Alert archive / Virginia / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 10, NWS Morristown, TN

August 22, 2026Scott County, Virginia

NWS Morristown, TN issued this tornado warning at Aug 22, 2026, 9:26 PM EDT for Scott County, Virginia. It was in force for 30 min. 1 report 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
Aug 22, 2026, 9:26 PM EDT (01:26 UTC)
Expired
Aug 22, 2026, 9:56 PM EDT
In force
30 min
Issued by
NWS Morristown, TN
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
1.0 in

County Scott County, VA

The radar

The Knoxville radar (KMRX), 93 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:26 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
Aug 22, 9:35 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG2 N Clinchport, VADowned tree on Bishoptown Rd. Nearest the radar indicated tornado warned velocity signature. Time estimated by radar.

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

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

Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC (KGSO), launched 00:00Z, 1.4 hours before the alert went out and 257 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, Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC at 00:00Z on 2026-08-23Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1646 joules per kilogram.LCLEL10008507005003002001001 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, Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC at 00:00Z on 2026-08-23The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 33 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
1646 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
873 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
28 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
33 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
45 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.2
Supercell composite
1.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

857 
WFUS54 KMRX 230126
TORMRX
VAC169-230215-
/O.NEW.KMRX.TO.W.0010.260823T0126Z-260823T0215Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Morristown TN
926 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

The National Weather Service in Morristown has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Central Scott County in southwestern Virginia...

* Until 1015 PM EDT.

* At 925 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near Big Stone Gap, or 11 miles south of Norton, moving
  southeast at 20 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.

  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...
  Gate City around 950 PM EDT.
  Weber City around 955 PM EDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Fort
Blackmore, Clinchport, Hiltons, and Mount Carmel.

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 3667 8235 3659 8262 3659 8270 3677 8281
      3678 8279 3681 8277 3683 8272 3682 8270
      3683 8268 3685 8265
TIME...MOT...LOC 0125Z 308DEG 19KT 3678 8270 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN

$$

KRS
2 follow-up statements
126 
WWUS54 KMRX 230137
SVSMRX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Morristown TN
937 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

VAC169-230215-
/O.CON.KMRX.TO.W.0010.000000T0000Z-260823T0215Z/
Scott VA-
937 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1015 PM EDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN SCOTT COUNTY...

At 936 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 7 miles northwest of Gate City, moving southeast at 20
mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.

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...
  Gate City and Weber City around 950 PM EDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Fort
Blackmore, Clinchport, Hiltons, and Mount Carmel.

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 3659 8262 3659 8270 3672 8277 3676 8267
      3678 8257 3666 8238
TIME...MOT...LOC 0136Z 308DEG 19KT 3674 8264 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN

$$

KRS
417 
WWUS54 KMRX 230156
SVSMRX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Morristown TN
956 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

VAC169-230205-
/O.CAN.KMRX.TO.W.0010.000000T0000Z-260823T0215Z/
Scott VA-
956 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN SCOTT COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

The tornado threat has diminished and the Tornado Warning has been 
cancelled. However, damaging winds remain likely and a Severe 
Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect for the area.

&&

LAT...LON 3659 8262 3659 8270 3672 8277 3676 8267
      3678 8257 3666 8238
TIME...MOT...LOC 0152Z 308DEG 19KT 3668 8254 

$$

KRS

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 Morristown, TN wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Aug 22, 8:01 PM EDT, 1 hour 25 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Updated at 739 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026
  • Isolated to scattered showers and storms are expected in Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia and the East Tennessee Mountains this evening. A strong to severe storm isn't out of the question, especially in the north, but overall severe chances are low.
  • Sunday and Monday will be dry with rain chances returning midweek.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 22, 8:01 PM EDT, 1 hour 25 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Morristown TN
801 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

...New AVIATION...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 739 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

- Isolated to scattered showers and storms are expected in
  Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia and the East Tennessee
  Mountains this evening. A strong to severe storm isn't out of
  the question, especially in the north, but overall severe
  chances are low.

- Sunday and Monday will be dry with rain chances returning
  midweek.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 236 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

A shortwave trough will drop southeast from the upper midwest into
the Ohio valley between this afternoon through Sunday morning,
helping to push a cold front through the region tonight. Ahead of
this front, we could see some isolated strong to severe storms
capable of some damaging winds this afternoon through tonight.
While better chances for severe storms exist to our north, we'll
be in the left exit region of a jet streak aloft this evening,
with enough shear in place to support some cluster type cell
organization and enough instability to support some fairly strong
storms. Again, better chances exist to our north, but a strong to
severe storm can't be ruled out for any points roughly north of
the I-40 corridor. That being said, the chances for severe storms
are overall on the low side.

