Tornadoes and Hail in Missouri, April 27, 2011

Name: Tornadoes and Hail in Missouri, April 27, 2011
Start: 2011-04-27T11:45
End: 2011-04-27T15:18
Location: Missouri

April 27, 2011 · NWS PAH · 12 events in 7 counties and zones

A 994 mb surface low pressure center over north central Arkansas moved northeast along a quasi-stationary front into extreme southern Illinois. Lines and clusters of thunderstorms with embedded rotational signatures developed coincident with the surface low.

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

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $815,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 12

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.

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 27, 5:45 AM CST, 6 hours earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 27, 5:45 AM CST, 6 hours before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
645 AM CDT WED APR 27 2011

.UPDATE...
UPDATED AVIATION SECTION FOR 12Z TAFS

&&

.DISCUSSION...
BIGGEST FORECAST CHALLENGE NOW SHIFTS TO MORE HEAVY RAIN/SEVERE
THUNDERSTORM POTENTIAL TODAY/THIS AFTERNOON...THEN TO THE UPCOMING
WEEKEND..AND THE POTENTIAL FOR YET AGAIN ANOTHER HEAVY RAIN EVENT
AND POSSIBLE STRONG STORMS.

NUMEROUS SHOWERS WITH EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS ARE ONGOING OVER MUCH
OF WESTERN KENTUCKY AND UP INTO THE WABASH RIVER VALLEY AND SRN
IN. SEVERE THREAT HAS ENDED FOR NOW...BUT MODERATE TO OCCASIONALLY
HEAVY RAINS LINGERING BEHIND THE LINE OF SEVERE STORMS ARE ONLY
WORSENING ANY ONGOING FLOODING IN THOSE LOCATIONS.

MAY SEE A TEMPORARY BREAK IN ORGANIZED HEAVY RAINS AND STORMS FOR
AWHILE THIS MORNING...BEFORE ANOTHER ROUND OF THUNDERSTORMS WITH
HEAVY RAINS AND POSSIBLY LARGE HAIL/DAMAGING WINDS/TORNADOES GETS
GOING ALONG AN ADVANCING COLD FRONT THIS AFTERNOON. THERE ARE
SEVERAL UNCERTAINTIES WITH EVOLUTION OF THIS SYSTEM...AND ITS
ULTIMATE SEVERE STORM POTENTIAL. FIRSTLY...LEFTOVER CLOUDS/STABLE
BOUNDARY LAYER MAY DELAY THE TIME IT TAKES THE ATMOSPHERE TO
RECOVER AHEAD OF THE FRONT TODAY. THERE IS ALSO SOME UNCERTAINTY
AS TO THE TRACK OF THE SURFACE LOW...AND HENCE HOW MUCH OF OUR
AREA TRULY GETS INTO THE WARM SECTOR EARLY THIS AFTERNOON.

00Z NCEP 4KM WRF IS THE FURTHEST WEST...AND DEVELOPS A LINE OF
STRONG/SEVERE STORMS BACK ALONG THE MS RIVER IN THE AFTERNOON. THE
00Z NAM TAKES THE SFC LOW MUCH FURTHER EAST INTO CNTRL TN THIS
AFTERNOON...WHICH WOULD KEEP SVR THREAT MAINLY SOUTH/EAST OF THE
FORECAST AREA. THE 00Z ECMWF AND GFS ARE SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN.
03Z SREF HAS HANDLED THE OVERNIGHT SYSTEM WELL AND SEEMS LIKE A
GOOD COMPROMISE IN BRINGING THE SFC FRONT INTO SW IN AND THE
PENNYRILE OF WRN KY BY 21Z /4 PM CDT/. THEREFORE...IT LOOKS AS THO
THE CHC OF GETTING ANY SEVERE CONVECTION AHEAD OF THE FRONT WILL
BE LIMITED MAINLY TO AREAS ALONG AND SOUTH OF THE OHIO
RIVER...WITH A BIT HIGHER CHC IN THE SRN PENNYRILE DOWN NEAR HOP.

WILL LIKLEY BE A MAJOR TORNADO OUTBREAK SOUTH OF OUR AREA INTO
TN/MS/AL THIS AFTERNOON AND INTO THE NIGHT.

WRN KY ALSO STANDS THE BEST CHANCE OF GETTING IN ON MORE HEAVY
RAINFALL TODAY...THO STILL COULD BE POCKETS/SWATH OF HEAVY
RAINFALL N/W OF THE SFC LOW TRACK. THUS...WILL KEEP THE FLASH
FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH THE AFTERNOON...AND PROBABLY WILL
NEED TO EXTEND THE AREAL FLOOD WARNINGS THROUGH THE DAY AND
PROBABLY BEYOND...DUE TO RESIDUAL FLOODING ISSUES TONIGHT INTO
THU.

