Short lines of thunderstorms developed ahead of a cold front that extended from the Chicago area southwest across the eastern Ozark Mountains of south central Missouri. Filtered sunshine allowed some warming and destabilization to occur ahead of developing thunderstorms over southeast Missouri.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS PAH wrote it up.
Short lines of thunderstorms developed ahead of a cold front that extended from the Chicago area southwest across the eastern Ozark Mountains of south central Missouri. Filtered sunshine allowed some warming and destabilization to occur ahead of developing thunderstorms over southeast Missouri. Organized storm structures evolved in an environment of moderate instability and rather strong deep-layer wind shear. Locally damaging winds accompanied small bowing lines of storms, especially north and west of the Marion/Carbondale area. A succession of thunderstorm complexes contributed to minor flooding along the Ohio River by the end of the month.
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 26, 12:25 PM CST, 50 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Paducah KY 125 PM CDT Wed Apr 26 2017 .UPDATE... Issued at 124 PM CDT Wed Apr 26 2017 Updated aviation discussion for 18Z TAFs. && .SHORT TERM...(Today through Thursday night) Issued at 330 AM CDT Wed Apr 26 2017 Main near term forecast concern continues to be the potential for thunderstorms through tonight and accompanying severe weather potential late this afternoon into this evening. Forecast confidence remains relatively high through Thursday night with generally good overall model agreement. Shortwave energy digging into the base of an upper level trough over the southern Plains this morning will take on a negative tilt as it pivots northeast across the Middle Mississippi Valley tonight. The approach and passage of this shortwave and its associated cold frontal boundary will provide the focus for shower and thunderstorm development later this afternoon and this evening. Model forecast soundings continue to indicate the presence of a strong mid level capping inversion through much of the daytime hours today. As a result, it will take the strong forcing of the incoming cold front to result in the development of surface-based convection by mid to late afternoon. Any activity that occurs prior would likely be tied to the elevated mixing layer and should not pose a severe threat. All ingredients for severe storm potential appear to be available later this afternoon into this evening except for perhaps one key factor--instability. The presence of low level moisture in forecast soundings suggests that much of the enhanced and slight risk areas locally should see a good deal of cloud cover throughout the day. Consequently, even once storms enter southeast Missouri by mid to late afternoon, they may only have a modest amount of instability to work with. Strong dynamics may initially overcome this shortcoming. However, as the storms move east and instability decreases during the evening, they should begin to weaken fairly quickly. Should more sunshine break through the cloud cover, then instability would likely be appreciably higher, in addition to severe potential. At this time, the greatest risk for severe weather still appears to be in southeast Missouri, where linear bowing segments and possibly a few embedded supercell structures should be the favored storm mode. Damaging winds remain the primary concern, while large hail and a brief tornado cannot be ruled out, especially early on. Storms should begin to weaken as they progress across southern Illinois and far western Kentucky during the early evening hours. A line of storms will likely progress into southwest Indiana and east of the Land Between the Lakes in Kentucky by late evening, but activity by then should largely be sub-severe. Any lingering showers should taper off late tonight and early Thursday morning as the storm system departs to the east. Much of Thursday should be dry, albeit cooler in the wake of the front. After highs in the upper 60s (west) to lower 80s (east) today, highs on Thursday should remain in the 60s. The next chance of showers should hold off until late Thursday night at the earliest as the front begins to return north as a warm front ahead of low pressure over the Plains. .LONG TERM...(Friday through Tuesday) Issued at 330 AM CDT Wed Apr 26 2017 Confidence remains fairly high that an unsettled weather pattern that will be with us Friday night and again Saturday night/Sunday. Less confidence in the exact timing and location of where the heaviest rainfall will occur. An upper level ridge of high pressure will build over the southeast U.S. into this weekend, while an upper level trough digs into the southern Rockies. This trough will eject east into the Southern Plains on Sunday before lifting northeast into the Great Lakes on Monday. The Quad State will be within deep southwesterly flow Friday through Sunday. Right now Friday night and Saturday night/Sunday look to have the highest heavy rainfall and severe storm risks. A warm front will develop northward by Friday evening from the southern OH/TN valleys southeast into northern TX or southern OK. The best chance for more widespread thunderstorm initiation will occur during the evening into the overnight hours along and north of the warm front as strengthening, broad low-level jet enhances convergence and lift along and north of this boundary. Strong vertical shear profiles and steep mid lvl lapse rates will support organized storms including supercells with large hail and