Alert archive / California / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 3, NWS Hanford, CA
NWS Hanford, CA issued this tornado warning at Apr 21, 2026, 2:37 PM PDT for Fresno County, Madera County, California. It was in force for 23 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The outline as issued.
The facts
- Issued
- Apr 21, 2026, 2:37 PM PDT (21:37 UTC)
- Expired
- Apr 21, 2026, 3:00 PM PDT
- In force
- 23 min
- Issued by
- NWS Hanford, CA
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Observed
- Hail
- 0.75 in
Counties Fresno County, CA, Madera County, CA
The radar
The San Joaquin Valley radar (KHNX), 68 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:37 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.
Open the radar archive at this moment
The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.
Did it verify
Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this tornado warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.
Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.
The nearest sounding before it
Oakland, CA (KOAK), launched 12:00Z, 9.6 hours before the alert went out and 225 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 8 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -8 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 557 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 75 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- -12 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- -42 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
805
WFUS56 KHNX 212137
TORHNX
CAC019-039-212200-
/O.NEW.KHNX.TO.W.0003.260421T2137Z-260421T2200Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service San Joaquin Valley CA
237 PM PDT Tue Apr 21 2026
The National Weather Service in Hanford CA has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
South central Madera County in central California...
Northwestern Fresno County in central California...
* Until 300 PM PDT.
* At 237 PM PDT, a confirmed tornado was located near Biola, or 8
miles northwest of Fresno, moving northeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Damaging tornado.
SOURCE...Law enforcement confirmed tornado.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.
Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree
damage is likely.
* The tornado will be near...
Fresno and Bonadelle Ranchos-Madera Ranchos around 240 PM PDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Friant.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a
basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.
Motorists should not take shelter under highway overpasses. If you
cannot safely drive away from the tornado, as a last resort, either
park your vehicle and stay put, or abandon your vehicle and lie down
in a low lying area and protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 3679 11992 3684 12004 3708 11990 3696 11967
TIME...MOT...LOC 2137Z 218DEG 12KT 3684 11993
TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
SM2 follow-up statements
102
WWUS56 KHNX 212149
SVSHNX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service San Joaquin Valley CA
249 PM PDT Tue Apr 21 2026
CAC019-039-212200-
/O.CON.KHNX.TO.W.0003.000000T0000Z-260421T2200Z/
Madera CA-Fresno CA-
249 PM PDT Tue Apr 21 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 300 PM PDT FOR SOUTH
CENTRAL MADERA AND NORTHWESTERN FRESNO COUNTIES...
At 249 PM PDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Bonadelle Ranchos-Madera Ranchos, or 8 miles
northwest of Fresno, moving northeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
This dangerous storm will be near...
Bonadelle Ranchos-Madera Ranchos around 255 PM PDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Friant.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
Motorists should not take shelter under highway overpasses. If you
cannot safely drive away from the tornado, as a last resort, either
park your vehicle and stay put, or abandon your vehicle and lie down
in a low lying area and protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 3684 11987 3689 11999 3708 11990 3696 11967
TIME...MOT...LOC 2149Z 218DEG 12KT 3687 11990
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
SM494 WWUS56 KHNX 212155 SVSHNX Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service San Joaquin Valley CA 255 PM PDT Tue Apr 21 2026 CAC019-039-212205- /O.EXP.KHNX.TO.W.0003.000000T0000Z-260421T2200Z/ Madera CA-Fresno CA- 255 PM PDT Tue Apr 21 2026 ...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTH CENTRAL MADERA AND NORTHWESTERN FRESNO COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 300 PM PDT... The tornado threat has diminished and the Tornado Warning has been cancelled. However, hail and damaging winds remain likely and a Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect for the area. To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service Hanford CA. && LAT...LON 3684 11987 3689 11999 3708 11990 3696 11967 TIME...MOT...LOC 2155Z 218DEG 12KT 3689 11989 $$ SM
