Alert archive / Illinois / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 241, NWS St. Louis, MO
NWS St. Louis, MO issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Aug 16, 2026, 9:17 PM CDT for Madison County, Monroe County, Saint Clair County, Illinois; Saint Louis County, City of Saint Louis, Missouri. It was in force for 35 min. 1 report 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
- Aug 16, 2026, 9:17 PM CDT (02:17 UTC)
- Expired
- Aug 16, 2026, 9:52 PM CDT
- In force
- 35 min
- Issued by
- NWS St. Louis, MO
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Hail
- 1.0 in
- Wind
- 60.0 mph
Counties Madison County, IL, Monroe County, IL, Saint Clair County, IL, City of Saint Louis, MO, Saint Louis County, MO
The radar
The St Louis radar (KLSX), 33 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 02:19 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
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 16, 9:22 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | University City, MO | Large limb down Time based on radar. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
Did it verify
Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched one storm report to this severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 5 minutes after it went out.
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 00:00Z, 2.3 hours before the alert went out and 224 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 357 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -123 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 978 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 30 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 22 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 69 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.4
The text
As transmitted.
646
WUUS53 KLSX 170217
SVRLSX
ILC119-133-163-MOC189-510-170300-
/O.NEW.KLSX.SV.W.0241.260817T0217Z-260817T0300Z/
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service St Louis MO
917 PM CDT Sun Aug 16 2026
The National Weather Service in St Louis has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Southwestern Madison County in southwestern Illinois...
North Central Monroe County in southwestern Illinois...
Northwestern Saint Clair County in southwestern Illinois...
Central Saint Louis County in east central Missouri...
Saint Louis City in east central Missouri...
* Until 1000 PM CDT.
* At 917 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Olivette,
moving east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and small hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
* Locations impacted include...
Maryland Heights, Ballwin, Manchester, Hazelwood, Creve Coeur,
Overland, University City, Kirkwood, Ferguson, Clayton, Webster
Groves, St. Louis, Granite City, East St. Louis, Collinsville,
Belleville and Fairview Heights.
This includes the following State Parks...
Frank Holten State Park, Horseshoe Lake State Park and Scott Joplin
Historic Site.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 64 in Illinois near exit 9. Interstate 44 in Missouri
between exits 276 and 277.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from
windows. This storm is capable of producing damaging winds.
&&
LAT...LON 3862 9055 3866 9051 3878 9040 3877 8994
3855 9002 3841 9019
TIME...MOT...LOC 0215Z 291DEG 25KT 3867 9041
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
BAH3 follow-up statements
378
WWUS53 KLSX 170237 RRA
SVSLSX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service St Louis MO
937 PM CDT Sun Aug 16 2026
ILC119-133-163-MOC189-510-170300-
/O.CON.KLSX.SV.W.0241.000000T0000Z-260817T0300Z/
Madison IL-Monroe IL-Saint Clair IL-Saint Louis MO-Saint Louis
City MO-
937 PM CDT Sun Aug 16 2026
...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN MADISON, NORTH CENTRAL MONROE AND NORTHWESTERN SAINT
CLAIR COUNTIES IN SOUTHWESTERN ILLINOIS, EASTERN SAINT LOUIS COUNTY
IN EAST CENTRAL MISSOURI AND THE SAINT LOUIS CITY IN EAST CENTRAL
MISSOURI...
At 937 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over St. Louis,
moving east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and small hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include...
Overland, University City, Kirkwood, Ferguson, Clayton, Crestwood,
Webster Groves, St. Louis, Jennings, Bellefontaine Neighbors,
Granite City, Cahokia, East St. Louis, Edwardsville, Collinsville,
Glen Carbon, Belleville and Fairview Heights.
This includes the following State Parks...
Frank Holten State Park, Horseshoe Lake State Park and Scott Joplin
Historic Site.
This includes Interstate 64 in Illinois near exit 9.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from
windows. This storm is capable of producing damaging winds.