H50 FLOW BRIEFLY BECOMES NWLY THU/FRI...AND SHOULD ALLOW THINGS TO
DRY OUT A BIT. WEAK MID LVL SHORT WAVE WILL DIVE SE THU AND MAY
PRODUCE SOME VERY LIGHT PRECIP OVER MUCH OF THE AREA...BUT AMOUNTS
WOULD BE LESS THAN A TENTH OF AN INCH. FRIDAY/SAT SHOULD BE NICER
DAYS WITH WARM AFTERNOONS.

HOWEVER...DEEP/BROAD SWLY FLOW REDEVELOPS LATE IN THE
WEEKEND...AND ANOTHER FRONT WILL SLIP SOUTH AND POSSIBLY STALL
AGAIN SOMEWHERE CLOSE TO THE OHIO RIVER VALLEY SUNDAY. THIS MAY SPELL
MORE IN THE WAY OF HEAVY RAIN/THUNDERSTORM CHANCES...ESP SAT NIGHT
THROUGH SUN NIGHT OVER SOME PORTIONS OF THE REGION. WILL NEED TO
MONITOR FOR SURE...BUT CONFIDENCE IS NOT VERY HIGH AS TO EXACTLY
WHERE THIS FRONT WILL STALL OUT.

&&

.AVIATION...
AREAS OF MVFR CIGS WILL GRADUALLY INCREASE THIS MORNING AS ISOLD
SHOWERS AND STORMS ARRIVE DURING THE MIDDAY HOURS. AS A LOW PRESSURE
CENTER MOVES NORTHEAST INTO THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY THIS
AFTERNOON...SHOWERS AND STORMS WILL BECOME WIDESPREAD. PREVAILING
CONDITIONS WILL BE MVFR...BUT CIGS AND VSBYS WILL BE HIGHLY VARIABLE
IN THE SHOWERS AND STORMS. WINDS SHOULD BECOME MOSTLY SOUTH AND
SOUTHEAST AHEAD OF THE LOW. AS THE LOW PASSES BY DURING THE EARLY
EVENING...WINDS WILL BECOME NORTHWEST AND PRECIP WILL END. CLEARING
IS LIKELY BY THE END OF THE TAF PERIOD.

&&

.PAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
KY...FLASH FLOOD WATCH THROUGH THIS EVENING FOR BALLARD-CALDWELL-
     CALLOWAY-CARLISLE-CHRISTIAN-CRITTENDEN-DAVIESS-FULTON-
     GRAVES-HENDERSON-HICKMAN-HOPKINS-LIVINGSTON-LYON-MARSHALL-
     MCCRACKEN-MCLEAN-MUHLENBERG-TODD-TRIGG-UNION KY-WEBSTER.

MO...FLASH FLOOD WATCH THROUGH THIS EVENING FOR BOLLINGER-BUTLER-CAPE
     GIRARDEAU-CARTER-MISSISSIPPI-NEW MADRID-PERRY MO-RIPLEY-
     SCOTT-STODDARD-WAYNE MO.

IL...FLASH FLOOD WATCH THROUGH THIS EVENING FOR ALEXANDER-EDWARDS-
     FRANKLIN-GALLATIN-HAMILTON-HARDIN-JACKSON-JEFFERSON-JOHNSON-
     MASSAC-PERRY IL-POPE-PULASKI-SALINE-UNION IL-WABASH-WAYNE
     IL-WHITE-WILLIAMSON.

IN...FLASH FLOOD WATCH THROUGH THIS EVENING FOR GIBSON-PIKE-POSEY-
     SPENCER-VANDERBURGH-WARRICK.

&&

DISCUSSION...MEFFERT
AVIATION...MY

Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 27, 4:27 AM CST, 7 hours 18 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
527 AM CDT WED APR 27 2011

ILZ075>078-080>094-INZ081-082-085>088-KYZ001>022-MOZ076-086-087-
100-107>112-114-281000-
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-
527 AM CDT WED APR 27 2011

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN
ILLINOIS...SOUTHWEST INDIANA...WESTERN KENTUCKY AND SOUTHEAST
MISSOURI.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

THE POTENTIAL FOR MAJOR TO CATASTROPHIC FLASH FLOODING AND RIVER
FLOODING WILL CONTINUE. A FLASH FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES THROUGH
THIS AFTERNOON. THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. PLEASE
REFER TO THE ANY ONGOING FLOOD WARNINGS AND STATEMENTS FOR MORE
DETAILS.

