Tornado and Hail in Illinois, April 30, 2019

Name: Tornado and Hail in Illinois, April 30, 2019
Start: 2019-04-30T13:15
End: 2019-04-30T14:54
Location: Illinois

April 30, 2019 · NWS LSX · 5 events in 3 counties and zones

As a warm front lifted northward through the region, widespread showers and thunderstorms developed. Some of the storms produced severe weather including large hail and a couple of tornadoes.

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: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 5

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 LSX wrote it up.

As a warm front lifted northward through the region, widespread showers and thunderstorms developed. Some of the storms produced severe weather including large hail and a couple of tornadoes. The activity persisted into the early morning hours of May 1st, but no reports of severe weather occurred with this event on May 1st.

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 St. Louis, MO wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 30, 12:21 PM CST, 54 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 30, 12:21 PM CST, 54 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion...Updated Aviation
National Weather Service Saint Louis MO
121 PM CDT Tue Apr 30 2019

.SHORT TERM...  (Through Late Tonight)
Issued at 332 AM CDT Tue Apr 30 2019

A deep upper TROF existed over the western CONUS early this morning
resulting in southwest flow aloft over our region.  A surface cold
front existed across far southern MO into the lower Ohio Valley.
Temperatures were in the 50s for most locations north of the front
and in the 60s for areas near and to the south of the front.
Showers and thunderstorms have been shunted to the northern portions
of Missouri but are showing signs of losing their northward impetus.
New development of showers was occurring in portions of south-
central Missouri during the past hour. A larger MCS was over
southeast Kansas and northern Oklahoma in association with a lead
impulse ahead of the main storm still over the southern Rockies.

The area of showers and thunderstorms across the north is not
expected to move much this morning as the region of showers and
thunderstorms over south-central MO develops and pushes
northeastward.  This smaller area of storms is expected to push
through the STL metro area during mid-morning and then into central
IL by midday.

The lead impulse over the central Plains will track northeastward
into our region this afternoon and this is also expected to induce
the surface front northward as a warm front.  How far north this
front gets will be debatable but areas to the south will warm well,
pushing the lower 80s in many locations with dewpoints surging well
into the 60s.  Current indications are this front will push just
north of the STL metro area.  Areas to the north of the front will
hang on to solid cloud cover and high rain chances through the day,
limiting severely any warmup.

The lead impulse will not only track the MCS to our west pushing
into our area by midday, it will also ignite new convection on the
southeast flank of the MCS that should also be surface based.
Plenty of CAPE is expected to be available on the order of 3000-4000
J/kg and with moderate shear profiles, this will support severe
storm potential for hail and damaging winds.  It appears the greater
tornado threat has shifted more westward but the surface boundary
could represent a region for this tornado threat to be maximized
in our area.

As has been advertised for several days now, very high precipitable
water values will exist, especially late this afternoon and into
tonight, with many areas exceeding 1.5" which is well above 90th
percentile values.  Plenty of convection is expected to be in play
by this time over our region and this continues to support the Flash
Flood Watches already issued.  Have expanded them to the remainder
of the forecast area in southwest IL with higher QPF now forecast
there.

