Alert archive / Kentucky / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 90, NWS Paducah, KY
NWS Paducah, KY issued this tornado warning at Aug 20, 2026, 12:12 AM CDT for Calloway County, Graves County, Marshall County, Kentucky. It was in force for 34 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
- Aug 20, 2026, 12:12 AM CDT (05:12 UTC)
- Expired
- Aug 20, 2026, 12:46 AM CDT
- In force
- 34 min
- Issued by
- NWS Paducah, KY
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.0 in
Counties Calloway County, KY, Graves County, KY, Marshall County, KY
The radar
The Paducah radar (KPAH), 48 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 05:12 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 19, 9:42 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 7 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Nashville Metro, TN (KBNA), launched 00:00Z, 5.2 hours before the alert went out and 176 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
- 310 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -212 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1337 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 36 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 137 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 209 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.3
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 Aug 19, 6:29 PM CDT, 5 hours 43 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Another round of thunderstorms is expected this evening and possibly into the overnight hours. Some of the storms could be severe with damaging winds, large hail, and a few tornadoes.
- A small (15-30%) chance of showers and thunderstorms is forecast Thursday afternoon, and other small chances are sprinkled in through the weekend and into next week.
- Temperatures will generally be a few degrees below normal through the next 7 days.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 19, 6:29 PM CDT, 5 hours 43 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Paducah KY 629 PM CDT Wed Aug 19 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Another round of thunderstorms is expected this evening and possibly into the overnight hours. Some of the storms could be severe with damaging winds, large hail, and a few tornadoes. - A small (15-30%) chance of showers and thunderstorms is forecast Thursday afternoon, and other small chances are sprinkled in through the weekend and into next week. - Temperatures will generally be a few degrees below normal through the next 7 days. && .UPDATE... Issued at 623 PM CDT Wed Aug 19 2026 Updated aviation discussion for 00z TAFs. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 228 PM CDT Wed Aug 19 2026 Well, today's convection has lingered longer over more of the Quad State than expected, and the complete lack of warming certainly is concerning for the possibility of any significant severe storms this evening or overnight. There is still a strong north or northeasterly push at the surface to the south over southern Tennessee and eastern Arkansas, so the better airmass will not have much time to get back north over the Quad State. Therefore, the CAPE forecasts for this evening are likely overdone. The shear will be there, but if we struggle to get surface-based convection, much of it may not be realized. The CAMs have not had a clue about today's convection, so it would be dangerous to accept their solutions for tonight. However, they have been consistently hammering on the 6-8 PM period for storms to reach far northwestern portions of the Quad State, with the northern extent over Perry and Jackson Counties in Illinois. Storms would then move east southeast across the region generally south of a Duquoin Illinois to Greenville Kentucky line. Northeast of this line storms cannot be ruled out, but given that that area will be farther from the better surface air mass, severe storms are much less likely. There is some sign of storms developing along I-64 into the overnight hours. Those storms would move east southeast and dissipate by sunrise over the Tri State. If severe storms develop it would most likely be over Southeast Missouri where air mass recovery would presumably be most likely. The CAPE and shear space advertised by the CAMs would support all modes of severe, but there has been a strong tendency for bow echoes in the models with a more significant damaging wind threat. If a west northwest to east southeast boundary develops on the northeast edge of the better airmass, a greater tornado threat could develop along it. Once again this appears to be most likely over southeast Missouri, possibly into the Purchase Area of west Kentucky. The timing for tonight could be delayed a few hours which would allow more time for air mass recovery, so it will not be surprising if storms don't reach the area until 9 PM or later and then possibly last til around 2 or 3 AM before exiting west Kentucky depending on how far northeast the better air mass makes it. The storms tonight should move along at a good clip, but we will have to watch for swaths of torrential rains and possibly flooding impacts. This morning's storms produced a swath of 2-3" over Sikeston Missouri and northeast into Wayne and Bollinger counties. This area will be quite susceptible to flash flooding with any storms tonight. The convection should be done by daybreak Thursday, but an upper-level trough over the Quad State will keep a small chance of showers and storms going Thursday afternoon. Behind this trough, we will remain under a somewhat busy cyclonic northwest flow aloft. This will bring the possibility of some convection attempting to dive southeast over the Quad State over the weekend and into the first half of next week. The models are not handling individual disturbances very well, which results in the NBM spreading a lot of 15-30% PoPs across portions of the region from Friday night through next Wednesday. At least the northwest flow aloft will keep temperatures at or below normal for late August, which is quite welcome after last week's heat wave. