Alert archive / Indiana / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 59, NWS Indianapolis, IN

June 21, 2026Knox County, Sullivan County, Indiana

NWS Indianapolis, IN issued this tornado warning at Jun 21, 2026, 6:36 PM EDT for Knox County, Sullivan County, Indiana. It was in force for 39 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
Jun 21, 2026, 6:36 PM EDT (22:36 UTC)
Expired
Jun 21, 2026, 7:15 PM EDT
In force
39 min
Issued by
NWS Indianapolis, IN
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.75 in

Counties Knox County, IN, Sullivan County, IN

The radar

The Evansville,IN radar (KVWX), 71 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:36 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
Jun 21, 2:28 PM EDTTornado WatchSPC9 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Lincoln, IL (KILX), launched 12:00Z, 10.6 hours before the alert went out and 170 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, Lincoln, IL at 12:00Z on 2026-06-21Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Lincoln, IL at 12:00Z on 2026-06-21The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 10 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
1482 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
41 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
10 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
35 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

261 
WFUS53 KIND 212236
TORIND
INC083-153-212315-
/O.NEW.KIND.TO.W.0059.260621T2236Z-260621T2315Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
636 PM EDT Sun Jun 21 2026

The National Weather Service in Indianapolis has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  South central Sullivan County in southwestern Indiana...
  North central Knox County in southwestern Indiana...

* Until 715 PM EDT.

* At 636 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near Flat Rock, or 9 miles north of Lawrenceville,
  moving east at 20 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...
  Oaktown and Freelandville.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3887 8754 3887 8755 3888 8754 3889 8755
      3890 8754 3889 8753 3890 8753 3890 8752
      3891 8753 3892 8753 3895 8730 3882 8727
      3879 8750 3882 8753 3885 8753 3886 8755
TIME...MOT...LOC 2236Z 262DEG 19KT 3886 8766 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

White
2 follow-up statements
074 
WWUS53 KIND 212251
SVSIND

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
651 PM EDT Sun Jun 21 2026

INC153-212301-
/O.CAN.KIND.TO.W.0059.000000T0000Z-260621T2315Z/
Sullivan IN-
651 PM EDT Sun Jun 21 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTH CENTRAL SULLIVAN COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

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

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM EDT for southwestern
Indiana.

LAT...LON 3887 8754 3887 8755 3888 8754 3889 8730
      3882 8727 3879 8750 3882 8753 3885 8753
      3886 8755
TIME...MOT...LOC 2251Z 263DEG 24KT 3881 8746 

$$

INC083-212315-
/O.CON.KIND.TO.W.0059.000000T0000Z-260621T2315Z/
Knox IN-
651 PM EDT Sun Jun 21 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM EDT FOR NORTH
CENTRAL KNOX COUNTY...

At 651 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Russellville, or 9 miles north of Vincennes, moving
east at 30 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...
Oaktown and Freelandville.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3887 8754 3887 8755 3888 8754 3889 8730
      3882 8727 3879 8750 3882 8753 3885 8753
      3886 8755
TIME...MOT...LOC 2251Z 263DEG 24KT 3881 8746 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

White
945 
WWUS53 KIND 212307
SVSIND

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
707 PM EDT Sun Jun 21 2026

INC083-212315-
/O.CON.KIND.TO.W.0059.000000T0000Z-260621T2315Z/
Knox IN-
707 PM EDT Sun Jun 21 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM EDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN KNOX COUNTY...

At 706 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 9 miles east of Russellville, or 13 miles northeast of
Vincennes, moving east at 20 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...
Freelandville.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3889 8730 3882 8727 3880 8740 3889 8739
TIME...MOT...LOC 2306Z 262DEG 19KT 3882 8735 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

White

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 Indianapolis, IN wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Jun 21, 5:35 PM EDT, 1 hour 1 minute earlier. Its key messages:

  • Heavy rain and severe storms are possible this afternoon into early Monday
  • Flooding threat for both river/non-river will increase through the early week from heavy rainfall on damp/saturated soils
  • Temperatures will trend from slightly below normal to near normal through Saturday...trend to very warm/humid late in period
Area forecast discussion, Jun 21, 5:35 PM EDT, 1 hour 1 minute before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
535 PM EDT Sun Jun 21 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Heavy rain and severe storms are possible this afternoon into
  early Monday

- Flooding threat for both river/non-river will increase through the
  early week from heavy rainfall on damp/saturated soils

- Temperatures will trend from slightly below normal to near normal
  through Saturday...trend to very warm/humid late in period

&&

.MESOSCALE UPDATE...
Issued at 534 PM EDT Sun Jun 21 2026

An MCV currently located across central IL is pushing eastward
towards the region. Dewpoints continue to rise ahead of the
approaching disturbance amid increasing moisture advection. Latest
surface observations depict dewpoints well in the 60s to near 70F.
Dewpoints along or near the I-70 corridor are now in the low to mid
60s. This along with daytime heating has allowed for sufficient
destabilization over the past few hours. Meanwhile, strengthening
deep-layer flow is promoting effective shear around 35-50kt
supporting supercell potential.

Multiple tornadoes have already been reported across central
Illinois recently with the modestly buoyant and highly sheared
environment likely to push into southwest portions of central IN
over the next hour and eventually further northeast. Latest IND VAD
wind profiles already support this with an enlarging hodograph and
significant low-level veering. Any discrete cells that form ahead of
the developing linear storm mode across central Illinois will pose
the greatest tornado threat, but line embedded tornadoes are also
possible given ample low-level wind shear. Isolated large hail
cannot be ruled out with any discrete cells. However, modest
instability and potential for upscale growth in a moisture rich
environment limits this threat.

Radar imagery has shown one long-lived discrete supercell out ahead
of the developing linear segments in central Illinois. If this
supercell can continue to remain deviant it will likely impact far
western portions of of the forecast area including Sullivan and Vigo
counties within 20-25 minutes. The environment upstream of this
storm remains favorable for supercell maintenance and tornado
potential.

&&

.DISCUSSION (This evening through Sunday)...
Issued at 302 PM EDT Sun Jun 21 2026

This afternoon through Monday...

Quiet weather conditions continue across central Indiana at this
time ahead of an approaching MCS with an associated MCV. Look for
this system to continue pushing eastward supporting widespread
showers and thunderstorms towards this evening. Increasing clouds
has limited destabilization to some degree, but moisture advection
and daytime heating is allowing for gradual destabilization this
afternoon. Deep-layer and low-level shear will also increase over
the next several hours with the approaching disturbance promoting
stronger flow. Favorable effective shear values around 30-50 kt
combined with modest instability supports the potential for
organized storms with all hazards possible.

Latest model guidance still depicts enlarging low-level hodographs
across portions of central IN favoring an isolated tornado threat.
The greatest tornado threat is across southwest portions of central
Indiana where the greatest instability and low-level wind shear
overlap. Some uncertainty remains on storm mode at least initially.
There does appear to be at least a brief opportunity for discrete
cells later this afternoon into the early evening before multiple
linear segments then develop leading to a greater damaging wind gust
threat with embedded tornadoes possible. Isolated large hail cannot
be ruled out, but modest instability and linear storm mode by the
evening hours should mostly limit this threat.

A Flood Watch is in effect through 8 AM Monday morning for much of
central IN with the potential for 1 to 3 inches of rainfall from
multiple rounds of storms. Locally higher amounts cannot be ruled
out. Expect precipitation chances to diminish late tonight into
Monday morning as the aforementioned disturbance shifts east.
Surface high pressure will then build in providing quiet weather for
much of the day Monday. Isolated showers are possible across east-
central IN through the first half of the day. Lingering clouds and
northerly surface flow will keep temperatures cooler. Look for highs
in the 70s.

Monday night through Sunday...

Generally active pattern will continue this week amid overall zonal
pattern.  Established trough over northern North America that has
been guiding mid-latitude pattern...will shift from south-central
Canada to more pronounced, perhaps cut-off upper lows over SW Canada
to the northern Rockies late this week.  This transition will allow
a subtropical ridge to build over the central US, bringing
seasonably warm and humid conditions into Indiana next weekend.