TES

.LONG TERM...  (Wednesday through Monday)
Issued at 332 AM CDT Tue Apr 30 2019

The active wet weather pattern will continue through Thursday with
weak shortwaves moving northeastward through the region in
southwesterly upper level flow.  A weakening cold front across our
forecast area along with any outflow boundaries from overnight
convection will be the focus for new convective development in the
moist atmosphere which will become unstable Wednesday afternoon,
particularly across east central and southeast MO and southwest IL.
There will be a continued threat for severe storms, particularly
across central and southeast MO, plus the Flash Flood Watch will
continue through Wednesday night as the additional rainfall will
exacerbate any flooding and lead to continued rising river levels. A
negatively tilted shortwave will move northeastward through the
northern Plains and send another cold front southeastward into our
forecast area by late Wednesday night.  The threat for rain will
continue on Thursday as this front moves slowly southward through
our area, but it appears that the atmosphere will not become as
unstable as Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons with little if any
severe threat. A surface ridge behind the cold front moving through
the northern Plains and Great Lakes region will keep the chance of
rain likely confined to southeast MO and southwest IL by Thursday
night. A gradual cooling trend will also begin on Thursday and
Thursday night.  A southern stream shortwave moving eastward through
the southern Plains and Gulf Coast states will lead to at least
light showers Friday through Saturday, especially across southeast
MO and southwest IL.  It appears that there may be a dry period
Saturday night into Sunday, but an upper level trough moving
eastward through the northern Plains and the Great Lakes region will
send another cold front southeastward into our forecast area Sunday
afternoon and night with convection along this front.  The
operational GFS model stalls this front across southern portions of
MO and IL. Precipitation chances ramp up on Monday as a southern
stream shortwave over the southern Plains leads to good moisture
transport into this nearly stationary front.  The ECMWF model does
not have a southern stream shortwave and dissipates the surface
front, and hence has a much drier solution for Sunday night and
Monday compared to the GFS. With these significant model differences
will just include slight chance to chance pops for this time period.

GKS

&&

.AVIATION...  (For the 18z TAFs through 18z Wednesday Afternoon)
Issued at 1219 PM CDT Tue Apr 30 2019

SPECIFICS FOR KCOU, KUIN: Additional SHRA/TSRA are expected to
develop and affect the terminals, leading to a prolonged period of
unsettled weather. Conditions will temporarily deteriorate to
MVFR or lower during periods of SHRA/TSRA followed by a decrease
in the prevailing ceiling height after 01/00-03z once a broader
area of clouds moves over KCOU and KUIN. Initially easterly winds
will become southerly after a low pressure system lifts through
the region.

SPECIFICS FOR KSTL, KSUS, KCPS: Scattered SHRA/TSRA may affect
the St. Louis area terminals for the next few hours followed by
additional periods of SHRA/TSRA during the remainder of the TAF
period. A gust front was noted on radar and the wind shift
associated with it has been timed out as arriving at the terminals
between 19-20z. Initially easterly to southeasterly winds will
become southerly to southwesterly after a low pressure system
lifts through the region.

Kanofsky

&&

.LSX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MO...Flash Flood Watch through Thursday morning for Audrain MO-Boone
     MO-Callaway MO-Cole MO-Crawford MO-Franklin MO-Gasconade MO-
     Jefferson MO-Lincoln MO-Moniteau MO-Montgomery MO-Osage MO-
     Saint Charles MO-Saint Louis City MO-Saint Louis MO-Warren
     MO-Washington MO.

     Flash Flood Watch from 7 PM CDT this evening through Thursday
     morning for Iron MO-Madison MO-Reynolds MO-Saint Francois
     MO-Sainte Genevieve MO.

     Flash Flood Watch through Thursday morning for Knox MO-Lewis MO-
     Marion MO-Monroe MO-Pike MO-Ralls MO-Shelby MO.

IL...Flash Flood Watch through Thursday morning for Bond IL-Calhoun
     IL-Greene IL-Jersey IL-Macoupin IL-Madison IL-Monroe IL-
     Montgomery IL-Saint Clair IL.

     Flash Flood Watch from 7 PM CDT this evening through Thursday
     morning for Clinton IL-Fayette IL-Marion IL-Randolph IL-
     Washington IL.

     Flash Flood Watch through Thursday morning for Adams IL-Brown IL-
     Pike IL.