damaging wind the main threats, though a few tornadoes may also occur with surface-based storms developing closer to the warm front. It looks like the warm front will lift to the north of the region Saturday as the upper level high pressure system off the Southeast Coast tries to build back to the west toward the region. This could bring a general break in the shower/thunderstorm activity, especially over western KY/far srn IL/sw IN. Depending how far north the warm front gets Sat, will decide whether more of the area ends up dry during the day. However, shower/storm chances will ramp back up Saturday night into Sunday as the main upper trough and associated cold front approach from the west. Model guidance has been consistent in placing the heaviest QPF over southeast Missouri into southwest Illinois Saturday night, but central and eastern portions of the forecast area should get into the act Sunday. Overall rainfall amounts Friday through Sunday in the 3 to 5 inch range will be possible from southeast MO into IL, with locally higher amounts not out of the question. Somewhat lighter amounts are expected as one heads farther east into wrn KY/sw IN. Given the very strong dynamical forcing expected with the main upper trof, severe storms will also be a possibility later Sat night into Sun. Much of the severe threat will depend on how much instability can form ahead of the sfc front. The cold front and associated precipitation should be lifting out of the area by late Sunday night into Monday morning. Dry conditions are expected Monday and Tuesday, along somewhat cooler conditions initially on Monday. Should be back in the 70s to near 80 by Tue/Wed time frames. && .AVIATION... Issued at 124 PM CDT Wed Apr 26 2017 Low level moisture continues to spread low VFR cigs northeast thru the area, with some MVFR cigs even noted in portions of southeast MO. A line of storms over southeast MO will continue lifting off to the northeast while gradually moving east. Strong to severe storms will remain possible through the afternoon and evening hrs, especially over southeast MO and southwest IL. Storms will also bring strong gusty winds in addition to reduced ceilings and visibilities to MVFR or perhaps IFR levels. South winds will average 10 to 15 knots with occasional gusts to 25 knots ahead of the front. Behind the front, winds will shift to the west/southwest as ceilings look to remain in the MVFR to low end VFR range through the overnight and much of the morning hrs. && .PAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IL...None. MO...None. IN...None. KY...None. && UPDATE...SP SHORT TERM...RJP LONG TERM...GM AVIATION...SP
Hazardous Weather Outlook...CORRECTED National Weather Service Paducah KY 438 AM CDT Wed Apr 26 2017 ILZ075>078-080>094-INZ081-082-085>088-KYZ001>022-MOZ076-086-087- 100-107>112-114-271000- Jefferson-Wayne IL-Edwards-Wabash-Perry IL-Franklin-Hamilton- White-Jackson-Williamson-Saline-Gallatin-Union-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- 438 AM CDT Wed Apr 26 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight The development of isolated thunderstorms cannot be ruled out over southeast Missouri and southwest Illinois through early this afternoon. Severe weather is not expected with this activity. Strong to potentially severe thunderstorms are expected to form along and ahead of a cold front over southeast Missouri by mid to late afternoon. Initially, storms will be capable of producing large hail, damaging winds, and an isolated tornado. A line of thunderstorms should progress into southern Illinois and far western Kentucky by early evening. Damaging winds will be the primary concern. The severe threat will diminish quickly as the storms move east towards the Wabash River and the Land Between the Lakes by late evening. Lightning and locally heavy rain will also accompany thunderstorm activity. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday Multiple rounds of thunderstorms are expected Friday through Sunday. Heavy rainfall is expected over portions of the region. Please refer to the Hydrologic Outlook for details. In addition, strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible through the period. At this time, the best chance of severe storms appears to be with a warm frontal passage Friday night, in addition to the cold frontal passage Sunday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will likely be needed by mid to late afternoon in southeast Missouri, and throughout southern Illinois and the Purchase Area of western Kentucky by early evening. Spotters are also encouraged to monitor the latest forecasts for possible activation over the upcoming weekend. RJP/GM
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
1213 PM CDT WED APR 26 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1206 PM HAIL VAN BUREN 37.01N 91.01W
04/26/2017 M0.75 INCH CARTER MO FIRE DEPT/RESCUE
DIME SIZED HAIL
&&
SPPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
117 PM CDT WED APR 26 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1249 PM HAIL 5 W ELLSINORE 36.93N 90.84W
04/26/2017 E0.25 INCH CARTER MO TRAINED SPOTTER
&&
RSTPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
118 PM CDT WED APR 26 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0110 PM HAIL GREENVILLE 37.13N 90.45W
04/26/2017 E0.25 INCH WAYNE MO LAW ENFORCEMENT
&&
RSTPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
120 PM CDT WED APR 26 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0100 PM TSTM WND GST POPLAR BLUFF 36.76N 90.41W
04/26/2017 M42 MPH BUTLER MO TRAINED SPOTTER
SMALL TREE LIMBS DOWN.
