Alert archive / Illinois / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 9, NWS St. Louis, MO
NWS St. Louis, MO issued this tornado warning at Mar 15, 2026, 5:19 PM CDT for Monroe County, Saint Clair County, Illinois. It was in force for 47 min. 4 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, 5:19 PM CDT (22:19 UTC)
- Expired
- Mar 15, 2026, 6:06 PM CDT
- In force
- 47 min
- Issued by
- NWS St. Louis, MO
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.0 in
Counties Monroe County, IL, Saint Clair County, IL
The radar
The St Louis radar (KLSX), 69 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:24 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, 5:47 PM CDT | TORNADO | New Athens, IL | A weak EF-1 tornado with peak winds of 90mph touched down just west of New Athens, IL and caused damage to a few structures and trees before lifting just east of town one minute later. |
| Mar 15, 5:48 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 1 Ne New Athens, IL | News footage shows power poles and large tree limbs snapped. Time estimated from radar. |
| Mar 15, 5:48 PM CDT | TORNADO | 1 Ne New Athens, IL | Corrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from 1 NE New Athens. News footage shows power poles and large tree limbs snapped. Time estimated from radar. |
| Mar 15, 5:51 PM CDT | TSTM WND GST 60 | New Athens, IL |
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, 10.3 hours before the alert went out and 235 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.
744
WFUS53 KLSX 152219
TORLSX
ILC133-163-152315-
/O.NEW.KLSX.TO.W.0009.260315T2219Z-260315T2315Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service St Louis MO
519 PM CDT Sun Mar 15 2026
The National Weather Service in St Louis has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Central Monroe County in southwestern Illinois...
Southern Saint Clair County in southwestern Illinois...
* Until 615 PM CDT.
* At 519 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Waterloo, moving east at 35 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...
Waterloo, Columbia, New Design, Barr, Millstadt, Floraville,
Paderborn, Hecker, Smithton, Belleville, Freeburg, New Athens,
Lenzburg, Fayetteville, Scott AFB, Mascoutah, St. Libory and New
Baden.
This includes Interstate 64 in Illinois near exit 27.
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 3823 9025 3846 9022 3856 8971 3828 8970
TIME...MOT...LOC 2219Z 259DEG 30KT 3832 9020
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
$$
Kimble4 follow-up statements
765
WWUS53 KLSX 152237
SVSLSX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service St Louis MO
537 PM CDT Sun Mar 15 2026
ILC133-163-152315-
/O.CON.KLSX.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-260315T2315Z/
Monroe IL-Saint Clair IL-
537 PM CDT Sun Mar 15 2026
...TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 615 PM CDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL MONROE AND SOUTHEASTERN SAINT CLAIR COUNTIES IN SOUTHWESTERN
ILLINOIS...
At 537 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Freeburg, moving east at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Floraville, Paderborn, Hecker, Smithton, Belleville, Freeburg, New
Athens, Lenzburg, Scott AFB, Fayetteville, Mascoutah, St. Libory
and New Baden.
This includes Interstate 64 in Illinois near exit 27.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built building
away from windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a
vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself
from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 3825 9007 3849 9006 3856 8971 3840 8970
3828 8970
TIME...MOT...LOC 2219Z 265DEG 31KT 3840 9015
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
$$
Kimble961
WWUS53 KLSX 152248
SVSLSX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service St Louis MO
548 PM CDT Sun Mar 15 2026
ILC133-163-152315-
/O.CON.KLSX.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-260315T2315Z/
Monroe IL-Saint Clair IL-
548 PM CDT Sun Mar 15 2026
...TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 615 PM CDT FOR EASTERN
MONROE AND SOUTHEASTERN SAINT CLAIR COUNTIES IN SOUTHWESTERN
ILLINOIS...
At 548 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over New Athens, or 8 miles southeast of Freeburg, 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...
Hecker, New Athens, Lenzburg, Fayetteville and St. Libory.
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 3826 9000 3838 8998 3847 8970 3828 8970
TIME...MOT...LOC 2237Z 251DEG 38KT 3829 9000
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
$$
Kimble954
WWUS53 KLSX 152301
SVSLSX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service St Louis MO
601 PM CDT Sun Mar 15 2026
ILC133-152311-
/O.CAN.KLSX.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-260315T2315Z/
Monroe IL-
601 PM CDT Sun Mar 15 2026
...TORNADO WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR EASTERN MONROE COUNTY IN
SOUTHWESTERN ILLINOIS...
The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled. However, gusty winds are
still possible with this thunderstorm.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT for a portion of
southwest Illinois.
&&
LAT...LON 3827 8988 3842 8985 3847 8970 3828 8970
TIME...MOT...LOC 2248Z 251DEG 38KT 3833 8986
$$
ILC163-152315-
/O.CON.KLSX.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-260315T2315Z/
Saint Clair IL-
601 PM CDT Sun Mar 15 2026
...TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 615 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN SAINT CLAIR COUNTY...
At 601 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 8 miles south of New Memphis, or 11 miles south of New
Baden, 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...
New Athens, Lenzburg, Fayetteville and St. Libory.
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.
Tornadoes are difficult to observe at night. Take cover now!
&&
LAT...LON 3827 8988 3842 8985 3847 8970 3828 8970
TIME...MOT...LOC 2248Z 251DEG 38KT 3833 8986
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
$$
Kimble777 WWUS53 KLSX 152306 SVSLSX Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service St Louis MO 606 PM CDT Sun Mar 15 2026 ILC163-152316- /O.CAN.KLSX.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-260315T2315Z/ Saint Clair IL- 606 PM CDT Sun Mar 15 2026 ...TORNADO WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR SOUTHEASTERN SAINT CLAIR COUNTY... The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled. However, gusty winds are still possible with this thunderstorm. A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT for a portion of southwest Illinois. && LAT...LON 3827 8988 3842 8985 3847 8970 3828 8970 TIME...MOT...LOC 2301Z 252DEG 38KT 3837 8970 $$ Kimble
The 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, 5:28 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, 5:34 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | LSX | Monroe, Randolph, Saint Clair | 34 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.