Alert archive / Illinois / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 10, NWS St. Louis, MO
NWS St. Louis, MO issued this tornado warning at Mar 15, 2026, 5:34 PM CDT for Monroe County, Randolph County, Saint Clair County, Illinois. It was in force for 34 min. 7 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
- Mar 15, 2026, 5:34 PM CDT (22:34 UTC)
- Expired
- Mar 15, 2026, 6:08 PM CDT
- In force
- 34 min
- Issued by
- NWS St. Louis, MO
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.0 in
Counties Monroe County, IL, Randolph County, IL, Saint Clair County, IL
The radar
The St Louis radar (KLSX), 94 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:39 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 15, 5:35 PM CDT | TORNADO | Ames, IL | An EF-0 tornado with peak winds of 85mph touched down north of Ames, IL in Monroe County at 5:35pm on March 15. The tornado crossed into Randolph County northwest of Ruma, damaging trees and outbuildings. The strongest damage occurred to Trinity Lutheran Churc |
| Mar 15, 5:38 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 1 Wsw Ruma, IL | Corrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from 1 WSW Ruma. Power poles and live power lines down along Route 155 west of Ruma. |
| Mar 15, 5:38 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 1 Wsw Ruma, IL | Power poles and live power lines down along Route 155 west of Ruma. Similar damage along Route 3 south of Ruma. |
| Mar 15, 5:41 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 1 Sse Ruma, IL | Several large power poles snapped along IL 3 south of Ruma at this location. Time estimated from radar. |
| Mar 15, 5:42 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 1 N Prairie, IL | A portion of the roof of Trinity Lutheran Church was removed. Time estimated from radar. |
| Mar 15, 5:42 PM CDT | TORNADO | 1 N Prairie, IL | Corrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from 1 N Prairie. A portion of the roof of Trinity Lutheran Church was removed. Time estimated from radar. |
| Mar 15, 5:56 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 1 Se Marissa, IL | Photo on social media shows a destroyed carport. Time estimated from radar. |
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.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 15, 1:33 PM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 6 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Lincoln, IL (KILX), launched 12:00Z, 10.6 hours before the alert went out and 259 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
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1382 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 55 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 389 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 410 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
170
WFUS53 KLSX 152234
TORLSX
ILC133-157-163-152315-
/O.NEW.KLSX.TO.W.0010.260315T2234Z-260315T2315Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service St Louis MO
534 PM CDT Sun Mar 15 2026
The National Weather Service in St Louis has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southeastern Monroe County in southwestern Illinois...
Randolph County in southwestern Illinois...
Southeastern Saint Clair County in southwestern Illinois...
* Until 615 PM CDT.
* At 534 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 7 miles north of Ste. Genevieve, moving east at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
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.
* Locations impacted include...
Prairie Du Rocher, Ruma, Ellis Grove, Evansville, Red Bud, Prairie,
Preston, Baldwin, Blair, New Athens, Lenzburg, Steeleville, Sparta,
Marissa, Percy, Eden, Tilden, St. Libory and Coulterville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built building
away from 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 3819 9020 3839 8970 3822 8970 3822 8959
3801 8959 3792 8997 3794 8996 3796 8993
3797 8994 3796 9000 3801 9006 3802 9009
3804 9013 3806 9013 3807 9016
TIME...MOT...LOC 2234Z 247DEG 42KT 3806 9010
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
$$
Kimble3 follow-up statements
350
WWUS53 KLSX 152249
SVSLSX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service St Louis MO
549 PM CDT Sun Mar 15 2026
ILC133-157-163-152315-
/O.CON.KLSX.TO.W.0010.000000T0000Z-260315T2315Z/
Monroe IL-Randolph IL-Saint Clair IL-
549 PM CDT Sun Mar 15 2026
...TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 615 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN MONROE, RANDOLPH AND SOUTHEASTERN SAINT CLAIR COUNTIES
IN SOUTHWESTERN ILLINOIS...
