Alert archive / Kentucky / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 71, NWS Paducah, KY

June 27, 2026Massac County, Pope County, Illinois; 4 counties in Kentucky

NWS Paducah, KY issued this tornado warning at Jun 27, 2026, 5:24 PM CDT for Massac County, Pope County, Illinois; 4 counties in Kentucky. It was in force for 14 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
Jun 27, 2026, 5:24 PM CDT (22:24 UTC)
Expired
Jun 27, 2026, 5:38 PM CDT
In force
14 min
Issued by
NWS Paducah, KY
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.75 in

Counties Massac County, IL, Pope County, IL, Livingston County, KY, Lyon County, KY, Marshall County, KY, McCracken County, KY

The radar

The Paducah radar (KPAH), 35 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:25 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
Jun 27, 5:27 PM CDTTORNADO3 E Ledbetter, KYVideo documentation shows a brief tornado (waterspout) that touched down along the TN River about 2 miles east of Ledbetter. No damage was documented. Max winds are unknown with peak width about 50 yards along the 0.1 mile path.
Jun 27, 5:31 PM CDTTSTM WND DMG4 E Ledbetter, KYA tree branch broke off and smashed a windshield.

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

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched one storm report to this tornado warning; the first came 3 minutes after it went out.

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 27, 12:56 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Nashville Metro, TN (KBNA), launched 12:00Z, 10.4 hours before the alert went out and 189 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, Nashville Metro, TN at 12:00Z on 2026-06-27Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 575 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, Nashville Metro, TN at 12:00Z on 2026-06-27The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 152 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 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
575 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-42 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
991 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
30 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
152 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
174 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.3
Supercell composite
2.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

521 
WFUS53 KPAH 272224
TORPAH
ILC127-151-KYC139-143-145-157-272315-
/O.NEW.KPAH.TO.W.0071.260627T2224Z-260627T2315Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Paducah KY
524 PM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026

The National Weather Service in Paducah has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Southeastern Massac County in southern Illinois...
  Southern Pope County in southern Illinois...
  Southern Livingston County in western Kentucky...
  Northwestern Marshall County in western Kentucky...
  Southeastern McCracken County in western Kentucky...
  West central Lyon County in western Kentucky...

* Until 615 PM CDT.

* At 524 PM CDT, two severe thunderstorms capable of producing a 
  tornado were located near Exit 7 in Paducah and just west of 
  Calvert City , moving east at 25 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.

* These dangerous storms will be near...
  Paducah, Calvert City, Reidland, and Ledbetter around 530 PM CDT.
  Land Between The Lakes Area around 540 PM CDT.
  Demumbers Bay Campground around 550 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by these tornadic storms include Grand
Rivers.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 24 in Kentucky between Mile Markers 7 and 34.
 Interstate 69 in Kentucky between Mile Markers 50 and 51.

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 3710 8824 3697 8810 3696 8866 3711 8866
TIME...MOT...LOC 2224Z 275DEG 21KT 3705 8864 3702 8843 

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

$$

JGG
1 follow-up statement
318 
WWUS53 KPAH 272238
SVSPAH

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
538 PM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026

ILC127-151-KYC139-143-145-157-272247-
/O.CAN.KPAH.TO.W.0071.000000T0000Z-260627T2315Z/
Massac IL-Pope IL-Livingston KY-Marshall KY-McCracken KY-Lyon KY-
538 PM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN MASSAC...SOUTHERN POPE...
SOUTHERN LIVINGSTON...NORTHWESTERN MARSHALL...SOUTHEASTERN MCCRACKEN
AND WEST CENTRAL LYON COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

The storms which prompted the warning have weakened below severe
limits, and no longer appear capable of producing a tornado.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT for
southern Illinois...and western Kentucky.

