Alert archive / Virginia / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 2, NWS Morristown, TN
NWS Morristown, TN issued this tornado warning at Jun 18, 2026, 4:43 PM EDT for Lee County, Virginia. It was in force for 15 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 18, 2026, 4:43 PM EDT (20:43 UTC)
- Expired
- Jun 18, 2026, 4:58 PM EDT
- In force
- 15 min
- Issued by
- NWS Morristown, TN
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.75 in
County Lee County, VA
The radar
The Knoxville radar (KMRX), 82 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:46 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
Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC (KGSO), launched 12:00Z, 8.7 hours before the alert went out and 286 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
- 504 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -128 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 772 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 24 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 176 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 177 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.1
- Supercell composite
- 1.6
The text
As transmitted.
883
WFUS54 KMRX 182043
TORMRX
VAC105-182130-
/O.NEW.KMRX.TO.W.0002.260618T2043Z-260618T2130Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Morristown TN
443 PM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
The National Weather Service in Morristown has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Northeastern Lee County in southwestern Virginia...
* Until 530 PM EDT.
* At 443 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Crummies, or 7 miles northwest of Jonesville,
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.
* This dangerous storm will be near...
Pennington Gap around 455 PM EDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include St.
Charles, Dryden, and Jasper.
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 3687 8285 3685 8285 3683 8281 3678 8279
3675 8283 3674 8282 3673 8322 3675 8313
3678 8313 3680 8310 3683 8310 3685 8307
3686 8303 3685 8301 3686 8299 3687 8291
3689 8288
TIME...MOT...LOC 2043Z 260DEG 28KT 3679 8318
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
CED1 follow-up statement
607
WWUS54 KMRX 182058
SVSMRX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Morristown TN
458 PM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
VAC105-182107-
/O.CAN.KMRX.TO.W.0002.000000T0000Z-260618T2130Z/
Lee VA-
458 PM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN LEE COUNTY IS CANCELLED...
The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer appears capable of producing a tornado.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled. However, gusty winds are
still possible with this thunderstorm.
&&
LAT...LON 3687 8285 3685 8285 3683 8281 3678 8279
3675 8283 3674 8282 3673 8322 3675 8313
3678 8313 3680 8310 3683 8310 3685 8307
3686 8303 3685 8301 3686 8299 3687 8291
3689 8288
TIME...MOT...LOC 2056Z 260DEG 28KT 3681 8304
$$
CEDWhat 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 Jun 18, 2:44 PM EDT, 1 hour 59 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Updated at 243 PM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
- A few strong to severe storms and isolated flooding possible through this evening. Flood Watch in place across southwest VA and portions of northeast TN through 2 AM Friday. A low-end tornado risk in place north of I-40.
- Breezy conditions continue through this evening with valley gusts up to 30 mph. Wind gusts over the higher terrain could gust up to around 40 mph.
- Drier weather returns later tomorrow through Saturday before more rain chances Sunday into the middle of next week.
Area forecast discussion, Jun 18, 2:44 PM EDT, 1 hour 59 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Morristown TN
244 PM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
...New DISCUSSION...
.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 243 PM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
- A few strong to severe storms and isolated flooding possible
through this evening. Flood Watch in place across southwest VA
and portions of northeast TN through 2 AM Friday. A low-end
tornado risk in place north of I-40.
- Breezy conditions continue through this evening with valley gusts
up to 30 mph. Wind gusts over the higher terrain could gust up to
around 40 mph.
- Drier weather returns later tomorrow through Saturday before more
rain chances Sunday into the middle of next week.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 243 PM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
Main concern through this evening will be the potential for a few
strong to severe storms, along with isolated flooding. Showers and
storms are currently ongoing along and ahead of a cold front that is
drifting south out of KY. The showers and storms associated/close to
the cold front will pose an isolated flooding risk as storms train
west to east. Areas along the TN/KY state line, northeast TN, and
southwest VA have the highest chances to see isolated flooding
through this evening. Flood Watch has been issued for southwest VA
and portions of northeast TN through 2 AM Friday.
