A severe MCS moved through the forecast area during the afternoon hours producing widespread 60-70mph winds and associated damage. The complex moved to the southeast taking advantage of 3500-4500 J/kg of surface-based CAPE.
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.
A severe MCS moved through the forecast area during the afternoon hours producing widespread 60-70mph winds and associated damage. The complex moved to the southeast taking advantage of 3500-4500 J/kg of surface-based CAPE.
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 Jul 29, 1:54 PM CST, 59 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Saint Louis MO
254 PM CDT Sat Jul 29 2023
.SHORT TERM... (Through Late Sunday Night)
Issued at 254 PM CDT Sat Jul 29 2023
A severe MCS is moving through the forecast area this afternoon,
producing widespread 60-70 mph winds and associated damage. The
complex will continue moving southeast through the remainder of the
afternoon, taking advantage of the 3500-4500 J/kg of SBCAPE present
across the area. While the 7-8 degree mid-level lapse rates are
enough to support hail development, the very warm low levels will
likely melt any hail that falls to below severe criteria through the
remainder of the event. As the MCS is moving through the forecast
area, a cold front is stretched across the I-70 corridor and
weakening as it slowly moves south.
After a break overnight in convection there is the potential for
another MCS to move from northwest Missouri into southeast Missouri
Sunday morning in tandem with a small shortwave disturbance within
the mid-level northwesterly flow. 1500-2000 J/kg of MUCAPE across
Missouri during the morning as well as 25-40 kts of 0-6 km shear
will be enough to organize and maintain the MCS complex before it
roots into the boundary layer during the mid-morning. 2000-3000 J/kg
of SBCAPE will be available at that point and through the remainder
of the afternoon. The CAMs are showing the complex weakening as it
moves through the LSX CWA, but there is little evidence to support
that scenario. Like today, damaging winds are the main concern with
this MCS as it rolls through, with large hail a lesser threat. While
guidance currently places the MCS across our far western and
southwestern borders, I cannot rule out isolated thunderstorm
development ahead of and to the northeast of this complex,
particularly along any outflow boundaries that linger across the
area. Damaging winds and large hail remain the primary threats with
any isolated convection that becomes strong to severe.
Temperatures are expected to be cooler on Sunday than most days this
previous week thanks to northerly post frontal winds, CAA, and
additional cloud cover and precipitation from Sunday's potential
MCS. Sunday's temperatures will kick off a trend of near normal
temperatures for the first half of the work week that will feel cool
in comparison to the 100+ highs we've experienced across much of the
area this week. Another round of showers and thunderstorms is
possible across central and southeast Missouri Sunday night into
Monday as a shortwave disturbance moves through the northwesterly
mid-level flow.
MRM
.LONG TERM... (Monday through Next Saturday)
Issued at 254 PM CDT Sat Jul 29 2023
Little has changed in the long term: the ridge over the 4 Corners-
Texas region and trough over eastern Canada will persist and amplify
during the first portion of the work week. This amplified flow will
keep the area within a more active northwesterly flow, which will
interact with a surface boundary that will wobble around the
forecast area to bring multiple chances for showers and
thunderstorms. Associated cloud cover will aid in keeping
temperatures near normal, at least through the first half of the
work week.
Confidence is growing that a short period of above normal
temperatures will return to the mid-Mississippi Valley mid-week as
the mid-level ridge axis shifts eastward into the area. The global
ensembles are indicating that 850 mb temperatures will push between
the 97.5 and 99th climatological percentiles across portions of the
forecast area. This is by no means a guaranteed event, and the
timing and location of precipitation during this period will have a
large influence on how warm we get.
Towards the end of the period the cluster analysis are indicating
that the trough over eastern Canada will shift eastward, and another
trough will slide along the US-Canada border. The movement of this
trough could bring additional chances for showers and thunderstorms
as well as relatively cooler temperatures back to the region.
MRM
&&
.AVIATION... (For the 18z TAFs through 18z Sunday Afternoon)
Issued at 1213 PM CDT Sat Jul 29 2023
A strong thunderstorm complex is approaching the forecast area
and will move through most of the terminals during the first 6
hours of the TAF period. KCOU, KJEF, KSTL, KSUS, and KCPS are most
likely to be impacted by heavy rain, reduced visibilites, wind
gusts up to 60-70 mph, and frequent lightning. While confidence is
high that this complex will produce those conditions, some
uncertainty remains in exactly where they will be experienced so
have kept mention to TSRA and visibility reduction for now.
In the wake of the system conditions will clear and winds will
become lighter and northerly as a cold front passes through the
region at the same time at the thunderstorms. VFR flight
conditions will prevail thereafter. Additional showers and
thunderstorms are possible Sunday during the day, but confidence
in this occurrence and the location of the thunderstorms remains
low so have forgone mention in the TAF for now.
MRM
&&
.LSX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MO...Heat Advisory until 9 PM CDT this evening for Audrain MO-Boone
MO-Callaway MO-Cole MO-Crawford MO-Franklin MO-Gasconade MO-
Iron MO-Madison MO-Moniteau MO-Monroe MO-Montgomery MO-
Osage MO-Pike MO-Ralls MO-Reynolds MO-Saint Francois MO-
Warren MO-Washington MO.
Excessive Heat Warning until 9 PM CDT this evening for Jefferson
MO-Lincoln MO-Saint Charles MO-Saint Louis City MO-Saint
Louis MO-Sainte Genevieve MO.
IL...Heat Advisory until 9 PM CDT this evening for Fayette IL-Greene
IL-Macoupin IL-Montgomery IL-Pike IL.
