Early morning, the surface low was located just north of St. Louis, Missouri, lifting to the NNE as it rapidly deepened.
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.
Early morning, the surface low was located just north of St. Louis, Missouri, lifting to the NNE as it rapidly deepened. For Southern Illinois, early morning effective bulk shear was 60-65 kts, with a very high 20-30 kts of 0-1 km shear, while SRHs near the Ohio River were around 150-200 m2/s2. MLCAPE was 1000 J/kg, and mid-level lapse rates were 6.5 C/km. A 70-90 kt mid-level jet was west of the Quad State. A strong capping inversion suppressed storm activity in the evening, but the strong lift and upper level diffluence won out early morning. Two lines of storms developed after midnight in Southeast Missouri. The first progressed through the I-64 corridor from 0100-0400 CST. The latter was a very potent thunderstorm line racing eastward early morning April 2nd. This line continued throughout the day all the way to West Virginia, being designated a derecho. For Southern Illinois, widespread wind damage occurred with this line, and sections of the line that took a north-south orientation had a much more favorable line-normal component of shear promoting QLCS tornado development. Seven tornadoes originated in Southern Illinois: 2 in Williamson County (EF-2 and EF-1), 1 in Saline County (EF-2), 3 in Gallatin County (all EF-1s), and 1 in White County (EF-2 with the EF-2 damage in Posey County Indiana). Two people suffered laceration injuries due to flying debris with the Saline County tornado. A total of 19 tornadoes were found during this event, the highest single day total for the NWS Paducah forecast area since Halloween 2003 (also 19).
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 Apr 1, 5:47 PM CST, 7 hours 57 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Paducah KY 647 PM CDT Mon Apr 1 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - A few showers or storms are possible along the I-64 corridor this afternoon as temperatures rise to near 80. - The main risk for severe storms is this evening through the night, mainly from SEMO through S Illinois to SW Indiana, with damaging winds the most likely severe weather hazard, though all are possible. - Additional storm development is possible mid morning to early afternoon Tuesday east of the Mississippi River as the cold front makes its passage. Wind gusts up to 30-40 mph are possible Tuesday and Wednesday. - Temperatures will be about 10 degrees below normal by the middle of the week in the 50s/30s. Frost and possibly freeze headlines still are possible, with the best chance Friday night. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 340 PM CDT Mon Apr 1 2024 The warm front remains near I-70 in Central Illinois today. As a result, shower and storm development is generally north of the forecast area, with only a couple isolated storms in the I-64 corridor this afternoon. These have moved out suggesting limited potential for the remainder of the afternoon and early evening. Temperatures have soared to the mid to upper 70s with a few isolated spots reaching 80. Forecast trends today have been to reduce precip chances throughout the today-Tuesday period, with the main focus for strong to severe storms concentrated in the late evening to overnight hours as storms enter Southeast Missouri before midnight and track northeastward through Southern Illinois into Southwest Indiana. Western Kentucky has reduced chances but storms remain a possibility there as well. The enhanced risk of severe weather remains for the northern/western portions of the Quad State today, with a slight risk over much of the rest in the southeast. Model soundings produce MLCAPE near 1000, PW near 1.5, and dew points in the lower half of the 60s with mid-level lapse rates peaking at 8-8.5 C/km this evening. There is plenty of shear, 0-3 km shear near 50 kts and 0-6 km of 60+ kts along with SRH of 200-300. Southwesterly winds today are slowly backing towards southerly this afternoon. A strong LLJ moves in with winds of 50+ kts. Limitations are a model capping inversion around 800 mb, along with less favorable timing late night. Early evening discrete storm potential is better to the north/west, with late evening/overnight storms taking on an at least somewhat organized structure. Damaging winds are the primary severe weather hazard with significant winds a possibility, though large hail (mainly from any discrete cell development) and tornadoes are also possible. The RAP has been most aggressive with afternoon storms, which have not materialized. The NAM continues to produce little in the way of thunder over the forecast area throughout the entire event. The ARW/FV3/HRRR track storms late evening to overnight from SEMO/SIL/SWIN and areas of WKY near the Ohio. This group is more likely to be closer to the solution. As the trough approaches tomorrow, the surface cold front moves through, allowing for potential redevelopment of storms. Some strong to severe storms are possible but in the Quad State confidence is low, with the better chances to our east and southeast. Overall, QPF values have trended lower, with almost trivial amounts in the south (highly conditional on storms moving over areas) and around an inch in the north. The cold front crosses through by the end of the day, with highs midday ahead of the front. Temperatures drop significantly afterwards with lows near 40 Tuesday night. The low pressure rapidly deepens over