Ahead of a weak cold front that extended from Michigan southwest across the St. Louis metro area, loosely organized clusters of thunderstorms moved south across southern Illinois.
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.
Ahead of a weak cold front that extended from Michigan southwest across the St. Louis metro area, loosely organized clusters of thunderstorms moved south across southern Illinois. A few storms produced localized tree damage, especially on the north side of Marion. Winds aloft were very weak due to a ridge of high pressure aloft, limiting severe activity to pulse-type damaging wind events. The slow movement of the storms contributed to isolated flooding problems on roads.
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 Jul 13, 5:31 PM CST, 39 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Paducah KY 631 PM CDT Thu Jul 13 2017 .UPDATE... Issued at 627 PM CDT Thu Jul 13 2017 For aviation section only. && .SHORT TERM...(Tonight through Saturday night) Issued at 433 PM CDT Thu Jul 13 2017 Most of the morning shower and thunderstorm activity was forming within southwest to northeast axes of higher theta-e air, combined with subtle low to middle level shortwaves, aiding in overturning of parcels. Given the low to mid level shear (<20 knots), efficient transport of parcels for updraft/downdraft interactions has been marginal, leading to outflow dominated storms. Anticipate the pre-frontal convective activity over the northern 1/3 of MO and across central IL will continue to persist into the evening hours, moving once again into the WFO PAH forecast area. Diurnal convection, associated with differential heating from earlier outflows from earlier storms, will continue to develop this afternoon, especially in areas where the thermal cap is the weakest (mainly over Southern Illinois). In the absence of the approaching cold front and transient shortwaves traveling along the slowly descending baroclinic zones, it will be hard to maintain any convection across the southern 1/3 of the WFO PAH forecast area this afternoon and early this evening. SPC's transition back to a Marginal Risk area (similar to their original Day 3 outlook) may have been a prudent move. Convection allowing models, as well as intermediate and medium range model guidance, have had trouble resolving the effectiveness of the thermal ridging aloft. This may be also due to variations in model parametrization of precipitation schemes. For now, have utilized blended guidance with an emphasis toward the RAP and NAM-WRF model family guidance. While it is not the most elegant solution for rain chances tonight into Friday, the goal was to highlight the transition from north to south the movement of rain chances through the WFO PAH forecast area overnight into Friday. Until ridging builds in behind the baroclinic zone Friday into Saturday, still need to leave a small chance of precipitation in the area, mainly over southeast Missouri. For the rest of the sensible weather elements (temperature, dewpoint, wind, etc...) started with a regional model initialization, then leaned the gridded forecast output closer the the NAM-WRF model suite. .LONG TERM...(Sunday through Thursday) Issued at 433 PM CDT Thu Jul 13 2017 The medium range models were in reasonable agreement in their mid level flow pattern solutions in the extended forecast period, though there were still smaller scale differences such as pcpn patterns and the strength of the expanding ridge. We will start out with a western ridge/eastern trof pattern initially. Shortwave energy in the initially amplified pattern is progged to swing through the Midwest, including the Great Lakes, during the weekend and Monday. As this occurs, a weak, "backdoor" type surface front is more or less progged to enter the PAH forecast area from the northeast and eventually dissipate. We will continue to have a warm, rather moist and unstable airmass in place, and this boundary may act as enough of a trigger for a few showers or tstms to develop north of I-64 on Sunday night, and across parts of the Evansville Tri-State region Monday. Further out in time, the aforementioned western ridge is progged to expand eastward, with greater influence on the PAH forecast area. Due to primarily the GFS pcpn fields, the initialization blend contained "bullseyes" of PoPs, which seemed unlikely compared to the CMC/ECMWF solutions and all that warm air aloft. In that spirit, we collaborated with surrounding offices and WPC to go somewhat above guidance with lows and highs next week. Heat indices of 100-105 should be common on Wed/Thu (Day 6/7) as deep moisture increases. && .AVIATION... Issued at 627 PM CDT Thu Jul 13 2017 A rather convectively complicated forecast for the WFO PAH 00z TAF issuance. Current outflow dominated thunderstorms have necessitated the use of vicinity thunderstorm mention in some cases. Where the forecast signal was the strongest for the Thursday afternoon and evening convective activity, MVFR visibilities due to rain and low VFR ceilings were utilized. As we head toward sunrise, MVFR ceilings/visibilities were used with the approach of the cold front through each of the TAF locations. Timing was a little more difficult to assess for the onset and duration of the lower ceilings, owing to the variability on the movement of the cold front at different TAF locations. Thinking conditions may become low VFR as we get toward noon. && .PAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IL...None. MO...None. IN...None. KY...None. && UPDATE...GM SHORT TERM...Smith LONG TERM...DB AVIATION...GM