A Tornado Warning still remains in effect for northwestern McCracken 
county for a separate storm.
&&

LAT...LON 3710 8824 3697 8810 3696 8866 3711 8866
TIME...MOT...LOC 2237Z 275DEG 21KT 3704 8854 3701 8833 

$$

JGG

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 Paducah, KY wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Jun 27, 1:39 PM CDT, 3 hours 45 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Numerous showers and thunderstorms will impact the region this afternoon. Severe storms are possible with damaging winds the greatest threat. There remains a concern for significant flash flooding with very efficient rainfall rates falling on top of already saturated soils.
  • Additional scattered showers and storms are possible overnight into early Sunday morning before pushing east of the region. Severe storms are unlikely with this round but flash flooding remains a serious concern.
  • Dangerous heat and humidity build into the region Sunday and continue through the coming week. Heat indices up to 105 are expected on Sunday afternoon and between 105 and 110 Monday through Thursday. This heatwave may linger through the 4th of July holiday weekend, although confidence is lower.
Area forecast discussion, Jun 27, 1:39 PM CDT, 3 hours 45 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Paducah KY
139 PM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Numerous showers and thunderstorms will impact the region this
  afternoon. Severe storms are possible with damaging winds
  the greatest threat. There remains a concern for significant
  flash flooding with very efficient rainfall rates falling on
  top of already saturated soils.

- Additional scattered showers and storms are possible overnight
  into early Sunday morning before pushing east of the region.
  Severe storms are unlikely with this round but flash flooding
  remains a serious concern.

- Dangerous heat and humidity build into the region Sunday and
  continue through the coming week. Heat indices up to 105 are
  expected on Sunday afternoon and between 105 and 110 Monday
  through Thursday. This heatwave may linger through the 4th of
  July holiday weekend, although confidence is lower.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 138 PM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026

An MCV moving out of southeast Missouri is leading to convection
ticking up in intensity this afternoon. The airmass ahead of it is
characterized by 2500 j/kg of MLCAPE along with extremely high low
level moisture (dew points in the 75-80 range). A shortwave
progressing across southern MO is resulting in some enhancement of
the mid level shear, with 0-6km shear values of 25 to 35 kts
(strongest behind this initial MCV). Low level shear isn't that
great (around 15 kts), but it's enough to possibly get a spin up or
two. Main threat looks to be damaging winds as convection progresses
east across far southern IL and west KY.

Significant flash flooding remains a concern with storms producing
very intense rainfall rates falling on top of already saturated
soils. Pockets of 3-6" have occurred along with localized totals of
6-10" in part of southwest Indiana. Could see up to an inch within
15-20 minutes and hourly rates in excess of 2". Pwats are in the 2
to 2.2" range. After a lull mid to late evening, CAMS indicate
additional convection bubbling up along the residual boundary
overnight into early Sunday morning. This would pose an additional
flash flooding threat. Not overly concerned about severe
storms overnight, but they can't be ruled out.

A 594-597dm ridge starts to build into the region on Sunday,
expanding further Monday through mid week. High temperatures will
reach the low to mid 90s each day through at least Thursday, coupled
with dew points in the mid to upper 70s, to produce heat index
readings reaching 105 to 110 on a daily basis. Lingering cloud cover
on Sunday may hold temperatures back some in the north and east, so
these areas may only reach about 100 on the heat index. However, for
simplicity sake went ahead and issued a Heat Advisory for entire
area. Thereafter, an Extreme Heat Watch is in effect through
Thursday for heat index readings of 105 to 110. After only
experiencing 2 days reaching 90 so far in Paducah (tied with 2003
for fewest through June 27th), summer is about to kick into full
gear.

Guidance is hinting at the heatwave lingering through the 4th of
July weekend, although there also seems to be some weakening of the
ridge that may allow some convection to develop. So it's possible
the heat gets turned down a notch, maybe only highs around 90 and
heat index readings in the low 100s (more typical summer-time
levels).

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SUNDAY/...
Issued at 1232 PM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026

Scattered to numerous convection will impact the region this
afternoon. Coverage will wane this evening, but additional
activity may develop overnight with KEVV/KOWB most likely to see
development into early Sunday morning. Cig/vsby restrictions
expected with any convection, occasionally dropping to IFR or
lower. May also have some strong winds associated with the
stronger convection. Guidance is also hinting at lower cigs
working into our northeast terminals late tonight into Sunday
morning and can't rule out some fog in areas that clear out
overnight.

