It was a Friday night to remember in St. Louis, as severe storms rolled through the region. March 14, 2025, brought a heightened weather threat, with the National Weather Service (NWS) issuing tornado warnings, one of which included the Maryland Heights area. But what really got people talking wasn’t just the storm itself—it was the striking image of a Southwest Airlines plane taking off from St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), seemingly flying right in front of a massive tornado. Or was it?
A video captured around 9:18 p.m. showed the Southwest plane departing STL with a dramatic storm backdrop. Lightning flashed, and a well-defined feature appeared in the distance, prompting immediate debate. Was this a tornado? Or was it simply a rain shaft?
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“A St. Lousian here.. my family and I hit the basement on Friday night when it happened. All of our power went out. Thankfully no one was hurt or no homes were destroyed in our area.”
The timing of the takeoff raised eyebrows, as the NWS had reported a radar-confirmed tornado moving northeast toward Maryland Heights. News outlets, including Fox Weather, picked up the story, and social media erupted with speculation.
Southwest Airlines Plane Takes Off as Tornado Looms: Disaster Averted or Misleading Image?
Meteorologists Weigh In
As the video made its rounds online, meteorologists quickly jumped in to analyze the situation. Some initially suggested that the feature in question could indeed be a tornado. Others, upon closer inspection, pointed out that the structure did not match what we typically see with a tornado’s shape and movement. Instead, they argued it was a rain shaft—a heavy downpour descending from the storm.
One meteorologist noted, “Yes, there was a tornado close to where this photo was taken. However, this photo clearly shows a rain shaft. All experts agree on that. There is zero chance this could be the tornado. Enhancing the image with contrast and color correction supports this fact even more.”
Another expert added, “Tornadoes do not curve and bend like that. The airport would have been monitoring conditions closely, and if a tornado was that close, operations would have been halted.”
Safety First
Airports do not take severe weather lightly. KSTL has strict protocols in place for tornado threats, including halting departures and arrivals if conditions become too dangerous. If a tornado had been within immediate proximity to the airport, there’s no way flights would have been taking off.
Additionally, recent budget cutbacks at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have raised concerns about the ability to monitor and predict severe weather events with the same level of accuracy and timeliness. As funding for critical weather programs faces challenges, it underscores the importance of investing in meteorological research and technology to keep the public and aviation industry informed and safe.
Airports do not take severe weather lightly. St. Louis Airport, a hub for Southwest Airlines, (STL) has strict protocols in place for tornado threats, including halting departures and arrivals if conditions become too dangerous. If a tornado had been within immediate proximity to the airport, there’s no way flights would have been taking off.
The Takeaway
The video is dramatic, no doubt about it. And the storm was indeed producing tornadoes in the area. But when it comes to this particular moment, the feature in question appears to be a rain shaft, not a tornado.
This situation is a good reminder of how quickly misinformation can spread, even with well-intentioned sharing. While social media can be a powerful tool for awareness, it’s always best to verify before assuming.
Bottom line: The storm was real, the tornado threat was real, but this particular image? It’s not what some thought it was. Stay weather-aware, rely on credible sources, and always respect the power of mother nature.