Missouri Weather Radar

Missouri Live Weather

Missouri Live Weather Radar

Click to toggle between the Missouri cloud cover radar map and the Missouri precipitation radar map.

Missouri Hourly Weather Forecast

Missouri 7-Day Weather Forecast

Missouri Weather Overview

Missouri weather radar has to cover a state where Plains storms, Mississippi River humidity, and Ozark terrain all meet. Missouri has a humid continental climate overall, with hotter, wetter conditions in the south and colder winter swings in the north. The state averages about 43 inches of precipitation each year, and four NWS offices share coverage: St. Louis (LSX), Kansas City/Pleasant Hill (EAX), Springfield (SGF), and Paducah (PAH). A Missouri weather radar map is useful because warnings can differ sharply from county to county.

Tornadoes and severe thunderstorms are the highest-stakes threats. The May 22, 2011 Joplin EF5 tornado killed 158 people, while the 1927 St. Louis tornado killed 79. Spring supercells can form near Kansas City, cross central Missouri, then intensify again near St. Louis. Use Missouri weather radar during watches to track rotation, hail cores, and storm lines before they reach I-44, I-70, or the Lake of the Ozarks. Missouri weather radar is especially important when storms move after dark.

Flooding and ice storms round out the risk picture. The Great Flood of 1993 kept parts of the Missouri and Mississippi river valleys underwater for weeks, and smaller flash floods still hit the Ozarks after slow-moving rain. Winter can flip quickly from rain to freezing rain; Warsaw holds Missouri's -40°F record low from 1905. Check live Missouri weather radar before road trips, especially when rain bands, snow, or ice are crossing the state.

Missouri Weather Risks & Safety

Key weather hazards to monitor on the Missouri weather radar

Tornado Risk

Tornadoes hit Missouri hardest in spring and early summer, when warm Gulf air slams into cooler northern fronts. Supercell thunderstorms can spin up EF2+ tornadoes with very little lead time. On radar, rotation signatures inside storm cells give you a few critical minutes to reach shelter. Missouri averages several tornado warnings per year — know where your safe room or interior closet is before you need it.

Severe Thunderstorm Risk

Severe thunderstorms roll through Missouri regularly, especially spring through early fall. Expect damaging winds above 58 mph, large hail, and dangerous lightning. The radar shows you each storm cell's position, movement, and intensity — so you can tell if one is headed your way. When a thunderstorm warning drops for Missouri, get indoors and away from windows until it passes.

Flooding & Flash Flood Risk

Flash flooding is Missouri's most persistent weather hazard. Slow-moving thunderstorms or tropical moisture can dump enough rain to overwhelm drainage systems within hours — especially in paved urban areas where water has nowhere to go. Check the radar to see where the heaviest rain is falling and which areas to avoid. The standing rule: turn around, don't drown. Never drive through flooded roads, even if they look shallow.

Ice Storm Risk

Ice storms are rare in Missouri but devastating when they hit. A quarter-inch of freezing rain coats everything — roads turn into skating rinks, power lines snap, trees come down. The radar shows whether you're getting rain, freezing rain, sleet, or snow — that distinction is critical. When Missouri gets an ice storm warning, stay off the roads and prepare for power outages that could last several days.

How to Use Missouri Weather Radar

Follow these steps to get the most from the Missouri weather radar data.

Check Current Conditions

Start with the current weather panel before using the Missouri weather radar. Conditions can differ sharply between St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, and the Ozarks, so compare temperature, wind, and humidity with the radar loop before leaving home.

Watch Storm Motion

Use the live radar animation to see whether storms are building along I-70, dropping south toward the Lake of the Ozarks, or moving east into the Mississippi River counties. Missouri supercells can turn dangerous quickly during spring and early summer.

Match Radar With Forecasts

Check the hourly and 7-day forecast after viewing the Missouri weather radar. NWS St. Louis, Kansas City/Pleasant Hill, Springfield, and Paducah offices divide coverage across the state, so warnings often vary by region.

Plan Around Local Risks

Watch for tornado watches, flash flood warnings, and freezing rain advisories before travel. Radar timing matters on I-44 through the Ozarks, I-70 across central Missouri, and river crossings near St. Louis during heavy rain.

Who Benefits from Missouri Weather Radar

How different people use the Missouri radar data

Commuters & Drivers

Drivers on I-70, I-44, and I-55 can time trips around storm lines and freezing rain.

Outdoor Enthusiasts

Hikers in the Ozarks and cyclists on the Katy Trail can avoid lightning and flash floods.

Event Planners & Families

Fans at Busch Stadium, Arrowhead, and Branson venues can check storm arrival before gates open.

Outdoor Workers

Farm crews and road crews from the Bootheel to Kansas City can watch severe cells before field work.

Missouri Weather FAQ

Common questions about Missouri weather patterns and radar

When is tornado season in Missouri?

Missouri's main tornado season runs from March through June, with a secondary risk in fall when strong cold fronts return. The state sits between Plains and Midwest storm tracks, so supercells can form near Kansas City, Springfield, Columbia, or St. Louis. The Joplin EF5 tornado on May 22, 2011 killed 158 people and remains the clearest reminder to watch radar and warnings closely.

How much rain does Missouri get each year?

Missouri averages about 43 inches of precipitation per year, but the pattern changes by region. Northwest Missouri is drier, while the southeast and Bootheel are wetter because Gulf moisture reaches that area more often. Heavy spring rain can swell the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, and slow thunderstorms can trigger flash flooding in the Ozarks within a few hours.

Which NWS offices cover Missouri weather warnings?

Missouri is split among several National Weather Service offices. NWS St. Louis (LSX) covers much of eastern Missouri, Kansas City/Pleasant Hill (EAX) covers western and central counties, Springfield (SGF) handles the Ozarks and southwest Missouri, and Paducah (PAH) covers parts of southeast Missouri. Local warnings depend on your county, so check the radar and the active alert area together.

Does Missouri get ice storms and winter storms?

Yes. Missouri winters swing between mild rain and Arctic outbreaks, which makes freezing rain a recurring problem. Ice storms can coat I-70, I-44, and rural power lines with a glaze before temperatures rise again. The state record low is -40°F at Warsaw on February 13, 1905, while major modern cold snaps still create dangerous wind chills and travel shutdowns.

How is this Missouri weather radar different from KY3 or KSDK radar?

KY3 and KSDK combine radar with local broadcast forecasts, video segments, and station-specific coverage for Springfield or St. Louis. This Missouri weather radar page keeps the interface focused on statewide radar, hourly conditions, and a 7-day forecast without TV video or station branding. Use TV meteorologists for local explanation, and use this page when you want a fast radar map.

What was Missouri's worst weather disaster?

The 2011 Joplin tornado is Missouri's deadliest modern weather disaster. The EF5 tornado struck on May 22, 2011, killing 158 people and damaging or destroying thousands of buildings. Other major events include the 1927 St. Louis tornado, which killed 79 people, and the Great Flood of 1993, when Missouri and Mississippi River flooding lasted for weeks across the state.