Alert archive / Kentucky / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 8, NWS Wilmington, OH

April 28, 2026Bracken County, Mason County, Robertson County, Kentucky

NWS Wilmington, OH issued this tornado warning at Apr 28, 2026, 1:59 AM EDT for Bracken County, Mason County, Robertson County, Kentucky. It was in force for 31 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 28, 2026, 1:59 AM EDT (05:59 UTC)
Expired
Apr 28, 2026, 2:30 AM EDT
In force
31 min
Issued by
NWS Wilmington, OH
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.0 in

Counties Bracken County, KY, Mason County, KY, Robertson County, KY

The radar

The Cincinnati radar (KILN), 100 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 05:59 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 watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Apr 27, 8:39 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Cncnati-Daytn, OH (KILN), launched 00:00Z, 6.0 hours before the alert went out and 101 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.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Cncnati-Daytn, OH at 00:00Z on 2026-04-28Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 176 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Cncnati-Daytn, OH at 00:00Z on 2026-04-28The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 131 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
176 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-24 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1403 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
33 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
131 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
183 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.8

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

456 
WFUS51 KILN 280559
TORILN
KYC023-161-201-280630-
/O.NEW.KILN.TO.W.0008.260428T0559Z-260428T0630Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
159 AM EDT Tue Apr 28 2026

The National Weather Service in Wilmington has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Mason County in northern Kentucky...
  Robertson County in northern Kentucky...
  Southeastern Bracken County in northern Kentucky...

* Until 230 AM EDT.

* At 159 AM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located 9 miles south of Brooksville, moving east at 50 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.

* Locations impacted include...
  Maysville, Washington, Aberdeen, Lewisburg, Mount Olivet,
  Germantown, Sardis, Blue Licks Battlefield, Murphysville, Burika,
  Alhambra, Stonewall, Mays Lick, Mitchells Mill, Rectorville, Peed,
  Helena, Piqua, Hittville, and US Route 62 at State Route 875.

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.

To report severe weather, go to our website at weather.gov/iln and
submit your report via social media, when you can do so safely.

&&

LAT...LON 3843 8400 3844 8402 3844 8403 3846 8408
      3865 8415 3869 8383 3867 8378 3865 8376
      3863 8367 3863 8364 3852 8364 3846 8386
      3849 8393 3845 8398 3844 8398 3842 8400
TIME...MOT...LOC 0559Z 258DEG 41KT 3855 8405 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

$$

Hatzos
2 follow-up statements
140 
WWUS51 KILN 280609
SVSILN

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
209 AM EDT Tue Apr 28 2026

KYC023-201-280618-
/O.CAN.KILN.TO.W.0008.000000T0000Z-260428T0630Z/
Robertson KY-Bracken KY-
209 AM EDT Tue Apr 28 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR ROBERTSON AND SOUTHEASTERN BRACKEN
COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out 
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 400 AM EDT for
northern Kentucky.

&&

LAT...LON 3850 8394 3854 8396 3858 8397 3859 8399
      3868 8395 3869 8383 3867 8378 3865 8376
      3863 8367 3863 8364 3852 8364 3851 8370
      3846 8386
TIME...MOT...LOC 0608Z 261DEG 38KT 3854 8392 

$$

KYC161-280630-
/O.CON.KILN.TO.W.0008.000000T0000Z-260428T0630Z/
Mason KY-
209 AM EDT Tue Apr 28 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 230 AM EDT FOR MASON
COUNTY...

At 208 AM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Fairview, moving east at 45 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.

Locations impacted include...
Maysville, Washington, Aberdeen, Lewisburg, Germantown, Sardis,
Murphysville, Moranburg, Mays Lick, Rectorville, Peed, Fleming-Mason
Airport, Lowell, Orangeburg, Helena, and Somo.

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.

To report severe weather, go to our website at weather.gov/iln and
submit your report via social media, when you can do so safely.

&&

LAT...LON 3850 8394 3854 8396 3858 8397 3859 8399
      3868 8395 3869 8383 3867 8378 3865 8376
      3863 8367 3863 8364 3852 8364 3851 8370
      3846 8386
TIME...MOT...LOC 0608Z 261DEG 38KT 3854 8392 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

$$

Hatzos
356 
WWUS51 KILN 280625
SVSILN

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
225 AM EDT Tue Apr 28 2026

KYC161-280634-
/O.EXP.KILN.TO.W.0008.000000T0000Z-260428T0630Z/
Mason KY-
225 AM EDT Tue Apr 28 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR MASON COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT 230 AM EDT...

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe limits
and no longer appears capable of producing a tornado. Therefore, the
warning will be allowed to expire.

Please report previous tornadoes, wind damage or hail to the National
Weather Service by going to our website at weather.gov/iln and
submitting your report via social media.

