Alert archive / Missouri / Tornado Warnings in 1994

Tornado Warning 1, NWS St. Louis, MO

April 15, 1994Franklin County, Warren County, Missouri

NWS St. Louis, MO issued this tornado warning at Apr 15, 1994, 4:22 AM CDT for Franklin County, Warren County, Missouri. It was in force for 43 min. 1 report came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Apr 15, 1994, 4:22 AM CDT (09:22 UTC)
Expired
Apr 15, 1994, 5:05 AM CDT
In force
43 min
Issued by
NWS St. Louis, MO
Area
Whole counties

Counties Franklin County, MO, Warren County, MO

The radar

The St Louis radar (KLSX), 40 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 09:24 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Apr 15, 4:25 AM CDTTornado F0New Haven, MOA small tornado touched down just southwest of New Haven damaging the roof of a house. As the storm moved quickly east-northeast, it peeled the roof of a oil station off and pushed telephone poles along County Road C over. Just before crossing Highway 100, t

NCEI Storm Data entries that began inside the alert's area while it was in force. Before 2003 the local storm report archive is thin, so this is the record of what happened rather than what was phoned in. Storm Data before 1996 records only tornadoes, thunderstorm wind and hail.

The nearest sounding before it

Paducah/Barkley, KY (KPAH), launched 00:00Z, 9.4 hours before the alert went out and 271 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Paducah/Barkley, KY at 00:00Z on 1994-04-15Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Paducah/Barkley, KY at 00:00Z on 1994-04-15The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 46 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
2422 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
25 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
46 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
115 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

000 
TTAA00 KSTL 150923
TORSTL
MOC071-219-151015-
 
BULLETIN - EBS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ST LOUIS MO
422 AM CDT FRI APR 15 1994
 
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN ST LOUIS HAS ISSUED A
TORNADO WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL  515 AM CDT
FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS...
 
IN EAST CENTRAL MISSOURI
 
   ...NORTHERN FRANKLIN COUNTY...SOUTHERN WARREN COUNTY
 
AT 420 AM...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A POSSIBLE
TORNADO MOVING INTO NORTHWEST FRANKLIN COUNTY...NORTHWEST OF NEW HAVEN.
THIS STORM HAS A HISTORY OF PRODUCING TORNADO-LIKE DAMAGE AND IS MOVING
EAST AT 35 TO 40 MILES AN HOUR. THE COMMUNITIES OF
HOLSTEIN...MARTHASVILLE...NEW HAVEN AND BERGER ARE IN THE PATH OF THIS
STORM AND CAN EXPECT SEVERE WEATHER BETWEEN 420 AND 500 AM.
 
THIS IS A DANGEROUS STORM SITUATION.  ACT QUICKLY.  IF YOU ARE
IN THE PATH OF THIS TORNADO MOVE TO A SHELTER BELOW GROUND IF
AVAILABLE.  OTHERWISE...GO TO A SMALL INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST
FLOOR POSSIBLE.  AVOID WINDOWS.  ABANDON CARS AND MOBILE HOMES
FOR A REINFORCED BUILDING OR GET INTO A DITCH OR CULVERT.
 
SHEA/MORSE

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this tornado warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Apr 15, 3:02 AM CDT, 1 hour 20 minutes before
MOZ032>111-ILZ096>102-150900-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ST LOUIS MO
300 AM CDT FRI APR 15 1994

...A TORNADO WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR SECTIONS OF SOUTHERN...CENTRAL
AND EASTERN MISSOURI UNTIL 900 AM...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A TORNADO WATCH FROM SOUTH
CENTRAL MISSOURI INTO WEST CENTRAL ILLINOIS UNTIL 900 AM THIS EARLY
FRIDAY MORNING.  A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS IS EXPECTED TO MOVE THROUGH A
LARGE SECTION OF MISSOURI THIS MORNING AND CONDITIONS REMAIN FAVORABLE
FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORM DEVELOPMENT.  IF THESE STORMS BECOME
SEVERE...TORNADOES ARE POSSIBLE.

LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS AS THESE STORMS MOVE
THROUGH THE AREA.

SHEA
Special weather statement, Apr 15, 3:17 AM CDT, 1 hour 5 minutes before
ILZ095>102-150920-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ST LOUIS MO
316 AM CDT FRI APR 15 1994

...TORNADO WATCHES REMAIN IN EFFECT THROUGH THE EARLY MORNING HOURS...

MOST OF NORTHEAST AND EAST CENTRAL MISSOURI...AS WELL AS SOUTHWEST
ILLINOIS IS UNDER A TORNADO WATCH EARLY THIS MORNING.  A LINE OF
THUNDERSTORMS EXTENDED FROM THE QUINCY AREA TO NEAR COLUMBIA AS OF 315
AM AND CONTINUES TO PUSH EAST.

ALTHOUGH VERY LITTLE IN THE WAY OF SEVERE WEATHER HAS BEEN REPORTED
ACROSS NORTHEAST MISSOURI AS OF 300 AM...CONDITIONS REMAIN RIGHT FOR
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS AND POSSIBLY TORNADOES.  THESE STORMS WILL PUSH
INTO THE ST LOUIS AREA BY AROUND 500 AM.

LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR YOUR LOCAL MEDIA SOURCES FOR FURTHER
STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS.  IF A TORNADO WARNING IS ISSUED...
MOVE TO THE LOWEST FLOOR IN YOUR HOUSE OR BUSINESS AND TAKE SHELTER IN
AN INTERIOR ROOM.  BASEMENTS ARE ALSO SAFE PLACES TO PROTECT YOURSELF
FROM DAMAGING THUNDERSTORMS.

REMEMBER SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAN AND OCCASIONALLY DO PRODUCE
TORNADOES WITH LITTLE OR NO ADVANCE WARNING.  REMAIN CALM BUT BE
ALERT TO RAPIDLY CHANGING WEATHER CONDITIONS.

SHEA
Special weather statement, Apr 15, 3:32 AM CDT, 50 minutes before
MOZ052-036-ILZ098-058-097-150930-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ST LOUIS MO
330 AM CDT FRI APR 15 1994

...STRONG WINDS WERE MOVING INTO EAST CENTRAL MISSOURI...

A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS FROM WEST CENTRAL ILLINOIS INTO CENTRAL MISSOURI
IS PRODUCING AN AREA OF STRONG WIND OUT AHEAD OF THEM.  THESE STRONG
NORTHWEST WINDS WERE PUSHING ACROSS PIKE COUNTIES IN MISSOURI AND
ILLINOIS.  THEY WILL ENTER LINCOLN COUNTY MISSOURI...CALHOUN AND
GREENE COUNTIES IN ILLINOIS BY 400 AM.  SPEEDS OF 35 TO 45 MILES AN HOUR
ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS LINE OF WIND GUSTS.

SHEA
Special weather statement, Apr 15, 3:45 AM CDT, 37 minutes before
MOZ062-065-052-061-063-064-060-ILZ098-058-099-100-102-101-150945-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ST LOUIS MO
344 AM CDT FRI APR 15 1994

...A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 AM...

AT 340 AM...A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS WITH VERY HEAVY RAIN EXTENDED FROM
PIKE COUNTY ILLINOIS...25 MILES EAST OF HANNIBAL...TO NEAR COLUMBIA
MISSOURI.  THESE STORMS WERE MOVING EAST AT 35 TO 40 MILES AN HOUR.

AS THESE STORMS CONTINUE TO MOVE INTO EAST CENTRAL MISSOURI...RESIDENTS
OF THE ST LOUIS AREA AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES SHOULD PREPARE FOR
POSSIBLE SEVERE WEATHER.  GUSTY WIND...HAIL AND FREQUENT LIGHTNING ARE
POSSIBLE...ALONG WITH THE THREAT OF A TORNADO.  THE GREATEST CHANCES FOR
SEVERE WEATHER WILL BE BETWEEN 400 AND 600 AM FOR THE ST LOUIS AREA.

LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR YOUR LOCAL MEDIA SOURCE FOR LATER
STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS.

SHEA
Special weather statement, Apr 15, 4:07 AM CDT, 15 minutes before
MOZ001>115-151015-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ST LOUIS MO
406 AM CDT FRI APR 15 1994

...THE TORNADO WATCH FROM SOUTHWEST MISSOURI INTO NORTHERN MISSOURI HAS
BEEN CANCELLED...

TORNADO WATCH #87 HAS BEEN CANCELLED.  THIS WATCH WAS IN EFFECT FROM
SOUTHWEST MISSOURI INTO THE NORTHERN COUNTIES.  THUNDERSTORMS HAVE MOVED
THROUGH THIS AREA AND SEVERE WEATHER IS NO LONGER EXPECTED.

A TORNADO WATCH CONTINUES THOUGH FOR AREA^S EAST OF THERE...FROM SOUTHERN
MISSOURI ACROSS CENTRAL AND EASTERN MISSOURI INTO WESTERN ILLINOIS.
THIS WATCH RUNS UNTIL 900 AM.

SHEA
Special weather statement, Apr 15, 4:18 AM CDT, 4 minutes before
MOZ017-010-018-019-052-027-034-036-035-008-009-026-ILZ095-064-096-
098-058-097-049-151015-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ST LOUIS MO
417 AM CDT FRI APR 15 1994

...TORNADO WATCHES CONTINUE FOR SECTIONS OF NORTHEAST MISSOURI AND WEST
CENTRAL ILLINOIS...

TORNADO WATCH #88 CONTINUES FOR AREAS JUST SOUTH AND EAST OF THE
QUINCY/HANNIBAL AREA EARLY THIS MORNING.  THE THREAT FOR SEVERE WEATHER
CONTINUES BETWEEN ST LOUIS AND HANNIBAL.

FURTHER NORTH THOUGH...THE WATCHES HAVE BEEN CANCELLED.  THE IMMEDIATE
QUINCY/HANNIBAL AREA AND UP TOWARDS KIRKSVILLE ARE NO LONGER IN A
TORNADO WATCH.

SHEA

The office that day

Everything else NWS St. Louis, MO issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 14, 11:13 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLSXSchuyler22 min
Apr 15, 2:17 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLSXMonroe28 min
Apr 15, 4:42 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLSXSaint Charles48 min
Apr 15, 4:50 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLSXJefferson, Saint Louis40 min
Apr 15, 4:50 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLSXCity of Saint Louis40 min
Apr 15, 4:52 AM CDTTornado WarningLSXJefferson38 min
Apr 15, 6:28 AM CDTTornado WarningLSXPerry32 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Missouri, 1994Every tornado warning in 1994Tornadoes in 1994

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; verification from NCEI's Storm Data; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.