Michigan and stalls, allowing for wrap-around showers Wednesday as PoPs have been significantly increased to account for this. Gradient winds remain a concern Tuesday to Wednesday with gusts around 30 mph Tuesday and 30-40 mph Wednesday. Dry conditions are expected for the end of the week with continued northwesterly flow. Lows in the mid-30s are forecast Wednesday night and Thursday night though breezy winds should limit frost formation. Lighter winds, along with lows in the low to mid 30s Friday night, pose the best potential for any frost/freeze issues. A warming trend occurs over the weekend as winds shift to southeasterly by Sunday. Models vary on progression of a system in the Central Plains Sunday-Monday, resulting in PoPs in the forecast and temperatures becoming well above normal Monday. This system funnels moisture northward from the Gulf, and provides uncertainty regarding cloud cover for eclipse day next Monday. Current ensemble averages don't provide help for those looking for a decisive forecast at this stage. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z WEDNESDAY/... Issued at 647 PM CDT Mon Apr 1 2024 MVFR ceilings will develop northward across the region this evening, then scattered SHRA/TSRA will move eastward across the region in the overnight to early morning hours. Brief IFR visibilities and lower MVFR ceilings will be possible as the convection passes. There is a possibility of very strong winds (>50kts) with the storms. Ceilings will climb to VFR levels by midday over most of the region. South winds will gust 15-20kts this evening, and then increase to 20-25kts overnight into the morning. As a cold front approaches and passes, west southwest winds will gust 20-30kts at times. && .PAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IL...None. MO...None. IN...None. KY...None. && DISCUSSION...ATL AVIATION...DRS
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Paducah KY 347 AM CDT Mon Apr 1 2024 ILZ075>078-080>094-INZ081-082-085>088-KYZ001>022-MOZ076-086-087- 100-107>112-114-021000- 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- 347 AM CDT Mon Apr 1 2024 /447 AM EDT Mon Apr 1 2024/ This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight The chance for severe weather peaks overnight. Damaging winds will be the primary hazard, but tornadoes and large hail are also potential hazards. The greatest risk for severe weather is along and north of a line from Van Buren, Missouri, to Carmi, Illinois. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday There is a chance of severe weather Tuesday, including damaging winds, tornadoes, and large hail. The greatest risk for severe weather Tuesday is in southwest Indiana and western Kentucky. Outside of thunderstorms, strong wind gusts 30 to 40 mph are possible Tuesday through Wednesday. Much colder air arrives for the mid to late week, which will bring the potential for frost and freezing temperatures. Thursday night offers the best chance of this occurrence. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters activation is anticipated later today or tonight.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
126 AM CDT Tue Apr 2 2024
MOZ076-020645-
Perry MO-
126 AM CDT Tue Apr 2 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN PERRY COUNTY
THROUGH 145 AM CDT...
At 126 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Park Hills, or over Desloge, moving southeast at 65 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of northwestern Perry
County.
This includes Interstate 55 between Mile Markers 136 and 139.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3788 8985 3760 9013 3761 9015 3764 9015
3768 9010 3782 9000 3787 8994 3787 8990
3788 8988
TIME...MOT...LOC 0626Z 301DEG 56KT 3785 9048
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPHThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
13 thunderstorm wind, 8 tornado, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Downburst winds blew a tree onto a trailer in Cutler.
Hail estimated to ping pong ball size was reported in Marriam via mPING.
Mesonet station UP809 observation of thunderstorm winds.
A line of thunderstorms moving eastward snapped several trees and removed some siding from a home.
Observed wind gust from a thunderstorm moving through at the AWOS station KCIR (Cairo Regional Airport).
An EF-2 tornado impacted the Lake Of Egypt community in the early morning hours of Tuesday, April 2nd. The tornado began near Highway 148, just west of Interstate 57, damaging limbs on several trees. Roof shingle damage and a snapped tree occurred on Teske Rd with tree trunks snapped on Whitecotton Rd and IL-37. After crossing IL-37 east of Interstate 57, the tornado passed along Lake of Egypt Rd, significantly damaging the roof of a home. The most severe damage occurred near the intersection of Lake of Egypt Rd and Market Rd, where severe roof and structural damage occurred to three businesses. The Lake of Egypt Fire Protection building nearby had one of its windows blown out. Paralleling Lake of Egypt Rd, the tornado did damage to homes and outbuildings before lifting just to the west of Wagon Creek Rd. Hundreds of trees were uprooted, snapped at the base, or suffered damage to large limbs along the path. Peak winds were estimated at 130 mph.
Large tree branches broken and a couple trees uprooted or snapped due to inflow winds south of the Lake of Egypt tornado damage path.
Downburst winds downed a newly constructed pole barn that was still unfinished outside Goreville.