The next round of broad and seasonably weak Canadian surface high
pressure will pass through Indiana Monday night to Tuesday night,
dropping dewpoints to the mainly low to mid-50s at night, and light
northerly breezes under H850 temperatures as low as 10 degrees
Celsius during the day Tuesday.  Transition back to more summery
weather Wednesday with light southwest flow returning moderate
humidity ahead of next wave...which should bring periods of
scattered RWs/few TRWs through the Wednesday night-Thursday night
period as the disturbance's boundary slowly crosses the region.

Expect a shorter period of improvement around the Friday timeframe
as western trough deepens near Vancouver...only allowing next
northern surface ridge to graze the CWA, with isolated diurnal
convective chances continuing...and increasing through Saturday as
light southerly flow boosts humidity through moderate to high levels.
Temperatures through the workweek to see subtle increase in
afternoon maximums from around 80F to low 80s, although mid-80s
should be more common along the US-50 corridor...while morning lows
steadily climb from 50s to 65-70F by week's end.

&&

.AVIATION (18Z TAF Issuance)...
Issued at 140 PM EDT Sun Jun 21 2026

Impacts:

- Scattered to numerous TSRA around 21Z-06Z...sct convection after
- Outside of convection...CIGs to deteriorate from west to east, to
  MVFR 23Z-02Z...and to IFR, NW to SE, during 03Z-08Z
- Winds veering to southerly by 04Z south of KLAF...and NNW by 18Z
  Monday

Discussion:

VFR conditions will continue near central Indiana terminals through
22Z at KLAF...and 23Z-02Z along/south of I-70.  Surface low
pressure, currently over northern Missouri, will slowly cross the
region through the TAF period.  Mid/high clouds will gradually give
way to lower CIGs around 050-060 by 20Z-21Z.  Associated area of
convection currently over most of Illinois will reach KLAF/KHUF
around 21Z...and KIND/KBMG by 23Z...continuing into the late
evening.  Expect further scattered -SHRA/convection through at least
12Z Monday.

Winds to gust to 15-20KT at times through the period outside of
convection...with flow veering with the passing surface low, from
southeasterly this afternoon and early evening, to southerly by 04Z
at sites south of KLAF.

&&

.IND WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Flood Watch through Monday morning for INZ028>030-035>037-039-
043>048-051>057-060>065-067>072.

&&

MESOSCALE...Melo
AVIATION...AGM
DISCUSSION...AGM/Melo
Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 21, 4:36 PM EDT, 2 hours before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
436 PM EDT Sun Jun 21 2026

INZ021-028>031-035>049-051>057-060>064-067>072-222045-
Carroll-Warren-Tippecanoe-Clinton-Howard-Fountain-Montgomery-Boone-
Tipton-Hamilton-Madison-Delaware-Randolph-Vermillion-Parke-Putnam-
Hendricks-Marion-Hancock-Henry-Vigo-Clay-Owen-Morgan-Johnson-Shelby-
Rush-Sullivan-Greene-Monroe-Brown-Bartholomew-Knox-Daviess-Martin-
Lawrence-Jackson-Jennings-
436 PM EDT Sun Jun 21 2026

This hazardous weather outlook is for central Indiana.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Thunderstorms are expected this afternoon into tonight with some
severe storms possible, mainly from through 100 AM EDT. Damaging
winds and isolated tornadoes are the primary threats from the storms.

Lightning is also a threat with any thunderstorm.

In addition, moderate to heavy rainfall is expected this afternoon
into tonight which may lead to localized flooding and increase
current minor river flooding.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

Additional thunderstorms are possible Monday and again Wednesday
through Saturday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are encouraged to pass along flooding and severe weather
reports.

&&

More information, along with other weather, hydrological and climate
information can be found at http://weather.gov/ind

INZ065-222045-
Decatur-
436 PM EDT Sun Jun 21 2026

This hazardous weather outlook is for central Indiana.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Residents living southwest of McCoy Lake are encouraged to closely
monitor conditions through tonight as releases from the dam are
planned.

