As a storm system moved across the region, a line of strong to severe storms developed. There were numerous reports of damaging winds.
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 LSX wrote it up.
As a storm system moved across the region, a line of strong to severe storms developed. There were numerous reports of damaging winds.
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 May 18, 2:30 PM CST, 2 hours 5 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Saint Louis MO 330 PM CDT Sat May 18 2019 .SHORT TERM... (Through Late Sunday Night) Issued at 330 PM CDT Sat May 18 2019 Strong upper level impulse over the central-southern High Plains is helping to generate the next round of severe thunderstorms across portions of eastern KS/OK and into far western MO/AR. A weakening low-level jet at h850 continues to feed an area of showers and thunderstorms into northeast-central MO and west-central IL, where the severe threat with that is low, but the flood threat is higher, especially with respect to minor/nuisance flooding with possible isolated flash flooding. Temperatures have risen to the mid to upper 80s east and southeast of the storms where some sunshine was seen, but have failed to exit the 70s underneath the thicker cloud canopy in place over northeast-central MO with active convection. The area of showers and storms to the N and W of STL metro is likely to not exit or barely exit before the "main event" moves in from the west late this afternoon. This "main event" is expected to kick eastward into central/northeast MO late this afternoon and into the remainder of the forecast area tonight. A large hail and damaging wind threat will accompany these storms as they march eastward, with the hail threat likely decreasing some as we head into the evening hours. An isolated tornado threat also cannot be ruled out for central MO this afternoon or southeast MO this evening. These storms should eventually turn into a rain-producing MCS overnight that exits ahead of the dry slot of the system late tonight through around sunrise. Low temperatures should be quite mild ahead of the surface cold front with readings bottoming out in the 60s. The surface cold front will swing through on Sunday, with additional storms expected to refire ahead of the surface front, where the better upper support exists and frontal convergence not expected to be that strong. Latest guidance shows this refiring to occur east of the STL metro area around midday Sunday and quickly races east once they do, so any strong to severe threat looks limited to our far eastern forecast area and brief in time (midday). Max temperatures on Sunday will range from the low 70s in areas that get FROPA early (central-northeast MO) to the low 80s near STL metro and areas to the SE. A dry and cool night is then on tap for Sunday night with low temps expected from the mid 40s to the low 50s under mostly clear skies. TES .LONG TERM... (Monday through Next Saturday) Issued at 330 PM CDT Sat May 18 2019 A rather persistent pattern looks to prevail for this period, with a longwave upper TROF in the western CONUS and a at-times assertive upper RIDGE anchored over the southeastern CONUS. When this RIDGE is more timid, an active southwest flow looks set over our region while when this RIDGE is more assertive and amplified, it should steer the main storm tracks to our north. Either scenario looks to impact us in some way, some more directly and sooner than others. The RIDGE will be in a more timid state for the next strong shortwave to take a swipe at us on Tuesday. Main adjustments seem to track the initial outburst Monday night to our west with a more direct hit from the upper wave and attendant surface TROF late Tuesday afternoon and night. A significant severe threat still looks in play despite the timing adjustment, with tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds a threat. In addition, a heavy rainfall threat exists. At this point, there is better model agreement on a more assertive upper RIDGE for late week, which should steer storm systems to our north, but despite the lack of direct additional rainfall, the rainfall that goes into upriver locations will eventually affect our mainstem rivers here at some point. The RIDGE may break down again heading into next weekend, resuming the more active weather pattern for our region. After one seasonably cool day on Monday, temperatures look to return to above normal value for the remainder of the week with either primary synoptic surface fronts pushing to our north and/or a re- assertive upper RIDGE increasing thicknesses over our region. TES && .AVIATION... (For the 18z TAFs through 18z Sunday Afternoon) Issued at 1245 PM CDT Sat May 18 2019 Periods of thunderstorms can be expected at KUIN and KCOU until late tonight, with these storms moving into STL metro sites around 02/03z and also persisting until late tonight. The greatest chance for strong to severe storms will be at initial onset this afternoon or this evening. Otherwise, very questionable rain chances when showers and storms try to refire on Sunday, but the main activity should be east of the terminals and have left out of the TAFs for now. Removed LLWS due to being coincident with convective activity, implying shear already, with surface gusty winds expected to also continue. MVFR CIGs will try to build in to UIN and COU Sunday morning behind or near the cold front. SPECIFICS FOR KSTL: Adjusted start time to 02/03z per latest high-res model guidance with rain continuing much of overnight. TES && .LSX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MO...None. IL...None. && WFO LSX