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z FRIDAY/... Issued at 623 PM CDT Wed Aug 19 2026 Convection will develop to our west and move into the region later this evening and continue overnight. Vsby and cig restrictions are expected especially in the heavier activity. Strong wind gusts are also possible, with KCGI/KPAH the most likely terminals to be impacted by them. Convection should taper off from west to east early Thursday morning. There is a high probability (70-90% chance) of at least low MVFR cigs (potentially IFR for a period) moving into the northern half of the region after 09-10z and lingering through the morning. Improvement to VFR levels may not be until early or mid afternoon for KEVV/KOWB. Confidence isn't as high further south, but went ahead and included lower cig mention in the morning for now. && .PAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IL...None. MO...None. IN...None. KY...None. && UPDATE...SP DISCUSSION...DRS AVIATION...SP
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 19, 8:56 PM CDT, 3 hours 16 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Paducah KY 856 PM CDT Wed Aug 19 2026 ILZ075>078-080>094-INZ081-082-085>088-KYZ001>022-MOZ076-086-087- 100-107>112-114-210200- 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- 856 PM CDT Wed Aug 19 2026 /956 PM EDT Wed Aug 19 2026/ This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri. .DAY ONE...Tonight Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected to move east southeast across the Quad State through the night. Severe storms with damaging winds, large hail, and a few tornadoes will be possible, mainly to the south of a DuQuoin Illinois to Greenville Kentucky line. A swath of very heavy rainfall may lead to flash flooding concerns overnight. Refer to the Flood Watch for additional details. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday Small chances of thunderstorms are forecast Thursday afternoon, and then off and on from Friday night through Tuesday. Brief heavy downpours and lightning would be the primary concerns. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed this evening and into part of the overnight.
In the hours before
Local storm report, Aug 19, 11:21 PM CDT, 51 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1121 PM CDT Wed Aug 19 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1119 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 S Kelso 37.17N 89.55W
08/19/2026 Scott MO Utility Company
Numerous customers reporting power outage.
&&Local storm report, Aug 19, 11:26 PM CDT, 46 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1126 PM CDT Wed Aug 19 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1126 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 0 NE Benton 37.10N 89.56W
08/19/2026 Scott MO Utility Company
Power outages reported.
&&Special weather statement, Aug 19, 11:29 PM CDT, 43 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1129 PM CDT Wed Aug 19 2026
ILZ090-091-KYZ007-010-200500-
Hardin IL-Livingston KY-Crittenden KY-Pope IL-
1129 PM CDT Wed Aug 19 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL CRITTENDEN...
NORTHWESTERN LIVINGSTON...POPE AND WESTERN HARDIN COUNTIES UNTIL
MIDNIGHT CDT...
At 1129 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 6
miles northwest of Dixon Springs, or 10 miles east of Vienna, moving
east at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Rosiclare, Golconda, Joy, Dixon Springs, Elizabethtown, Eddyville,
Carrsville and Karbers Ridge.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
&&
LAT...LON 3759 8871 3760 8847 3760 8830 3731 8830
3734 8871
TIME...MOT...LOC 0429Z 275DEG 36KT 3745 8872
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
DWSSpecial weather statement, Aug 19, 11:30 PM CDT, 42 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1130 PM CDT Wed Aug 19 2026
MOZ086-100-110-200500-
Bollinger MO-Wayne MO-Stoddard MO-
1130 PM CDT Wed Aug 19 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN BOLLINGER...
SOUTHEASTERN WAYNE AND NORTHWESTERN STODDARD COUNTIES UNTIL MIDNIGHT
CDT...
At 1130 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles north of Puxico, or 12 miles northeast of Lake Wappapello State
Park, moving east at 40 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...
Advance, Puxico and Zalma.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
&&
LAT...LON 3694 9025 3715 9023 3713 8987 3713 8982
3694 8983
TIME...MOT...LOC 0430Z 271DEG 35KT 3707 9018
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
DWLocal storm report, Aug 19, 11:44 PM CDT, 28 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1144 PM CDT Wed Aug 19 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1115 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 E Advance 37.11N 89.90W
08/19/2026 Stoddard MO Public
Power outage reported, though timing is in
question.
