Alert archive / Illinois / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 150, NWS St. Louis, MO

May 18, 2026Calhoun County, Greene County, Jersey County, Illinois; Lincoln County, Pike County, Missouri

NWS St. Louis, MO issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 18, 2026, 7:21 AM CDT for Calhoun County, Greene County, Jersey County, Illinois; Lincoln County, Pike County, Missouri. It was in force for 39 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
May 18, 2026, 7:21 AM CDT (12:21 UTC)
Expired
May 18, 2026, 8:00 AM CDT
In force
39 min
Issued by
NWS St. Louis, MO
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Possible
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Calhoun County, IL, Greene County, IL, Jersey County, IL, Lincoln County, MO, Pike County, MO

The radar

The St Louis radar (KLSX), 56 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 12:20 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.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this severe thunderstorm warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The nearest sounding before it

Lincoln, IL (KILX), launched 12:00Z, 0.4 hours before the alert went out and 215 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 2026-05-18Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 850 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 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, Lincoln, IL at 12:00Z on 2026-05-18The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 301 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
850 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-80 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
966 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
25 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
301 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
331 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.8
Supercell composite
8.8

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

284 
WUUS53 KLSX 181221
SVRLSX
ILC013-061-083-MOC113-163-181300-
/O.NEW.KLSX.SV.W.0150.260518T1221Z-260518T1300Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service St Louis MO
721 AM CDT Mon May 18 2026

The National Weather Service in St Louis has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Central Calhoun County in southwestern Illinois...
  Southwestern Greene County in southwestern Illinois...
  West Central Jersey County in southwestern Illinois...
  Northeastern Lincoln County in east central Missouri...
  Southeastern Pike County in northeastern Missouri...

* Until 800 AM CDT.

* At 721 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Elsberry,
  moving east at 35 mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and small hail.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...
  New Hope, Annada, Elsberry, Mozier, Hamburg, Hardin, Michael,
  Kampsville, Nutwood, Eldred, Fieldon and Woody.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from
windows. This storm is capable of producing damaging winds.

Tornadoes can develop quickly from severe thunderstorms. Seek shelter
immediately in an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built
structure.

&&

LAT...LON 3922 9095 3923 9095 3938 9047 3906 9045
      3907 9094
TIME...MOT...LOC 1221Z 264DEG 30KT 3915 9087

TORNADO...POSSIBLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

Pfahler
3 follow-up statements
382 
WWUS53 KLSX 181238
SVSLSX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service St Louis MO
738 AM CDT Mon May 18 2026

MOC113-163-181248-
/O.CAN.KLSX.SV.W.0150.000000T0000Z-260518T1300Z/
Lincoln MO-Pike MO-
738 AM CDT Mon May 18 2026

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR NORTHEASTERN LINCOLN
COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL MISSOURI AND SOUTHEASTERN PIKE COUNTY IN
NORTHEASTERN MISSOURI...

The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

&&

LAT...LON 3927 9075 3929 9076 3938 9047 3916 9046
      3912 9069 3913 9069 3915 9071 3918 9071
      3920 9072 3923 9072 3925 9073 3926 9073
      3926 9074
TIME...MOT...LOC 1221Z 264DEG 30KT 3915 9087

$$


ILC013-061-083-181300-
/O.CON.KLSX.SV.W.0150.000000T0000Z-260518T1300Z/
Calhoun IL-Greene IL-Jersey IL-
738 AM CDT Mon May 18 2026

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 AM CDT FOR
NORTH CENTRAL CALHOUN, SOUTHWESTERN GREENE AND WEST CENTRAL JERSEY
COUNTIES...

At 738 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Hardin, or 9
miles east of Elsberry, moving east at 45 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and small hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include...
  Mozier, Hamburg, Michael, Hardin, Kampsville, Eldred and Woody.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from
windows. This storm is capable of producing damaging winds.

Tornadoes can develop quickly from severe thunderstorms. Seek shelter
immediately in an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built
structure.

&&

LAT...LON 3927 9075 3929 9076 3938 9047 3916 9046
      3912 9069 3913 9069 3915 9071 3918 9071
      3920 9072 3923 9072 3925 9073 3926 9073
      3926 9074
TIME...MOT...LOC 1221Z 253DEG 37KT 3917 9085

TORNADO...POSSIBLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

Pfahler
004 
WWUS53 KLSX 181252
SVSLSX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service St Louis MO
752 AM CDT Mon May 18 2026

ILC013-181302-
/O.CAN.KLSX.SV.W.0150.000000T0000Z-260518T1300Z/
Calhoun IL-
752 AM CDT Mon May 18 2026

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR NORTH CENTRAL CALHOUN
COUNTY...

