Alert archive / Missouri / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 58, NWS St. Louis, MO
NWS St. Louis, MO issued this tornado warning at May 18, 2026, 6:41 AM CDT for Pike County, Ralls County, Missouri; Adams County, Pike County, Illinois. It was in force for 28 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, 6:41 AM CDT (11:41 UTC)
- Expired
- May 18, 2026, 7:09 AM CDT
- In force
- 28 min
- Issued by
- NWS St. Louis, MO
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.0 in
Counties Adams County, IL, Pike County, IL, Pike County, MO, Ralls County, MO
The radar
The St Louis radar (KLSX), 116 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 11:45 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 tornado 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 00:00Z, 11.7 hours before the alert went out and 218 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
- 1199 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -142 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1497 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 9 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 12 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 120 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
577
WFUS53 KLSX 181141
TORLSX
ILC001-149-MOC163-173-181230-
/O.NEW.KLSX.TO.W.0058.260518T1141Z-260518T1230Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service St Louis MO
641 AM CDT Mon May 18 2026
The National Weather Service in St Louis has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southeastern Adams County in west central Illinois...
Central Pike County in west central Illinois...
Northwestern Pike County in northeastern Missouri...
Northeastern Ralls County in northeastern Missouri...
* Until 730 AM CDT.
* At 641 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 6 miles north of Frankford, or 11 miles southeast of
Hannibal, moving northeast at 40 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.
* This tornado will be near...
Frankford around 645 AM CDT.
Barry around 705 AM CDT.
Other locations impacted by the tornado include Saverton, Ashburn,
Kinderhook, Hull, New Canton, El Dara, Baylis, New Salem and
Fishhook.
This includes the following State Parks...
Siloam Springs State Park.
This includes Interstate 72 between exits 10 and 35.
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 3952 9134 3959 9139 3991 9095 3987 9092
3984 9092 3984 9089 3967 9075 3949 9132
TIME...MOT...LOC 1140Z 241DEG 33KT 3957 9129
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
$$
Britt2 follow-up statements
197
WWUS53 KLSX 181156
SVSLSX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service St Louis MO
656 AM CDT Mon May 18 2026
MOC163-173-181206-
/O.CAN.KLSX.TO.W.0058.000000T0000Z-260518T1230Z/
Pike MO-Ralls MO-
656 AM CDT Mon May 18 2026
...TORNADO WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR NORTHWESTERN PIKE AND
NORTHEASTERN RALLS COUNTIES IN NORTHEASTERN MISSOURI...
The severe thunderstorm capable of producing the tornado warning has
moved out of Pike and Ralls counties in Missouri.
&&
LAT...LON 3962 9117 3973 9120 3991 9095 3987 9092
3984 9092 3984 9089 3967 9075 3961 9112
TIME...MOT...LOC 1141Z 241DEG 33KT 3957 9128
$$
ILC001-149-181230-
/O.CON.KLSX.TO.W.0058.000000T0000Z-260518T1230Z/
Adams IL-Pike IL-
656 AM CDT Mon May 18 2026
...TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 AM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN ADAMS AND NORTHWESTERN PIKE COUNTIES IN WEST CENTRAL
ILLINOIS...
At 656 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Barry, or 15 miles northwest of Pittsfield, moving
northeast 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.
This tornado will be near...
Barry around 655 AM CDT.
Beverly around 700 AM CDT.
Other locations impacted by the tornado include New Canton,
Kinderhook, El Dara, Kingston, Baylis, New Salem and Fishhook.
This includes the following State Parks...
Siloam Springs State Park.
This includes Interstate 72 between exits 10 and 35.
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 3962 9117 3973 9120 3991 9095 3987 9092
3984 9092 3984 9089 3967 9075 3961 9112
TIME...MOT...LOC 1141Z 236DEG 45KT 3961 9124
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
$$
Britt475
WWUS53 KLSX 181209
SVSLSX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service St Louis MO
709 AM CDT Mon May 18 2026
ILC001-149-181219-
/O.CAN.KLSX.TO.W.0058.000000T0000Z-260518T1230Z/
Adams IL-Pike IL-
709 AM CDT Mon May 18 2026
...TORNADO WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR SOUTHEASTERN ADAMS AND
NORTHWESTERN PIKE COUNTIES IN WEST CENTRAL ILLINOIS...