Sporadic trees and power poles snapped in the North Shoreline subdivision. This straight line wind damage was likely from the rear flank downdraft from the tornado tracking along Lake of Egypt Rd.
A downburst from a line of thunderstorms snapped a tree, did roof damage to outbuildings, and moved a boat.
An EF-1 tornado impacted the Stonefort community during the early morning hours of Tuesday, April 2nd. The tornado began just east of Creal Springs along Saltpetre Road. Damage was mainly to trees as the tornado moved parallel to Pleasant Valley Road. The tornado moved directly through the community of Stonefort, causing extensive tree damage. Most damage to buildings was caused by trees falling onto the building. However, a couple of homes had portions of their roofs removed. The tornado continued east into Saline County in the middle of Stonefort. Estimated peak wind gusts for the tornado as a whole and in Williamson County were 110 mph.
Several large branches broken on Saltpetre Rd and tree trunks snapped on Bost Orchard Rd. Damage is from straight line winds north of the SE Williamson County tornado track.
This EF-1 tornado began in Williamson County during the early morning hours of Tuesday, April 2nd, crossing over into Saline County in the middle of Stonefort. The tornado continued to produce tree and roof damage in Stonefort, then proceeded eastward along Battleford Rd damaging a few more trees before lifting around a mile east of Stonefort, past the railroad crossing on Brattleford Rd. Estimated peak wind gusts in the Saline County portion of this tornado were 105 mph.
A home had roughly 40% of roof shingles blown off as a thunderstorm moved through.
A storm line moving eastward brought down multiple large trees.
Multiple trees snapped at the ground as a thunderstorm line moved through the area.
An EF-2 tornado occurred approximately two miles southeast of Eldorado during the early morning hours of Tuesday, April 2nd. The tornado began near the intersection of Highway 142 and Ridgway Road. Here, the tornado destroyed an outbuilding, uprooted several large trees, and removed portions of the roofs of two homes. Crossing Ridgway Road and the intersection of White Road, the tornado severely damaged an industrial garage and two manufactured homes. One manufactured home was moved several feet off its foundation and had one of its walls torn open. Two occupants of the home suffered laceration injuries due to flying debris. About five large hardwood trees just behind this home were all snapped at the base. Moving east-southeast, the tornado lifted near Dusty Road just south of Ridgway Road. Peak winds were estimated at 115 mph.
A brief EF-1 tornado impacted the west side of Ridgway, IL, during the early morning hours of Tuesday, April 2nd. The tornado began just south of Main Street along St. Joseph Road, where one home suffered minor roof damage and several large tree limbs were downed. Moving northeast, the tornado damaged a grain bin just south of Main Street and collapsed an outbuilding just north of Main Street. The tornado did limited tree damage in the city park before lifting near the intersection of City Park Drive and Murphy Street. Peak winds were estimated at 90 mph.
An EF-1 tornado impacted far northeast Gallatin County, IL during the early morning hours of Tuesday, April 2nd. The tornado began in the Cottonwood community along Noel Road. Here, several large trees were uprooted, one crushing a small brick building. One manufactured home was severely damaged and a nearby outbuilding had a part of its roof removed. Moving eastward the tornado did mainly tree damage as it passed south of the community of New Haven. The tornado crossed the Wabash River into Posey County, IN, just south of the confluence of the Little Wabash and Wabash Rivers. Estimated peak winds for this tornado path as a whole and for Gallatin County were 100 mph.
A brief EF-1 tornado occurred in eastern Gallatin County during the early morning hours of Tuesday, April 2nd. The tornado began about five miles east of Ridgway along Maloney Road. A couple of large farm outbuildings had significant portions of their roofs removed, with debris tossed hundreds of feet. A cattle feed barn was knocked down. One home on Maloney Road suffered shingle damage. After crossing Big Hill Road, the tornado lifted just west of the intersection of Hulda Lake Road and Sand Road. Several trees along the path were uprooted or had large limbs broken. Peak winds were estimated at 95 mph.
A large tree snapped at the base as a thunderstorm line moved through Grayville. The report was relayed via Facebook.
An EF-2 (peak of EF-1 in White County) tornado began in far eastern White County during the early morning hours of April 2nd. The path began near IL 1400 with tree damage. The tornado tracked eastward, crossing the Wabash River into Posey County, IN. Estimated peak winds on the White County portion of the path were 90 mph.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Illinois in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Illinois, 2024Warnings in Illinois, April 2024
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: 1174643, 1174649, 1174656, 1174675, 1174651, 1173290, 1174738, 1174706, 1174707, 1174731, 1174122, 1174736, 1174123, 1174732, 1174688, 1174733, 1173281, 1173278, 1174128, 1173277, 1174734, 1174137.