&&
RSTSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
141 PM CDT WED APR 26 2017
ILZ075-080-084-088-MOZ076-086-087-110-111-261930-
Perry IL-Jackson IL-Union IL-Jefferson IL-Stoddard MO-Bollinger MO-
Cape Girardeau MO-Scott MO-Perry MO-
141 PM CDT WED APR 26 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR PERRY...WESTERN UNION...
SOUTHWESTERN JEFFERSON...JACKSON...BOLLINGER...WESTERN SCOTT...
PERRY...CAPE GIRARDEAU AND NORTHERN STODDARD COUNTIES UNTIL 230 PM
CDT...
At 140 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 6 miles east of Evansville to 9 miles north of
Puxico. Movement was northeast at 45 mph.
Outside of active thunderstorm warnings, Nickel size hail and wind
gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with some of these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Jackson, Chester, Perryville,
Murphysboro, Du Quoin, Pinckneyville, Scott City, Anna, Chaffee,
Bloomfield, Jonesboro, Marble Hill, Advance, Oran, Benton, De Soto,
Cobden and Elkville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect until 700 PM CDT for
southern and south central Illinois...and southeastern Missouri.
LAT...LON 3829 8913 3757 8915 3733 8935 3731 8951
3720 8946 3691 8970 3679 9020 3692 9025
3704 9011 3708 9011 3709 9022 3731 9022
3732 9014 3764 9015 3787 8994 3791 8984
3780 8967 3796 8959 3820 8959 3821 8915
TIME...MOT...LOC 1840Z 225DEG 114KT 3807 8981 3708 9011PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
152 PM CDT WED APR 26 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0151 PM TSTM WND GST 4 S ST. MARY 37.82N 89.95W
04/26/2017 E65 MPH PERRY MO TRAINED SPOTTER
&&
RSTThe St Louis radar (KLSX), 126 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:14 UTC.
5 thunderstorm wind, 2 flood, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Numerous trees and large limbs were blown down near Highway 154. Winds were estimated near 70 mph.
A tree was down across the road.
An overturned semi and trailer was reported along Highway 154.
Severe thunderstorm winds up to 70 mph spread rapidly northeast across the Mt. Vernon area. A trained spotter measured a wind gust to 70 mph about three miles south-southwest of Mt. Vernon. The public estimated a wind gust to 60 mph in Mt. Vernon.
Severe thunderstorm winds to 70 mph affected much of eastern and northeastern Jefferson County. A trained spotter about five miles east of Mt. Vernon estimated winds gusted to at least 70 mph. Small hail was reported with the storm as well. About five miles north of Bluford near the Wayne County line, a trained spotter measured a wind gust to 58 mph, which downed small tree limbs. Large tree limbs were blown down in Bluford, including one limb which fell through the roof of a house.
The Ohio River rose above flood stage. Through the end of April, the flooding was mostly minor. The river continued rising beyond the end of the month.
The Ohio River rose above flood stage. Through the end of April, the flooding was mostly minor. The river continued rising beyond the end of the month.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Illinois in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in Illinois, April 2017
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: 685918, 685927, 685919, 685920, 685921, 685924, 690722, 690723.