Alert archive / Kentucky / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 81, NWS Paducah, KY
NWS Paducah, KY issued this tornado warning at Jul 9, 2026, 7:44 PM CDT for Graves County, Hickman County, Kentucky. It was in force for 16 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The counties it named.
The facts
- Issued
- Jul 9, 2026, 7:44 PM CDT (00:44 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 9, 2026, 8:00 PM CDT
- In force
- 16 min
- Issued by
- NWS Paducah, KY
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.75 in
Counties Graves County, KY, Hickman County, KY
The radar
The Paducah radar (KPAH), 41 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:47 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.
The watch it was issued in
The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 9, 6:01 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 8 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Nashville Metro, TN (KBNA), launched 00:00Z, 0.7 hours before the alert went out and 208 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
- 1294 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -2 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1498 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 9 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 17 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 86 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
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 Jul 9, 6:28 PM CDT, 1 hour 16 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- A slight risk (level 2 of 5) of severe storms continues late this afternoon into tonight. The main severe hazard is damaging winds, with a heavy rain hazard capable of localized flooding.
- There is a similar, lingering, albeit smaller marginal risk (level 1 of 5) of severe storms late Friday into Friday night, then again Saturday into Saturday night.
- Repeated rounds of heavy rainfall are possible into and through the weekend; a Flood Watch is in effect. 1 to 3 inches cumulative rainfall is forecast on average, but locally higher amounts twice that or more are possible if and where storms repeat over the same areas.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 9, 6:28 PM CDT, 1 hour 16 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Paducah KY
628 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
- A slight risk (level 2 of 5) of severe storms continues late
this afternoon into tonight. The main severe hazard is
damaging winds, with a heavy rain hazard capable of localized
flooding.
- There is a similar, lingering, albeit smaller marginal risk
(level 1 of 5) of severe storms late Friday into Friday night,
then again Saturday into Saturday night.
- Repeated rounds of heavy rainfall are possible into and
through the weekend; a Flood Watch is in effect. 1 to 3
inches cumulative rainfall is forecast on average, but locally
higher amounts twice that or more are possible if and where
storms repeat over the same areas.
&&
.UPDATE...
Issued at 628 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2026
Updated the aviation section for the 00Z TAF issuance.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 1205 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2026
As the near term environment becomes increasingly warm and
unstable, expect an approaching short wave this evening to touch
off/expand our storm threat. The latest CAM modeling suggests it
might be moreso in the evening vs the late pm, but cannot rule
out earlier development entirely. The wave brings increased
shear and steepening lapse rates aloft, so the slight risk svr
continues with damaging winds the main such hazard. Localized
flooding will be possible from heavy rains, esp if they can
train over the same areas.
The aforementioned wave lingers activity into Friday morning,
then there is a relative wane before another similar looking
wave touches off convection late Friday into Friday night. Rinse
and repeat for Saturday into Saturday night. Any of these
storms will have just enough shear to work with from their
parent driving wave(s) to keep a marginal risk of severe storms
for damaging winds, while the continuing heavy rain hazard only
heightens the localized flooding potential based upon repeat or
training storms dumping high PW rainfall over the same areas.
While we have 1-3" in the storm average cumulative rainfall
forecast generally speaking, there is potential for localized
higher amounts twice or more that, esp if they can repeat over
the same areas...the Flood Watch continues.
We'll have to monitor daily storm chances into early next week,
as the models get a little muddier with when/where they set up
the broader synoptic scale ridge; this should eventually serve
to stop our daily chances and heat us up a little. For now,
we're looking at by mid week seeing its drying/warming impacts
with highs more regularly pushing 90F again.
&&
.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SATURDAY/...
Issued at 628 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2026
Scattered showers and thunderstorms are forecast for the Quad
State this evening, with greater frequency expected over
Southeast Missouri. Some of these storms may be strong to
severe. Vsby drops accompany thunderstorms and heavy rain, and
cigs drop to MVFR, at least in the northeastern half. Continued
shower/storm activity remains overnight but diminishes early
morning. Isolated-scattered shower/storm activity returns during
the afternoon. Outside of thunderstorms, winds will be around
3-5kts tonight, increasing to 7-9 kts out of the southwest for
Friday.
&&
.PAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IL...Flood Watch through late Saturday night for ILZ075>078-080>094.
MO...Flood Watch through late Saturday night for MOZ076-086-087-100-
107>112-114.
IN...Flood Watch through late Saturday night for INZ081-082-085>088.
KY...Flood Watch through late Saturday night for KYZ001>022.
&&
UPDATE...ATL
DISCUSSION...
AVIATION...ATLHazardous weather outlook, Jul 9, 12:30 PM CDT, 7 hours 14 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Paducah KY 1230 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2026 ILZ075>078-080>094-INZ081-082-085>088-KYZ001>022-MOZ076-086-087- 100-107>112-114-101000- 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- 1230 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2026 /130 PM EDT Thu Jul 9 2026/ This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight There is a slight risk of severe storms late this afternoon into tonight. Damaging winds is the primary severe hazard, but an isolated tornado and large hail cannot be ruled out. Heavy rain will bring a risk of localized flooding, especially if and where storms can repeat over the same areas. A Flood Watch is in effect, refer to the Watch for additional details. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday Thunderstorm chances continue daily into and through the weekend. Some of the storms Friday through Saturday could be strong to severe, with heavy rains providing a localized flooding threat, especially if and where they repeat over the same areas. A Flood Watch continues through Saturday night. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed, stay abreast of the latest updates and forecasts.