Excessive Heat Warning until 9 PM CDT this evening for Bond IL-
Calhoun IL-Clinton IL-Jersey IL-Madison IL-Marion IL-Monroe
IL-Randolph IL-Saint Clair IL-Washington IL.
&&
WFO LSXHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service St Louis MO 252 PM CDT Sat Jul 29 2023 ILZ058>060-064-065-069-070-074-079-095>102-MOZ018-019-026-027- 034>036-041-042-047>052-059>065-072>075-084-085-099-302000- Greene IL-Macoupin IL-Montgomery IL-Bond IL-Fayette IL-Clinton IL- Marion IL-Washington IL-Randolph IL-Adams IL-Brown IL-Pike IL- Calhoun IL-Jersey IL-Madison IL-Saint Clair IL-Monroe IL-Knox MO- Lewis MO-Shelby MO-Marion MO-Monroe MO-Ralls MO-Pike MO-Boone MO- Audrain MO-Moniteau MO-Cole MO-Osage MO-Callaway MO-Montgomery MO- Lincoln MO-Gasconade MO-Warren MO-Saint Charles MO-Franklin MO- Saint Louis MO-Saint Louis City MO-Jefferson MO-Crawford MO- Washington MO-Saint Francois MO-Sainte Genevieve MO-Iron MO- Madison MO-Reynolds MO- 252 PM CDT Sat Jul 29 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of eastern and central Missouri as well as west central and southwest Illinois. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds are moving across the forecast area this afternoon through early evening. Dangerous heat will continue for most of the region through early evening with heat index values of 100 to 110 degrees. An Excessive Heat Warning and a Heat Advisory are in effect. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. There is a chance of thunderstorms across portions of the region Sunday through Friday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions, including wind damage to the National Weather Service. MRM
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service St Louis MO
338 PM CDT Sat Jul 29 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0333 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 2 NNE Saint Charles 38.82N 90.50W
07/29/2023 M72 MPH St. Charles MO Trained Spotter
Spotter measured the gust with an anemometer
installed at their residence.
&&
MaplesPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service St Louis MO
341 PM CDT Sat Jul 29 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0329 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 ESE Saint Charles 38.78N 90.48W
07/29/2023 St. Charles MO Emergency Mngr
40 ft tree down at clintonview court in st
charles city.
&&
MaplesPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service St Louis MO
344 PM CDT Sat Jul 29 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0329 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 ESE Saint Charles 38.79N 90.49W
07/29/2023 St. Charles MO Emergency Mngr
St. Charles County Emergency Operations
Center reporting multiple trees and wires
down across the county. Transformer fire
reported near Sawyer and W Clay.
&&
MaplesPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service St Louis MO
347 PM CDT Sat Jul 29 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0339 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 NNE O'Fallon 38.82N 90.69W
07/29/2023 St. Charles MO Emergency Mngr
Multiple trees down near St. Matthews and
Manor Hill in OFallon. Time estimated by
radar.
&&
MaplesPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service St Louis MO
350 PM CDT Sat Jul 29 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0325 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Dardenne Prairie 38.75N 90.73W
07/29/2023 St. Charles MO Trained Spotter
6 inch tree limbs down. A limb fell on house
and caused gutter damage.
&&
MMGPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service St Louis MO
352 PM CDT Sat Jul 29 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0317 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 ESE O'Fallon 38.78N 90.70W
07/29/2023 St. Charles MO Public
Several trees down in the area of Feise Road
and Highway K. Pictures accompanied report
via social media. Time of occurrence
estimated by radar.
&&
MaplesThe St Louis radar (KLSX), 46 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:51 UTC.
13 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Thunderstorm winds blew down several large trees along Illinois Route 16 just west of Fieldon.
Thunderstorm winds blew down numerous large tree limbs in Granite City and Collinsville.
Widespread damage was reported across St. Clair County. Numerous large tree limbs and power lines were blown down as well as a few large trees. Damage was reported in East St. Louis, Fairmont City, Washington Park, Caseyville, Fairview Heights, O'Fallon, Lebanon, Belleville, Swansea, Shiloh and Mascoutah.
Thunderstorm winds blew down numerous large tree limbs around town as well as a few power lines.
Thunderstorm winds blew down numerous large tree limbs and power lines in Smithton, New Athens, Lenzburg and Marissa.
Numerous large tree limbs and power lines were blown down between Troy and Highland. Also, in Highland four power poles were snapped off.
Widespread damage in the eastern half of Randolph County. Numerous trees, tree limbs and power lines were blown down in Houston, Sparta and Coulterville. In Steeleville, a couple of power poles were blown down.
Widespread wind damage across the northern half of Clinton County. Numerous large tree limbs, power lines and trees were blown down in Jamestown, Breese, Carlyle, and Keyesport.
Thunderstorm winds blew down several road signs in Pocahontas. In Greenville, several large trees and numerous tree limbs were blown down.
Widespread wind damage along the I-64 corridor in Washington County. Numerous tree limbs, power lines and several large trees were blown down in Okawville, Nashville and New Minden.
Widespread wind damage across the southern half of Marion County. Numerous tree limbs, power lines and trees were blown down in Sandoval, Junction City, Centralia, Odin, Salem, Cartter and Kell. About three miles south of Odin, a large tree fell onto an occupied mobile home. Three people were in the mobile home at the time, but were able to escape with only minor injuries.
A large tree was blown down onto a power line.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Illinois in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in Illinois, July 2023
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: 1129309, 1141313, 1141330, 1141336, 1141315, 1141331, 1141335, 1141362, 1141345, 1141346, 1141347, 1141377, 1141380.