During the afternoon and evening of March 15th, a QLCS moved through southern and south-central Illinois. Stronger segments of the QLCS produced wind damage across the region.
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.
During the afternoon and evening of March 15th, a QLCS moved through southern and south-central Illinois. Stronger segments of the QLCS produced wind damage across the region. The QLCS ended up producing 8 tornadoes while it passed through the region.
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 Mar 15, 1:54 PM CST, 1 hour 12 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Saint Louis MO
254 PM CDT Sun Mar 15 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
- The threat for strong to severe thunderstorms exists through
early this evening, mainly across east central and southeast
Missouri as well as southwest Illinois. Brief, weak tornadoes
and damaging winds are the main threats.
- Minor snowfall amounts are forecast this evening through
tonight, mainly across northeast Missouri where as much as 1-3"
may fall.
- Wind gusts as high as 45-50 mph are expected through early Monday
morning.
- Unseasonable cold is expected through Tuesday before a rapid
warmup begins on Wednesday.
&&
.SHORT TERM... (Through Late Monday Night)
Issued at 232 PM CDT Sun Mar 15 2026
A late winter/early spring storm is underway across the region,
with a surface low east of Quincy, IL early this afternoon with
an attendant draped to its southwest. As of 1900 UTC, the boundary
is nearing a KVIH>>KPPQ line with regional radar and GOES-19
satellite imagery showing gradually developing showers and
thunderstorms along the front. The latest SPC mesoanalysis shows
250-500 J/kg of SBCAPE nosing into eastern Missouri with 45-55+
knots of effective shear. It is worth noting however that the RAP
initializations over the past several hours have been consistently
too high with instability/CAPE. This is due to the RAP (and HRRR)
being consistently too high with dewpoints in the warm sector.
This is something that could lead to a slower (or less robust)
development of the QLCS later today. That being said, we still do
expect convection to become more widespread along the boundary
over the next several hours and more organized with time/eastward
extent. Exactly how fast this occurs remains uncertain however,
which is why parts of southeast Missouri and southwest Illinois
have the higher threat for severe weather in our region. Strong
0-3 km shear (40+ knots) with a strong line-normal component
(more perpendicular) means that QLCS mesovortices will be a
concern, which could produce brief, weak tornadoes and/or damaging
winds. Those two hazards remain the primary concerns late this
afternoon through about 7 PM this evening when the cold front
clears our south-central Illinois counties.
Another area of precipitation is expected to move out of western
Missouri into central Missouri early this evening. Model soundings
show very low wetbulb zero heights (below 400 feet AGL), so this
should fall as snow. Upstream observations across eastern Kansas
also have only snow. Surface temperatures are still expected to
be above the freezing mark however, so road impacts are not
expected. There may however be a ~2 hour period with reduced
visibilities (~1 mile). Further northeast, the steadier snow
should last a bit longer, maybe up to 4-6 hours. In these
locations, amounts of 1-2" are expected with some isolated spots
up to 3" possible. Some minor travel impacts are possible in these
locations, as road temperatures may cool below the freezing mark
toward the end of the snowfall. Therefore, have issued a winter
weather advisory for 5 counties in northeast Missouri/western
Illinois. Strong cyclonic flow aloft and steep low-level lapse
rates suggests snow showers/flurries elsewhere overnight and this
activity may last through Monday morning in eastern Missouri over
into Illinois.
Behind the cold front, winds turn to the northwest with about a ~20
degree temperature drop over a 2-hour period. Gust of 45-50 mph
will be common overnight, with the highest gusts most likely
across central/northeast Missouri and west-central Illinois from
late this evening through the predawn hours on Monday. A few gusts
of 55-60 mph would not surprise me either, given unidirectional
winds within the mixed layer and strong low-level cold air
advection. However, did not upgrade any counties to a high wind
warning as the expectation is that any of these 60+ gusts will be
sparse/transient, if they occur at all. The latest HREF
probabilities for 60+ mph wind only peak out at about 20% in our
far northern/northwestern counties.
The aforementioned gusty northwest winds will gradually slack on
Monday, but minimum wind chill values of 0 to -10F are expected in
central/northeast Missouri as well as west-central Illinois early
Monday morning. Low stratus looks to hang around much of the day
on Monday, especially across eastern Missouri into western
Illinois. These low clouds along with continued low-level cold air
advection should keep temperatures some 25-30 degrees below
normal on Monday. This incoming air mass is very impressive with
its origin from Alaska. Temperatures at 850 hPa drop to between
-14 and - 18C, or <1st percentile of climatology. Highs below
freezing are expected nearly areawide, though some spots may top
out just above 32 degrees in central/southeast Missouri where some
sunshine is more likely by the afternoon.
Monday night will be the colder night, though northwest winds will
really lighten up as a surface ridge of high pressure approaches
from the west. The anomalously cold air mass along with a clear sky
and light winds should lead to very cold low temperatures. Lows in
the single digits (north) to teens are forecast. While these will
lows will not be record breaking, they may get within about 4-5
degrees of records at both St. Louis (10F/1900) and Columbia
(8F/1906). Wind chills will be mainly driven by the frigid
aforementioned temperatures, but lowest values of -5 to +5F are
expected across the northern half of the area, including the St.
