Funnel Cloud, Perry
- When
- May 30, 1:38 PM CST
- Where
- Perry County, 3 mi SW of Du Quoin
- Reported by
- Trained Spotter
- Coordinates
- 37.989, -89.269
Damaging Wind and Heavy Rain in Illinois, May 30, 2013
Clusters of thunderstorms moved north across southern Illinois. The storms occurred in a southwesterly flow of moist and moderately unstable air.
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
- $50,000
- 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.
Clusters of thunderstorms moved north across southern Illinois. The storms occurred in a southwesterly flow of moist and moderately unstable air. The storms were enhanced by a 500 mb shortwave extending from the Ozarks to the Lower Mississippi Valley. A few of the storms produced strong winds and funnel clouds.
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 May 30, 12:15 PM CST, 1 hour 23 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, May 30, 12:15 PM CST, 1 hour 23 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
115 PM CDT THU MAY 30 2013
.UPDATE...
ISSUED AT 1259 PM CDT THU MAY 30 2013
THE TORNADO WATCH OVER A HANDFUL OF OUR NORTHWEST COUNTIES IS A
STRETCH...BUT GIVEN THE AIRMASS WE DECIDED TO INCLUDE A FEW
COUNTIES AHEAD OF THE CLUSTERS CURRENTLY OVER SOUTHEAST MISSOURI.
THE RELATIVELY STRONG LOW-LEVEL SHEAR HAS RESULTED IN IT BEING A
TORNADO WATCH...BUT WE ARE MOST CONCERNED IN OUR AREA FOR A FEW
LINE SEGMENTS TRYING TO BOW OUT TO THE NORTH OR NORTH NORTHEAST.
THERE WILL BE PLENTY OF CONVECTION UPSTREAM OVER ARKANSAS AND
MISSOURI THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING...AND MAY SEE SOME REMNANTS
MOVE INTO THE AREA LATER TONIGHT. TIMING AND INTENSITY OF
CONVECTION OVER OUR REGION TONIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT WILL BE
HEAVILY RELIANT ON THE CONVECTIVE-SCALE EVOLUTION...SO CONFIDENCE
WILL BE QUITE LOW...AND SIGNIFICANT CHANGES ARE LIKELY IN THE FUTURE.
THE AVIATION SECTION HAS BEEN UPDATED FOR THE 18Z TAF ISSUANCE.
&&
.SHORT TERM...(TODAY THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT)
ISSUED AT 140 AM CDT THU MAY 30 2013
HIGH PRESSURE TO OUR EAST...LOW PRESSURE TO OUR WEST...AND AN OPEN
WET S-SWLY FLOW IN BETWEEN MEANS WIND/RAIN CHANCES FOR OUR NEAR
TERM FORECAST.
MODELS SHOW SLIGHTLY TIGHTER GRADIENT TODAY VS YESTERDAY...WHICH
SHOULD BE ENOUGH TO PUSH US INTO LAKE WIND ADVISORY TERRITORY.
BOTH NAM/GFS PAINT QPF IN MOISTENING PROFILE THIS MORNING...WITH
DIURNAL DESTABILIZATION BRINGING CONVECTIVE CHANCES TO BEAR. BEST
FOCUS REMAINS WITH FRONTAL BOUNDARY TO OUR WEST...SO MORE PULSE TYPE
CHANCES FOR US THRU TONIGHT.
AN MCS DEVELOPS LATE TONIGHT AND ITS CONVECTION MOVES TOWARD OUR
NORTHWEST DOORSTEP FRIDAY. SWODY2 PAINTS SLGT RISK FOR MOST OF PAH
FA FRI-FRI NIGHT. POPS INCREASE STEADILY. NEGATIVELY TILTED UPPER
TROF FINALLY PINWHEELS THIS ENERGY/CONVECTION ACROSS THE AREA INTO
SATURDAY AS POPS INCREASE TO LIKELY OR BETTER AND SWODY3 CONTINUES
TO PAINT SLGT RISK SVR.