The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

&&

LAT...LON 3914 9059 3918 9060 3919 9060 3920 9059
      3922 9059 3923 9060 3924 9060 3925 9061
      3926 9061 3929 9060 3931 9061 3933 9061
      3938 9047 3916 9046
TIME...MOT...LOC 1238Z 253DEG 37KT 3922 9063

$$


ILC061-083-181300-
/O.CON.KLSX.SV.W.0150.000000T0000Z-260518T1300Z/
Greene IL-Jersey IL-
752 AM CDT Mon May 18 2026

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 AM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN GREENE AND WEST CENTRAL JERSEY COUNTIES...

At 752 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Carrollton, or
11 miles northwest of Jerseyville, moving east at 45 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and small hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include...
  Eldred and Woody.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from
windows. This storm is capable of producing damaging winds.

Tornadoes can develop quickly from severe thunderstorms. Seek shelter
immediately in an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built
structure.

&&

LAT...LON 3914 9059 3918 9060 3919 9060 3920 9059
      3922 9059 3923 9060 3924 9060 3925 9061
      3926 9061 3929 9060 3931 9061 3933 9061
      3938 9047 3916 9046
TIME...MOT...LOC 1238Z 253DEG 37KT 3922 9063

TORNADO...POSSIBLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

Pfahler
306 
WWUS53 KLSX 181301
SVSLSX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service St Louis MO
801 AM CDT Mon May 18 2026

ILC061-083-181311-
/O.EXP.KLSX.SV.W.0150.000000T0000Z-260518T1300Z/
Greene IL-Jersey IL-
801 AM CDT Mon May 18 2026

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING HAS EXPIRED FOR SOUTHWESTERN GREENE
AND WEST CENTRAL JERSEY COUNTIES...

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property.
Therefore, the warning has been allowed to expire.

&&

LAT...LON 3914 9059 3918 9060 3919 9060 3920 9059
      3922 9059 3923 9060 3924 9060 3925 9061
      3926 9061 3929 9060 3931 9061 3933 9061
      3938 9047 3916 9046
TIME...MOT...LOC 1252Z 254DEG 37KT 3926 9045

$$

Pfahler

What forecasters said that day

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

NWS St. Louis, MO wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at May 18, 6:52 AM CDT, 29 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected throughout the day with heavy rainfall in some locations potentially leading to flash flooding.
  • A few strong to severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening with the main hazards being hail and damaging wind gusts.
  • Additional thunderstorms are forecast late tonight and early Tuesday morning with another round possible along a cold front Tuesday afternoon/evening.
Area forecast discussion, May 18, 6:52 AM CDT, 29 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion...Updated Aviation
National Weather Service Saint Louis MO
652 AM CDT Mon May 18 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected throughout the
  day with heavy rainfall in some locations potentially leading to
  flash flooding.

- A few strong to severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon
  and evening with the main hazards being hail and damaging wind
  gusts.

- Additional thunderstorms are forecast late tonight and early
  Tuesday morning with another round possible along a cold front
  Tuesday afternoon/evening.

&&

.SHORT TERM...  (Through Late Tuesday Afternoon)
Issued at 402 AM CDT Mon May 18 2026

A complex of thunderstorms, that as of 09z, is currently positioned
near Quincy MO to Warrensburg MO. This activity initiated across
KS/NE on Sunday evening and has continued to push southeastward
early this morning, with arrival in central/northeast MO expect
around 09-10z. Within the last few hours, this complex has become
outflow dominant, which has led to a gradual weakening trend from
the severe wind gusts it was producing across northwestern MO around
midnight. Upstream observations indicate that the gust front has
been achieving winds gusts in the 30-50mph range. As a result, the
main severe hazard tied to these storms as they move into the area
are expected to be scattered wind gusts up to 50mph, along with
frequent lightning and heavy rain.

In fact, one of the main concerns regarding the short term is now
the threat for heavy rainfall and flash flooding, mainly across
central/south-central MO and points west. CAMs are in good consensus
that the southeastward progress of this thunderstorm complex will
continue to slow as it makes its way into the area this morning.
Additionally, there are signs that backbuilding of thunderstorms may
occur as the remnant outflow boundary/line of convection stall in a
west-east orientation, with strong low-level southerly warm/moist
advection overrunning this stationary boundary. Analysis of forecast
soundings unveils  a plentiful amount of uniform CAPE (around 1,500
J/kg) throughout the column, along with warm cloud temperatures with
freezing levels around 12-14kft AGL. In addition, PWATs are
currently in the 1.4-1.5" range, with the latest HREF indicating
values increasing to 1.7-1.9" today, which is near the 99th
percentile. Lastly, the HREF LPMM precipitation reveals the
potential for a west-east oriented swath of 2-4" with localized
pockets of 4-6" possible. Given all of the variables mentioned
above, the risk of heavy rainfall has prompted us to issue a Flash
Flood Watch for central/south-central MO and portions of east-
central MO that is in effect from 12z today through this evening.

