What should you know about Joplin's weather?
- NWS office
- Springfield (SGF)
- Climate
- Humid subtropical
- Time zone
- CST/CDT
- Elevation
- 1,003 ft
- Coordinates
- 37.08° N, 94.51° W
- Nearest radar
- KSGF · Springfield NEXRAD · 62 mi
- County
- Jasper County, MO
- Yearly rain
- 45.6 in
- Warmest month
- July · 79.9°F average
- Coldest month
- January · 34.9°F average
- Severe storm peak
- Apr to Jun
How much rain does Joplin get each month?
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 44.8 | 50.0 | 59.8 | 69.2 | 77.0 | 85.9 | 90.3 | 90.0 | 82.0 | 70.7 | 58.4 | 47.8 |
| Low °F | 25.0 | 28.7 | 37.4 | 46.6 | 56.0 | 65.3 | 69.5 | 67.9 | 59.4 | 47.9 | 37.1 | 28.5 |
| Rain (in) | 1.92 | 1.98 | 3.29 | 4.99 | 6.56 | 5.60 | 3.97 | 3.36 | 4.18 | 3.80 | 3.33 | 2.60 |
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 44.8 | 25.0 | 1.92 |
| Feb | 50.0 | 28.7 | 1.98 |
| Mar | 59.8 | 37.4 | 3.29 |
| Apr | 69.2 | 46.6 | 4.99 |
| May | 77.0 | 56.0 | 6.56 |
| Jun | 85.9 | 65.3 | 5.60 |
| Jul | 90.3 | 69.5 | 3.97 |
| Aug | 90.0 | 67.9 | 3.36 |
| Sep | 82.0 | 59.4 | 4.18 |
| Oct | 70.7 | 47.9 | 3.80 |
| Nov | 58.4 | 37.1 | 3.33 |
| Dec | 47.8 | 28.5 | 2.60 |
JOPLIN REGIONAL AIRPORT, MO US · 4 mi away · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020
How strong was the May 22, 2011 Joplin tornado?
It was rated EF-5, with maximum winds estimated at more than 200 mph. The tornado directly killed 158 people and injured over 1,000 in Joplin, according to the National Weather Service assessment of the event. Its full path was 22.1 miles long and up to 1 mile wide, and the worst EF-4 and EF-5 damage ran roughly 6 miles through western Joplin to near Interstate 44 east of the city. It was the first single tornado to cause over 100 deaths since the Flint, Michigan tornado of June 8, 1953.
How much warning did Joplin get on May 22, 2011?
A tornado warning covering northeastern Joplin was issued at 5:09 p.m. and the tornado touched down at about 5:34 p.m. southwest of the city limits. NWS Springfield issued it for western Jasper County including northeastern Joplin. Sirens first sounded at 5:11 p.m. A second warning covering southwest Jasper County and Joplin followed at 5:17 p.m. Sirens sounded again at 5:38 p.m. as EF-4 damage began in western Joplin.
Where does Shoal Creek flood near Joplin?
Flooding starts in the parks along the creek, according to the flood impact list for the Shoal Creek gauge near Joplin. At 7 feet low lying areas in the Wildcat Park Access Area flood, and at the 11.5 foot flood stage River Road near Shoal Creek Estates goes under. At 16.5 feet the Jackson Street low water bridge at Glendale Road floods and becomes impassable. The crest of 22.96 feet on April 29, 2017 brought widespread flooding across the floodplain.
Does Joplin get ice storms?
Yes, ice storms are a real winter hazard here. In the December 8 to 10, 2007 storm, the second major ice storm of that year, three quarters of an inch to one and a half inches of ice built up from the Joplin and Pittsburg, Kansas areas northeast to Osceola and Versailles. The ice brought down numerous trees, branches and power lines and caused widespread outages. Radar can show a band of freezing rain but not how much ice is building on the lines, so follow NWS Springfield winter storm warnings.
How far is the Joplin MO weather Doppler radar from the city?
The nearest NEXRAD radar, KSGF at Springfield, is about 62 miles from the city center. At that range the beam is wide, since the National Weather Service puts it at about 6,000 feet across at 60 miles from a radar. NOAA notes that the beam also gets higher above the ground with distance, and small storm-scale features seen easily close to a radar are often masked far away. Treat the loop as a guide to where storms are, and act on NWS Springfield tornado warnings.
When should you check the Joplin radar?
Severe storm season
April to JuneAbout 59% of the county's 1996 to 2025 severe reports fall from April to June. Check the loop before a ball game at Joe Becker Stadium or an evening at Cunningham Park.
Freeze season
October 27 to April 9These are the median dates of the first fall and last spring 32°F freeze at Joplin Regional Airport under 1991 to 2020 normals. Frost forms on clear nights when radar shows nothing, so check the hourly low before setting out spring plants.
What else do people ask about the Joplin radar?
Which NWS office and radar cover Joplin?
NWS Springfield (SGF) issues forecasts and warnings for Joplin. The nearest NEXRAD radar is KSGF, about 62 miles from the city center.
How often does the radar on this page update?
The radar loop on this page updates every 5 minutes.
Is this page an official warning service?
No. It shows radar and forecasts only. For warnings, follow NWS Springfield and local emergency alerts.
Quick facts
- Radar: KSGF (Springfield NEXRAD), a new frame every 5 minutes
- Forecasts and warnings: NWS Springfield (SGF)
- Severe storms peak from April to June (NOAA Storm Events, 1996 to 2025)
- Local time: CST/CDT
- Radar: KSGF, a new frame every 5 minutes
- Warnings: NWS Springfield (SGF)
- Severe storms: April to June
- Local time: CST/CDT
Where does this data come from?
- NOAA NEXRAD radar via Iowa Environmental Mesonet
- National Weather Service, Springfield office
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020: JOPLIN REGIONAL AIRPORT, MO US
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996 to 2025
- USGS Elevation Point Query Service
- GOES-East satellite imagery
- Open-Meteo forecast API
- OpenStreetMap contributors
- National Weather Service: May 22, 2011 Joplin tornado service assessment
- NWS Springfield: December 8 to 10, 2007 ice storm summary
- NOAA NWPS: Shoal Creek near Joplin flood impacts
- NOAA NCEI: 1991 to 2020 annual normals, Joplin Regional Airport
- NOAA JetStream: Radar beams
- National Weather Service: Shortcomings of NWS radar