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Paducah KY 448 PM CDT Thu Jul 13 2017 ILZ075>078-080>094-INZ081-082-085>088-KYZ001>022-MOZ076-086-087- 100-107>112-114-141000- 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- 448 PM CDT Thu Jul 13 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri. .DAY ONE...Tonight There is a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening generally north of a line from Marble Hill Missouri, Paducah and Greenville, Kentucky. Locally heavy rain, frequent lightning, as well as isolated strong wind gusts and small hail will be the primary hazards in stronger thunderstorms. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday There is a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms Friday afternoon and evening across much of the area. Damaging wind gust and locally heavy rainfall will be the main hazards. For Sunday night and Monday, widely scattered thunderstorms are possible north of I-64 and in the Evansville Tri-State region. At this time, these storms are not expected to be severe. Heat index values will reach the 100 to 105 range during the afternoon hours Tuesday through Thursday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Skywarn spotter activation may still be needed this evening. Smith
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
128 PM CDT THU JUL 13 2017
INZ088-131900-
Spencer IN-
128 PM CDT THU JUL 13 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHEASTERN SPENCER COUNTY UNTIL
200 PM CDT...
At 126 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Santa Claus, or 18 miles northeast of Rockport, moving east at 20
mph.
Half inch hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Santa Claus and Dale.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3803 8696 3817 8699 3820 8691 3821 8679
3818 8679 3818 8680 3814 8680 3812 8679
3812 8681 3811 8679 3810 8679 3810 8677
3808 8678 3806 8677
TIME...MOT...LOC 1826Z 250DEG 19KT 3812 8689
DBSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
153 PM CDT THU JUL 13 2017
MOZ109-131930-
Butler MO-
153 PM CDT THU JUL 13 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR CENTRAL BUTLER COUNTY UNTIL 230
PM CDT...
At 152 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Poplar Bluff, moving southeast at 15 mph.
Half inch hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Poplar Bluff, Qulin and Harviell.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3670 9056 3682 9040 3667 9015 3650 9036
3650 9038
TIME...MOT...LOC 1852Z 317DEG 12KT 3671 9042
DBSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
446 PM CDT THU JUL 13 2017
ILZ080-132215-
Perry IL-
446 PM CDT THU JUL 13 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR PERRY COUNTY UNTIL 515 PM CDT...
At 446 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Pinckneyville, moving east at 20 mph.
Penny size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Du Quoin, Pinckneyville, Tamaroa and St. Johns.
LAT...LON 3813 8915 3812 8913 3810 8914 3810 8912
3805 8912 3803 8914 3800 8914 3795 8917
3800 8949 3817 8948 3820 8915
TIME...MOT...LOC 2146Z 268DEG 20KT 3810 8937Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
708 PM CDT THU JUL 13 2017
ILZ077-140045-
Edwards IL-
708 PM CDT THU JUL 13 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EDWARDS COUNTY UNTIL 745 PM
CDT...
At 708 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
West Salem, or near Albion, moving southeast at 20 mph.
Half inch hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Albion, Grayville, West Salem, Bone Gap and Browns.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3852 8797 3842 8796 3840 8798 3839 8797
3839 8798 3837 8798 3835 8796 3829 8795
3828 8798 3826 8799 3826 8812 3851 8814
TIME...MOT...LOC 0008Z 325DEG 17KT 3846 8809The Evansville,IN radar (KVWX), 31 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:09 UTC.
3 thunderstorm wind, 1 flash flood, 1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Numerous tree limbs up to three inches in diameter were blown down.
Trees were blown down on Highway 141.
Water was reported over Highway 14 west of Carmi, as well as U.S. Highway 45 north of Enfield.
Near the Herrin city hall, Highway 148 was flooded at the intersection with a city street. Local authorities reported this is an intersection that typically floods during heavy rain.
Widespread tree damage was reported across the north side of the city of Marion. Multiple large trees were blown down. A few corn fields north of town were flattened.
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, July 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: 706404, 706594, 706592, 706595, 706420.