.LONG TERM...(SUNDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY)
ISSUED AT 140 AM CDT THU MAY 30 2013
EVENTUAL SYSTEM PASSAGE COMES TO FRUITION EITHER LATE SATURDAY
NIGHT OR SUNDAY...WITH DRIER AIR AND COOLER TEMPS BACKING OFF TO
THE 70S AND 50S WORKING IN BEHIND THE DEPARTED SYSTEM. THAT LASTS
A FEW DAYS BEFORE AIRMASS MODIFICATION BEGINS AGAIN WITH A MID
WEEK WARMUP BACK TO 80S/60S. POPS MAKE A RETURN TO THE FORECAST
WITH THE MID WEEK WARMUP.
&&
.AVIATION...
ISSUED AT 1259 PM CDT THU MAY 30 2013
LOW CONFIDENCE IN THE 18Z TAFS. SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS CURRENTLY
NEAR KCGI WILL FORCE INCLUSION OF A VCTS THERE THROUGH MUCH OF THE
AFTERNOON. WILL ADDRESS THE OTHER SITES AS RADAR DICTATES THIS
AFTERNOON. CERTAINLY CANNOT RULE OUT TS AT ANY SITE THIS
AFTERNOON.
THE 12Z MODELS SEEM TO AGREE ON MORE CONVECTION MOVING
EASTWARD ACROSS THE AREA FROM LATE THIS EVENING INTO THE OVERNIGHT
HOURS. INCLUDED TS IN A TEMPO AT KCGI AND KPAH AND JUST A PROB30
FARTHER EAST OVERNIGHT. ALL SITES WILL HAVE SOME POTENTIAL FOR
MVFR CEILINGS BY MID-MORNING FRIDAY.
GUSTY SOUTH WINDS WILL CONTINUE AT ALL SITES INTO THE
EVENING...IF NOT THROUGH THE NIGHT. THEY WILL DIMINISH SOME AFTER
SUNSET...AND PICK UP AGAIN FRIDAY MORNING.
&&
.PAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IL...LAKE WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 8 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR ILZ075>078-
080>094.
MO...LAKE WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 8 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR MOZ076-086-
087-100-107>112-114.
IN...LAKE WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 8 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR INZ081-082-
085>088.
KY...LAKE WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 8 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR KYZ001>022.
&&
UPDATE...DRS
AVIATION...DRSHazardous weather outlook, May 30, 11:22 AM CST, 2 hours 16 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY 1222 PM CDT THU MAY 30 2013 ILZ075>078-080>094-INZ081-082-085>088-KYZ001>022-MOZ076-086-087- 100-107>112-114-311730- 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- 1222 PM CDT THU MAY 30 2013 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 SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WEST OF A LINE FROM CAPE GIRARDEAU MISSOURI TO NEAR MOUNT VERNON ILLINOIS. DAMAGING WINDS ARE THE MAIN HAZARDS WITH LARGE HAIL AND ISOLATED TORNADOES POSSIBLE. THIS THREAT OF SEVERE WEATHER WILL LAST UNTIL SHORTLY AFTER SUNSET. A LAKE WIND ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM. REFER TO THE ADVISORY FOR DETAILS. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY THUNDERSTORM CHANCES EXIST FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY. THE BEST CHANCE OF STORMS...INCLUDING STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS...IS SATURDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT. THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK THAT SEVERE STORMS MAY OCCUR ANY TIME FRIDAY THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT OR SUNDAY. THE MAIN THREAT WOULD BE DAMAGING WINDS AND HAIL. LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL IS POSSIBLE OVER SOUTHEAST MISSOURI AND SOUTHERN ILLINOIS BOTH FRIDAY AND SATURDAY. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS ANTICIPATED OVER SOUTHEAST MISSOURI AND POSSIBLY SOUTHWEST ILLINOIS THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. SPOTTERS ACROSS THE AREA SHOULD BE ALERT FOR ACTIVATION FRIDAY THROUGH SATURDAY.
