Alert archive / Missouri / Tornado Warnings in 2023

Tornado Warning 13, NWS St. Louis, MO

April 15, 2023Franklin County, Jefferson County, Missouri

NWS St. Louis, MO issued this tornado warning at Apr 15, 2023, 6:07 PM CDT for Franklin County, Jefferson County, Missouri. It was in force for 35 min. 9 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Apr 15, 2023, 6:07 PM CDT (23:07 UTC)
Expired
Apr 15, 2023, 6:42 PM CDT
In force
35 min
Issued by
NWS St. Louis, MO
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
1.0 in

Counties Franklin County, MO, Jefferson County, MO

The radar

The St Louis radar (KLSX), 51 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:07 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, 6:23 PM CDTTSTM WND DMGHillsboro, MOLARGE TREES LIMBS DOWN, SHINGLES OFF ROOF, WIND ESTIMATED 60-70 MPH.
Apr 15, 6:24 PM CDTTORNADOHillsboro, MOA WEAK EF0 TORNADO TRAVELED EAST THROUGH HILLSBORO, MO JUST NORTH OF MAIN STREET. TREE DAMAGE AND MINOR STRUCTURAL DAMAGE WAS NOTED ALONG THE 0.57 MILE PATH WITH A MAXIMUM WIND SPEED OF 77 MPH AND A MAXIMUM WIDTH OF 198 YARDS.
Apr 15, 6:25 PM CDTTSTM WND DMGHillsboro, MOFIRE CHIEF REPORTS MULTIPLE TREES SNAPPED, A CHURCH STEEPLE WITH THE GLASS BLOWN OUT, A FEW TREES INTO HOUSES, HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAD A WINDOW BLOWN OUT.
Apr 15, 6:30 PM CDTTSTM WND DMGHillsboro, MOSHINGLES OFF ROOFS, BRANCHES DOWN.
Apr 15, 6:30 PM CDTTORNADO2 Wnw Festus, MOA WEAK EF1 TORNADO FORMED AT 630 PM JUST NORTHEAST OF FESTUS ALONG OLD A HWY. IT MOVED NORTHEASTWARD WITH MINOR DAMAGE TO TREES AND STRUCTURES BEFORE LIFTING AND DISSIPATING IN DUNKIN-FLETCHER MEMORIAL PARK AT 635 PM. THE TORNADO HAD MAX WINDS OF 93 MPH AND A
Apr 15, 6:30 PM CDTTORNADO2 Wnw Festus, MOCORRECTS PREVIOUS TORNADO REPORT FROM 2 WNW FESTUS. A WEAK EF1 TORNADO FORMED AT 630 PM JUST NORTHEAST OF FESTUS ALONG OLD A HWY. IT MOVED NORTHEASTWARD WITH MINOR DAMAGE TO TREES AND STRUCTURES BEFORE LIFTING AND DISSIPATING IN DUNKIN-FLETCHER MEMORIAL PARK A
Apr 15, 6:34 PM CDTHAIL 11 Sw Festus, MOREPORT FROM MPING: QUARTER (1.00 IN.).
Apr 15, 6:40 PM CDTTSTM WND DMGHillsboro, MOTREES DOWN, POWER LINES DOWN, DEBRIS - MAIN STREET OF HILLSBORO.
Apr 15, 6:41 PM CDTHAIL 1Hillsboro, MO

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Apr 15, 12:48 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC6 hr
Apr 15, 4:03 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Lincoln, IL (KILX), launched 12:00Z, 11.1 hours before the alert went out and 279 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, Lincoln, IL at 12:00Z on 2023-04-15Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 40 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Lincoln, IL at 12:00Z on 2023-04-15The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 34 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 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
40 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-164 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1437 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
6 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
34 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
63 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

498 
WFUS53 KLSX 152307
TORLSX
MOC071-099-160000-
/O.NEW.KLSX.TO.W.0013.230415T2307Z-230416T0000Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service St Louis MO
607 PM CDT Sat Apr 15 2023

The National Weather Service in St Louis has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Northwestern Jefferson County in east central Missouri...
  Southeastern Franklin County in east central Missouri...

* Until 700 PM CDT.
    
* At 607 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near Richwoods, moving east at 25 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

  IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
           shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. 
           Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree 
           damage is likely.

* This dangerous storm will be near...
  Hillsboro and Cedar Hill Lakes around 625 PM CDT.

This also includes Sandy Creek Covered Bridge Historic Site.
 
