Funnel Cloud, Pulaski
- When
- April 24, 12:31 PM CST
- Where
- Pulaski County, 1 mi E of Grand Chain
- Reported by
- Trained Spotter
- Coordinates
- 37.270, -89.002
Hail and Damaging Winds in Illinois, April 24, 2010
A well-organized upper level low moved east from the central Plains into the Mid Missouri Valley during the day. Very strong winds aloft accompanied this system.
Where it happened
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
- Tornadoes
- Tropical storms and surge
- Floods
- Wind
- Hail
- Winter weather
- Heat and drought
- Cold
- Fire, smoke and dust
- Marine and coastal
- Other
The toll
- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- $30,000
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 6
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
What happened
The episode as NWS PAH wrote it up.
A well-organized upper level low moved east from the central Plains into the Mid Missouri Valley during the day. Very strong winds aloft accompanied this system. A streak of very strong mid level winds punched northeast from the Arklatex region into the Lower Ohio Valley during the afternoon. A low level jet from 50 to 60 knots over the Lower Mississippi Valley nosed into the Lower Ohio Valley. At the surface, a low pressure center tracked from north central Arkansas to near St. Louis by late afternoon. Though surface dew points climbed into the lower to mid 60's, extensive cloudcover along and ahead of a warm front limited instability. The instability was generally weak, characterized by cape values below 1000 j/kg. A short, bowing line segment was responsible for most of the severe weather reports.
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Paducah, KY wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 24, 11:36 AM CST, 55 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 24, 11:36 AM CST, 55 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY 1236 PM CDT SAT APR 24 2010 .UPDATE... UPDATED AVN DISCUSSION. NO UPDATE TO PUBLIC DISCUSSION. && .DISCUSSION... SWODY1 NOT OUT YET...STILL HAS US IN SLGT RISK THOUGH CHANCE IT'LL GO MDT. WE'LL SEE SOON...NEVERTHELESS...GFS MODELS ONGOING PCPN ROUGHLY AND HAS ENTIRE FA IN CATEGORICAL POP TODAY AS WARM SECTOR SLINGS NWARD AND THEN COLD FRONT APPROACHES. THE FRONTAL DRIVEN PCPN WILL BE THE STRONGER STORMS/THREAT OF SVR AND HAVE ANOTHER HEAVY RAIN THREAT AS WELL. THE THREAT BEGINS BY MID MORNING AND LASTS THRU ABOUT MID/LATE PM. AFTER THAT WE ARE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THE UPPER LOW AND WILL HAVE INSTABILITY SHOWERS MORE OR LESS W/MAYBE A CLAP OF THUNDER FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE WEEKEND/EVEN INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK. BY TUES NIGHT THIS LINGERING LOW FINALLY DRIVES OFF FAR ENOUGH TO THE EAST THAT OUR COLUMN BEGINS TO DRY SOMEWHAT AND WE CAN REPEAL DAILY POPS. INHERITED TEMPS LOOK GOOD WITH NEW MOS IN AND WE'LL COMPARE TO COLLAB PIC FOR FINAL OUTPUT. DID LEAN MORE TOWARD GFS BASED MAV MOS GIVEN THE OVERALL GFS FLAVOR TO THE ENTIRE PACKAGE. && .AVIATION... ALL TAF SITES UNDER MODERATE TO HIGH RISK OF SEVERE STORMS TODAY. CONVECTION WILL CONTINUE ALL TAF SITES THROUGH THE AFTERNOON...AND MAY LINGER INTO EARLY EVENING AT KEVV AND KOWB. MVFR TO IFR CIGS WILL PERSIST THROUGH THE AFTERNOON...WITH MVFR TO IFR VSBYS WITH TSTMS. WINDS WILL BE FROM THE SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST AND GUSTING TO 30 KTS...AND MUCH HIGHER GUSTS LIKELY WITH TSTMS. CIGS WILL IMPROVE TO VFR LATE AFTERNOON/EARLY EVENING FROM SOUTHWEST TO NORTHEAST AS CONVECTION ENDS. && .PAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... KY...NONE. MO...NONE. IL...NONE. IN...NONE. &&