ALSO...PLEASE REFER TO THE FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS AND STATEMENTS
FOR BUTLER COUNTY MISSOURI REGARDING THE RISK OF A LEVEE FAILURE
OR BREACH NEAR POPLAR BLUFF.

THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS TODAY...MAINLY
ALONG AND SOUTH OF THE OHIO RIVER. LARGE HAIL...DAMAGING WIND
GUSTS AND ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE ALL POSSIBLE WITH THE STRONGER
STORMS.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY

THE POTENTIAL FOR MAJOR TO CATASTROPHIC RIVER FLOODING FLOODING
WILL CONTINUE THROUGH MUCH OF THE PERIOD.

IN ADDITION...THERE IS SOME POTENTIAL FOR ANOTHER ROUND OF HEAVY
RAINS AND STRONG THUNDERSTORMS LATER IN THE WEEKEND...ESPECAILLY
SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE REQUIRED TODAY...ESPECAILLY IN WESTERN
KENTUCKY AND FAR SOUTHEAST MISSOURI. SPOTTER ACTIVATION CANNOT BE
RULED OUT IN THE SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT PERIOD AREA
WIDE. ALSO...PLEASE RELAY ANY FLOODING OR HEAVY RAINFALL REPORTS
TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Apr 27, 6:30 AM CST, 5 hours 15 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
730 AM CDT WED APR 27 2011

KYZ007>012-271900-
LIVINGSTON-MARSHALL-CALLOWAY-CRITTENDEN-LYON-TRIGG-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...SMITHLAND...BENTON...MURRAY...MARION...
EDDYVILLE...CADIZ
730 AM CDT WED APR 27 2011

...WEST KENTUCKY LAKE LEVELS WILL BE CHANGING THROUGH THE NEXT
WEEK...

DUE TO FLOOD CONTROL FOR THE OHIO RIVER...THE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF
ENGINEERS WILL BE ADJUSTING THEIR RELEASE SCHEDULE FOR BARKLEY AND
KENTUCKY LAKES IN WEST KENTUCKY.

AFTER TWO DAYS OF STEADY RELEASES...BOTH DAMS WILL BEGIN CUTTING
BACK THROUGH FRIDAY. THE GOAL IS TO REACH ZERO OUTFLOW TO HELP
FLOOD CONTROL ON THE OHIO RIVER AS THE CREST APPROACHES. POOL
LEVELS AT BARKLEY AND KENTUCKY WILL BEGIN TO RISE STEADILY.

THE DAMS WILL BEGIN RELEASING AGAIN ON MONDAY. THERE WILL BE
A LITTLE LAG AND POOL LEVELS WILL CREST ABOVE SUMMER POOL...AT 367
TO 368 FEET NEXT WEDNESDAY...MAY 4. POOL LEVELS WILL BEGIN TO
DROP AND TAILWATER LEVELS WILL BE RISING STEADILY BY THE MIDDLE
PART OF NEXT WEEK.

PEOPLE ALONG KENTUCKY AND BARKLEY LAKES...AND DOWNSTREAM OF THE
DAMS ALONG THE TENNESSEE AND CUMBERLAND RIVERS...SHOULD PREPARE
FOR HIGH WATER DURING THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS. THE CORPS OF
ENGINEERS IS MONITORING THE SITUATION DOWNSTREAM OF THE DAMS AND
WILL NOTIFY LOCAL OFFICIALS SHOULD EVACUATIONS BECOME NECESSARY.
STATEMENT TEXT

LAMM

...CORRECTED LAKE CRESTS AND ADDED CRITTENDEN COUNTY...

Local storm report, Apr 27, 6:48 AM CST, 4 hours 57 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
748 AM CDT WED APR 27 2011

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0744 AM     HEAVY RAIN       CENTRAL CITY            37.30N 87.13W
04/27/2011  E0.00 INCH       MUHLENBERG         KY   TRAINED SPOTTER

            THE 5 DAY TOTAL AT CENTRAL CITY KENTUCKY 9.80 INCHES.

0744 AM     HEAVY RAIN       MARBLE HILL             37.30N 89.98W
04/27/2011  E0.00 INCH       BOLLINGER          MO   CO-OP OBSERVER

            THE 5 DAY TOTAL AT MARBLE HILL MISSOURI IS 12.97 INCHES.