This includes Interstate 55 in Missouri near exit 175.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3820 9078 3821 9083 3826 9087 3844 9051
      3820 9040 3818 9076
TIME...MOT...LOC 2307Z 247DEG 24KT 3823 9078 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN

$$

MRB
3 follow-up statements
382 
WWUS53 KLSX 152318
SVSLSX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service St Louis MO
618 PM CDT Sat Apr 15 2023

MOC071-152328-
/O.CAN.KLSX.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-230416T0000Z/
Franklin MO-
618 PM CDT Sat Apr 15 2023

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN FRANKLIN COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
    
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out 
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for east central
Missouri.

LAT...LON 3820 9078 3832 9076 3844 9051 3820 9040
      3818 9076
TIME...MOT...LOC 2318Z 248DEG 22KT 3825 9070 

$$

MOC099-160000-
/O.CON.KLSX.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-230416T0000Z/
Jefferson MO-
618 PM CDT Sat Apr 15 2023

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN JEFFERSON COUNTY...
    
At 618 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Dittmer, moving east at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely.

This dangerous storm will be near...
  Hillsboro around 625 PM CDT.

Other locations in the path of this tornadic thunderstorm include
Horine.

This also includes Sandy Creek Covered Bridge Historic Site.
 
This includes Interstate 55 in Missouri near exit 175.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3820 9078 3832 9076 3844 9051 3820 9040
      3818 9076
TIME...MOT...LOC 2318Z 248DEG 22KT 3825 9070 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN

$$

MRB
117 
WWUS53 KLSX 152331
SVSLSX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service St Louis MO
631 PM CDT Sat Apr 15 2023

MOC099-160000-
/O.CON.KLSX.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-230416T0000Z/
Jefferson MO-
631 PM CDT Sat Apr 15 2023

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CDT FOR CENTRAL
JEFFERSON COUNTY...
    
At 630 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Hillsboro, moving northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely.

This dangerous storm will be near...
  Hillsboro around 635 PM CDT.

This also includes Sandy Creek Covered Bridge Historic Site.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3831 9058 3839 9049 3820 9040 3820 9059
TIME...MOT...LOC 2330Z 247DEG 24KT 3828 9060 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN

$$

Maples
845 
WWUS53 KLSX 152342 RRA
SVSLSX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service St Louis MO
642 PM CDT Sat Apr 15 2023

MOC099-152352-
/O.CAN.KLSX.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-230416T0000Z/
Jefferson MO-
642 PM CDT Sat Apr 15 2023

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR CENTRAL JEFFERSON COUNTY IS CANCELLED...
        
The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for east central
Missouri.

LAT...LON 3831 9058 3839 9049 3820 9040 3820 9059
TIME...MOT...LOC 2340Z 247DEG 24KT 3831 9050 

$$

Maples

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 15, 3:48 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLSXFranklin, Gasconade, Montgomery, Warren42 min
Apr 15, 3:54 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatLSXCole, Osage51 min
Apr 15, 4:28 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatLSXFranklin, Gasconade, Montgomery, Warren47 min
Apr 15, 4:36 PM CDTTornado WarningLSXCrawford, Franklin, Gasconade39 min
Apr 15, 4:43 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLSXMontgomery35 min
Apr 15, 4:55 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLSXFranklin50 min
Apr 15, 4:58 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryLSXOsage3 hr
Apr 15, 5:13 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatLSXCrawford, Franklin, Gasconade, Washington47 min
Apr 15, 5:28 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningLSXFranklin5 hr
Apr 15, 5:31 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLSXFranklin, Saint Louis44 min
Apr 15, 5:47 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryLSXFranklin, Gasconade3 hr
Apr 15, 5:52 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLSXFranklin, Jefferson, Saint Louis, Washington38 min
Apr 15, 6:11 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLSXSaint Louis49 min
Apr 15, 6:13 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningLSXFranklin4 hr
Apr 15, 6:17 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLSXSaint Charles, Saint Louis43 min
Apr 15, 6:19 PM CDTTornado WarningLSXSaint Louis, City of Saint Louis41 min
Apr 15, 6:23 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLSXJefferson, Sainte Genevieve, Saint Francois53 min
Apr 15, 6:27 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLSXJefferson, Saint Louis52 min
Apr 15, 6:34 PM CDTTornado WarningLSXJefferson41 min
Apr 15, 6:36 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLSXSaint Charles, Saint Louis39 min
Apr 15, 6:39 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningLSXJefferson, Saint Louis4 hr
Apr 15, 6:39 PM CDTTornado WarningLSXSaint Louis, City of Saint Louis51 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Missouri, 2023Every tornado warning in 2023Tornadoes in 2023

Sources

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