Alert archive / Illinois / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 72, NWS Paducah, KY
NWS Paducah, KY issued this tornado warning at Jun 27, 2026, 5:34 PM CDT for Massac County, Illinois; McCracken County, Kentucky. It was in force for 26 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 27, 2026, 5:34 PM CDT (22:34 UTC)
- Expired
- Jun 27, 2026, 6:00 PM CDT
- In force
- 26 min
- Issued by
- NWS Paducah, KY
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.75 in
Counties Massac County, IL, McCracken County, KY
The radar
The Paducah radar (KPAH), 9 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:37 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.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 27, 12:56 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 7 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Nashville Metro, TN (KBNA), launched 12:00Z, 10.6 hours before the alert went out and 225 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
- 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
The text
As transmitted.
914
WFUS53 KPAH 272234
TORPAH
ILC127-KYC145-272300-
/O.NEW.KPAH.TO.W.0072.260627T2234Z-260627T2300Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Paducah KY
534 PM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026
The National Weather Service in Paducah has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southern Massac County in southern Illinois...
Northern McCracken County in western Kentucky...
* Until 600 PM CDT.
* At 534 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Barkley Regional Airport, or 7 miles west of
Metropolis, 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.
* This dangerous storm will be near...
Paducah, Metropolis, West Paducah, and Barkley Regional Airport
around 540 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Joppa.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 24 in Kentucky between Mile Markers 1 and 5.
Interstate 24 in Illinois between Mile Markers 35 and 38.
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 3721 8892 3720 8859 3707 8857 3706 8886
TIME...MOT...LOC 2234Z 270DEG 17KT 3712 8885
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
JGGWhat 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 55 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 55 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...SPHazardous weather outlook, Jun 27, 1:06 PM CDT, 4 hours 28 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, 4:29 PM CDT, 1 hour 5 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.
&&
ATLLocal storm report, Jun 27, 4:39 PM CDT, 55 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.
&&
ATLLocal storm report, Jun 27, 4:45 PM CDT, 49 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.
&&
ATLLocal storm report, Jun 27, 4:57 PM CDT, 37 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.
&&
SPLocal storm report, Jun 27, 5:07 PM CDT, 27 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.
&&
ATLLocal storm report, Jun 27, 5:31 PM CDT, 3 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
531 PM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0350 PM Flash Flood 1 S Mount Carmel 38.41N 87.77W
06/27/2026 Wabash IL Law Enforcement
Flooding on West 5th Street in Mount Carmel.
&&
ATLThe office that day
Everything else NWS Paducah, KY issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 26, 11:57 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | PAH | Wabash | 8 hr |
| Jun 27, 7:59 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | PAH | Edwards, Wabash, White | 5 hr |
| Jun 27, 11:00 AM CDT | Heat Advisory | PAH | Alexander, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin and 13 more | 33 hr |
| Jun 27, 11:00 AM CDT | Extreme Heat Watch | PAH | Alexander, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin and 13 more | 24 hr |
| Jun 27, 12:06 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Alexander, Union | 39 min |
| Jun 27, 12:14 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | PAH | Alexander, Union | 2 hr |
| Jun 27, 12:34 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Alexander, Pulaski, Union | 41 min |
| Jun 27, 12:59 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Johnson, Massac, Pulaski, Union | 46 min |
| Jun 27, 1:19 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Wabash | 41 min |
| Jun 27, 1:27 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | PAH | Edwards, Jefferson, Wabash, Wayne | 4 hr |
| Jun 27, 1:36 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Hardin, Massac, Pope | 39 min |
| Jun 27, 1:54 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Edwards, Wayne | 51 min |
| Jun 27, 1:59 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Wabash | 23 min |
| Jun 27, 2:03 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Hardin | 42 min |
| Jun 27, 2:15 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Edwards, Wabash, Wayne, White | 45 min |
| Jun 27, 2:17 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | PAH | Wayne | 3 hr |
| Jun 27, 2:33 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | PAH | Edwards, Wabash | 6 hr |
| Jun 27, 3:16 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | PAH | White | 3 hr |
| Jun 27, 5:11 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | PAH | Massac | 19 min |
| Jun 27, 5:24 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | PAH | Massac, Pope | 14 min |
| Jun 27, 5:55 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | PAH | Massac, Pope | 2 hr |
| Jun 27, 6:01 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | PAH | Massac | 29 min |
| Jun 27, 6:16 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | PAH | Massac, Pope | 77 min |
| Jun 27, 9:07 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Daviess | 38 min |
| Jun 27, 9:47 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | PAH | Daviess | 4 hr |
| Jun 27, 1:18 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | PAH | McCracken | 3 hr |
| Jun 27, 2:00 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | PAH | Crittenden, Livingston | 84 min |
| Jun 27, 2:27 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Henderson, Union | 48 min |
| Jun 27, 2:31 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Henderson, Hopkins, McLean, Webster | 44 min |
| Jun 27, 2:41 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Henderson, Union | 49 min |
| Jun 27, 3:04 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | PAH | Henderson | 37 min |
| Jun 27, 3:04 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Daviess, McLean | 41 min |
| Jun 27, 3:16 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Daviess, Henderson | 44 min |
| Jun 27, 3:21 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | PAH | Daviess | 3 hr |
| Jun 27, 4:08 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | PAH | Ballard, McCracken | 5 hr |
| Jun 27, 4:39 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | PAH | Muhlenberg | 21 min |
| Jun 27, 5:21 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | PAH | Muhlenberg | 114 min |
| Jun 27, 5:49 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | PAH | McLean | 86 min |
| Jun 27, 5:49 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | PAH | Livingston, Marshall | 26 min |
| Jun 27, 6:10 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | PAH | Livingston, Lyon, Marshall | 35 min |
| Jun 27, 6:45 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | PAH | Lyon | 30 min |
| Jun 27, 6:55 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | PAH | Caldwell, Trigg | 35 min |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in Illinois, 2026Tornado 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.