&&

LAT...LON 3850 8394 3854 8396 3858 8397 3859 8399
      3868 8395 3869 8383 3867 8378 3865 8376
      3863 8367 3863 8364 3852 8364 3851 8370
      3846 8386
TIME...MOT...LOC 0624Z 258DEG 41KT 3857 8371 

$$

Hatzos

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 Wilmington, OH wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Apr 27, 8:07 PM EDT, 5 hours 52 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • 1) Showers and thunderstorms will occur later this evening into the overnight ahead of a cold front. A few strong to severe storms will be possible late this evening and into the overnight hours. 2) A low pressure system will move through the Ohio Valley Tuesday night, bringing additional showers and thunderstorms. A drier and cooler airmass will then settle into the region for the rest of the week.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 27, 8:07 PM EDT, 5 hours 52 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
807 PM EDT Mon Apr 27 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
No significant changes.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Showers and thunderstorms will occur later this evening into the
overnight ahead of a cold front. A few strong to severe storms will
be possible late this evening and into the overnight hours.

2) A low pressure system will move through the Ohio Valley Tuesday
night, bringing additional showers and thunderstorms. A drier and
cooler airmass will then settle into the region for the rest of the
week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1)
Widespread showers and thunderstorms are ongoing back to our west
early this afternoon in association with a mid level short wave
lifting northeast across the mid Mississippi Valley. This activity is
expected to gradually weaken as it moves east toward our area and
outruns the better forcing in addition to encountering a somewhat
drier/less unstable airmass in place across our area. That being
said, some of these showers will likely make it into at least
western portions of our area later this afternoon into early evening.

Meanwhile, as areas back to our west further destabilize this
afternoon, additional showers and storms are expected to develop.
This activity will eventually consolidate into more of a line of
showers and thunderstorms that will move east-southeast into our
area late this evening and into the overnight hours. By this time,
the better surface based instabilities just off to our west
will begin to pinch off, but as the stronger forcing moves into our
area, this may still be enough for a few strong to severe storms.
The best chance for severe still looks to be across our far western
to southwest areas in the 11 PM to 3 AM time frame. Bowing segments
with damaging winds remain the primary severe threat.

KEY MESSAGE 2)
A slow moving cold front will sag southeast across our area Tuesday
into Wednesday. Some additional mid level energy moving into the
Tennessee and Ohio Valleys will help a surface wave/low spin up
along the front, which will then move along or just south of the
Ohio River through Tuesday night. There is some uncertainty as to the
exact placement of the front through Tuesday afternoon, but some
weak destabilization along and southeast of the front will likely
lead to isolated to scattered shower and thunderstorm development
through the day. The best chance for this appears to be across our
southeastern areas.

More widespread showers and thunderstorms will overspread our area
Tuesday night in association with the surface wave. Given the more
southern trend, any severe threat looks minimal at this time with
this feature. Pcpn will taper off later Tuesday night into Wednesday
morning as the low moves off to the east and the cold front moves
through. Behind the front, a drier and cooler airmass will settle
into the area for the remainder of the week.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
Winds starting the period are erratic between the TAF sites, but
should come around to the southeast with sustained 15-20kt and gusts
to 30-35kt before turning southerly around 07Z-08Z. A corresponding
decrease in wind speed is also expected, but still maintain a
respectable 15g25kt. Stratiform rain with rumbles of thunder will be
the rule for the next several hours, ending around 07Z-09Z. Will
maintain a watchful eye on the incoming wx from IN/IL as these storms
may hold together and be more of a typical thunderstorm until the
exit before daybreak.

Cigs remain VFR for a while and then drop to MVFR with an occasional
dip to IFR around daybreak. They will then lift back to MVFR for the
morning hours and scatter out towards noon. By this time, winds will
have turned more wsw 12-15kt G20-22kt.

OUTLOOK....Additional thunderstorms are possible Tuesday night
through Wednesday morning. MVFR ceilings are possible at times into
Wednesday.

&&

.ILN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OH...None.
KY...None.
IN...None.

&&

DISCUSSION...JGL
AVIATION...Franks
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 27, 8:53 PM EDT, 5 hours 6 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
853 PM EDT Mon Apr 27 2026

INZ050-058-059-066-073>075-080-KYZ089>098-OHZ034-042-060-070-077-
290100-
Wayne-Fayette-Union-Franklin-Ripley-Dearborn-Ohio-Switzerland-
Carroll-Gallatin-Boone-Kenton-Campbell-Owen-Grant-Pendleton-Bracken-
Robertson-Mercer-Darke-Preble-Butler-Hamilton-
853 PM EDT Mon Apr 27 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Indiana,
southeast Indiana, northern Kentucky, southwest Ohio and west
central Ohio.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

A line of thunderstorms will move into the region around midnight.
Some of these storms may produce damaging winds, and an isolated
tornado can not be ruled out.

In addition, heavy rainfall will be found with these storms and could
lead to localized flooding, especially in flood prone areas.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday.

There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will likely be needed.

OHZ026-035-043>045-051-052-290100-
Hardin-Auglaize-Shelby-Logan-Union-Miami-Champaign-
853 PM EDT Mon Apr 27 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Ohio and west central
Ohio.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

A strong low pressure system moving through the Great Lakes will
produce gusty winds this evening. Southeast winds will gust in the
30 to 40 mph range at times through midnight. After this, a line of
convection west of the area may hold together to produce strong to
severe thunderstorms, as well as heavy rainfall for a heightened
risk of localized flooding.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday.

