Trending Now - Illinois and St. Louis Face Heightened Tornado Threats

WHO:

Alton Telegraph - The Storm Prediction Center issued a tornado-driven moderate risk for southern Illinois.

STLPR - St. Louis Public Schools announced plans to dismiss students two hours early and canceled all after-school activities.

STLPR - Several school districts, including Parkway, Kirkwood, Affton University City, Fox C-6, Lincoln County R-III, and East Alton District 13, also announced early dismissals and cancellations.

WHAT:

Alton Telegraph - The Storm Prediction Center has issued a tornado-driven moderate risk for the southern half of Illinois for an upcoming Monday afternoon.

Alton Telegraph - The tornado risk for the southern Illinois region has been updated to a 15-29% range, covering areas from the I-72 interstate south, including the St. Louis area.

Alton Telegraph - A 15% tornado risk is in place for the Mississippi River Valley, including St. Louis.

Alton Telegraph - An additional 10% risk of tornadoes stretches up to Bloomington and Peoria and as far south as the Arkansas state border.

Alton Telegraph - A 30% hail risk is noted for the Southern Illinois region, with a Cig-1 intensity risk indicating a chance of hail 2.50 inches or larger.

STLPR - The St. Louis region has been upgraded to a level 4 out of 5 threat for severe weather.

Alton Telegraph - The tornado risk for the southern Illinois region has been updated to a 15-29% range, covering areas from the I-72 interstate south, including the St. Louis area.

Alton Telegraph - The Storm Prediction Center indicated a Cig-2 intensity risk, signifying an increased risk for EF3+ tornadoes.

Alton Telegraph - The severe wind risk across Illinois is now reported at 45%.

Alton Telegraph - A 30% hail risk is now noted for the Southern Illinois region, with a Cig-1 intensity risk indicating a chance of hail 2.50 inches or larger.

Alton Telegraph - The Storm Prediction Center has issued a tornado-driven moderate risk for the southern half of Illinois for Monday afternoon.

ABC News - More than 56 million people in the Midwest and parts of the South were at risk of severe storms, with tornado warnings posted in southeastern Missouri, southern Illinois, and northern Arkansas.

ABC News - Over 250,000 people across Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan were without power.

ABC News - Kansas City, Missouri, fire department responded to 11 water rescues from vehicles due to heavy rains.

ABC News - The National Weather Service reported that 3.2 inches (8.1 centimeters) of rain fell in a six-hour period at the Kansas City International Airport.

ABC News - The storms followed rounds of violent weather over the weekend, with an EF-2 tornado confirmed in the Runaway Bay area of northern Texas, resulting in at least two fatalities and significant damage to homes.

Alton Telegraph - The tornado risk for the southern Illinois region has been updated to a 15-29% range, covering areas from the I-72 interstate south, including the St. Louis area.

Alton Telegraph - The Storm Prediction Center indicated a Cig-2 intensity risk, signifying an increased risk for EF3+ tornadoes.

Alton Telegraph - The severe wind risk across Illinois is now reported at 45%.

Alton Telegraph - A 30% hail risk is now noted for the Southern Illinois region, with a Cig-1 intensity risk indicating a chance of hail 2.50 inches or larger.

Alton Telegraph - The Storm Prediction Center has issued a tornado-driven moderate risk for the southern half of Illinois for Monday afternoon.

ABC News - A thunderstorm in Kent County, Michigan, caused a tree to fall and kill a 39-year-old man.

ABC News - Over 250,000 people across Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan were without power.

ABC News - Kansas City, Missouri, fire department responded to 11 water rescues from vehicles due to heavy rains.

ABC News - The National Weather Service reported that 3.2 inches (8.1 centimeters) of rain fell in a six-hour period at the Kansas City International Airport.

Alton Telegraph - A moderate risk (4 out of 5) for severe weather is in place for Illinois.

Alton Telegraph - A 15% tornado risk is in place for the Mississippi River Valley, including St. Louis.

Alton Telegraph - A Cig-2 intensity risk indicates an increased risk for EF3+ tornadoes.

Alton Telegraph - A 45% severe wind risk covers much of Illinois.

Alton Telegraph - A 30% hail risk is present in the Southern Illinois region with a Cig-1 intensity risk.

STLPR - The St. Louis region has been upgraded to a level 4 out of 5 threat for severe weather.

WHERE:

Alton Telegraph - The St. Louis area is directly in the center of the tornado risk.

ABC News - The storm resulted in dozens of downed trees and wires in Kent County, Michigan.

Alton Telegraph - The St. Louis area is directly in the center of the tornado risk.

ABC News - The storm resulted in dozens of downed trees and wires in Kent County, Michigan.