Additionally, the aforementioned areas also have a low-end tornado
risk due to the combination of shear and instability. We have
already noted some weak and broad rotation in a cluster of storms
that moved through northeast TN and southwest VA earlier this
afternoon. While instability and shear are supportive of a tornado
environment, mid level lapse rates are quite poor. This will
hopefully help to deter any robust updrafts which will help to limit
our tornado threat. Weak and broad rotation will likely be seen in
additional storms through this evening. We will keep a close eye on
the radar through the remainder of the day.
Otherwise, a few strong to severe storms are possible across the
rest of the area through this evening. The main threats will be
heavy rain and isolated damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph.
The remnants of Arthur will mostly skirt just south of us, exiting
into the Carolinas late tonight. Orographically induced showers may
persist over the Southern Appalachians into the early morning hours
tomorrow, while the rest of the area dries out. Lower humidity and
somewhat lower high temperatures can be expected tomorrow afternoon.
High pressure building in from the Midwest will filter in with
northwesterly flow into Saturday. Even lower humidity values
Saturday even though temperatures rebound some.
High pressure will lose its influence over the area Sunday and into
next week as another frontal system develops under a shortwave
barreling in from the Midwest region. A second shortwave possibly
following it. A front forecast to arc along the Gulf coast towards
the middle of next week, will keep the unsettled weather around.
High temperatures could be impacted next week under troughiness and
daily chances of precipitation.
&&
.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 128 PM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
VFR conditions this afternoon and early evening with continued
breezy winds. Brief MVFR conditions if any showers and storms
pass over a terminal. Fog is likely tonight with MVFR ceilings
and visibilities. IFR isn't out of the question but not confident
enough to include in TAFS. Back to VFR late in the period.
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Chattanooga Airport, TN 70 86 64 86 / 80 10 0 10
Knoxville McGhee Tyson Airport, TN 69 84 62 85 / 80 20 0 0
Oak Ridge, TN 68 84 60 85 / 70 10 0 0
Tri Cities Airport, TN 66 82 57 83 / 90 30 0 0
&&
.MRX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NC...NONE.
TN...Flood Watch until 2 AM EDT Friday for Hancock-Hawkins-Johnson-
Northwest Carter-Sullivan.
VA...Flood Watch until 2 AM EDT Friday for Lee-Russell-Scott VA-
Washington VA-Wise.
&&
DISCUSSION...99
AVIATION...99Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 18, 2:47 PM EDT, 1 hour 56 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Morristown TN 247 PM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026 NCZ060-061-TNZ012>018-035>047-067>074-081>087-098>102-VAZ001-002- 005-006-008-191900- 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- 247 PM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026 /147 PM CDT Thu Jun 18 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, along with isolated flooding are possible through this evening. Damaging wind gusts are the main concern with any stronger storm but a low-end tornado threat also exists north of I-40. The flood potential is greatest across northeast TN and southwest VA, where a Flood Watch is in place through 2 AM Friday. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter reports for any severe weather occurring today are appreciated.
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Jun 18, 1:47 PM EDT, 2 hours 56 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Morristown TN
147 PM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
TNZ016-017-044-VAZ005-008-181830-
Sullivan TN-Washington TN-Hawkins TN-Washington VA-Scott VA-
147 PM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SULLIVAN...EASTERN HAWKINS...
NORTH CENTRAL WASHINGTON...SOUTHEASTERN SCOTT AND SOUTHWESTERN
WASHINGTON COUNTIES AND THE SOUTHWESTERN CITY OF BRISTOL THROUGH 230
PM EDT...
At 147 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms over Kingsport, moving east at 25 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...
Kingsport, Bristol Tn, Bristol Va, Walnut Hill, Spurgeon, Colonial
Heights, Gray, Oak Grove, Church Hill, and Mount Carmel.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3646 8213 3641 8263 3654 8268 3674 8226
TIME...MOT...LOC 1747Z 251DEG 23KT 3651 8256
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
19Special weather statement, Jun 18, 2:16 PM EDT, 2 hours 27 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Morristown TN
216 PM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
VAZ001-002-005-181900-
Scott VA-Wise VA-Lee VA-
216 PM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT EASTERN LEE...NORTHWESTERN SCOTT
AND WISE COUNTIES AND THE CITY OF NORTON THROUGH 300 PM EDT...
