EF0 tornado in Audrain County, Missouri

A weak tornado briefly spun up near the intersection of Highway J and Bean Creek in Audrain County, causing some tree damage. The tornado quickly moved to the NNW, where it caused extensive damage to a barn and damaged more trees. It continued to track to the NNW crossing Audrain Road 350, blowing down more trees and tree limbs before lifting and dissipating. Overall the tornado was rated EF0 with a path length of 0.83 miles and a max path width of 150 yards. No deaths or injuries were reported.

A persistent pattern set up over the Mid Mississippi River Valley during May 21-23. Upper level winds were consistently southwesterly, providing large scale lift and moisture to the area. Converging air along frontal boundaries at the surface provided sufficient low level lift to initial storms each night. During the afternoon of May 22, 2019 specifically, a warm front was moving north into southern Missouri, increasing low level moisture. At the same time a cold front was approaching from the west. Storms developed along the cold front as it pushed southeastward through Missouri. The significant low level wind produced storms favorable for hail and tornadoes.