An organized severe weather outbreak affected southeast Missouri with numerous damaging wind gusts, a few swaths of large hail, and a weak tornado. By the afternoon hours, large amounts of moisture and instability were present, along with plenty of deep-layer wind shear.
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.
An organized severe weather outbreak affected southeast Missouri with numerous damaging wind gusts, a few swaths of large hail, and a weak tornado. By the afternoon hours, large amounts of moisture and instability were present, along with plenty of deep-layer wind shear. As a mid-level disturbance lifted out of the Southern Plains, multiple storm clusters and bowing segments formed across Missouri in a very favorable environment for severe thunderstorms. There was also a supercell thunderstorm in the Ozark foothills during the evening. Dew points were in the lower 70's in many locations in the afternoon, coupled with surface cape values of 3000-4000 j/kg. Boundaries left over from early morning storms also played a role in the placement of afternoon thunderstorm development. Multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms impacted the middle Mississippi Valley on the first day of the Memorial Day holiday weekend. There were two or three bowing lines of thunderstorms that impacted the region with damaging winds. Individual cells and clusters also developed early on in the event, producing both large hail and strong winds. Multiple rounds of storms over the same locations also resulted in locally heavy rainfall. Rainfall totals of 1.5 to 3 inches were observed from Carter County, Missouri east into southern Scott County.
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 27, 12:53 PM CST, 1 hour 42 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Paducah KY 153 PM CDT Sat May 27 2017 .UPDATE... Issued at 152 PM CDT Sat May 27 2017 Rapid adjustments made to reflect current activity across the WFO PAH Forecast area. Greatest concern at the moment will be the convective complex moving from East Central Missouri, then along and remnant outflow/frontal boundaries south of the Interstate 64 corridor...then again along the common borders of Southeast Missouri, Northeast Arkansas, West Kentucky and Tennessee. | UPDATE Issued at 1133 AM CDT Sat May 27 2017 Convection is developing along outflow boundaries and existing warm frontal boundary over Southern Missouri and parts of Southern Illinois and the Pennyrile of West Kentucky. Some local concern that some of these storms along the boundary may go severe severe before the main bowing line (developing derecho?) reaches the WFO PAH CWA later this afternoon and this evening. Waiting to see what SPC might do with the MDT risk area in their midday update. Also added Flash flood Watch for Carter/Ripley counties from 1 pm today through 7 am Sunday.(see hydro section). && .SHORT TERM...(Today through Monday night) Issued at 134 AM CDT Sat May 27 2017 New SWODY1 outlooks moderate risk for much of FA this pm/evening, with all svr wx hazards possible. AM storms to our west are modeled to affect western ptns FA later this morning, and may lay out a boundary and also blow off debris clouds that could stall development after daybreak. However, differential heating should mix the atmos up enough to allow super charge to take place, with high cape environ and steep mid level lapse rates revealed by model soundings. At some point during the pm hours, cap should break and convection become numerous to widespread, with associated moderate risk of svr extending from late pm into/thru the evening hours. Svr chances begin to diminish overnight as large scale instability is lost the farther east storms push away from source boundary/energy. Primary cold front does not make actual passage until Sunday evening, so until then, we'll be continuing pops along/ahead of the boundary, and this includes a continued slight risk of severe again for mainly Sunday afternoon/early evening. .LONG TERM...(Tuesday through Friday) Issued at 134 AM CDT Sat May 27 2017 The extended period continues to be troublesome with models flip flopping the best chances for rain. Still dealing with another frontal boundary passage on Tuesday/Tuesday night. The GFS has been the most consistent with the timing of this feature but not as much on QPF. Still, believe that precip chances need to be included for that time frame given the consistency of this signal and the consistency of the GFS ensemble precip means. At this time our confidence does not warrant anything more than slight chances. The ECMWF was never that excited about Tuesday's rain prospects and still isn't. Instead, the 12Z ECMWF brings a front down into the area on Wednesday through Thursday. That is the exact same time that the GFS brings in a reinforcing sfc high pressure system that dries us out. However, the 00Z ECMWF is back to looking like the GFS with the drier weather on Wednesday with the incoming sfc high. The early part of the extended forecast is going to be hinged on exactly what this large upper level low over the upper Great Lakes region/eastern Canada does and the timing and strength of impulses rotating around it. For now, leaning toward the more consistent GFS for guidance. Given the above discussion, POPs will be low Tuesday through Thursday given uncertainty's in the model signals. There has been a stronger signal for more wet weather as we head into the latter half of the week. However, the upper level pattern is not being consistently resoled by the models very well at all. Yesterdays runs indicated more of a southwesterly flow pattern setting up and now the upper flow stays more west northwesterly through Friday. We will continue to have POPs for late week, but work will need to be done on fine tuning these chances as models grasp a better handle on things. && .AVIATION... Issued at 152 PM CDT Sat May 27 2017 Current 18z Saturday TAF issuance will be a challenge with mutiple boundaries focusing VFR to IFR changing conditions. Base forecast includes thunderstorms in each TAF location. Main concern within the next six ho9urs will be the KEVV, KCGI, and KPAH TAF locations for lowered visibility. && .HYDROLOGY... Issued at 1133 AM CDT Sat May 27 2017 WPC recently upgraded parts of Southern Missouri in a Moderate Risk of excessive rainfall through today and tonight. Given the antecedent rainfall this morning, combined with the expected position of the frontal boundary and outflows today, felt it was prudent to add Carter and Ripley counties to the Flash Flood Watch later this afternoon and tonight. Depending on the propagation of the convection along the boundary and the southern end of the expected wind-damaging MCS, may need to extend the Flash Flood Watch to Wayne and Butler counties as well. Will monitor the progression of the storms this afternoon. Minimum rainfall of 1-1.25 inches is likely...with higher amounts possible. Given the flashy nature of runoff and the terrain, as well as the potential for higher public presence outdoors this weekend, decided to go ahead with a Flash Flood Watch for Carter and Ripley counties from 1 pm today through 7 am Sunday. && .PAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IL...None. MO...Flash Flood Watch through Sunday morning for MOZ107-108. IN...None. KY...None. && UPDATE...Smith AVIATION...Smith HYDROLOGY...Smith
