August 4th/5th, 2023 Northeast Missouri/West-Central Illinois Tornadoes

Overview

During the evening of August 4th and early on August 5th, 2023, a mesoscale convective vortex (MCV) tracked east across northern Missouri and west-central Illinois, leading to several strong thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. Two of these thunderstorms briefly intensified and produced tornadoes in the northern Knox County town of Baring, MO (EF-2) and in the northern Adams County community of Marcelline, IL (EF-1). The EF-2 tornado in Baring was only the fifth ever of such strength in the month of August within the St. Louis County Warning Area.

Regional radar loop of mesoscale convective vortex from August 4, 2023

Radar loop of an MCV moving across northern Missouri and west-central Illinois on August 4th/5th, 2023. Two of the thunderstorms embedded in the MCV caused the Baring and Marcelline tornadoes.

Tornadoes
Photos & Video

Tornadoes:

Tornado - Baring, MO
Knox County, MO

Date	August 4, 2023
Time (Local)	11:13 PM
EF Rating	EF-2
Est. Peak Winds	122 MPH
Path Length	1.64 miles
Max Width	450 yards
Injuries/Deaths	2/0
Summary: The tornado began on the southeast side of town just southeast of the Highway K and Dairy Avenue intersection. The tornado quickly strengthened as it moved northwest producing EF2 damage southwest of the intersection. A farm outbuilding was completely destroyed, several grain bins were thrown 1/4 to 1/2 mile downwind, and a home was heavily damaged with the roof and several walls removed. The tornado then crossed Highway K and the railroad tracks and moved through the center of the town of Baring. In Baring, 6-7 businesses and 62 homes were damaged. Notable was the post office was heavily damaged with the removal of the roof and several walls. The tornado then exited town tracking to the northwest producing damage to a farm outbuilding on the east side of Highway 15 and damaged to trees on the west side of Highway. The tornado dissipated shortly thereafter.

Track Map

Satellite picture with track of Baring Missouri tornado overlaid on it.

Downloadable KMZ File

Tornado - Marcelline, IL
Adams County, IL

Date	August 5, 2023
Time (Local)	2:24 AM
EF Rating	EF-1
Est. Peak Winds	90 MPH
Path Length	2.87 miles
Max Width	200 yards
Injuries/Deaths	0/0
Summary: The tornado developed about three quarters of a mile south southwest of Marcelline, IL around 2:24 AM on August 5th, 2023. It tracked to the east-northeast, crossing Illinois Route 96 just north of 2400th Avenue, snapping tree limbs and displacing power poles. Further northeast, it then crossed N 2450th Avenue where it caused damage to a few homes and trees. in the area. After crossing E 900th Street north of the intersection of N 2450th Avenue, it crossed E 953rd Lane and caused additional damage to a home, an outbuilding, and trees. The tornado lifted after this damage, around 2:31 AM.

Track Map

Satellite picture with track of Marcelline Illinois tornado overlaid on it. EF-Scale

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

Photos & Video


U.S. Post Office Baring, MO	Home Damage Baring, MO	Home Damage Baring, MO	Manufactured Home Damage Baring, MO

Barn Damaged Marcelline, IL	Home Damage Marcelline, IL	Home Damage Marcelline, IL	Outbuilding Damage Marcelline, IL

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