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 24, 10:56 AM CST, 1 hour 35 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY 1156 AM CDT SAT APR 24 2010 ILZ075>078-080>094-INZ081-082-085>088-KYZ001>022-MOZ076-086-087- 100-107>112-114-251700- JEFFERSON-WAYNE IL-EDWARDS-WABASH-PERRY IL-FRANKLIN-HAMILTON- WHITE-JACKSON-WILLIAMSON-SALINE-GALLATIN-UNION IL-JOHNSON-POPE- HARDIN-ALEXANDER-PULASKI-MASSAC-GIBSON-PIKE-POSEY-VANDERBURGH- WARRICK-SPENCER-FULTON-HICKMAN-CARLISLE-BALLARD-MCCRACKEN-GRAVES- LIVINGSTON-MARSHALL-CALLOWAY-CRITTENDEN-LYON-TRIGG-CALDWELL- UNION KY-WEBSTER-HOPKINS-CHRISTIAN-HENDERSON-DAVIESS-MCLEAN- MUHLENBERG-TODD-PERRY MO-BOLLINGER-CAPE GIRARDEAU-WAYNE MO-CARTER- RIPLEY-BUTLER-STODDARD-SCOTT-MISSISSIPPI-NEW MADRID- 1156 AM CDT SAT APR 24 2010 ...TORNADO WATCH 94 IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT FOR AREAS OF THE QUAD STATE SOUTH AND WEST OF A LINE FROM PINCKNEYVILL TO ELDORADO ILLINOIS TO MURRAY KENTUCKY... THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS...SOUTHWEST INDIANA...WESTERN KENTUCKY AND SOUTHEAST MISSOURI. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT THERE IS A HIGH RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS TODAY GENERALLY SOUTH AND EAST OF A LINE FROM CALHOUN TO MORGANFIELD KENTUCKY TO DEXTER MISSOURI. OVER THE REMAINDER OF THE QUAD STATE REGION A MODERATE RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS EXISTS. DAMAGING WIND WILL BE THE PRIMARY THREAT...HOWEVER LONG TRACK TORNADOES WITH LARGE HAIL ARE A GOOD BET...ESPECIALLY IN THE HIGH RISK AREA. THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. PERSONS ACROSS THE QUAD STATE SHOULD MONITOR NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR THEIR FAVORITE MEDIA OUTLET AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE PROTECTIVE ACTION. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY THERE IS A SMALL CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS SUNDAY BUT SEVERE WEATHER IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SP0TTERS SHOULD BE PREPARED TO BE ACTIVATED THIS AFTERNOON. JAP
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Apr 24, 8:13 AM CST, 4 hours 18 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY 913 AM CDT SAT APR 24 2010 KYZ001-002-MOZ110-112-114-241500- HICKMAN KY-STODDARD MO-MISSISSIPPI MO-NEW MADRID MO-FULTON KY- 913 AM CDT SAT APR 24 2010 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN FULTON AND WESTERN HICKMAN COUNTIES IN WESTERN KENTUCKY...AND NEW MADRID...SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI AND SOUTHEASTERN STODDARD COUNTIES IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI UNTIL 1000 AM CDT... AT 904 AM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WITH DIME SIZE HAIL...AND STRONG WINDS AROUND 40 MPH. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR TALLAPOOSA IN NEW MADRID COUNTY... MOVING NORTHEAST AT 35 MPH. LOCATIONS THAT MAY BE IMPACTED INCLUDE CATRON...MARSTON... HOWARDVILLE...LILBOURN...NORTH LILBOURN...NEW MADRID...FARRENBURG... EAST PRAIRIE AND ANNISTON.
Special weather statement, Apr 24, 8:43 AM CST, 3 hours 48 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY 943 AM CDT SAT APR 24 2010 ILZ092-093-KYZ003>005-MOZ111-112-114-241530- PULASKI IL-ALEXANDER IL-BALLARD KY-MCCRACKEN KY-CARLISLE KY-SCOTT MO- MISSISSIPPI MO-NEW MADRID MO- 943 AM CDT SAT APR 24 2010 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHERN ALEXANDER AND SOUTHWESTERN PULASKI COUNTIES IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS...AND NORTHWESTERN CARLISLE...NORTHWESTERN MCCRACKEN AND BALLARD COUNTIES IN WESTERN KENTUCKY...AND NORTHERN NEW MADRID...NORTHERN MISSISSIPPI AND EASTERN SCOTT COUNTIES IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI UNTIL 1030 AM CDT... AT 936 AM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WITH NICKEL SIZE HAIL...AND VERY STRONG WINDS AROUND 50 MPH. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED 5 MILES NORTHWEST OF EAST PRAIRIE...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 60 MPH. LOCATIONS THAT MAY BE IMPACTED INCLUDE DIEHLSTADT...CHARLESTON... WYATT...WILSON CITY...OLIVE BRANCH...HORSESHOE LAKE CONSERVATION AREA...CAIRO...WICKLIFFE...MOUNDS...MOUND CITY...BARLOW...LA CENTER AND KEVIL. FREQUENT LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM AS WELL. THIS STORM WILL PRODUCE VERY HEAVY RAIN...WHICH MAY RESULT IN STANDING WATER ON AREA ROADS. WATER LEVELS IN SMALL CREEKS...STREAMS AND IN DITCHES MAY RISE QUICKLY...ESPECIALLY IN POOR DRAINAGE AREAS.