&&Local storm report, Aug 20, 12:07 AM CDT, 5 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1207 AM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1207 AM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 N Mayfield 36.77N 88.64W
08/20/2026 M65 MPH Graves KY Public
Home weather station peak gust.
&&The office that day
Everything else NWS Paducah, KY issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 19, 8:23 PM CDT | Flood Watch | PAH | Ballard, Caldwell, Calloway, Carlisle, Christian, Crittenden and 16 more | 11 hr |
| Aug 19, 11:24 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Ballard, Carlisle, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, McCracken | 51 min |
| Aug 19, 11:46 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | PAH | Ballard, Carlisle, Graves, McCracken | 29 min |
| Aug 19, 11:51 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Calloway, Graves, Hickman, McCracken, Marshall | 54 min |
| Aug 19, 11:57 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | PAH | Ballard | 6 hr |
| Aug 20, 12:05 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Ballard, Carlisle | 40 min |
| Aug 20, 12:08 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Calloway, Graves, Hickman, Marshall | 67 min |
| Aug 20, 12:21 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | PAH | Carlisle, Graves | 6 hr |
| Aug 20, 12:31 AM CDT | Tornado Warning | PAH | Ballard, Carlisle | 13 min |
| Aug 20, 12:36 AM CDT | Tornado Warning | PAH | Calloway, Marshall, Trigg | 31 min |
| Aug 20, 12:43 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Christian, Trigg | 47 min |
| Aug 20, 12:43 AM CDT | Tornado Warning | PAH | Ballard, Carlisle, Graves, McCracken | 20 min |
| Aug 20, 12:47 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Ballard, Carlisle, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, McCracken and 1 more | 34 min |
| Aug 20, 1:15 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Calloway, Graves, Hickman, Marshall | 44 min |
| Aug 20, 1:24 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Calloway, Graves | 13 min |
| Aug 20, 1:25 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Christian, Todd, Trigg | 65 min |
| Aug 20, 1:28 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | PAH | Calloway, Graves, Hickman, Marshall | 4 hr |
| Aug 20, 1:43 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Christian | 34 min |
| Aug 20, 2:04 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Todd | 26 min |
| Aug 20, 2:09 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | PAH | Ballard | 36 min |
| Aug 20, 2:11 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Ballard, Carlisle, McCracken | 42 min |
| Aug 20, 2:59 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | PAH | Calloway, Graves | 46 min |
| Aug 20, 3:19 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | PAH | McCracken | 4 hr |
| Aug 20, 3:28 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Calloway | 20 min |
| Aug 20, 4:02 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | PAH | Livingston, McCracken, Marshall | 28 min |
| Aug 20, 4:17 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | PAH | Marshall | 4 hr |
| Aug 19, 10:35 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Union | 25 min |
| Aug 19, 10:55 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Alexander, Pulaski, Union | 50 min |
| Aug 19, 10:57 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Johnson, Union | 36 min |
| Aug 19, 11:29 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | PAH | Pope | 31 min |
| Aug 19, 11:42 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | PAH | Alexander | 5 hr |
| Aug 19, 11:44 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Alexander, Pulaski | 14 min |
| Aug 19, 9:44 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Bollinger | 31 min |
| Aug 19, 9:56 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | PAH | Carter | 34 min |
| Aug 19, 10:08 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Bollinger, Cape Girardeau | 34 min |
| Aug 19, 10:20 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Scott, Stoddard | 40 min |
| Aug 19, 10:22 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | PAH | Carter | 23 min |
| Aug 19, 10:41 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | PAH | Butler, Carter, Wayne | 34 min |
| Aug 19, 11:30 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | PAH | Stoddard | 30 min |
| Aug 19, 11:45 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Scott, Stoddard | 22 min |
| Aug 20, 12:16 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PAH | Cape Girardeau, Scott, Stoddard | 23 min |
| Aug 20, 12:31 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | PAH | Bollinger, Wayne | 2 hr |
| Aug 20, 12:35 AM CDT | Tornado Warning | PAH | New Madrid, Stoddard | 18 min |
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.