Historic Snowfall for the Ozarks - May 3rd, 2013National Weather Service, Springfield, MO |
An unprecedented early May snowfall occurred across southeastern Kansas and the western Missouri Ozarks on May 3rd and early on May 4th, 2013. This snow occurred as a large upper level area of low pressure slowly moved east across the region. Lift, moisture, and cold air associated with this low resulted in a prolonged period of light to moderate snow, along with record low temperatures.
Here is a selection of two day storm total snowfall amounts from some of our Cooperative Observers. Please note that because some snow melted during the daytime hours on Friday, May 3rd, these storm total snow amounts may be greater than the amount of snow seen on the ground at any one time.
Springfield NWS Office (official City of Springfield observation)—1.4 inches
Appleton City, MO—3.0 inches
Ash Grove, MO—4.5 inches
Buffalo, MO—0.5 inches
Cole Camp, MO—3.4 inches
Carthage, MO—4.0 inches
Lockwood, MO—3.0 inches
Snow across the Missouri Ozarks this late in the season is nearly unprecedented. Since record keeping began in Springfield, MO in 1888, this is only the second time that measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or greater) has fallen in the month of May. The only previous instance was on May 2, 1929, when 6.1 inches of snow fell. So, while May 3rd, 2013’s 1.4 inches does not break the record for most May snowfall, it does set a new record for the latest observed measurable snow. The latest that a trace of snow has been observed in Springfield was May 6th, 1944.
Along with the snow, the cold temperatures that occurred on May 3rd, 2013 are also record-setting. For May 3rd, new daily record cold high temperatures were observed:
City High Temperature Previous Record High/Year
Springfield 36 48 / 1954
Joplin 43 51 / 1978
West Plains 40 53 / 1978
Rolla/Vichy 38 50 / 1954
Along with daily temperature records, May 3rd, 2013 also set new records for coldest high temperatures on record for the entire month of May. Here are the previous monthly cold high temperatures:
Springfield 43 (5/4/1935)
Joplin 46 (5/16/1945)
West Plains 47 (5/2/2011)
Rolla/Vichy 47 (5/1/1995 and 5/4/1978)