An unexpected tornado made an appearance at the Payne’s Valley Golf Course in the Ozarks of southern Missouri on Monday. The course, designed by famed golfer Tiger Woods, sits just to the south of Branson in a tree-filled location surrounded by rolling hills.
Around 3 p.m. local time, a storm near the Arkansas border intensified and wandered toward Payne’s Valley and the town of Hollister. It became a rotating thunderstorm or supercell along the way, eventually prompting the first of several severe thunderstorm warnings at 3:50 p.m. — which was after the tornado had already struck the golf course.
Ten minutes before the warning, a ragged cone-shaped funnel touched down at the course and morphed into a stout twister. Moving quickly through wooded hills, the churning cloud blasted trees along its path while shocking golfers who witnessed the spectacle. No injuries were reported.
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Although it was short-lived and emerged from a nondescript gray sky, the twister exhibited classic form when it peaked. Wispy, fast-moving clouds spread out like tendrils along the ground as it careened by.
Share this articleShareThe storm was spawned by a weak atmospheric disturbance passing over the region. The twister spun up as warm, humid air near the ground contrasted with much colder air sweeping in at high altitudes.
The National Weather Service office serving the area of Springfield, Mo., has not yet rated the tornado. It will probably earn a rating of 0 or 1 on the 0-to-5 Enhanced Fujita scale. Such tornadoes are generally associated with wind speeds of 65 to 110 mph. It could also earn a “U” or unknown rating, sometimes used when a confirmed tornado does not produce any significant damage.
The twister arrived amid anticipation of a few storms during the afternoon, and a low but nonzero threat of tornadoes. But the Weather Service never issued a tornado warning for the storm that hit the golf course. Sometimes severe storms produce tornadoes so quickly that it’s difficult for forecasters to issue a warning in time.
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The storm also produced damaging straight-line winds and several inches of heavy rain.
The event comes during a diminished but unceasing barrage of storms that has plagued the central and eastern United States since late April. All days but one since April 25 have featured tornadoes. April through June is typically the most active time of year across the country for tornadoes and other severe weather.
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