Alert archive / Kentucky / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 13, NWS Jackson, KY

July 21, 20266 counties in Kentucky

NWS Jackson, KY issued this tornado warning at Jul 21, 2026, 6:03 PM EDT for 6 counties in Kentucky. It was in force for 27 min. 2 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Jul 21, 2026, 6:03 PM EDT (22:03 UTC)
Expired
Jul 21, 2026, 6:30 PM EDT
In force
27 min
Issued by
NWS Jackson, KY
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.75 in

Counties Breathitt County, KY, Estill County, KY, Jackson County, KY, Lee County, KY, Owsley County, KY, Wolfe County, KY

The radar

The Jackson,KY radar (KJKL), 61 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:05 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.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Jul 21, 6:03 PM EDTTSTM WND DMGWisemantown, KYSocial media report of siding damage to trailers along South Winn Avenue in Wisemantown. The user estimated maximum winds to be 60 to 70 mph in intensity. Time estimated via radar.
Jul 21, 6:17 PM EDTTSTM WND DMGWitt, KYEstill County Emergency Management and Dispatch received a report of a tree down and another report of a powerline down, both in the 300 block of Dug Hill Road, in the Witt community.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The watch it was issued in

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

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Jul 21, 2:18 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Cncnati-Daytn, OH (KILN), launched 12:00Z, 10.1 hours before the alert went out and 199 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 12:00Z on 2026-07-21Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 956 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 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, Cncnati-Daytn, OH at 12:00Z on 2026-07-21The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 172 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 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
956 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-55 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
883 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
47 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
172 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
149 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.9
Supercell composite
5.9

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

102 
WFUS53 KJKL 212203
TORJKL
KYC025-065-109-129-189-237-212230-
/O.NEW.KJKL.TO.W.0013.260721T2203Z-260721T2230Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
603 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

The National Weather Service in JACKSON KY has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Northern Owsley County in southeastern Kentucky...
  Estill County in east central Kentucky...
  North central Jackson County in southeastern Kentucky...
  West central Breathitt County in southeastern Kentucky...
  Lee County in southeastern Kentucky...
  Southwestern Wolfe County in southeastern Kentucky...

* Until 630 PM EDT.

* At 602 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located over Station Camp, or near Irvine, moving east at 60
  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...
  Yellow Rock around 610 PM EDT.
  Beattyville around 615 PM EDT.
  Grass around 620 PM EDT.

Other locations in the path of this tornadic thunderstorm include
Tallega.

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.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3766 8411 3767 8409 3768 8410 3770 8409
      3771 8410 3775 8408 3766 8350 3742 8358
      3757 8409 3763 8412
TIME...MOT...LOC 2202Z 285DEG 53KT 3765 8402 

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

$$

VORST
2 follow-up statements
393 
WWUS53 KJKL 212217
SVSJKL

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
617 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

KYC025-065-109-129-189-237-212230-
/O.CON.KJKL.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-260721T2230Z/
Owsley KY-Estill KY-Jackson KY-Breathitt KY-Lee KY-Wolfe KY-
617 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 630 PM EDT FOR NORTHERN
OWSLEY...SOUTHEASTERN ESTILL...NORTH CENTRAL JACKSON...WEST CENTRAL
BREATHITT...LEE AND SOUTHWESTERN WOLFE COUNTIES...

At 617 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Mount Olive, or over Beattyville, moving east at 60
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...
  Beattyville around 620 PM EDT.

Other locations in the path of this tornadic thunderstorm include
Athol.

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.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3766 8350 3742 8358 3753 8396 3762 8394
      3772 8390
TIME...MOT...LOC 2217Z 285DEG 53KT 3759 8374 

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

$$

DJ
505 
WWUS53 KJKL 212228
SVSJKL

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
628 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

KYC025-065-109-129-189-237-212236-
/O.EXP.KJKL.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-260721T2230Z/
Owsley KY-Estill KY-Jackson KY-Breathitt KY-Lee KY-Wolfe KY-
628 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHERN OWSLEY...SOUTHEASTERN ESTILL...
NORTH CENTRAL JACKSON...WEST CENTRAL BREATHITT...LEE AND SOUTHWESTERN
WOLFE COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 630 PM EDT...

The storm which prompted the Tornado Warning has been replaced with 
the Severe Thunderstorm Warning. Therefore, the Tornado Warning will 
be allowed to expire.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM EDT for
southeastern and east central Kentucky.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
JACKSON KY.

Remember, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning still remains in effect for 
portions of Owsley, Estill, Jackson, Breathitt and Wolfe County

&&

LAT...LON 3766 8350 3742 8358 3753 8396 3762 8394
      3772 8390
TIME...MOT...LOC 2226Z 285DEG 53KT 3756 8360 

$$

DJ

The office that day

Everything else NWS Jackson, KY issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 21, 4:09 AM EDTFlood WatchJKLBath, Bell, Breathitt, Clay, Elliott, Estill and 27 more19 hr
Jul 21, 4:25 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementJKLFleming35 min
Jul 21, 4:56 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementJKLBath, Fleming, Montgomery, Rowan34 min
Jul 21, 5:08 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningJKLBath, Montgomery37 min
Jul 21, 5:11 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryJKLFleming3 hr
Jul 21, 5:11 PM EDTTornado WarningJKLBath, Menifee, Montgomery, Powell49 min
Jul 21, 5:32 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatJKLBreathitt, Estill, Jackson, Lee, Menifee, Morgan and 4 more43 min
Jul 21, 5:44 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatJKLJackson, Laurel, Pulaski, Rockcastle46 min
Jul 21, 5:51 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementJKLElliott, Rowan39 min
Jul 21, 5:54 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryJKLBath, Montgomery2 hr
Jul 21, 5:54 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningJKLBath, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, Rowan36 min
Jul 21, 5:58 PM EDTTornado WarningJKLPulaski, Rockcastle32 min
Jul 21, 6:08 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningJKLEstill, Jackson, Lee, Menifee, Owsley, Powell and 2 more37 min
Jul 21, 6:14 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningJKLElliott, Rowan31 min
Jul 21, 6:20 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningJKLJackson, Laurel, Pulaski, Rockcastle25 min
Jul 21, 6:24 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementJKLMorgan36 min
Jul 21, 6:30 PM EDTTornado WarningJKLLaurel, Pulaski, Rockcastle45 min
Jul 21, 6:38 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryJKLPulaski, Rockcastle21 min
Jul 21, 6:39 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatJKLClay, Knox, Laurel, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Whitley36 min
Jul 21, 6:42 PM EDTTornado WarningJKLElliott18 min
Jul 21, 6:59 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningJKLPulaski, Rockcastle3 hr
Jul 21, 7:01 PM EDTTornado WarningJKLClay, Knox, Laurel29 min
Jul 21, 7:07 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryJKLLaurel, Pulaski, Rockcastle26 min
Jul 21, 7:14 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningJKLJohnson, Martin31 min
Jul 21, 7:18 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryJKLClay, Laurel3 hr
Jul 21, 7:21 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementJKLPulaski24 min
Jul 21, 7:27 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningJKLLaurel, McCreary, Pulaski, Wayne, Whitley33 min
Jul 21, 7:28 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementJKLKnox32 min
Jul 21, 7:30 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryJKLLaurel, Pulaski, Wayne7 min
Jul 21, 7:33 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningJKLLaurel, Pulaski, Rockcastle2 hr
Jul 21, 7:37 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningJKLLaurel, Pulaski, Wayne2 hr
Jul 21, 7:39 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementJKLLeslie36 min
Jul 21, 7:52 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementJKLWhitley38 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.