Power outages and damage caused by Thursday’s severe storms
The weather has been fairly quiet in recent weeks, coming out of a record-dry August. But Thursday night's storms served as a reminder of the potential for severe weather in the fall.
Stronger storms were anticipated during the day on Thursday, but this potential would increase as the forecast got closer. The Storm Prediction Center initially placed parts of Missouri under a level 1 marginal risk for severe storms as a front approached the area.
By Thursday afternoon, the forecast increased to a level 2 slight risk as ingredients for severe storms materialized. Unstable air and limited wind shear over Missouri were substantial enough to produce a strong line of storms in the afternoon and evening, leading to several reports of damaging winds and hail.
In Missouri, over a dozen instances of wind damage were reported, knocking down trees and power lines and leaving hundreds without power. Hail was also reported in two places in Jasper and Hickory County, southwest of Mid-Missouri.
A notable number of power outages occurred in Benton County, where almost 300 households were without power Thursday evening, according to the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives’ map.
Storms also produced efficient rainfall, with some gauges receiving an inch to an inch and a half of rain, according to CoCoRaHS reports. This rainfall is certainly welcome, as much of the area is in drought with 2-inch-plus rain deficits.
More rain is expected over the weekend and next week, including during the Mizzou football game on Saturday evening. A weakening round of showers and storms is first expected on Saturday morning, and redevelopment of storms is possible in the afternoon and evening, depending on how much dry time we see.