Thunderstorms are expected this afternoon into tonight with some
severe storms possible, mainly from through 100 AM EDT. Damaging
winds and isolated tornadoes are the primary threats from the storms.

Lightning is also a threat with any thunderstorm.

In addition, moderate to heavy rainfall is expected this afternoon
into tonight which may lead to localized flooding and increase
current minor river flooding.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

Additional thunderstorms are possible Monday and again Wednesday
through Saturday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are encouraged to pass along flooding and severe weather
reports.

&&

More information, along with other weather, hydrological and climate
information can be found at http://weather.gov/ind

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jun 21, 6:21 PM EDT, 15 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
621 PM EDT Sun Jun 21 2026

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

0613 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 N Indiana State Unive 39.49N 87.41W
06/21/2026                   Vigo               IN   Public

            Tree branch and shingles blown off by
            thunderstorm winds.

&&

BH
Local storm report, Jun 21, 6:23 PM EDT, 13 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
623 PM EDT Sun Jun 21 2026

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

0619 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Sullivan                39.10N 87.41W
06/21/2026                   Sullivan           IN   Public

            Several tree limbs blown down accompanied by
            approximately 70 mph winds.

&&

BH
Local storm report, Jun 21, 6:24 PM EDT, 12 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
624 PM EDT Sun Jun 21 2026

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

0619 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     Sullivan                39.10N 87.41W
06/21/2026  E70 MPH          Sullivan           IN   Amateur Radio

&&

BH

The office that day

Everything else NWS Indianapolis, IN issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jun 21, 5:43 PM EDTTornado WarningINDSullivan, Vigo47 min
Jun 21, 5:46 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatINDClay, Greene, Parke, Sullivan, Vermillion, Vigo59 min
Jun 21, 5:50 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryINDSullivan, Vigo3 hr
Jun 21, 6:09 PM EDTTornado WarningINDParke, Vermillion, Vigo21 min
Jun 21, 6:24 PM EDTTornado WarningINDClay, Sullivan, Vigo33 min
Jun 21, 6:30 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningINDDecatur5 hr
Jun 21, 6:36 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatINDClay, Daviess, Greene, Hendricks, Knox, Martin and 9 more39 min
Jun 21, 6:43 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningINDSullivan, Vigo3 hr
Jun 21, 6:49 PM EDTTornado WarningINDClay, Owen26 min
Jun 21, 6:50 PM EDTTornado WarningINDDaviess, Knox25 min
Jun 21, 6:59 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryINDSullivan3 hr
Jun 21, 7:04 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningINDBrown, Greene, Jackson, Johnson, Lawrence, Monroe and 3 more41 min
Jun 21, 7:08 PM EDTTornado WarningINDMonroe, Morgan, Owen26 min
Jun 21, 7:12 PM EDTTornado WarningINDDaviess, Knox48 min
Jun 21, 7:17 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatINDDaviess, Greene, Knox, Martin, Sullivan43 min
Jun 21, 7:23 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryINDGreene, Knox, Sullivan3 hr
Jun 21, 7:25 PM EDTTornado WarningINDBrown, Monroe, Morgan20 min
Jun 21, 7:27 PM EDTTornado WarningINDDaviess, Knox48 min
Jun 21, 7:30 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningINDGreene, Knox, Sullivan3 hr
Jun 21, 7:31 PM EDTTornado WarningINDMorgan11 min
Jun 21, 7:42 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningINDBartholomew, Brown, Decatur, Jackson, Jennings, Johnson and 4 more48 min
Jun 21, 7:47 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatINDDaviess, Lawrence, Martin43 min
Jun 21, 7:50 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryINDGreene, Monroe, Owen2 hr
Jun 21, 7:51 PM EDTTornado WarningINDDaviess, Lawrence, Martin39 min
Jun 21, 7:55 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryINDDaviess, Knox, Martin3 hr
Jun 21, 7:55 PM EDTTornado WarningINDBartholomew, Brown20 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Indiana, 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.