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Saint Louis MO 347 PM CDT Sat May 18 2019 ILZ058>060-064-065-069-070-074-079-095>102-MOZ018-019-026-027- 034>036-041-042-047>052-059>065-072>075-084-085-099-192100- 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- 347 PM CDT Sat May 18 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of eastern and central Missouri as well as west central and southwest Illinois. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Thunderstorms are expected areawide. The greatest threat for severe storms will be near and west of the Mississippi River. Damaging winds will be the primary threat, but large hail and an isolated tornado are also possible. Locally heavy rainfall is also a concern with these storms. Major river flooding is ongoing along portions of the Illinois River. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. Major river flooding will continue along portions of the Illinois River and is forecast to resume at Saverton on the Mississippi River. There is a chance for thunderstorms on Sunday. Isolated severe storms are possible around midday and early afternoon Sunday for portions of southern Illinois. The chance for thunderstorms will return Monday night and then continue for portions of the area through Friday. Severe storms and locally heavy rainfall are possible late Tuesday and Tuesday night. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed tonight, mainly for areas near and west of the Mississippi River. TES
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service St Louis MO
231 PM CDT Sat May 18 2019
ILZ095-MOZ019-027-182015-
Adams IL-Marion MO-Lewis MO-
231 PM CDT Sat May 18 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN ADAMS...NORTHWESTERN
MARION AND LEWIS COUNTIES UNTIL 315 PM CDT...
At 231 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Philadelphia, moving north at 40 mph.
Penny size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Quincy, Palmyra, Canton, Mendon, La Grange, Lewistown, Ewing,
Maywood, Philadelphia, Ursa, Loraine, Woodville, Taylor, Lima,
Monticello and Meyer.
This includes Interstate 172 near exit 19.
This also includes Wakonda State Park.
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 4025 9150 4024 9151 4020 9150 4019 9114
3976 9152 3982 9181 4025 9182
TIME...MOT...LOC 1931Z 202DEG 34KT 3986 9165
GKSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service St Louis MO
501 PM CDT Sat May 18 2019
MOZ041-047>050-182300-
Moniteau MO-Cole MO-Osage MO-Boone MO-Callaway MO-
501 PM CDT Sat May 18 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR COLE...SOUTHERN BOONE...SOUTHERN
CALLAWAY...OSAGE AND MONITEAU COUNTIES UNTIL 600 PM CDT...
At 501 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Versailles to 6 miles north of Richland.
Movement was northeast at 45 mph.
Pea size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with these
storms.
Locations impacted include...
Columbia, Jefferson City, Fulton, California, Ashland, Tipton, Holts
Summit, Linn, Columbia Regional Airport, Belle, Wardsville, St.
Martins, Taos, Russellville, New Bloomfield, Freeburg, Chamois,
Westphalia, Jamestown and Lake Mykee Town.
This includes Interstate 70 in Missouri between exits 115 and 117.
This also includes Rock Bridge State Park, Clarks Hill/Norton
Historic Site, Jewell Cemetery Historic Site, and Jefferson Landing
Historic Site.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for
central Missouri.
LAT...LON 3869 9277 3868 9262 3892 9250 3898 9257
3900 9256 3899 9254 3874 9165 3829 9165
3829 9219 3834 9220 3832 9226 3834 9241
3843 9241 3843 9262 3856 9280 3859 9283
3860 9283
TIME...MOT...LOC 2201Z 224DEG 39KT 3838 9283 3796 9242
MaplesThe St Louis radar (KLSX), 153 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:34 UTC.
6 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A line of storms moved from southwest to northeast across Cole County. Numerous trees, tree limbs and power lines were blown down across the county.
Thunderstorm winds blew down at least 8 large trees across the county as well as numerous large tree limbs,in several towns including Loose Creek and Rich Fountain.
Thunderstorm winds blew down a large tree onto a road two miles east of Wainwright.
Thunderstorm winds blew over a semi on the Kingdom City overpass at the I-70, U.S. 54 exit. No injuries were reported. Also, several large trees were blown down, one of which blocked a road in Fulton.
Thunderstorm winds blew down numerous large tree limbs around town.
Thunderstorm winds uprooted a large cedar tree and broke the tops out of several other trees.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Missouri in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in Missouri, May 2019
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: 842196, 842205, 842207, 842208, 842210, 842211.