Missouri generally has pleasant weather throughout the spring and summer seasons with warm temperatures. The summers get a bit hotter and more humid, but spring is also when adverse weather events occur throughout the state. Missouri is no stranger to tornadoes or thunderstorms and the state has also experienced some unusual snowfall during what’s supposed to be a month of blooming flowers and buzzing bees. But do you know when the biggest April snowstorm ever hit Missouri? Below, we highlight the largest snowstorm, share additional anomalous weather events, and what typical weather looks like throughout the state.
The Biggest April Snowstorm in Missouri History
The biggest April snowstorm in Missouri’s history occurred on April 9, 1973. It hit the northern region of the state and appeared with winds reaching 60 miles per hour (MPH) and drifts as high as ten feet. When all was said and done, one foot of snow had piled on the ground. Visibility was barely 100 feet in some cities like Brookfield, which ended up leaving motorists stranded. Unfortunately, the snowstorm claimed one life.
More recently in St. Louis, another April snowstorm arrived at an unusual time, blanketing the city with snow throughout the late morning and afternoon. It was Easter Sunday on April 1, 2018, when three to six inches of snow landed on the ground. It had been 78 years since the last time snowfall landed on Easter Sunday in 1940. Several other cities saw both snow and sleet on April 1st and April 2nd with Steffenville receiving 6.6 inches and Mount Sterling receiving 6.3 inches.
April is a tumultuous month for Missouri with many weather events occurring, including tornadoes, hailstorms, and thunderstorms. Nearly every day in the month has a severe weather event associated with it throughout the years. For example, on April 3, 1974, hail that measured nearly three inches in diameter landed throughout St. Louis County following a severe thunderstorm. On April 8, 1880, and April 8, 1883, tornadoes ravaged different counties, leaving several dead and many injured.
Typical Weather in Missouri in April
It’s not entirely uncommon to see severe weather throughout the state of Missouri during April. There have even been some recorded earthquakes in the state during this month. However, average April temperatures for south Missouri are usually between 47 °F and 69 °F in Cape Girardeau, 47 °F and 70 °F in Poplar Bluff, and 46 °F and 68 °F in Springfield.
In central Missouri, the expected April temperatures are similar with a range between 43 °F and 67 °F in Clinton, 43 °F and 62 °F in Lees Summit, and 47 °F and 68 °F in St. Louis. In north Missouri, average temperatures are a bit lower. For instance, Maryville’s average range is between 39 °F and 63 °F. In Trenton, temperatures range between 41 °F and 64 °F and in Kirksville, the averages are between 40 °F and 62 °F.
In 2020, the temperatures were significantly cooler during April. Across the entire state, the average temperature was 53.1 °F, which landed April 2020 in the sixth spot of the cooler-than-average April months in the past. Statewide, the precipitation reached a total of 3.98 inches, which was only 0.01 inches from the long-term average. There were two snow events this month as well which impacted the northern regions of the state.
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How Late-Season Storms Impact Wildlife
It’s expected that climate change will mean wetter spring seasons in Missouri but perhaps the more pressing threat is the likelihood of droughts throughout the summer season. Flooding is an occasional threat around Missouri’s riverfront communities and as the river flows increase, both human and wildlife communities face challenges.
In 2017, heavy rains caused flooding throughout most of the state and also damaged conservation areas set up by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC). There were localized impacts on wildlife, but many animals managed to find higher ground and escape the high waters. They adapted well to the circumstances but some animals are more vulnerable, including elk calves and deer fawns. Late-season storms heavily impact turkey nesting.
The Earliest Snowfall in Missouri
The earliest snowfall in Missouri occurred on October 17, 1898, with one inch of snow landing in Springfield and 3.3 inches landing in Kansas City. Close behind is St. Louis, which received 0.1 inches on October 20, 1916, and Columbia, which received 0.2 inches a year later on October 23, 1917. Although there are multiple occasions when there is snow in October from the 17th through the 31st, snowfall is unusual in October. Usually, snowfall doesn’t start until December and continues through both January and February.
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