Severe Thunderstorms in the Central Plains and Lower Missouri Valley; Heat Continues in the Southeast and Southwest

Severe thunderstorms capable of large hail and damaging wind gusts are forecast to impact the central Plains into the Lower Missouri Valley through this afternoon. Dangerous heat persists across the southern Plains, Southeast U.S. and Puerto Rico this week, and will return to the Southwest today. Read More >

Overview

During the afternoon and evening of April 18, 2024, discrete supercell thunderstorms developed along a cold front moving through the bi-state area. These storms were initially mainly capable of producing large hail and damaging wind gusts, but become tornadic as additional thunderstorms formed along the front. Due to the additional thunderstorms, storm interaction increased, causing storms to congeal into a Quasi-Linear Convective System (QLCS) that impacted the St. Louis metro area and portions of southwestern Illinois. The QLCS was responsible for several tornadoes and instances of straight line wind damage in this part of the area. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported with these thunderstorms.

A map of the tornadoes surveyed as of April 20, 2024

Tornado
Wind & Hail
Photos & Video
Radar

Tornadoes:

Tornado - Pontoon Beach, IL
Madison County, IL

Date	April 18, 2024
Time (Local)	5:52–5:53 pm CDT
EF Rating	EF 0
Est. Peak Winds	80 mph
Path Length	0.9 miles
Max Width	100 yards
Injuries/Deaths	0/0
Summary: The tornado touched down near the west end of Arlington Dr south of Pontoon Beach IL. The tornado damaged trees along its 0.9 mile path to the east along Arlington Dr.

Track Map

Downloadable KMZ File

Tornado - High Ridge, MO
St. Louis & Jefferson Counties, MO

Date	April 18, 2024
Time (Local)	5:30–5:39 pm CDT
EF Rating	EF 1
Est. Peak Winds	100 mph
Path Length	7.8 miles
Max Width	40 yards
Injuries/Deaths	0/0
Summary: The tornado touched down in a subdivision southwest of Eureka in rural St. Louis County where it caused minor tree damage. The tornado moved east across the Meramec River into Jefferson County where it damaged two large metal outbuildings and snapped wooden electrical poles on Twin River Rd Between the Meramec and Big Rivers. The tornado continued to the east where it caused tree damage before lifting southeast of High Ridge.

Track Map

Downloadable KMZ File

Tornado - Prairietown, IL
Madison County, IL

Date	April 18, 2024
Time (Local)	5:57–6:01 pm CDT
EF Rating	EF 1
Est. Peak Winds	95 mph
Path Length	3.1 miles
Max Width	125 yards
Injuries/Deaths	0/0
Summary: A tornado touched down on a farm at the end of Cooper Rd. southwest of Prairietown, IL causing roof damage to outbuildings and tree damage. The tornado continued east causing more tree damage along North State Route 159 near the intersection of Sawmill Run. The tornado continued to the east where it damaged the roof and siding of a farm house and outbuildings off of Prairietown Rd before lifting.

Track Map

Downloadable KMZ File

Tornados - Marine, IL
Madison County, IL

Date	April 18, 2024
Time (Local)	6:09–6:16 pm CDT
EF Rating	EF 0
Est. Peak Winds	80 mph
Path Length	6.8 miles
Max Width	125 yards
Injuries/Deaths	0/0
Summary: An additional tornado with a much shorter track (0.3 miles) was surveyed along Lower Marine Rd. It was rated EF 0 with max winds of 80 mph.

Track Map

Downloadable KMZ File

Tornado - Cahokia, IL
St. Clair County, IL

Date	April 18, 2024
Time (Local)	5:58-5:59 pm CDT
EF Rating	EF 0
Est. Peak Winds	76
Path Length	1.1 miles
Max Width	35 yards
Injuries/Deaths	0/0
Summary: The tornado touched down near the western edge of the Prairies of Cahokia Golf Course and moved east for about 1.1 miles where it lifted near the intersection of Carol Rd and Lynn St. Damage consisted of uprooted trees and broken tree limbs. Estimated peak wind was 76 mph. Rating EF0.

Track Map

Downloadable KMZ File

Tornado - Standard City, IL
Macoupin County, IL

Date	April 18, 2024
Time (Local)	5:52-5:53 pm CDT
EF Rating	EF 1
Est. Peak Winds	95 mph
Path Length	0.23 miles
Max Width	75 yards
Injuries/Deaths	0/0
Summary: A brief tornado touched down south of Standard City where it damaged the roofs of 3 farm sheds. The tornado moved southeast across South Standard City Rd where it caused tree damage before lifting. Path length 0.23 miles. Estimated peak wind speed 95 mph. Rating EF1.

Track Map

Downloadable KMZ File

Tornado - Athensville, IL
Greene County, IL

Date	April 18, 2024
Time (Local)	4:51-5:04 pm CDT
EF Rating	Unknown
Est. Peak Winds	Unknown
Path Length	4.3 miles
Max Width	unknown
Injuries/Deaths	0/0
Summary: Numerous pictures and videos recorded the tornado, although no damage was observed.

Track Map

Downloadable KMZ File

Tornado - Kemper, IL
Jersey County, IL

Date	April 18, 2024
Time (Local)	5:36 PM
EF Rating	Unknown
Est. Peak Winds	Unknown
Path Length	Unknown
Max Width	Unknown
Injuries/Deaths	0/0
Summary: Storm spotter observed a brief touchdown in a field west of Kemper. No damage was observed.

Track Map

Downloadable KMZ File

The Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories:

EF0 Weak 65-85 mph	EF1 Moderate 86-110 mph	EF2 Significant 111-135 mph	EF3 Severe 136-165 mph	EF4 Extreme 166-200 mph	EF5 Catastrophic 200+ mph