In the hours before
Special weather statement, May 30, 11:56 AM CST, 1 hour 42 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY 1256 PM CDT THU MAY 30 2013 ILZ084-MOZ076-086-087-301830- BOLLINGER MO-CAPE GIRARDEAU MO-JACKSON IL-PERRY MO- 1256 PM CDT THU MAY 30 2013 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EXTREME WESTERN JACKSON COUNTY IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS...AND PERRY...NORTHWESTERN CAPE GIRARDEAU AND NORTHERN BOLLINGER COUNTIES IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI UNTIL 130 PM CDT... AT 1252 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR ALLIANCE...OR 14 MILES NORTHWEST OF BOLLINGER MILL STATE HISTORIC SITE...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH. WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM. LOCATIONS THAT MAY BE IMPACTED INCLUDE... PERRYVILLE...DAISY...OAK RIDGE...SILVER LAKE...OLD APPLETON... LONGTOWN AND LITHIUM. THIS STORM MAY INTENSIFY....AND A TORNADO WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR THIS AREA. BE CERTAIN TO MONITOR LOCAL RADIO AND TV STATIONS...AS WELL AS LOCAL CABLE TV OUTLETS....FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE. PS
The radar
The Paducah radar (KPAH), 111 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:37 UTC.
Event by event
3 funnel cloud, 2 heavy rain, 1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Funnel Cloud, Perry
- When
- May 30, 2:11 PM CST
- Where
- Perry County, 5 mi E of Sunfield
- Reported by
- Trained Spotter
- Coordinates
- 38.070, -89.138
A rotating funnel cloud was seen by a trained spotter extending at least halfway to the ground.
Funnel Cloud, Jefferson
- When
- May 30, 2:26 PM CST
- Where
- Jefferson County, 3.5 mi SW of Scheller
- Reported by
- Emergency Manager
- Coordinates
- 38.144, -89.146
Heavy Rain, Massac
- When
- May 30, 6:50 PM CST to 9:00 PM CST
- Where
- Massac County, Metropolis
- Reported by
- Trained Spotter
- Coordinates
- 37.150, -88.730
Street flooding was reported.
Thunderstorm Wind, Massac
- When
- May 30, 6:58 PM CST to 7:01 PM CST
- Where
- Massac County, Metropolis to 1.27 mi NE of Metropolis Muni Arpt
- Measured
- 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $50,000
- Reported by
- Trained Spotter
- Coordinates
- 37.150, -88.730
A severe storm crossed the Ohio River from Paducah, Kentucky. Numerous large tree limbs were blown down in Metropolis, from near Fort Massac State Park to a few miles north of Metropolis. The top of a pine tree fell onto a car. A few trees were uprooted. The damage path appeared to be several miles wide. One residence had shingles blown off the house.
Heavy Rain, Perry
- When
- May 30, 8:00 PM CST to 8:30 PM CST
- Where
- Perry County, Du Quoin
- Reported by
- Emergency Manager
- Coordinates
- 38.020, -89.230
Flooding of streets and roads was reported in the city.
What these are
- Funnel Cloud
- A rotating column of cloud extending from a thunderstorm that did not reach the ground.
- Heavy Rain
- Rainfall totals unusual for the place and season that did not produce a flood.
- 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.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
The same day elsewhere
- Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Arkansas, May 30 to 31, 2013
- Tornado and Flash Flooding in Missouri, May 30 to 31, 2013
- Tornadoes and Hail in Oklahoma, May 30, 2013
- Hail and Damaging Winds in Illinois, May 30, 2013
- Rip Current in Florida, May 30, 2013
- Rip Current in Florida, May 30, 2013
- Tornado and Flash Flooding in Arkansas, May 30 to 31, 2013
- Tornadoes and Hail in Iowa, May 30, 2013
- Flash Flooding and Flood in Illinois, May 30 to 31, 2013
- Hail and Damaging Winds in Wisconsin, May 30, 2013
- Tornadoes and Flood in Oklahoma, May 30, 2013
- Hail and Damaging Winds in Kentucky, May 30, 2013
More
Every storm in Illinois in 2013Every state in 2013This day in weather historyWarnings in Illinois, May 2013
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: 449052, 449049, 449050, 450026, 449048, 450033.