Special weather statement, Apr 24, 9:43 AM CST, 2 hours 48 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY 1043 AM CDT SAT APR 24 2010 ILZ081>090-241630- JOHNSON IL-UNION IL-POPE IL-WILLIAMSON IL-SALINE IL-GALLATIN IL- JACKSON IL-FRANKLIN IL-HAMILTON IL-WHITE IL- 1043 AM CDT SAT APR 24 2010 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN WHITE...SOUTHERN HAMILTON...SOUTHEASTERN FRANKLIN...SOUTHEASTERN JACKSON... NORTHWESTERN GALLATIN...SALINE...WILLIAMSON...NORTHWESTERN POPE... UNION AND JOHNSON COUNTIES IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNTIL 1130 AM CDT... AT 1041 AM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WITH DIME SIZE HAIL...AND STRONG WINDS AROUND 40 MPH. THESE STORMS WERE LOCATED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 4 MILES WEST OF SIMPSON TO ANNA...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH. LOCATIONS THAT MAY BE IMPACTED INCLUDE COBDEN...GOREVILLE...NEW BURNSIDE...LAKE OF EGYPT AREA...STONEFORT...CREAL SPRINGS...CARRIERS MILLS...CRAINVILLE...HARRISBURG...MARION...ENERGY...MUDDY... SPILLERTOWN...PITTSBURG...WHITEASH...JOHNSTON CITY...RALEIGH... ELDORADO...GALATIA...WEST FRANKFORT...THOMPSONVILLE...NORRIS CITY... HANAFORD AND BROUGHTON. THIS STORM WILL PRODUCE VERY HEAVY RAIN AS WELL...WHICH MAY RESULT IN STANDING WATER ON AREA ROADS. WATER LEVELS IN SMALL CREEKS...STREAMS AND IN DITCHES MAY RISE QUICKLY...ESPECIALLY IN POOR DRAINAGE AREAS.
The radar
The Paducah radar (KPAH), 30 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:29 UTC.
Event by event
3 thunderstorm wind, 1 funnel cloud, 1 hail, 1 heavy rain. Local standard time, as filed.
Thunderstorm Wind, Pulaski
- When
- April 24, 12:41 PM CST
- Where
- Pulaski County, Karnak
- Measured
- 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- Trained Spotter
- Coordinates
- 37.280, -88.970
A trained spotter estimated winds gusted to 60 mph. A few small tree limbs were blown down.
Hail, Pulaski
- When
- April 24, 12:42 PM CST
- Where
- Pulaski County, Karnak
- Measured
- 1 in hail
- Reported by
- Trained Spotter
- Coordinates
- 37.280, -88.970
Thunderstorm Wind, Johnson
- When
- April 24, 12:45 PM CST
- Where
- Johnson County, Vienna to 2 mi S of Vienna
- Measured
- 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $20,000
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 37.420, -88.900
Numerous trees and power lines were blown down from Vienna south for a couple of miles.
Heavy Rain, Saline
- When
- April 24, 1:00 PM CST to 3:05 PM CST
- Where
- Saline County, 0.5 mi S of Eldorado to 2 mi WSW of Cottagegrove
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 37.813, -88.430
Standing water was over State Route 142 at a couple of locations just south of Eldorado. There was a major vehicle accident at one of the locations. Several roadways in eastern Saline County were under water.
Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson
- When
- April 24, 5:45 PM CST to 5:50 PM CST
- Where
- Jefferson County, Mt Vernon to 2 mi E of Mt Vernon
- Measured
- 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $10,000
- Reported by
- Public
- Coordinates
- 38.320, -88.900
Several trees were down on a golf course just east of Mount Vernon. Large tree limbs were down in the city of Mount Vernon. Power outages were reported around the area.
What these are
- Funnel Cloud
- A rotating column of cloud extending from a thunderstorm that did not reach the ground.
- Thunderstorm Wind
- Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
- Hail
- Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
- Heavy Rain
- Rainfall totals unusual for the place and season that did not produce a flood.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
The same day elsewhere
- Tornadoes in Mississippi, April 24, 2010
- Tornadoes in Alabama, April 24, 2010
- Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Alabama, April 24, 2010
- Tornado in Louisiana, April 24, 2010
- Tornadoes and Flash Flood in Mississippi, April 24, 2010
- Tornadoes and Damaging Winds in Tennessee, April 24 to 25, 2010
- Tornado and Flash Flooding in Tennessee, April 24, 2010
- Tornado and Hail in Georgia, April 24 to 25, 2010
- Tornadoes and Hail in Tennessee, April 24, 2010
- Tornadoes and Flood in Kentucky, April 24, 2010
- Damaging Winds in Missouri, April 24, 2010
- Tornado and Damaging Winds in Kentucky, April 24, 2010
More
Every storm in Illinois in 2010Every state in 2010This day in weather historyWarnings in Illinois, April 2010
Sources
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 218800, 218798, 218799, 218796, 221349, 218797.