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this tornado warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Hanford, CA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Apr 21, 9:52 AM PDT, 4 hours 45 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- 1. Winter Storm Warning in effect for the Sierra Nevada above 7,000 ft until 5 PM Wednesday. 2. Wind Advisory for the Kern County desert this afternoon into Wednesday morning and the Mojave Desert slopes from this afternoon until Wednesday evening. 3. An approaching cut-off low brings periods of heavy rainfall and mountain snow through this evening, with favorable conditions for convective weather this afternoon and evening.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 21, 9:52 AM PDT, 4 hours 45 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Hanford CA 952 AM PDT Tue Apr 21 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... 1. Winter Storm Warning in effect for the Sierra Nevada above 7,000 ft until 5 PM Wednesday. 2. Wind Advisory for the Kern County desert this afternoon into Wednesday morning and the Mojave Desert slopes from this afternoon until Wednesday evening. 3. An approaching cut-off low brings periods of heavy rainfall and mountain snow through this evening, with favorable conditions for convective weather this afternoon and evening. && .DISCUSSION... Currently, a band of precipitation is gradually moving inland, based on latest radar and satellite data. Deeper convection is offshore and moving inland over Northern California. Additional showers and thunderstorms will develop by this afternoon in our forecast area. As much as a 50 percent chance of thunderstorms exists for our region for today. Northern portions, including Fresno County northward, are now under a marginal risk for severe thunderstorms, per the Storm Prediction Center. Otherwise, additional snow will fall in the higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada until Wednesday with current snow levels around 7,000 feet lowering to 4,500 feet by late tonight. Strong, gusty winds will also develop over the higher elevations and into the Kern County desert by this afternoon. Active weather continues through Wednesday afternoon with additional chances for afternoon/evening thunderstorms, as well as gusty winds and precipitation. We get a break from active weather late this week with near to above average temperatures for Thursday into Friday, but another low pressure system brings a slight chance for precipitation this weekend, mainly over the Sierra Nevada and adjacent foothills. Precipitation chances will also occur into early next week in these particular areas. Overall, we're not looking at significant warming through next week, or similar to what took place last weekend into yesterday. && .AVIATION... MVFR with Local IFR over the Higher Terrain of the Sierra Nevada. Otherwise, VFR conditions expected across the area for the next 24 hours, with Valley and Foothill MVFR conditions in and around thunderstorms through 06Z Wednesday. && .AIR QUALITY ISSUES... None. && .CERTAINTY... The level of certainty for days 1 and 2 is high. The level of certainty for days 3 through 7 is medium. Certainty levels include low...medium...and high. Please visit www.weather.gov/hnx/certainty.html for additional information and/or to provide feedback. && .HNX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Wind Advisory from 2 PM this afternoon to 8 PM PDT Wednesday for CAZ338. Winter Storm Warning until 5 PM PDT Wednesday for CAZ323- 326>328-330. Wind Advisory from 2 PM this afternoon to 7 AM PDT Wednesday for CAZ337-339. && BSO weather.gov/hanford
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Apr 21, 11:33 AM PDT, 3 hours 4 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service San Joaquin Valley CA
1133 AM PDT Tue Apr 21 2026
CAZ300>302-211900-
Los Banos - Dos Palos CA-Merced - Madera - Mendota CA-
West Side Mountains north of 198 CA-
1133 AM PDT Tue Apr 21 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL FRESNO COUNTY
THROUGH NOON PDT...
At 1132 AM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 13
miles southwest of Firebaugh, including along Interstate 5, moving
northeast at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of west central Fresno
County.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3669 12064 3673 12077 3691 12067 3688 12052
TIME...MOT...LOC 1832Z 205DEG 16KT 3677 12068
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
BSOSpecial weather statement, Apr 21, 12:16 PM PDT, 2 hours 21 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service San Joaquin Valley CA
1216 PM PDT Tue Apr 21 2026
CAZ300>303-305-306-317-318-211945-
West Side of Fresno and Kings Counties CA-Caruthers - San Joaquin -
Selma CA-Los Banos - Dos Palos CA-Merced - Madera - Mendota CA-
Mariposa-Madera Lower Sierra CA-Mariposa Madera Foothills CA-
Planada - Le Grand - Snelling CA-West Side Mountains north of 198 CA-
1216 PM PDT Tue Apr 21 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN MARIPOSA...
SOUTHWESTERN MADERA...EAST CENTRAL MERCED AND WEST CENTRAL FRESNO
COUNTIES THROUGH 1245 PM PDT...
At 1216 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 7 miles northwest of Chowchilla to 8 miles
southwest of Mendota. Movement was northeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Chowchilla, Mendota, Firebaugh, Le Grand, and Panoche Road.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3745 12005 3667 12026 3655 12056 3719 12039
TIME...MOT...LOC 1916Z 234DEG 14KT 3716 12035 3666 12048
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
SMSpecial weather statement, Apr 21, 12:41 PM PDT, 1 hour 56 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service San Joaquin Valley CA
1241 PM PDT Tue Apr 21 2026
CAZ302-303-305-306-317-318-212015-
West Side of Fresno and Kings Counties CA-Caruthers - San Joaquin -
Selma CA-Merced - Madera - Mendota CA-Mariposa-
Madera Lower Sierra CA-Mariposa Madera Foothills CA-Planada -
Le Grand - Snelling CA-
1241 PM PDT Tue Apr 21 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN MARIPOSA...
SOUTHWESTERN MADERA...EAST CENTRAL MERCED AND CENTRAL FRESNO COUNTIES
THROUGH 115 PM PDT...