In the hours before
Local storm report, Jul 9, 5:12 PM CDT, 2 hours 32 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
512 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0443 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 E Faridealing 36.66N 90.58W
07/09/2026 Butler MO Law Enforcement
Trees blown down along Highway 160 3 miles
west of US 67.
&&
DRSLocal storm report, Jul 9, 6:44 PM CDT, 1 hour before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
644 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0613 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Bloomfield 36.89N 89.93W
07/09/2026 Stoddard MO Emergency Mngr
Power lines down near the intersection of
Miller and Missouri streets in Bloomfield.
&&
DRSSpecial weather statement, Jul 9, 7:10 PM CDT, 34 minutes before
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</html>Local storm report, Jul 9, 7:23 PM CDT, 21 minutes before
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</html>Local storm report, Jul 9, 7:39 PM CDT, 5 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
739 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0633 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 WSW Sikeston 36.86N 89.63W
07/09/2026 Scott MO Law Enforcement
Tree down along Highway 114 east of Highway
BB.
&&
DRSThe office that day
Everything else NWS Paducah, KY issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 9, 7:08 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Fulton | 29 min |
| Jul 9, 7:19 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Ballard, Carlisle, Graves, Hickman, McCracken | 28 min |
| Jul 9, 7:37 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Daviess | 38 min |
| Jul 9, 8:03 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Caldwell, Christian, Hopkins, Muhlenberg, Todd, Trigg | 29 min |
| Jul 9, 8:08 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Calloway, Graves, Lyon, McCracken, Marshall, Trigg | 52 min |
| Jul 9, 8:09 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Calloway, Fulton, Graves, Hickman | 51 min |
| Jul 9, 8:20 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Lyon, Trigg | 40 min |
| Jul 9, 8:43 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | PAH | Calloway, Carlisle, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Marshall | 4 hr |
| Jul 9, 8:49 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | PAH | Trigg | 21 min |
| Jul 9, 8:56 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Calloway, Marshall, Trigg | 29 min |
| Jul 9, 9:20 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | PAH | Trigg | 3 hr |
| Jul 9, 9:45 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | PAH | Fulton, Hickman | 2 hr |
| Jul 9, 10:10 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | PAH | Ballard, Carlisle | 50 min |
| Jul 9, 10:31 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Todd | 14 min |
| Jul 9, 11:06 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | PAH | Ballard | 8 hr |
| Jul 9, 11:08 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Ballard, Carlisle, McCracken | 52 min |
| Jul 10, 12:15 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | PAH | Ballard | 45 min |
| Jul 10, 12:20 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Ballard, Carlisle, Graves, McCracken | 40 min |
| Jul 10, 1:09 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | PAH | McCracken | 74 min |
| Jul 10, 2:22 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | PAH | McCracken | 4 hr |
| Jul 10, 2:37 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | PAH | Livingston | 4 hr |
| Jul 10, 3:05 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | PAH | Hickman | 40 min |
| Jul 10, 3:07 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | PAH | Carlisle, Fulton, Graves, Hickman | 4 hr |
| Jul 10, 5:11 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | PAH | Calloway, Marshall | 3 hr |
| Jul 9, 7:24 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | PAH | Wabash | 51 min |
| Jul 9, 10:38 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | PAH | Alexander | 2 hr |
| Jul 9, 10:58 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | PAH | Alexander | 8 hr |
| Jul 10, 12:09 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | PAH | Jackson | 6 hr |
| Jul 10, 12:31 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | PAH | Johnson, Union, Williamson | 6 hr |
| Jul 10, 12:59 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | PAH | Union | 5 hr |
| Jul 10, 1:27 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | PAH | Massac | 5 hr |
| Jul 10, 1:44 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | PAH | Pope | 27 min |
| Jul 10, 2:09 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | PAH | Pope | 4 hr |
| Jul 10, 6:43 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Jackson, Perry | 47 min |
| Jul 9, 9:09 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | PAH | Stoddard | 2 hr |
| Jul 9, 10:14 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | PAH | Mississippi, New Madrid | 73 min |
| Jul 10, 12:14 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | PAH | Bollinger | 26 min |
| Jul 10, 12:34 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | PAH | Cape Girardeau, Scott | 22 min |
| Jul 10, 12:34 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Bollinger, Wayne | 41 min |
| Jul 10, 12:39 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | PAH | Bollinger | 6 hr |
| Jul 10, 12:55 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | PAH | Cape Girardeau, Scott | 6 hr |
| Jul 10, 1:01 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Scott, Stoddard, Wayne | 44 min |
| Jul 10, 1:05 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | PAH | Wayne | 97 min |
| Jul 10, 1:39 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Mississippi, New Madrid, Scott, Stoddard | 51 min |
| Jul 10, 2:07 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | PAH | Scott, Stoddard | 38 min |
| Jul 10, 2:42 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | PAH | Wayne | 4 hr |
| Jul 10, 2:45 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | PAH | Scott, Stoddard | 4 hr |
| Jul 10, 6:28 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | PAH | Wayne | 29 hr |
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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.