Louis metro area. For more perspective, St. Louis has only had an
observed wind chill below +5F after 3/15 two times over the past
50 years (1979 and 2002).
Gosselin
&&
.LONG TERM... (Tuesday through Next Sunday)
Issued at 232 PM CDT Sun Mar 15 2026
(Tuesday - Tuesday Night)
Tuesday will still be unseasonably cold, though not nearly as cold
as Monday as highs reach into the 30s to low 40s from northeast to
southwest. A hybrid clipper is expected to move through the region
Tuesday night, potentially bringing some light rain or snow to the
area. Better odds are to our northeast however for accumulating
snow, closer to the climatology of northwest flow/Alberta clipper
systems.
(Wednesday - Next Sunday)
A much warmer and drier weather pattern looks to take hold on
Wednesday and should continue through next weekend. Our region
begins to feel more influence from the anomalous mid/upper level
ridge across the intermountain west. Wednesday should be the a
transition day, with highs mostly in the 60s but widespread 70s are
expected Thursday onward. There is also high confidence in well-
above normal temperatures through at least Friday, with even the
25th percentile of the NBM showing 60s/70s. Temperature uncertainty
does increase next weekend, as some ensemble members from the LREF
show a cold frontal passage. This is when the spread on the IQR of
the NBM increase to 20-25 degrees. This is the difference from a
continuation of readings ~20 degrees above normal to temperatures
dropping back to near to slightly below normal values for late March.
Gosselin
&&
.AVIATION... (For the 18z TAFs through 18z Monday Afternoon)
Issued at 1239 PM CDT Sun Mar 15 2026
The cold front is nearing central Missouri, and should push
through KCOU/KJEF over the next 2 hours. The boundary should then
push through KUIN and the metro terminals by late afternoon.
Showers are likely associated with this frontal passage, with
thunder expected for the metro. Brief reductions in visibility (to
IFR) are expected in thunderstorms. Behind the front, rain will
linger for a few hours as winds turn to the northwest. Another
round of precipitation, this time in the form of snow, should
impact central Missouri and KUIN sites this evening. The snow
should last a bit longer at KUIN, into the early overnight hours.
Accumulations at KCOU/KJEF should be light (less than 1") and on
elevated/grassy surfaces. Up at KUIN, amounts of 1-2" are expected
with some minor (up to 0.5" roughly) possible on road surfaces.
Visibilities should drop to IFR in the snow. Light snow showers
may impact the metro terminals from 0600-0900 UTC approximately,
but should not be as widespread as further north. Otherwise, look
for low MVFR ceilings and very gusty northwest winds tonight into
Monday morning.
Gosselin
&&
.LSX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MO...Wind Advisory until noon CDT Monday for Audrain MO-Boone MO-
Callaway MO-Cole MO-Crawford MO-Franklin MO-Gasconade MO-
Iron MO-Jefferson MO-Knox MO-Lewis MO-Lincoln MO-Madison MO-
Marion MO-Moniteau MO-Monroe MO-Montgomery MO-Osage MO-Pike
MO-Ralls MO-Reynolds MO-Saint Charles MO-Saint Francois MO-
Saint Louis City MO-Saint Louis MO-Sainte Genevieve MO-
Shelby MO-Warren MO-Washington MO.
IL...Wind Advisory until noon CDT Monday for Adams IL-Bond IL-Brown
IL-Calhoun IL-Clinton IL-Fayette IL-Greene IL-Jersey IL-
Macoupin IL-Madison IL-Marion IL-Monroe IL-Montgomery IL-
Pike IL-Randolph IL-Saint Clair IL-Washington IL.
&&
WFO LSXHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service St Louis MO 257 PM CDT Sun Mar 15 2026 ILZ058>060-064-065-069-070-074-079-095>102-MOZ018-019-026-027- 034>036-041-042-047>052-059>065-072>075-084-085-099-162000- 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- 257 PM CDT Sun Mar 15 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of eastern and central Missouri as well as west central and southwest Illinois. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Some thunderstorms through early evening will be capable of brief, weak tornadoes and damaging wind gusts mainly in southeast Missouri and southwest Illinois. Accumulating snow capable of minor travel impacts is expected tonight, mainly across northeastern Missouri and west-central Illinois. Please see the winter weather advisory for more details. Strong non-thunderstorms winds are expected through tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Strong non-thunderstorms winds are expected Monday morning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report any hail, wind damage, or snowfall accumulations to the National Weather Service. Gosselin
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service St Louis MO
1257 PM CDT Sun Mar 15 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1100 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg Belgrade 37.79N 90.84W
03/15/2026 Washington MO Public
Estimated time of damage between 10:30 and
11:30 a.m., concrete statue of cow blown
over and a flag post snapped in half near
Belgrade.