&&
LAT...LON 3859 9044 3866 9041 3878 9030 3877 8994
3855 9002 3841 9019
TIME...MOT...LOC 0217Z 291DEG 25KT 3867 9038
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
BAH036
WWUS53 KLSX 170244
SVSLSX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service St Louis MO
944 PM CDT Sun Aug 16 2026
ILC119-133-163-MOC189-510-170300-
/O.CON.KLSX.SV.W.0241.000000T0000Z-260817T0300Z/
Madison IL-Monroe IL-Saint Clair IL-Saint Louis MO-Saint Louis
City MO-
944 PM CDT Sun Aug 16 2026
...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN MADISON, NORTH CENTRAL MONROE AND NORTHWESTERN SAINT
CLAIR COUNTIES IN SOUTHWESTERN ILLINOIS, SOUTHEASTERN SAINT LOUIS
COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL MISSOURI AND THE SAINT LOUIS CITY IN EAST
CENTRAL MISSOURI...
At 944 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Cahokia, or
near Cahokia Parks Airport, moving east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and small hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include...
Clayton, University City, Brentwood, Webster Groves, St. Louis,
Richmond Heights, Maplewood, Jennings, Bellefontaine Neighbors,
Granite City, Cahokia, East St. Louis, Columbia, Collinsville, Glen
Carbon, Belleville, Fairview Heights and Maryville.
This includes the following State Parks...
Frank Holten State Park, Horseshoe Lake State Park and Scott Joplin
Historic Site.
This includes Interstate 64 in Illinois near exit 9.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from
windows. This storm is capable of producing damaging winds.
Continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning is one of nature's leading killers. Remember, if you can
hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.
&&
LAT...LON 3859 9038 3867 9034 3874 9027 3876 8995
3855 9002 3841 9019
TIME...MOT...LOC 0237Z 291DEG 24KT 3862 9025
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
BAH062
WWUS53 KLSX 170252
SVSLSX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service St Louis MO
952 PM CDT Sun Aug 16 2026
ILC119-133-163-MOC189-510-170302-
/O.CAN.KLSX.SV.W.0241.000000T0000Z-260817T0300Z/
Madison IL-Monroe IL-Saint Clair IL-Saint Louis MO-Saint Louis
City MO-
952 PM CDT Sun Aug 16 2026
...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING IS CANCELED FOR SOUTHWESTERN MADISON,
NORTH CENTRAL MONROE AND NORTHWESTERN SAINT CLAIR COUNTIES IN
SOUTHWESTERN ILLINOIS, SOUTHEASTERN SAINT LOUIS COUNTY IN EAST
CENTRAL MISSOURI AND THE SAINT LOUIS CITY IN EAST CENTRAL MISSOURI...
The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property.
Therefore, the warning has been canceled. However, gusty winds are
still possible with this thunderstorm.
&&
LAT...LON 3859 9038 3867 9034 3874 9027 3876 8995
3855 9002 3841 9019
TIME...MOT...LOC 0244Z 291DEG 24KT 3861 9019
$$
BAHWhat 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 Aug 16, 6:51 PM CDT, 2 hours 26 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected late this afternoon and evening mainly along and south of I-70. A couple of storms will be capable of mainly damaging wind gusts.
- Rain chances return Tuesday night into Wednesday and then Wednesday night into Thursday.
- Seasonable temperatures are expected for a majority of the area through this week.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 16, 6:51 PM CDT, 2 hours 26 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service St Louis MO
Issued by National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
651 PM CDT Sun Aug 16 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected late this
afternoon and evening mainly along and south of I-70. A
couple of storms will be capable of mainly damaging wind
gusts.
- Rain chances return Tuesday night into Wednesday and then
Wednesday night into Thursday.
- Seasonable temperatures are expected for a majority of the
area through this week.
&&
.SHORT TERM /THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/...
Issued at 314 PM CDT Sun Aug 16 2026
An MCV can be seen on visible satellite imagery and in surface obs
moving across northern Missouri and southern Iowa this afternoon. A
cluster of thunderstorms associated with this MCV raced through
northeastern Missouri and west-central Illinois earlier today,
producing a cold pool and outflow boundary that is moving toward I-
70. The outflow is becoming increasingly diffuse in satellite
imagery, though broken cloud cover has kept the cold pool in place
and kept instability from rebuilding in this portion of the CWA.