&&

DLL

Local storm report, Apr 27, 7:10 AM CST, 4 hours 35 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
810 AM CDT WED APR 27 2011

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0808 AM     HEAVY RAIN       CAPE GIRARDEAU          37.31N 89.55W
04/27/2011  E0.00 INCH       CAPE GIRARDEAU     MO   TRAINED SPOTTER

            THE 5 DAY TOTLA ON THE NORTHEAST SIDE OF CAPE GIRARDEAU
            MISSOURI IS 15.71 INCHES.

&&

DLL

Local storm report, Apr 27, 9:05 AM CST, 2 hours 40 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
1005 AM CDT WED APR 27 2011

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

&&

DLL

The radar

The Memphis radar (KNQA), 161 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 17:46 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

6 hail, 4 thunderstorm wind, 2 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Ripley

When: April 27, 11:45 AM CST
Where: Ripley County, 0.69 mi S of Fairdealing
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.660, -90.620

Hail, Butler

When: April 27, 11:53 AM CST to 12:00 PM CST
Where: Butler County, 0.89 mi NW of Poplar Bluff to Hillard
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $750,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.760, -90.410

Golf-ball size hail fell just north of Poplar Bluff. Quarter size hail fell on the northwest side of Poplar Bluff on Highway 67. At a car dealership, the hail broke 20 skylights in the shop building and damaged approximately 300 vehicles. The damage to the vehicles was generally minor, consisting of dents but no broken windshields. The hail covered the ground.

Hail, Wayne

When: April 27, 12:10 PM CST
Where: Wayne County, 0.07 mi N of Wappapello
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 36.931, -90.280

The hail occurred at Wappapello Dam. This was the same storm that produced large hail in the Poplar Bluff area.

Hail, Bollinger

When: April 27, 12:30 PM CST
Where: Bollinger County, 0.69 mi S of Zalma
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.140, -90.080

Hail, Cape Girardeau

When: April 27, 12:50 PM CST to 12:58 PM CST
Where: Cape Girardeau County, 1.1 mi E of Jackson to Fruitland
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.380, -89.650

Thunderstorm Wind, Carter

When: April 27, 1:30 PM CST
Where: Carter County, Ellsinore
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.930, -90.750

A trained spotter estimated a wind gust from 60 to 65 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Butler

When: April 27, 1:55 PM CST
Where: Butler County, 4.29 mi SSW of Hendrickson
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.840, -90.500

Trees were blown down.

Hail, Butler

When: April 27, 2:14 PM CST
Where: Butler County, 4 mi SE of Harviell
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 36.629, -90.419

Tornado, Butler

When: April 27, 2:15 PM CST to 2:19 PM CST
Where: Butler County, 3.66 mi SE of Harviell to 8.2 mi NE of Neelyville
Rating: EF0
Path length: 2.2 mi
Path width: 40 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.632, -90.424

A tornado was witnessed by sheriff deputies as it crossed Highway 142. The tornado strongly rotated in open farm fields. The deputies reported the tornado was on the ground for several minutes before they lost sight of it due to rain. Shortly before the touchdown, a sheriff deputy reported a funnel cloud crossing U.S. Highway 67. There was no damage, other than two uprooted trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cape Girardeau

When: April 27, 3:10 PM CST to 3:18 PM CST
Where: Cape Girardeau County, 0.76 mi NE of Fruitland to 1.2 mi NE of Leemon
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $60,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 37.457, -89.639

At a subdivision off Highway 177 northeast of Fruitland, a half dozen trees were uprooted from a flowing creek bed. One tree fell across a home, causing structural damage. Shingles were ripped off the west side of a roof. A privacy fence was blown down, with pieces of fence blown 50 yards into a small building. A covered boat slip was destroyed. The path width was about 50 yards. In Fruitland, numerous branches were blown down. A set of columns on a front porch was taken down by falling tree limbs. A couple of trees were uprooted.

Tornado, Scott

When: April 27, 3:10 PM CST to 3:11 PM CST
Where: Scott County, 2 mi W of Chaffee to 1.8 mi W of Chaffee
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.2 mi
Path width: 40 yd
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.180, -89.706

A trained spotter witnessed a brief tornado touchdown. No significant damage was noted. Peak winds were estimated near 65 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cape Girardeau

When: April 27, 3:18 PM CST
Where: Cape Girardeau County, (Cgi)cape Girardeau
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.230, -89.570

A trained spotter estimated a wind gust to 60 mph.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
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.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Missouri in 2011 Every state in 2011 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Missouri, 2011 Warnings in Missouri, April 2011

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: 290862, 290860, 290864, 290865, 290867, 290868, 290869, 295965, 290872, 290881, 309206, 290888.