&&

.PAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IL...Flood Watch until 8 PM CDT this evening for ILZ075>078-080>094.
     Heat Advisory from noon to 8 PM CDT Sunday for ILZ075>078-
     080>094.
     Extreme Heat Watch from Monday morning through Thursday
     evening for ILZ075>078-080>094.
MO...Flood Watch until 8 PM CDT this evening for MOZ076-086-087-100-
     107>112-114.
     Heat Advisory from noon to 8 PM CDT Sunday for MOZ076-086-087-
     100-107>112-114.
     Extreme Heat Watch from Monday morning through Thursday
     evening for MOZ076-086-087-100-107>112-114.
IN...Flood Watch until 8 PM CDT /9 PM EDT/ this evening for INZ081-
     082-085>088.
     Heat Advisory from noon CDT /1 PM EDT/ to 8 PM CDT /9 PM EDT/
     Sunday for INZ081-082-085>088.
     Extreme Heat Watch from Monday morning through Thursday
     evening for INZ081-082-085>088.
KY...Flood Watch until 8 PM CDT this evening for KYZ001>022.
     Heat Advisory from noon to 8 PM CDT Sunday for KYZ001>022.
     Extreme Heat Watch from Monday morning through Thursday
     evening for KYZ001>022.

&&

DISCUSSION...SP
AVIATION...SP
Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 27, 1:06 PM CDT, 4 hours 18 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Paducah KY
106 PM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026

ILZ075>078-080>094-INZ081-082-085>088-KYZ001>022-MOZ076-086-087-
100-107>112-114-281815-
Jefferson-Wayne IL-Edwards-Wabash-Perry IL-Franklin-Hamilton-
White-Jackson-Williamson-Saline-Gallatin-Union-Johnson-Pope-
Hardin-Alexander-Pulaski-Massac-Gibson-Pike-Posey-Vanderburgh-
Warrick-Spencer-Fulton-Hickman-Carlisle-Ballard-McCracken-Graves-
Livingston-Marshall-Calloway-Crittenden-Lyon-Trigg-Caldwell-
Union KY-Webster-Hopkins-Christian-Henderson-Daviess-McLean-
Muhlenberg-Todd-Perry MO-Bollinger-Cape Girardeau-Wayne MO-Carter-
Ripley-Butler-Stoddard-Scott-Mississippi-New Madrid-
106 PM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026 /206 PM EDT Sat Jun 27 2026/

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern
Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast
Missouri.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

Numerous thunderstorms will move across the region this afternoon.
Severe storms are possible, with damaging winds the main threat. A
tornado or two is possible. Additional isolated storms are
possible this evening and overnight, but severe storms are not
anticipated with this round.

A Flood Watch remains in effect through tonight with a heightened
threat for flash flooding due to torrential rainfall falling on
already saturated soils.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday

Dangerous heat and humidity is forecast Sunday through much of
next week. A Heat Advisory is in effect for Sunday and an Extreme
Heat Watch is in effect for Monday through Thursday. Refer to the
products for details.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is likely this afternoon. Any reports are
greatly appreciated.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jun 27, 4:26 PM CDT, 58 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
426 PM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026

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

0415 PM     Flash Flood      Oakland City            38.34N 87.35W
06/27/2026                   Gibson             IN   Emergency Mngr

            Water is entering structures in Oakland
            City.

&&

ATL
Local storm report, Jun 27, 4:29 PM CDT, 55 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
429 PM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026

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

0150 PM     Flash Flood      1 SE Mount Vernon       38.30N 88.90W
06/27/2026                   Jefferson          IL   Public

            Report from mPING: Street/road flooding;
            Street/road closed; Vehicles stranded.

&&

ATL
Local storm report, Jun 27, 4:39 PM CDT, 45 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
439 PM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026

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

0145 PM     Flash Flood      7 WNW Johnsonville      38.58N 88.65W
06/27/2026                   Wayne              IL   Law Enforcement

            Flooding was reported on County Hwy 13.