At 216 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms over Martins Fork Lake, or near Harlan, moving east at
30 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...
Norton, Wise, Jonesville, Big Stone Gap, Pennington Gap, Appalachia,
St. Charles, Duffield, Dryden, and Pardee.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3709 8254 3678 8247 3665 8320 3673 8322
3675 8313 3678 8313 3680 8310 3683 8310
3685 8307 3685 8301 3689 8288 3693 8286
3697 8287 3699 8283 3701 8283 3701 8278
3703 8276
TIME...MOT...LOC 1816Z 260DEG 27KT 3675 8329
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
19Special weather statement, Jun 18, 3:33 PM EDT, 1 hour 10 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Morristown TN
333 PM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
TNZ015-VAZ001-005-182000-
Hancock TN-Scott VA-Lee VA-
333 PM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTH CENTRAL HANCOCK...
SOUTHEASTERN LEE AND SOUTHWESTERN SCOTT COUNTIES THROUGH 400 PM
EDT...
At 332 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Sneedville, moving northeast at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 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...
Sneedville, Jonesville, Pennington Gap, Kyles Ford, and Pattonsville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3682 8309 3664 8286 3656 8301 3655 8303
3655 8305 3651 8312 3650 8313 3648 8316
3656 8331 3674 8316 3675 8313 3677 8313
TIME...MOT...LOC 1932Z 226DEG 29KT 3658 8318
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
CEDSpecial weather statement, Jun 18, 4:04 PM EDT, 39 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Morristown TN
404 PM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
NCZ060-TNZ085>087-100>102-182045-
Cherokee NC-West Polk TN-Northwest Monroe TN-East Polk TN-
Southeast Monroe TN-Bradley TN-McMinn TN-
404 PM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT CHEROKEE...SOUTHEASTERN
BRADLEY...POLK...SOUTH CENTRAL MCMINN AND SOUTHWESTERN MONROE
COUNTIES THROUGH 445 PM EDT...
At 404 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Cohutta to 11 miles northeast of Eton to
near Ellijay. Movement was northeast at 35 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...
Murphy, Benton, Ducktown, William L. Davenport Refuge, Coker Creek,
Conasauga, Violet, Big Frog Mountain, Parksville, and Turtletown.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3499 8490 3530 8462 3529 8408 3502 8396
3499 8401
TIME...MOT...LOC 2004Z 226DEG 32KT 3492 8487 3491 8458 3472 8447
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
CEDLocal storm report, Jun 18, 4:25 PM EDT, 18 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Morristown TN
425 PM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0300 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 SSE Dungannon 36.80N 82.45W
06/18/2026 Scott VA 911 Call Center
Several trees down between Dungannon and
Nickelsville.
&&Local storm report, Jun 18, 4:26 PM EDT, 17 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Morristown TN
426 PM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0300 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 SSE Dungannon 36.80N 82.45W
06/18/2026 Scott VA 911 Call Center
Several trees down between Dungannon and
Nickelsville.
&&The office that day
Everything else NWS Morristown, TN issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 18, 11:39 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | MRX | Russell, Washington, City of Bristol | 66 min |
| Jun 18, 12:16 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | MRX | City of Bristol | 44 min |
| Jun 18, 12:42 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | MRX | Washington | 33 min |
| Jun 18, 12:58 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | MRX | Scott | 47 min |
| Jun 18, 1:38 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | MRX | City of Norton | 52 min |
| Jun 18, 2:16 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | MRX | Lee, Wise, City of Norton | 44 min |
| Jun 18, 2:38 PM EDT | Flood Watch | MRX | Lee, Russell, Scott, Washington, Wise, City of Bristol and 1 more | 11 hr |
| Jun 18, 2:52 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | MRX | Lee, Scott, Wise, City of Norton | 4 hr |
| Jun 18, 2:55 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MRX | Russell, Scott, Washington, Wise | 39 min |
| Jun 18, 3:31 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | MRX | Russell, Wise | 4 hr |
| Jun 18, 3:33 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | MRX | Lee | 27 min |
| Jun 18, 7:08 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | MRX | City of Bristol | 37 min |
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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.