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Paducah KY 255 pm CDT Sat May 27 2017 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-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- 255 pm CDT Sat May 27 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Latest forecast trends indicate that an intense line of severe thunderstorms will move into the northwest part of the outlook area, namely southwest Illinois and Southeast Missouri, this afternoon and again this evening. If a line of storms move through the area, they will likely produce widespread wind gusts in excess of 80 mph. The damaging winds could last up to an hour. Depending on the intensity and duration of these lines of severe storms, most of the thunderstorms could completely move through the outlook area by midnight. In addition to the damaging wind potential, isolated severe storms may develop ahead of these lines of thunderstorms today and tonight. These isolated storms would have the potential for large hail, damaging winds, as well as a tornado. At this time, the greatest risk for widespread severe thunderstorms is later this afternoon and this evening. Heavy rainfall and deadly lightning will also be storm hazards. Flash Flooding may also be a possibility in parts of Southeast Missouri late this afternoon and tonight. A moderate risk remains is in place for most of the outlook area, except parts of Southwest Indiana and a very small part of northwest Kentucky. The remainder of the outlook area remains in an enhanced risk of severe thunderstorms. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday A slight risk of severe thunderstorms is forecast Sunday, especially during the afternoon and early evening. Damaging winds and hail are the primary severe weather hazards, with locally heavy rain and deadly lightning also storm hazards. Thunderstorms are also forecast Tuesday afternoon, and Wednesday through Friday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is expected today and tonight. Smith
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
248 PM CDT SAT MAY 27 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0242 PM HAIL MCLEANSBORO 38.09N 88.53W
05/27/2017 E1.00 INCH HAMILTON IL PUBLIC
&&
SPPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
309 PM CDT SAT MAY 27 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0253 PM HAIL 1 N MCLEANSBORO 38.11N 88.53W
05/27/2017 M1.75 INCH HAMILTON IL TRAINED SPOTTER
&&
SPPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
322 PM CDT SAT MAY 27 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0320 PM HAIL WICKLIFFE 36.97N 89.08W
05/27/2017 M1.00 INCH BALLARD KY TRAINED SPOTTER
&&
SPPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
333 PM CDT SAT MAY 27 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0320 PM TSTM WND DMG MURPHYSBORO 37.77N 89.34W
05/27/2017 JACKSON IL BROADCAST MEDIA
TREE DOWN AT CORNER OF SPRUCE AND 20TH STREET
&&
SPPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
335 PM CDT SAT MAY 27 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0328 PM HAIL CROSSVILLE 38.16N 88.06W
05/27/2017 M0.88 INCH WHITE IL TRAINED SPOTTER
&&
SPThe Paducah radar (KPAH), 80 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:33 UTC.
9 thunderstorm wind, 9 hail, 1 flood, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Power lines were down on County Road 525.
A trained spotter reported nickel to quarter-size hail.
Baseball-size hail was photographed and relayed via social media.
Several trees were blown down around town. Power was out to several homes and businesses, including the county sheriff department.
Multiple trees were uprooted on D Highway a few miles southeast of Greenville. One vehicle was struck by a falling tree, with minor injuries. Multiple trees were down in a campground. In Greenville, trees and power lines were down.
Roof shingles were damaged.
Large tree limbs and branches were blown down in Jackson. In the far eastern part of the county near Trail of Tears State Park, a large tree was blown across the road and large limbs were down.
Power lines were snapped, and trees were down across the county. In Perryville, wind gusts were estimated by law enforcement near 60 mph. In Crosstown, a trained spotter estimated winds gusted to 60 mph.
Roofs were blown off a movie theater and car wash. Several homes in the same area sustained roof damage.
An amateur radio operator measured a wind gust to 90 mph for about 20 seconds. Some shingles were blown off a nearby house. The anemometer height was about 80 feet above ground level.
A wind gust to 66 mph was measured at a CWOP (Citizen Weather Observer Program) station near the Mississippi River southeast of East Prairie.
Street flooding was reported in the Sikeston area.
The hail was slightly larger than golf balls. This same storm continued east, producing large hail near Ellsinore farther along its path.
A swath of large hail extended from west to east across parts of the county. Quarter-size hail was reported on Highway 21 near U.S. Highway 60, between Hunter and Ellsinore. Quarter-size hail occurred on U.S. Highway 60 near Ellsinore.
The tornado began near the intersection of Highway PP and County Road 429 in the Mark Twain National Forest. The tornado was on the ground for four minutes. It lifted before crossing U.S. Highway 67 west of Poplar Bluff. Several trees were uprooted, and numerous limbs were broken. At least two homes received minor damage due to falling trees. At least six homes received shingle damage. Peak winds were estimated near 85 mph. A trained spotter witnessed the funnel in the area. This tornado was from the same supercell storm that produced large hail from the Ellsinore area of Carter County to areas north of Poplar Bluff.
A swath of large hail accompanied a supercell thunderstorm across Butler County. Hailstones ranging from the size of ping-pong balls to golf balls were reported northwest through northeast of Poplar Bluff.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Missouri in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Missouri, 2017Warnings in Missouri, May 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: 692464, 692446, 692447, 692450, 692451, 692466, 692468, 692475, 692470, 692472, 692476, 698972, 698975, 692477, 694275, 692452, 692454, 692459, 692456, 692458.