&&

WFO LSX

Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 30, 2:53 AM CST, 10 hours 22 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Saint Louis MO
353 AM CDT Tue Apr 30 2019

ILZ058>060-064-065-069-070-074-079-095>102-MOZ018-019-026-027-
034>036-041-042-047>052-059>065-072>075-084-085-099-010900-
Adams IL-Audrain MO-Bond IL-Boone MO-Brown IL-Calhoun IL-Callaway MO-
Clinton IL-Cole MO-Crawford MO-Fayette IL-Franklin MO-Gasconade MO-
Greene IL-Iron MO-Jefferson MO-Jersey IL-Knox MO-Lewis MO-Lincoln MO-
Macoupin IL-Madison IL-Madison MO-Marion IL-Marion MO-Moniteau MO-
Monroe IL-Monroe MO-Montgomery IL-Montgomery MO-Osage MO-Pike IL-
Pike MO-Ralls MO-Randolph IL-Reynolds MO-Saint Charles MO-
Saint Clair IL-Saint Francois MO-Saint Louis City MO-Saint Louis MO-
Sainte Genevieve MO-Shelby MO-Warren MO-Washington IL-Washington MO-
353 AM CDT Tue Apr 30 2019

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of eastern and
central Missouri as well as west central and southwest Illinois.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Thunderstorms are likely today and tonight. Some of the storms could
be severe, especially this afternoon and this evening. The primary
severe weather threats will be damaging winds, large hail, and
isolated tornadoes.

The numerous rounds of storms will also result in the potential for
flooding. A flash flood watch is in effect for parts of our area
today and the entire area tonight. See the watch product for specific
details.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

The chance of thunderstorms will continue through Saturday across
parts of the area. Some of the storms could be severe Wednesday and
Wednesday evening across the entire area, and again Thursday and
Thursday evening across southeast Missouri and southwest Illinois.
The primary severe weather threats will be damaging winds and large
hail.

The numerous rounds of storms will also result in the potential for
flooding through Wednesday night. A flash flood watch continues in
effect through Wednesday night. See the watch product for specific
details.

In addition to the flash flood threat, the prolonged and potentially
heavy rainfall is forecast to impact the mainstem rivers. A number
of river forecast points on the Mississippi River above Alton are
forecast to return to moderate or major flooding.

There will also be a chance of thunderstorms for parts of the area
Sunday through Monday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed this afternoon and this evening. Spotters
are encouraged to report any severe weather, if observed, to the
National Weather Service.

GKS

In the hours before

Local storm report, Apr 30, 9:55 AM CST, 3 hours 20 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ST LOUIS MO
1055 AM CDT TUE APR 30 2019

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

1053 AM     HAIL             MONROE CITY             39.66N 91.73W
04/30/2019  E0.25 INCH       MONROE             MO   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

JPG

Local storm report, Apr 30, 10:37 AM CST, 2 hours 38 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ST LOUIS MO
1137 AM CDT TUE APR 30 2019

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

1136 AM     HAIL             PAYSON                  39.82N 91.24W
04/30/2019  E0.25 INCH       ADAMS              IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

JPG

Special weather statement, Apr 30, 11:49 AM CST, 1 hour 26 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service St Louis MO
1249 PM CDT Tue Apr 30 2019

MOZ063>065-301830-
St. Louis MO-Jefferson MO-St. Louis City MO-
1249 PM CDT Tue Apr 30 2019

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN JEFFERSON AND
SOUTHWESTERN ST. LOUIS COUNTIES AND SOUTHWESTERN ST. LOUIS CITY UNTIL
130 PM CDT...

At 1248 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Cedar Hill Lakes, moving northeast at 30 mph.

Nickel size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
St. Louis, Chesterfield, Wildwood, University City, Ballwin,
Kirkwood, Maryland Heights, Webster Groves, Arnold, Manchester, Creve
Coeur, Clayton, Crestwood, Town and Country, Eureka, Ellisville,
Richmond Heights, Ladue, Sunset Hills and Des Peres.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 44 in Missouri between exits 264 and 277.
 Interstate 55 in Missouri near exit 191.

This also includes Route 66 State Park and Castlewood State Park.

