National Weather ServiceMissouriTornado WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Tornado Watches in Missouri
The National Weather Service issued 31 tornado watches for Missouri in 2025 and 30 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 8th most of any state. 2026 through September: 44, 67% above the average of 26 for those months in 2008-2025. Pemiscot was covered most often (139 times since 2008).
How many tornado watches does Missouri get?
Every tornado watch that covered part of Missouri. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 44 |
| 2025 | 31 |
| 2024 | 43 |
| 2023 | 16 |
| 2022 | 21 |
| 2021 | 18 |
| 2020 | 20 |
| 2019 | 28 |
| 2018 | 17 |
| 2017 | 26 |
| 2016 | 11 |
| 2015 | 31 |
| 2014 | 33 |
| 2013 | 34 |
| 2012 | 24 |
| 2011 | 51 |
| 2010 | 41 |
| 2009 | 32 |
| 2008 | 67 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does Missouri get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in Missouri?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pemiscot | 139 | 25 | April 28, 2026 |
| Dunklin | 135 | 24 | April 28, 2026 |
| Scott | 129 | 30 | April 28, 2026 |
| Stoddard | 129 | 26 | April 28, 2026 |
| Mississippi | 128 | 29 | June 26, 2026 |
| New Madrid | 126 | 28 | April 28, 2026 |
| Bollinger | 125 | 25 | April 28, 2026 |
| Butler | 125 | 24 | April 28, 2026 |
| Cape Girardeau | 124 | 25 | April 28, 2026 |
| Wayne | 124 | 23 | April 28, 2026 |
| Douglas | 122 | 26 | July 31, 2026 |
| Ripley | 122 | 22 | April 28, 2026 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
What is a tornado watch?
Tornado watches come from the NWS Storm Prediction Center when thunderstorms able to produce tornadoes are possible over a large area, usually for several hours; local offices list the counties it covers. A watch means the conditions for the hazard are possible or favourable, but it is not yet happening: be ready to act if a warning follows. The national record · Every warning type in Missouri.