The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer appears capable of producing a tornado.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled. To report severe weather,
contact your nearest law enforcement agency. They will send your
report to the National Weather Service office.
&&
LAT...LON 3962 9117 3973 9120 3991 9095 3987 9092
3984 9092 3984 9089 3967 9075 3961 9112
TIME...MOT...LOC 1156Z 237DEG 45KT 3971 9103
$$
PfahlerWhat 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.
NWS St. Louis, MO wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at May 18, 4:03 AM CDT, 2 hours 38 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, 4:03 AM CDT, 2 hours 38 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Saint Louis MO
403 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 06z TAFs through 06z Monday Night)
Issued at 1022 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026
Showers and thunderstorms line up from Minnesota through Kansas
late this evening. This activity is expected to be the primary
source for thunderstorm potential heading into Monday with the
main impacts being MVFR visibilities, locally heavy rain, and
gusty winds. However, the intensity of this line is in question as
it moves southeast through Missouri and into Illinois early Monday
morning. Another disturbance drive northeast out of the southern
Plains, which could lead to a few showers and isolated
thunderstorm ahead of the approaching line.
The isolated nature of what develops ahead of the line makes it
difficult to pinpoint direct impact to any one terminal and
therefore is not mentioned in the TAF at this time. The strategy
was to focus on TSRA along the main line and target best potential
for TSRA impacts. KUIN has the greatest chances (70-80%). KCOU/KJEF
lie at the southern end of the line, where thunderstorms are
likely to weaken, but maintain a broad spread of showers with
embedded thunder potential. It remains uncertain whether
thunderstorms will maintain enough intensity through the metro
terminals, justifying the continuation of PROB30 groups to account
for TSRA.
One trend that will need to be monitored is where outflow stalls
Monday. A second, weaker surface low ejects from the Plains along
the boundary, which could support showers and isolated
thunderstorms over central MO/metro sites through much of the day.
It would be reasonable to extend the -SHRA mention with PROB30s
for TSRA, if trends continue in this direction. Otherwise,
conditions largely vary between MVFR/VFR through the period with
MVFR concentrated on relatively more intense SHRA/TSRA.
Maples
&&
.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 LSXHazardous weather outlook, May 18, 6:00 AM CDT, 41 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.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 18, 1:12 AM CDT | Flood Watch | LSX | Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Cole, Crawford, Franklin and 14 more | 35 hr |
| May 18, 6:12 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | LSX | Audrain, Marion, Pike, Ralls | 48 min |
| May 18, 6:18 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | LSX | Audrain, Boone, Callaway | 42 min |
| May 18, 7:21 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | LSX | Lincoln, Pike | 39 min |
| May 18, 10:56 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | LSX | Franklin, Gasconade | 4 hr |
| May 18, 12:39 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | LSX | Crawford, Franklin, Washington | 7 hr |
| May 18, 1:22 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | LSX | Saint Louis, City of Saint Louis | 6 hr |
| May 18, 2:40 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | LSX | Boone, Callaway, Cole, Moniteau | 4 hr |
| May 18, 3:05 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | LSX | Crawford, Franklin, Gasconade, Warren | 6 hr |
| May 18, 5:01 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | LSX | Franklin, Gasconade, Warren | 3 hr |
| May 18, 5:06 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | LSX | Jefferson, Saint Louis, City of Saint Louis | 4 hr |
| May 18, 5:12 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | LSX | Saint Charles, Saint Louis, City of Saint Louis | 3 hr |
| May 18, 7:37 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | LSX | Calhoun, Greene, Pike | 25 min |
| May 18, 11:25 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | LSX | Fayette, Marion | 3 hr |
| May 18, 2:00 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | LSX | Madison, Monroe, Saint Clair | 3 hr |
| May 18, 2:11 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | LSX | Clinton, Fayette, Marion | 6 hr |
| May 18, 2:13 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | LSX | Bond, Clinton, Fayette, Washington | 41 min |
| May 18, 2:54 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | LSX | Bond, Clinton, Fayette, Madison, Marion, Saint Clair and 1 more | 6 hr |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in Missouri, 2026Tornado 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.