LAT...LON 3830 9076 3842 9074 3873 9048 3858 9022
      3853 9025 3822 9063
TIME...MOT...LOC 1748Z 218DEG 24KT 3834 9066

Carney

Local storm report, Apr 30, 12:26 PM CST, 49 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ST LOUIS MO
126 PM CDT TUE APR 30 2019

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

0125 PM     HAIL             WEBSTER GROVES          38.59N 90.35W
04/30/2019  E0.25 INCH       ST. LOUIS          MO   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

JPG

Local storm report, Apr 30, 12:29 PM CST, 46 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ST LOUIS MO
129 PM CDT TUE APR 30 2019

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

0125 PM     HAIL             MAPLEWOOD               38.61N 90.32W
04/30/2019  E0.25 INCH       ST. LOUIS          MO   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

TILLY

Special weather statement, Apr 30, 1:04 PM CST, 11 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service St Louis MO
204 PM CDT Tue Apr 30 2019

ILZ100-101-MOZ063-064-301945-
St. Clair IL-Madison IL-St. Louis MO-St. Louis City MO-
204 PM CDT Tue Apr 30 2019

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHERN MADISON...NORTHERN ST.
CLAIR COUNTIES IN SOUTHWESTERN ILLINOIS AND NORTHEASTERN ST. LOUIS
COUNTIES IN EAST CENTRAL MISSOURI AND NORTHEASTERN ST. LOUIS CITY
UNTIL 245 PM CDT...

At 204 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Madison, moving east at 20 mph.

Nickel size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
St. Louis, Granite City, O'Fallon, East St. Louis, Collinsville,
Edwardsville, Fairview Heights, Jennings, Glen Carbon, Bellefontaine
Neighbors, Troy, Maryville, Pontoon Beach, Centreville, Lebanon,
Caseyville, Washington Park, Madison, Riverview and Venice.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 70 in Illinois near exit 21.
 Interstate 55 in Illinois near exit 23.
 Interstate 64 in Illinois near exit 9.

This also includes Scott Joplin Historic Site and Horseshoe Lake
State Park.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT for
southwestern Illinois...and east central Missouri.

LAT...LON 3859 9021 3877 9025 3888 8978 3861 8972
TIME...MOT...LOC 1904Z 260DEG 17KT 3870 9014

Carney

The radar

The St Louis radar (KLSX), 53 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:14 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

4 hail, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Madison

When: April 30, 1:15 PM CST to 1:20 PM CST
Where: Madison County, Mitchell to 2 mi E of Granite City
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.770, -90.080

Hail, Madison

When: April 30, 1:43 PM CST to 2:05 PM CST
Where: Madison County, 1.04 mi NE of Le Claire to 0.69 mi NNW of Alhambra
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.809, -89.935

A wide swath of large hail fell between Edwardsville and Alhambra. The largest hail stones were golf ball sized.

Hail, Madison

When: April 30, 2:01 PM CST to 2:20 PM CST
Where: Madison County, Collinsville to Troy
Measured: 2 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.670, -90.000

Another severe storm moved through the southern half of Madison County dropping large hail between Collinsville and Troy. The largest hail stones reported were 2 inches in diameter.

Hail, St. Clair

When: April 30, 2:10 PM CST
Where: St. Clair County, 4 mi SE of Collinsville
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.629, -89.948

Tornado, Montgomery

When: April 30, 2:52 PM CST to 2:54 PM CST
Where: Montgomery County, 1.08 mi N of Donnellson to 1.92 mi NE of Donnellson
Rating: EF0
Path length: 1.17 mi
Path width: 25 yd
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 39.046, -89.468

Several storm chasers witnessed a weak short-lived tornado from different vantage points. The tornado lifted dust from a field and small branches and leaves from a few trees. The location is estimated from a combination of radar and chaser reports. The tornado was rated EF0 with a path length of 1.17 miles and a max path width of 25 yards. There were no deaths or injuries reported with this tornado.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
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 Illinois in 2019 Every state in 2019 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Illinois, 2019 Warnings in Illinois, April 2019

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: 827425, 827429, 827431, 827432, 827433.