There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

KYZ099-100-OHZ046-053>056-061>065-071>074-078>082-088-290100-
Mason-Lewis-Delaware-Clark-Madison-Franklin-Licking-Montgomery-
Greene-Fayette-Pickaway-Fairfield-Warren-Clinton-Ross-Hocking-
Clermont-Brown-Highland-Adams-Pike-Scioto-
853 PM EDT Mon Apr 27 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Kentucky, northern
Kentucky, central Ohio, south central Ohio, southwest Ohio and west
central Ohio.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

A line of thunderstorms west of the area will move east overnight,
and could affect the region between midnight and daybreak with strong
winds and heavy rainfall.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday.

There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Apr 28, 1:21 AM EDT, 38 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
121 AM EDT Tue Apr 28 2026

OHZ045-052>054-062-280600-
Champaign OH-Madison OH-Union OH-Clark OH-Greene OH-
121 AM EDT Tue Apr 28 2026

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF SOUTHEASTERN
CHAMPAIGN...NORTHEASTERN GREENE AND CLARK COUNTIES IN WEST CENTRAL
OHIO...SOUTHERN UNION AND MADISON COUNTIES IN CENTRAL OHIO THROUGH
200 AM EDT...

At 121 AM EDT, strong thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from near Urbana to near Beavercreek, moving east at 40
mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Springfield, Marysville, Urbana, London, Yellow Springs, Northridge,
Plain City, West Jefferson, Cedarville, South Charleston,
Mechanicsburg, North Lewisburg, Choctaw Lake, New California,
Harmony, Lisbon, Brighton, Milford Center, Lafayette, and South
Vienna.

This includes I-70 in Ohio between mile markers 50 and 83.

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a sturdy building.

To report hazardous weather conditions, go to our website at
weather.gov/iln and submit your report via social media, when you can
do so safely.

&&

LAT...LON 4024 8325 4024 8317 3973 8339 3974 8398
      4019 8374 4026 8325
TIME...MOT...LOC 0521Z 260DEG 35KT 4014 8371 3976 8402

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Hatzos
Local storm report, Apr 28, 1:27 AM EDT, 32 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
127 AM EDT Tue Apr 28 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0119 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 N Springboro          39.59N 84.23W
04/28/2026  M54 MPH          Montgomery         OH   ASOS

            ASOS station KMGY Dayton Wright Brothers
            Airport.

&&
Local storm report, Apr 28, 1:30 AM EDT, 29 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
130 AM EDT Tue Apr 28 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0119 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     3 N Springboro          39.59N 84.23W
04/28/2026  M54 MPH          Montgomery         OH   ASOS

            Corrects previous non-tstm wnd gst report
            from 3 N Springboro. ASOS station KMGY
            Dayton Wright Brothers Airport.

&&
Local storm report, Apr 28, 1:40 AM EDT, 19 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
140 AM EDT Tue Apr 28 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1240 AM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 SE Carrollton         38.67N 85.17W
04/28/2026                   Carroll            KY   Law Enforcement

            Trees down on both Hawkins and Taylor. Time
            estimated from RADAR.

&&
Local storm report, Apr 28, 1:42 AM EDT, 17 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
142 AM EDT Tue Apr 28 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1238 AM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 W Prestonville        38.68N 85.23W
04/28/2026                   Carroll            KY   Law Enforcement

            Trees down on 2300 Block of US42. Time
            estimated from RADAR.

&&
Local storm report, Apr 28, 1:43 AM EDT, 16 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
143 AM EDT Tue Apr 28 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0106 AM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 NE Downtown Dayton    39.77N 84.18W
04/28/2026                   Montgomery         OH   Trained Spotter

            Tree fell on lines knocking out power.

&&

The office that day

Everything else NWS Wilmington, OH issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 27, 8:08 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILNOwen37 min
Apr 27, 8:12 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryILNCarroll, Gallatin, Owen4 hr
Apr 27, 11:03 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILNCarroll27 min
Apr 27, 11:17 PM EDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatILNCarroll, Gallatin, Owen5 hr
Apr 27, 11:26 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryILNBoone5 hr
Apr 27, 11:31 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILNCarroll, Gallatin29 min
Apr 28, 12:23 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryILNOwen4 hr
Apr 28, 12:56 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILNBoone, Gallatin, Kenton34 min
Apr 28, 1:02 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILNCarroll, Gallatin, Grant, Owen43 min
Apr 28, 1:17 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILNBoone, Campbell, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, Pendleton43 min
Apr 28, 1:36 AM EDTTornado WarningILNBracken, Pendleton, Robertson24 min
Apr 28, 1:55 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILNBracken, Mason, Robertson35 min
Apr 28, 2:01 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryILNBoone, Campbell, Gallatin, Kenton3 hr
Apr 28, 2:18 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILNLewis39 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Kentucky, 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.