Alton Telegraph - The severe weather threat is focused on southern Illinois and the St. Louis area.

STLPR - The St. Louis region, including Rolla, is included in the moderate risk area, while Quincy is in the elevated risk area.

WHEN:

Alton Telegraph - The St. Louis NWS estimates severe weather will occur between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. on the day of the severe weather.

STLPR - The National Weather Service predicts storms will move through the St. Louis region between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Alton Telegraph - The St. Louis NWS estimates severe weather will occur between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. on the day of the severe weather.

Alton Telegraph - The main severe weather threat is expected in the afternoon hours, particularly between 2 p.m. and 10 p.m.

STLPR - The St. Louis Zoo will close early at 2 p.m. on the day of the severe weather.

Alton Telegraph - The St. Louis NWS estimates severe weather will occur between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. on the day of the severe weather.

Alton Telegraph - The main severe weather threat is expected in the afternoon hours, particularly between 2 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Alton Telegraph - The St. Louis NWS estimates severe weather will occur between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.

STLPR - The St. Louis Zoo will close early at 2 p.m. on the day of the severe weather.

WHY:

ABC News - Temperatures near 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26 degrees Celsius) contributed to "atmospheric instability," according to meteorologist Evan Bentley.

Alton Telegraph - Ongoing thunderstorms complicate the overall scenario for severe weather.

Alton Telegraph - The environment may become favorable for higher-end severe thunderstorms if clouds clear quickly.

HOW:

Alton Telegraph - The St. Louis NWS cautioned that uncertainty remains regarding the timing of severe thunderstorms due to the lingering effects of morning thunderstorms.

Alton Telegraph - Storms are expected to develop in mid-Missouri and move from west to east into the St. Louis region.

(UPDATED April 29, 2026 07:42 UTC)

The Storm Prediction Center has issued a moderate risk for tornadoes in the southern half of Illinois, with the threat level updated to a 15-29% range for areas south of I-72, including St. Louis. Additionally, the St. Louis region has been upgraded to a level 4 out of 5 threat for severe weather, with a 30% risk of hail potentially reaching 2.50 inches or larger. The National Weather Service expects storms to move through the St. Louis area between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. on the upcoming Monday.

(UPDATED April 29, 2026 04:12 UTC)

The tornado risk for the southern Illinois region has been updated to a range of 15 to 29 percent, particularly affecting areas from the I-72 interstate south, including St. Louis, where a moderate risk for tornadoes is expected on Monday afternoon. The Storm Prediction Center has also indicated a severe wind risk of 45 percent and a 30 percent chance of hail measuring 2.50 inches or larger. With over 56 million people in the Midwest and parts of the South under threat from severe storms, the National Weather Service warns that the main severe weather threat will occur between 2 p.m. and 10 p.m.

(UPDATED April 28, 2026 23:18 UTC)

The tornado risk for the southern Illinois region, including the St. Louis area, has been updated to a range of 15 to 29 percent, with the Storm Prediction Center indicating a Cig-2 intensity risk that suggests an increased likelihood of EF3 or stronger tornadoes. Additionally, the severe wind risk across Illinois is now reported at 45 percent, while a 30 percent hail risk has been noted for the southern Illinois region, with a Cig-1 intensity risk indicating potential hail of two and a half inches or larger. The St. Louis National Weather Service estimates that severe weather will occur between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., although they caution that uncertainty remains regarding the timing of these severe thunderstorms due to the lingering effects of earlier storms.

(UPDATED April 28, 2026 15:47 UTC)

A tornado-driven moderate risk has been issued for the southern half of Illinois, as more than 56 million people in the Midwest and parts of the South face severe storm threats, with tornado warnings already in effect in southeastern Missouri, southern Illinois, and northern Arkansas. In Kent County, Michigan, a thunderstorm caused a tragic incident that resulted in the death of a 39-year-old man due to a falling tree, while over 250,000 people across several states, including Missouri and Illinois, are currently without power. Heavy rains have led to significant flooding in Kansas City, Missouri, prompting the fire department to conduct 11 water rescues from vehicles, with the National Weather Service reporting that 3.2 inches of rain fell in just six hours at the Kansas City International Airport.

(UPDATED April 28, 2026 11:33 UTC)

A moderate risk for severe weather has been issued for southern Illinois and the St. Louis area, with a 15% tornado risk affecting the Mississippi River Valley. In response to the threat, St. Louis Public Schools and several surrounding districts have announced early dismissals and canceled after-school activities, while the St. Louis Zoo will close at 2 p.m. The main severe weather threat is anticipated to hit in the afternoon, particularly between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., as storms develop in mid-Missouri and move eastward.