Regarding the severe weather potential throughout the day, the
threat remains for an isolated thunderstorm becoming strong/severe
with hazards being hail along with damaging winds. This potential
appears to be lower due to the lingering showers and thunderstorms
across a large portion of the area, inhibiting solar insolation, and
thus, robust destabilization this afternoon. Regardless, given the
warm/moist summerlike airmass in place and the continuation of
steepened mid-level lapse rates, maintaining sufficient instability,
the threat for an isolated severe storm remains. A few locations may
be able to clear by this afternoon, allowing the environment to
recover and destabilize, and potentially the threat for strong to
severe thunderstorms to increase in localized areas. With
uncertainty regarding the evolution/coverage of lingering
showers/storms, confidence is low regarding the extent of severe
weather that may be realized across the area this afternoon and
evening.

By tonight, the large-scale pattern features a broad mid/upper level
trough to the west, with an embedded shortwave ejecting
northeastward into the Great Plains. This mid-level feature triggers
lee-side surface cyclogenesis across the Central Plains/Midwest near
a quasi-stationary baroclinic zone. Convection is modeled by high
resolution guidance to initiate along this boundary in KS/NE, with
quick upscale growth ensuing with eastward progression. The surface
low is modeled to lift northeast into the Midwest on Tuesday, which
begins to slowly shift the quasi-stationary baroclinic zone
southeastward as a cold front. However, this convection is progged
by guidance to outrun this slowly advancing cold front out west, and
gradually weaken as it approaches the area. This weakening trend
appears reasonable since the best deep-layer shear remains displaced
to the north and west of the area and forcing for ascent will be
limited without convection tied to the boundary. Regardless, this
threat for severe weather late Monday night into early Tuesday
morning will include the potential for large hail and damaging wind
gusts. Additionally, if surges or bowing segments occur, then
severe outflow gusts or embedded circulations leading to brief
tornadoes may also be possible.

Guidance is in fairly good agreement that the cold front will
approach northeast MO/west-central IL Tuesday morning with it
exiting to the southeast late Tuesday evening. Locations that remain
pre-frontal for a majority of the day on Tuesday will have the
greatest severe weather threat. The big question that remains is,
how quickly will the atmosphere recover from the early Tuesday
morning convection by the time the front is working its way through
the area. As of now, it appears the severe weather threat will be
greatest from east-central MO and points southeastward, as these
locations will have the best chance to destabilize in the early
afternoon on before the arrival of the front. Regardless,
instability and mid-level flow are still forecast to be sufficient
enough to support organized storms with potential for large hail,
damaging winds, and tornadoes. Any lingering outflow boundaries from
morning convection may serve as areas of focus for thunderstorm
development in the afternoon ahead of the cold front.

Peine

&&

.LONG TERM...  (Tuesday Night through Sunday)
Issued at 402 AM CDT Mon May 18 2026

Low-level cold air advection within the post-frontal airmass will
lead to much cooler conditions for Wednesday, with highs forecast to
be around 10-15 degrees below average. Quasi-zonal flow aloft
encompasses the region through the end of the week, which should
allow for a period of dry conditions until Friday. By the end of the
week, the general trend of LREF temperature IQRs is a gradual warmup
to temperatures right around climatological normals.

Peine

&&

.AVIATION...  (For the 12z TAFs through 12z Tuesday Morning)
Issued at 652 AM CDT Mon May 18 2026

A complex of thunderstorms continues to slide eastward early this
morning, nearing KUIN just before 12z with arrival expected at the
St. Louis metro terminals around 13-14z. The leading edge of this
complex has already impacted KCOU, producing a 62kt wind gust, which
has been the highest wind gust observed in the region this morning.
The leading edge of this convection will be capable of scattered
severe wind gusts where bowing segments occur. Given the low
predictability for scattered winds gusts of this nature, mention of
winds to this magnitude were not included in downstream TAFs. Short
term trends along the leading edge will need to be monitored as this
complex approaches the metro with amendments as needed. In addition,
brief IFR visibilites are possible along the leading edge of this
convection within the stronger thunderstorms. Widespread showers and
thunderstorms are expected to linger throughout the morning at all
terminals with intermittent impacts of MVFR visibilities/ceilings
associated with the heavier showers and scattered thunderstorms.
Gradual improvements are forecast to begin later this morning into
the early afternoon, however, confidence in how long showers and
scattered thunderstorms linger remains low. In addition to MVFR
impacts, strong and gusty southerly winds should prevail with gusty
and variable winds associated with showers and thunderstorms. Dry
and VFR conditions are forecast this evening and early tonight
before another potential complex of storms moves in from the
northwest early on Tuesday.