Looking ahead, the aforementioned shortwave will lead to a large
scale upper trough deepening over the Great Lakes and eastern CONUS
Sunday into Monday before pulling away through eastern Canada and
the New England area on Tuesday. The subsequent northwest flow aloft
will keep us dry Sun through Tue before rain chances enter the
forecast again. Dewpoints may even mix out into the 50s for both Sun
and Mon afternoons. And while temperatures will be near seasonal
norms both days, the drier air would be a welcome break from the
humid conditions of late. As mentioned, rain chances return by
midweek as troughing deepens over the eastern CONUS once again.
Additional shortwave energy likely brings another system and
associated rain chances through the region Wed into Thu before
northwest upper flow gives us another shot of dry and cooler air.

&&

.AVIATION...
(00Z TAFS)
Issued at 739 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

Strong storms in Middle Tennessee and Southeast Kentucky will
likely weaken as they move into the region. Some showers will
still be possible late this evening as a cold front approaches.
Some thunder will be possible but confidence is low. In the early
morning hours, some fog development will be possible after the
cold front moves through mainly near TRI. There is some
uncertainty if the front stalls and clouds linger longer than
expected.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Chattanooga Airport, TN             69  91  65  91 /   0   0   0   0
Knoxville McGhee Tyson Airport, TN  66  87  62  87 /  20   0   0   0
Oak Ridge, TN                       64  87  61  87 /  20   0   0   0
Tri Cities Airport, TN              63  81  57  82 /  50  10   0   0

&&

.MRX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NC...NONE.
TN...NONE.
VA...NONE.
&&

DISCUSSION...CD
AVIATION...McD
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 22, 3:12 PM EDT, 6 hours 14 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED
National Weather Service Morristown TN
312 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

NCZ060-061-TNZ012>018-035>047-067>074-081>087-098>102-VAZ001-002-
005-006-008-231915-
Cherokee-Clay-Scott TN-Campbell-Claiborne-Hancock-Hawkins-
Sullivan-Johnson-Morgan-Anderson-Union-Grainger-Hamblen-
Northwest Cocke-Cocke Smoky Mountains-Northwest Greene-
Southeast Greene-Washington TN-Unicoi-Northwest Carter-
Southeast Carter-Roane-Loudon-Knox-Jefferson-Northwest Blount-
Blount Smoky Mountains-North Sevier-Sevier Smoky Mountains-
Sequatchie-Bledsoe-Rhea-Meigs-McMinn-Northwest Monroe-
Southeast Monroe-Marion-Hamilton-Bradley-West Polk-East Polk-Lee-
Wise-Scott VA-Russell-Washington VA-
312 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026 /212 PM CDT Sat Aug 22 2026/

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southwest North
Carolina...east Tennessee and southwest Virginia.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

A few strong to severe storms are possible across the Northeast
Tennessee, Southwest Virginia and the East Tennessee Mountains
later this afternoon and evening.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not needed at this time.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 22, 4:15 PM EDT, 5 hours 11 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Morristown TN
415 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

VAZ006-222045-
Russell VA-
415 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL RUSSELL COUNTY THROUGH
445 PM EDT...

At 414 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Cleveland Va, or near Davenport, moving east at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and half inch 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...
Lebanon and Cleveland Va.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3691 8200 3688 8223 3699 8225 3700 8224
      3703 8220 3703 8219 3704 8217 3704 8212
      3705 8210 3704 8208 3705 8204 3707 8203
      3707 8202
TIME...MOT...LOC 2014Z 259DEG 13KT 3702 8215

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

KRS
Special weather statement, Aug 22, 5:04 PM EDT, 4 hours 22 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Morristown TN
504 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

VAZ006-222145-
Russell VA-
504 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN RUSSELL COUNTY
THROUGH 545 PM EDT...

At 504 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Cleveland Va to 6 miles east of Lebanon.
Movement was northeast at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and penny 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...
Lebanon, Honaker, and Rosedale.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3696 8178 3695 8182 3691 8186 3687 8198
      3687 8200 3700 8223 3704 8215 3704 8212
      3705 8210 3704 8208 3705 8204 3707 8203
      3707 8202 3709 8202
TIME...MOT...LOC 2104Z 232DEG 10KT 3702 8214 3692 8196

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

KRS
Special weather statement, Aug 22, 5:22 PM EDT, 4 hours 4 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Morristown TN
522 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

VAZ006-008-222145-
Washington VA-Russell VA-
522 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EAST CENTRAL RUSSELL AND
NORTHEASTERN WASHINGTON COUNTIES THROUGH 545 PM EDT...

At 522 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Saltville, moving southeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and penny 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...
Glade Spring, Lindell, and Emory-Meadowview.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3682 8196 3692 8193 3693 8183 3692 8183
      3679 8170 3671 8166
TIME...MOT...LOC 2122Z 300DEG 22KT 3687 8189

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

KRS

The office that day

Everything else NWS Morristown, TN issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 22, 8:11 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXRussell, Scott, Wise, City of Norton49 min
Aug 22, 8:32 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXLee, Wise, City of Norton43 min
Aug 22, 8:58 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXLee, Scott, Wise47 min
Aug 22, 9:52 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXScott38 min
Aug 22, 10:00 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryMRXLee, Scott, Wise, City of Norton2 hr

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Virginia, 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.