&&

ATL
Local storm report, Jun 27, 4:45 PM CDT, 39 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
445 PM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026

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

0430 PM     Flash Flood      1 WSW Lone Oak          37.02N 88.69W
06/27/2026                   McCracken          KY   Public

            Floodwaters streaming along Gatewood Drive
            at Old Farm Road.

&&

ATL
Local storm report, Jun 27, 4:57 PM CDT, 27 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
457 PM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026

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

0455 PM     Flash Flood      4 WNW Lone Oak          37.05N 88.73W
06/27/2026                   McCracken          KY   Trained Spotter

            Road flooded in Information Age Park.

&&

SP
Local storm report, Jun 27, 5:07 PM CDT, 17 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
507 PM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026

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

0248 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     4 NNE Grayville         38.31N 87.97W
06/27/2026                   Edwards            IL   Public

            Tree down on County Road 450N near Cowling.

&&

ATL

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jun 26, 11:57 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningPAHWabash8 hr
Jun 27, 7:59 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningPAHEdwards, Wabash, White5 hr
Jun 27, 11:00 AM CDTHeat AdvisoryPAHAlexander, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin and 13 more33 hr
Jun 27, 11:00 AM CDTExtreme Heat WatchPAHAlexander, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin and 13 more24 hr
Jun 27, 12:06 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHAlexander, Union39 min
Jun 27, 12:14 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningPAHAlexander, Union2 hr
Jun 27, 12:34 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHAlexander, Pulaski, Union41 min
Jun 27, 12:59 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHJohnson, Massac, Pulaski, Union46 min
Jun 27, 1:19 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHWabash41 min
Jun 27, 1:27 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningPAHEdwards, Jefferson, Wabash, Wayne4 hr
Jun 27, 1:36 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHHardin, Massac, Pope39 min
Jun 27, 1:54 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHEdwards, Wayne51 min
Jun 27, 1:59 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHWabash23 min
Jun 27, 2:03 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHHardin42 min
Jun 27, 2:15 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHEdwards, Wabash, Wayne, White45 min
Jun 27, 2:17 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryPAHWayne3 hr
Jun 27, 2:33 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningPAHEdwards, Wabash6 hr
Jun 27, 3:16 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningPAHWhite3 hr
Jun 27, 5:11 PM CDTTornado WarningPAHMassac19 min
Jun 27, 5:34 PM CDTTornado WarningPAHMassac26 min
Jun 27, 5:55 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryPAHMassac, Pope2 hr
Jun 27, 6:01 PM CDTTornado WarningPAHMassac29 min
Jun 27, 6:16 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningPAHMassac, Pope77 min
Jun 27, 9:07 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHDaviess38 min
Jun 27, 9:47 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningPAHDaviess4 hr
Jun 27, 1:18 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryPAHMcCracken3 hr
Jun 27, 2:00 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryPAHCrittenden, Livingston84 min
Jun 27, 2:27 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHHenderson, Union48 min
Jun 27, 2:31 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHHenderson, Hopkins, McLean, Webster44 min
Jun 27, 2:41 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHHenderson, Union49 min
Jun 27, 3:04 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryPAHHenderson37 min
Jun 27, 3:04 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHDaviess, McLean41 min
Jun 27, 3:16 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHDaviess, Henderson44 min
Jun 27, 3:21 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryPAHDaviess3 hr
Jun 27, 4:08 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningPAHBallard, McCracken5 hr
Jun 27, 4:39 PM CDTTornado WarningPAHMuhlenberg21 min
Jun 27, 5:21 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryPAHMuhlenberg114 min
Jun 27, 5:49 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryPAHMcLean86 min
Jun 27, 5:49 PM CDTTornado WarningPAHLivingston, Marshall26 min
Jun 27, 6:10 PM CDTTornado WarningPAHLivingston, Lyon, Marshall35 min
Jun 27, 6:45 PM CDTTornado WarningPAHLyon30 min
Jun 27, 6:55 PM CDTTornado WarningPAHCaldwell, Trigg35 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Kentucky, 2026Tornado Warnings in Illinois, 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.