Tornado Season in Missouri: Peak Timing and Earliest on Record

In the United States, tornados most commonly hit the Great Plains region of the country. This is because the area is conducive to the type of severe thunderstorms that create tornadoes. 

Tornados can occur anywhere in the fifty states, and tornado season depends on the region you live in. In Missouri, tornado season occurs from April to June and tends to peak in May. In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about tornado season in Missouri.

Where Do Tornadoes Normally Hit in Missouri?

Policy Genius writes that Southwest Missouri experiences the most tornadoes. Southeast Missouri is the region with the second most tornadoes in the state, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 

One of the most likely places in Missouri to be hit by a tornado is Parkville, a city near Kansas City with a population of a little over 7,000 people. The city is a historic river town situated on the banks of the Missouri River. It is known for its historic downtown, nature sanctuary, and Park University.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) maintains a dataset known as the National Risk Index, which helps illustrate communities in the state most likely to be hit by various natural disasters. Parkville has a tornado index score of 398.59 which places it in the Very High-risk category on the Tornado Risk Index. 

Major Tornadoes in the State

Dozens of tornadoes have hit the state of Missouri over the past century some of the most notable include the following:

• 1871: One of the earliest tornadoes recorded in the state of Missouri hit St. Louis in 1871. The storm destroyed homes, caused injuries, and resulted in nine fatalities. The tornado hit on March 8, a little earlier than the area’s typical tornado season.
• 1925: A disaster known as the Tri-State tornado occurred in 1925 and affected three states — Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana. Interestingly, the tornado also occurred in March.
• 2011: One of the most powerful tornadoes to ever hit Missouri struck the town of Joplin in 2011 with wind speeds of around 200mph. The Joplin tornado had devastating consequences and killed around 161 people. It took place in May during peak tornado season.
• 2013: In this year, several low-level tornadoes touched down near west-central Missouri’s Nevada to the St. Louis region. The storms occurred toward the end of January, well outside of the typical peak tornado season.

How Often Do Tornadoes Hit Missouri?

The state of Missouri lies within what is known as “Tornado Alley” though this name is somewhat misleading. Tornado occurrence can be measured in many different ways and tornado season is different in some areas of the country than in others.

However, the location that earned this nickname generally refers to the area from Texas to the Canadian Prairies and east to west from Colorado to Ohio. Missouri finds itself within Tornado Alley in some interpretations of the area.

Missouri is also included in some lists of the top 10 worst states for tornadoes. Since 1997, the state has averaged 56 tornadoes per year, according to data from NOAA compiled by Policy Genius.

What Part of Missouri is the Safest from Tornadoes?

In general, the northern part of Missouri appears to be hit with the least number of tornadoes, though it’s worth noting that a tornado can occur anywhere in the state.

A common misconception exists that tornadoes do not hit downtown areas. This myth likely began because, compared to rural parts of the country, downtown areas cover a much smaller portion of the country and so are statistically less likely to be hit. However, tornadoes can go anywhere.

In fact, St. Louis, MO has taken a direct and severe hit several times throughout history. In 1896, the third deadliest tornado in U.S. history struck St. Louis. Then in 1927, another tornado ripped through the city, causing around 78 fatalities.

Safety Tips

Even if you live in northern Missouri, it’s a good idea to be prepared in case a tornado hits the state. A few tips from Policy Genius include:

• prepping your home by trimming trees, bringing inside patio furniture, etc.
• creating an emergency kit with water, non-perishable foods, a first aid kit, and other essentials
• knowing the nearest place to take shelter when a tornado occurs
• signing up for weather alerts from the National Weather Service
• learning the signs of an approaching tornado