Peine

&&

.LSX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MO...Flood Watch through this evening for Boone MO-Callaway MO-Cole
     MO-Crawford MO-Franklin MO-Gasconade MO-Moniteau MO-
     Montgomery MO-Osage MO-Warren MO-Washington MO.

IL...None.
&&

WFO LSX
Hazardous weather outlook, May 18, 6:00 AM CDT, 1 hour 21 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service St Louis MO
600 AM CDT Mon May 18 2026

ILZ058>060-064-065-069-070-074-079-095>102-MOZ018-019-026-027-
034>036-041-042-047>052-059>065-072>075-084-085-099-191100-
Greene IL-Macoupin IL-Montgomery IL-Bond IL-Fayette IL-Clinton IL-
Marion IL-Washington IL-Randolph IL-Adams IL-Brown IL-Pike IL-
Calhoun IL-Jersey IL-Madison IL-Saint Clair IL-Monroe IL-Knox MO-
Lewis MO-Shelby MO-Marion MO-Monroe MO-Ralls MO-Pike MO-Boone MO-
Audrain MO-Moniteau MO-Cole MO-Osage MO-Callaway MO-Montgomery MO-
Lincoln MO-Gasconade MO-Warren MO-Saint Charles MO-Franklin MO-
Saint Louis MO-Saint Louis City MO-Jefferson MO-Crawford MO-
Washington MO-Saint Francois MO-Sainte Genevieve MO-Iron MO-
Madison MO-Reynolds MO-
600 AM CDT Mon May 18 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of eastern and
central Missouri as well as west central and southwest Illinois.

.DAYS ONE THROUGH SEVEN...Today through Sunday.

More detailed information can be accessed at:
https://www.weather.gov/media/lsx/DssPacket.pdf

The Area Forecast Discussion is available at:
https://forecast.weather.gov/
product.php?issuedby=LSX&product=AFD&site=lsx

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected throughout the
  day with heavy rainfall in some locations potentially leading to
  flash flooding.

- A few strong to severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon
  and evening with the main hazards being hail and damaging wind
  gusts.

- Additional thunderstorms are forecast late tonight and early
  Tuesday morning with another round possible along a cold front
  Tuesday afternoon/evening.

NOTE: Starting May 29, 2026, this outlook product will be
discontinued. Please see the above products for more detailed
forecast information.

WFO LSX

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 18, 1:12 AM CDTFlood WatchLSXBond, Calhoun, Clinton, Fayette, Jersey, Madison and 4 more35 hr
May 18, 6:12 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLSXAdams, Pike48 min
May 18, 6:41 AM CDTTornado WarningLSXAdams, Pike28 min
May 18, 7:37 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLSXCalhoun, Greene, Pike25 min
May 18, 11:25 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryLSXFayette, Marion3 hr
May 18, 2:00 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryLSXMadison, Monroe, Saint Clair3 hr
May 18, 2:11 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningLSXClinton, Fayette, Marion6 hr
May 18, 2:13 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryLSXBond, Clinton, Fayette, Washington41 min
May 18, 2:54 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningLSXBond, Clinton, Fayette, Madison, Marion, Saint Clair and 1 more6 hr
May 18, 5:06 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningLSXClinton, Madison, Monroe, Saint Clair4 hr
May 18, 6:18 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatLSXAudrain, Boone, Callaway42 min
May 18, 10:56 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryLSXFranklin, Gasconade4 hr
May 18, 12:39 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryLSXCrawford, Franklin, Washington7 hr
May 18, 1:22 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryLSXSaint Louis, City of Saint Louis6 hr
May 18, 2:40 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryLSXBoone, Callaway, Cole, Moniteau4 hr
May 18, 3:05 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningLSXCrawford, Franklin, Gasconade, Warren6 hr
May 18, 5:01 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningLSXFranklin, Gasconade, Warren3 hr
May 18, 5:12 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningLSXSaint Charles, Saint Louis, City of Saint Louis3 hr

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Illinois, 2026Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Missouri, 2026Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2026

Sources

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