Source: Greg Horstmeier, (573) 884-1846

Tornado statistics from MU atmospheric scientists

Given the high interest in historical information on tornadoes, University of Missouri atmospheric scientist Pat Guinan and others have compiled the following statistics:

Typically, 70 percent of all Missouri tornadoes occur between March-June.
Annual average number of tornadoes in Missouri: 26.
On average, May is the peak tornado month in Missouri followed by April, then June.
Deadliest single tornado to strike Missouri:
St. Louis, Mo.
May 27, 1896
F-4 tornado (207-260 mph)
137 dead; 800 injured
Deadliest tornado outbreak to strike Missouri:
April 18, 1880
8 tornadoes killed 152 people in portions of southwestern and central Missouri
Deadliest single tornado to strike southwestern Missouri:
Marshfield, Mo. (Webster county)
April 18, 1880
F-4 tornado
99 dead; 200 injured
(92 people were killed in Marshfield, 7 died in Springfield by the same tornado)
Deadliest single tornado to strike Kansas City metro area:
May 20, 1957
Ruskin Heights, Mo. (Jackson county)
F-4 tornado; possibly F-5
37 dead; 500 injuries

Updated 9/9/05

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