ADDIT
07:10 UTCTORNADO2.5 North of OzarkChristian, MOUPGRADES PREVIOUS TSTM WND DMG REPORT FROM 3 E FREMONT HILLS. SURVEY_SUMMARY: THE DAMAGE PATH BEGAN NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF NORTH 3RD STREET AND SUNSET ROAD, WHERE MINOR ROOF DAMAGE OCCURRED. THE STORM THEN MOVED NORTHE
07:17 UTCTSTM WND DMG3 Wsw RogersvilleGreene, MOBUILDING DAMAGED BY WINDS FROM THUNDERSTORM. PICTURE SENT VIA MEDIA FROM PUBLIC.
07:17 UTCTSTM WND DMG3 Wsw RogersvilleGreene, MOCORRECTS PREVIOUS TSTM WND DMG REPORT FROM 3 WSW ROGERSVILLE. BUILDING DAMAGED BY WINDS FROM THUNDERSTORM. PICTURE SENT VIA MEDIA FROM PUBLIC. TIME BASED ON RADAR ESTIMATE.
07:17 UTCTORNADO3 Wsw RogersvilleGreene, MOCORRECTS PREVIOUS TSTM WND DMG REPORT FROM 3 WSW ROGERSVILLE. A BARN WAS DESTROYED AND TREES WERE UPROOTED NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF E. FARM ROAD 186 AND FARM ROAD 241. TIMING OF THE EVENT WAS ESTIMATED USING STORM REPORT
07:45 UTCTORNADO1.5 Ne SquiresDouglas, MOCORRECTS PREVIOUS TORNADO REPORT FROM 1 SE SQUIRES. EF1 TORNADO AFTER STORM SURVEY. CORRECTS PREVIOUS TSTM WND DMG REPORT FROM 1 SE SQUIRES. ROOF OFF A NEW CATTLE FEEDER, LOTS OF LIMBS DOWN, TREES UPROOTED AND SNAPPED. O
07:46 UTCTSTM WND DMG1 Se SquiresDouglas, MOREPORTED AT COUNTY ROAD 307 AND HWY 5, SQUIRES, MO. ROOF OFF A NEW CATTLE FEEDER, LOT OF LIMBS DOWN ONE IS 2-3 IN DIAMETER & 10 FT LONG. TIME BASED ON RADAR ESTIMATE.
07:46 UTCTORNADO1 Se SquiresDouglas, MOEF1 TORNADO AFTER STORM SURVEY. CORRECTS PREVIOUS TSTM WND DMG REPORT FROM 1 SE SQUIRES. REPORTED AT COUNTY ROAD 307 AND HWY 5, SQUIRES, MO. ROOF OFF A NEW CATTLE FEEDER, LOT OF LIMBS DOWN ONE IS 2-3 IN DIAMETER & 10 FT

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

This ground now

The live radar over the trackEvery 2018 tornado in MissouriEvery tornado in Missouri since 1950Warnings in force in Missouri nowThe forecast where you are

The other tornadoes of May 3, 2018

9 more were confirmed in the United States that day.

DateTimeRatingWherePath (mi)Width (yd)DeathsInjuriesDamage
May 32:10 AM CDTEF1Christian, MO1.5100$100,000
May 32:45 AM CDTEF1Douglas, MO0.875$10,000
May 38:22 AM CDTEF1Pontotoc, OK0.325$10,000
May 31:09 PM CDTEF1Franklin, AR9.5550$50,000
May 38:19 PM EDTEF1Yates, NY1.1100$20,000
May 37:46 PM CDTEF0Jasper, IA0.425
May 37:48 PM CDTEF0Marion, IA1.125
May 37:56 PM CDTEF0Jasper, IA0.425
May 311:15 PM CDTEF0Jones, IA0.010

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.