&&
MCFPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service St Louis MO
151 PM CDT Sun Mar 15 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0135 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 NNW Columbia 38.99N 92.35W
03/15/2026 Boone MO Emergency Mngr
Tree down along Creasy Springs Road near the
Bear Creek bridge, blocking one lane of
traffic.
&&
MCFPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service St Louis MO
349 PM CDT Sun Mar 15 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0339 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Troy 38.98N 90.98W
03/15/2026 Lincoln MO Emergency Mngr
Tree down on East Cherry Street with live
power lines on the roadway.
&&
MCFPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service St Louis MO
353 PM CDT Sun Mar 15 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0342 PM Hail Cuba 38.06N 91.40W
03/15/2026 E0.25 Inch Crawford MO Emergency Mngr
Pea-size hail in Cuba.
&&
MCFThe St Louis radar (KLSX), 67 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:07 UTC.
11 thunderstorm wind, 10 tornado, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
A member of the public reported an estimated wind gust of 60 mph in Eldred.
A tornado touched down on the east side of Nokomis where it produced tree damage before exiting town to the northeast. The tornado tracked along State Route 16 past Ohlman, collapsing older farm outbuildings and lofting the debris well to the northeast. The tornado then continued into Christian County (ILX).
Thunderstorm winds downed trees and power lines in Brighton at North Main Street and Oak Street.
Quarter sized hail was reported in Wood River by Madison County SKYWARN.
Thunderstorm winds downed power lines near Dorsey.
A TV meteorologist noted several gusts over 60 mph in his station's Storm Runner vehicle.
A tornado touched down just west of the Staunton Reservoir where it damaged trees along Bono Road. The tornado then travelled northeast, causing minor damage to the roofs of a few structures before directly hitting Mount Olive. In Mount Olive, the tornado damaged mostly trees, but the roof of a business was impacted as well. The tornado weakened as it exited town and approached Montgomery County.
A very brief tornado touched down near Brink Road north of Shattuc. Along its path, the tornado damaged trees, a farm outbuilding, and a grain bin. Debris from both structures was lofted well beyond their original location.
National Weather Service survey concluded that snapped wooden power poles along Reservoir Road were the result of approximately 100 mph wind gusts.
A tornado touched down just east of Ames where it collapsed a large farm outbuilding before exiting into Randolph County. The doors of the structure were open at the time of the event.
The tornado moved into Montgomery County from Macoupin County, where it caused minor damage to a home on W County Line Road. The tornado then took on a near due northerly track as it occluded and caused minor tree damage before it dissipated completely just north of Saint Johns Ave.
The tornado entered Randolph County where it damaged mostly trees along its northeastern path. On Ritchfield Road southeast of Red Bud, the tornado did damage the roofs of a few farm outbuildings. The most substantial damage happened on South Prairie Road north of Prairie where the tornado ripped off a substantial portion of a church's roof. It dissipated shortly after just north of Grigg.
A tornado touched down near Niemanville Trail and trekked northeast, producing mostly tree damage in its path. At its strongest the tornado was able to produce minor damage to farm outbuildings and break wooden power poles. The tornado dissipated just east of East 8th Road.
Thunderstorm winds downed power poles and live powerlines along Route 155 west of Ruma. Winds also snapped several large power poles on IL-3 south of Ruma.
New Athens took a direct hit from this tornado. It touched down near Julia Street where it busted the windows of a local shop and damaged the roof of a warehouse building. The tornado pathed east-northeast through town, damaging, to varying extent, multiple roofs on Lela Drive. The tornado then weakened, causing less and weaker damage before dissipating just east of the Canadian National Railway.
A brief tornado touched down on the Hillsboro Country Club where it produced minor damage to a home. The tornado then travelled northeast where it damaged trees, an outbuilding, and electrical poles. The tornado dissipated just north of White Ave west of Irving.
A trained spotter estimated 60 mph winds in New Athens a few minutes after a tornado with max wind gusts of 90 mph struck the town.
A tornado touched down near Irving Road and North 17th Ave where it blew over a farm auger and lofted debris nearly a half mile to the southwest. The tornado then hit Witt directly where it lofted a carport and damaged multiple roofs and trees in town. The tornado tracked along State Route 16 into Coalton where it nearly completely removed the roof of a mobile home. From there, it turned nearly due north and entered the northwest portion of Nokomis. Although most of the damage done was to trees, the tornado did blow over an outdoor football scoreboard and ripped off portions of the local high school's roof.
Thunderstorm winds downed a tree south of Coffeen. This tree blocked a road.
A report from social media showed a destroyed carport caused by thunderstorm winds.
A broadcast meteorologist reported wind gusts of 60 to 70 mph in Okawville.
Thunderstorm winds snapped a power pole in Central City and downed a large tree over Boat Dock Road. Boat Dock Road was subsequently closed near North Oak Road by IDOT.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Illinois in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Illinois, 2026Warnings in Illinois, March 2026
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: 1327302, 1325696, 1327305, 1327306, 1327308, 1327310, 1325678, 1325706, 1327315, 1325686, 1325679, 1325687, 1325689, 1327318, 1325691, 1325692, 1327320, 1325694, 1327324, 1327327, 1327328, 1327332.