At 549 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Baldwin, or 9 miles northwest of Sparta, moving east
at 55 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Red Bud, Ellis Grove, Evansville, Prairie, Preston, Baldwin, New
Athens, Blair, Lenzburg, Houston, Marissa, Steeleville, Sparta,
Eden, Percy, Tilden, St. Libory and Coulterville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built building
away from windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a
vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself
from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 3827 9000 3839 8970 3822 8970 3822 8959
3801 8959 3792 8997 3793 8996 3794 8996
3795 8993 3796 8993 3797 8994 3796 9000
3800 9003 3800 9005 3809 8999
TIME...MOT...LOC 2234Z 251DEG 48KT 3817 9008
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
$$
Kimble949
WWUS53 KLSX 152302
SVSLSX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service St Louis MO
602 PM CDT Sun Mar 15 2026
ILC133-152312-
/O.CAN.KLSX.TO.W.0010.000000T0000Z-260315T2315Z/
Monroe IL-
602 PM CDT Sun Mar 15 2026
...TORNADO WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR SOUTHEASTERN MONROE COUNTY IN
SOUTHWESTERN ILLINOIS...
The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled. However, gusty winds are
still possible with this thunderstorm.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT for a portion of
southwest Illinois.
&&
LAT...LON 3822 8989 3828 8988 3839 8970 3822 8970
3822 8959 3801 8959 3797 8977 3792 8997
3793 8996 3794 8996 3794 8995 3795 8993
3796 8993 3797 8994
TIME...MOT...LOC 2249Z 251DEG 48KT 3824 8983
$$
ILC157-163-152315-
/O.CON.KLSX.TO.W.0010.000000T0000Z-260315T2315Z/
Randolph IL-Saint Clair IL-
602 PM CDT Sun Mar 15 2026
...TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 615 PM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN RANDOLPH AND SOUTHEASTERN SAINT CLAIR COUNTIES...
At 602 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Sparta, moving east at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Ellis Grove, Preston, New Palestine, Walsh, Baldwin, Blair,
Houston, Lenzburg, Steeleville, Sparta, Marissa, Eden, Percy,
Tilden, St. Libory and Coulterville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built building
away from windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a
vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself
from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 3822 8989 3828 8988 3839 8970 3822 8970
3822 8959 3801 8959 3797 8977 3792 8997
3793 8996 3794 8996 3794 8995 3795 8993
3796 8993 3797 8994
TIME...MOT...LOC 2249Z 251DEG 38KT 3811 8986
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
$$
Kimble891
WWUS53 KLSX 152308
SVSLSX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service St Louis MO
608 PM CDT Sun Mar 15 2026
ILC157-163-152318-
/O.CAN.KLSX.TO.W.0010.000000T0000Z-260315T2315Z/
Randolph IL-Saint Clair IL-
608 PM CDT Sun Mar 15 2026
...TORNADO WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR NORTHEASTERN RANDOLPH AND
SOUTHEASTERN SAINT CLAIR COUNTIES...
The storm which prompted the warning has weakened, and no longer
appears capable of producing a tornado. Therefore, the warning has
been cancelled. However, gusty winds are still possible with this
thunderstorm.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT for a portion of
southwest Illinois.
&&
LAT...LON 3822 8989 3828 8988 3839 8970 3822 8970
3822 8959 3801 8959 3797 8977 3792 8997
3793 8996 3794 8996 3794 8995 3795 8993
3796 8993 3797 8994
TIME...MOT...LOC 2302Z 251DEG 38KT 3815 8970
$$
KimbleThe office that day
Everything else NWS St. Louis, MO issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 15, 2:37 PM CDT | Winter Weather Advisory | LSX | Adams, Brown, Pike | 16 hr |
| Mar 15, 3:40 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | LSX | Calhoun | 35 min |
| Mar 15, 3:44 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | LSX | Calhoun | 46 min |
| Mar 15, 3:56 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | LSX | Greene, Jersey | 58 min |
| Mar 15, 3:59 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | LSX | Calhoun, Jersey | 33 min |
| Mar 15, 5:01 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | LSX | Madison, Monroe, Saint Clair | 44 min |
| Mar 15, 5:05 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | LSX | Madison, Saint Clair | 34 min |
| Mar 15, 5:09 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | LSX | Macoupin | 36 min |
| Mar 15, 5:19 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | LSX | Monroe, Saint Clair | 47 min |
| Mar 15, 5:28 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | LSX | Monroe, Randolph, Saint Clair | 47 min |
| Mar 15, 5:31 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | LSX | Bond, Montgomery | 44 min |
| Mar 15, 5:51 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | LSX | Clinton, Washington | 54 min |
| Mar 15, 5:54 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | LSX | Clinton, Washington | 37 min |
| Mar 15, 6:23 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | LSX | Marion | 58 min |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in Illinois, 2026Every tornado warning in 2026Tornadoes 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.