Summary

On 21 May 2000, several isolated severe thunderstorms broke out in northwest Missouri. They produced golfball sized hail, up to 70 MPH wind gusts and spawned a F1 tornado. Forecasts for this region were for sunny skies through the afternoon as the conditions supporting convective development were subtle and difficult to recognize. This challenging forecasting scenario provides a good teaching case for identifying triggers of severe thunderstorms.

Objectives:

This case provides an example of severe weather in the wake of a cold frontal passage, in northwest flow aloft.