A cold front is currently edging into northeastern Missouri and will
continue south-southeastward through this evening. As it does so, it
will encounter an air mass characterized by 3,000 J/kg of
MLCAPE along and south of I-70. Forcing from the front and
passing MCV will initiate scattered convection in this part of
the CWA starting around 5-6pm. Effective shear may be as high as
30-35 kts, allowing for organized multicell clusters capable of
damaging wind gusts. Much of this shear is going to be
associated with the MCV and behind the front, so the potential
for strong to severe storms will be confined to along the front;
therefore, right along the I-70 corridor. Additionally, LCLs
along the front may be low enough to allow for a threat of brief
tornadoes in bowing segments thanks to about 30 kts of 0-3km
shear.
Convection is expected to depart the CWA eastward shortly after
midnight, with the front clearing the area through the early
morning hours. A much more comfortable air mass will then settle
into the region, with highs tomorrow expected to only top out
in the low to mid 80s for most locations.
&&
.LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Issued at 314 PM CDT Sun Aug 16 2026
Portions of the CWA will only have a brief break from the heat, as
guidance consensus is that as Monday's post-frontal air mass shifts
east, low-level ridging will nose into the region. However, there is
not a consensus as to how far north the crest of the ridge will
build, and therefore, how warm temperatures at the surface will get.
The overall trend over the last 24 hours has been for a less
aggressive ridge, with NBM probabilities for highs reaching and
exceeding 90 degrees are at most 50-70% over southeastern Missouri
Tuesday and south of I-70 on Wednesday.
Wednesday's temperatures will have to contend with a cold front
dropping southward through the CWA. While guidance consensus is that
much of the CWA will not see FROPA prior to peak heating, associated
rainfall and cloud cover will produce an effective boundary further
south across the area. This will produce a strong temperature
gradient bisecting the CWA west to east, with low to mid 80s to the
north and low to mid 90s to the south. Once the front pushes south
of the area on Thursday, near normal to below normal temperatures
are expected through the weekend.
As the front slowly sinks through the area, guidance consensus is
that two shortwaves will ripple through the Midwest; one early
Wednesday, and one early Thursday. The location of the front during
the passage of the waves is where rainfall will be focused, and this
is currently north of I-70 Wednesday morning and south of I-70
Thursday morning. The front appears to be progressive enough to
mitigate a threat for flooding. However, ensemble guidance supports
PWAT of 1.5-2", and given upper-level flow parallel to the southward-
moving front, training convection capable of locally heavy rainfall
may be a concern.
&&
.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 635 PM CDT Sun Aug 16 2026
Scattered thunderstorms are developing along a composite cold
front/outflow boundary currently stretching from near KI63 to
near KJEF. Expect this activity to increase in coverage and
intensity somewhat as it moves east this evening. Thunderstorms
will be capable of producing IFR flight conditions in heavy
rain, and wind gusts to 40-50kts are also possible.
Thunderstorms should be through the eastern portions of our area
in south central Illinois by 06-08Z. There may be some
lingering showers behind the main area of precipitation, but
most guidance is dry after the initial wave of storms. There is
also the possibility of low stratus behind the cold front
tonight. Initial thoughts are that the eastern Ozarks and south
central/southwest Illinois will have the highest chance for low
ceilings before sunrise Monday, however parts of east central
Missouri, and possibly central Missouri may also see low MVFR
ceilings before sunrise tomorrow. Any low ceilings that do
develop should lift and scatter by 17-18Z Monday and VFR
conditions are expected to prevail after that.
&&
.LSX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MO...Heat Advisory until 9 PM CDT this evening for MOZ035-036-042-
052.
Extreme Heat Warning until 9 PM CDT this evening for MOZ041-
047>051-059>065-072>075-084-085-099.
IL...Heat Advisory until 9 PM CDT this evening for ILZ058>060-064-
065-098-099.
Extreme Heat Warning until 9 PM CDT this evening for ILZ069-
070-074-079-100>102.
&&
SHORT TERM...Elmore
LONG TERM...Elmore
AVIATION...CarneyThe office that day
Everything else NWS St. Louis, MO issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 16, 11:31 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | LSX | Washington | 3 hr |
| Aug 16, 8:00 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | LSX | Gasconade, Osage | 45 min |
| Aug 16, 8:33 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | LSX | Franklin, Gasconade, Warren | 42 min |
| Aug 16, 9:06 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | LSX | Franklin, Saint Charles, Saint Louis, Warren | 39 min |
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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.