At 1241 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Chowchilla to 8 miles north of Cantua
Creek. Movement was northeast at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Madera, Chowchilla, Kerman, Cantua Creek, Madera Acres, Parkwood,
Parksdale, Biola, San Joaquin, and Le Grand.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3749 12002 3666 12001 3649 12033 3717 12034
TIME...MOT...LOC 1941Z 226DEG 18KT 3715 12029 3661 12028
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
SMLocal storm report, Apr 21, 12:58 PM PDT, 1 hour 39 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Hanford CA
1258 PM PDT Tue Apr 21 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1045 AM Rain 9 NNW Millerton Lake 37.12N 119.76W
04/21/2026 M0.29 Inch Madera CA Trained Spotter
&&
BBSpecial weather statement, Apr 21, 1:04 PM PDT, 1 hour 33 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service San Joaquin Valley CA
104 PM PDT Tue Apr 21 2026
CAZ305-306-311-212030-
West Side of Fresno and Kings Counties CA-Caruthers - San Joaquin -
Selma CA-Hanford - Corcoran - Lemoore CA-
104 PM PDT Tue Apr 21 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN KINGS AND
SOUTHWESTERN FRESNO COUNTIES THROUGH 130 PM PDT...
At 104 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles west of Stratford, or 19 miles southwest of Hanford, moving
northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Hanford, Lemoore, Armona, Home Garden, Stratford, Lanare, Huron,
Riverdale, Lemoore NAS, and Caruthers.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3608 11993 3620 12009 3654 11986 3632 11957
TIME...MOT...LOC 2004Z 223DEG 25KT 3620 11995
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
SMSpecial weather statement, Apr 21, 1:48 PM PDT, 49 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service San Joaquin Valley CA
148 PM PDT Tue Apr 21 2026
CAZ302-303-306-307-212115-
Fresno-Clovis CA-Caruthers - San Joaquin - Selma CA-Merced - Madera -
Mendota CA-Planada - Le Grand - Snelling CA-
148 PM PDT Tue Apr 21 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTH CENTRAL MADERA AND CENTRAL
FRESNO COUNTIES THROUGH 215 PM PDT...
At 147 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Kerman, or 13 miles south of Madera, moving northeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Fresno, Madera, Kerman, Madera Acres, Parkwood, Parksdale, Biola, and
Bonadelle Ranchos-Madera Ranchos.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3665 12003 3675 12022 3702 12009 3688 11980
TIME...MOT...LOC 2047Z 210DEG 14KT 3677 12008
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
BSOThe office that day
Everything else NWS Hanford, CA issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 21, 11:33 AM PDT | Special Weather Statement | HNX | Merced | 27 min |
| Apr 21, 12:16 PM PDT | Special Weather Statement | HNX | Merced | 29 min |
| Apr 21, 12:41 PM PDT | Special Weather Statement | HNX | Madera | 34 min |
| Apr 21, 1:04 PM PDT | Special Weather Statement | HNX | Kings | 26 min |
| Apr 21, 1:48 PM PDT | Special Weather Statement | HNX | Fresno | 27 min |
| Apr 21, 1:56 PM PDT | Areal Flood Advisory | HNX | Fresno, Madera | 68 min |
| Apr 21, 2:19 PM PDT | Tornado Warning | HNX | Fresno, Madera | 26 min |
| Apr 21, 2:54 PM PDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | HNX | Fresno, Madera | 24 min |
| Apr 21, 3:10 PM PDT | Special Weather Statement | HNX | Merced | 35 min |
| Apr 21, 3:19 PM PDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | HNX | Fresno, Madera, Merced | 26 min |
| Apr 21, 3:43 PM PDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | HNX | Fresno, Madera, Merced | 32 min |
| Apr 21, 3:54 PM PDT | Special Weather Statement | HNX | Madera | 36 min |
| Apr 21, 4:05 PM PDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | HNX | Fresno, Madera | 25 min |
| Apr 21, 4:09 PM PDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | HNX | Madera | 36 min |
| Apr 21, 4:10 PM PDT | Special Weather Statement | HNX | Madera | 35 min |
| Apr 21, 4:24 PM PDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | HNX | Fresno, Madera | 36 min |
| Apr 21, 4:30 PM PDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | HNX | Fresno, Madera | 30 min |
| Apr 21, 4:41 PM PDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | HNX | Madera | 34 min |
| Apr 21, 4:54 PM PDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | HNX | Fresno, Madera | 36 min |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in California, 2026Every tornado warning in 2026Tornadoes in 2026
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.