Alert archive / Missouri / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 92, NWS Paducah, KY

August 20, 2026New Madrid County, Stoddard County, Missouri

NWS Paducah, KY issued this tornado warning at Aug 20, 2026, 12:35 AM CDT for New Madrid County, Stoddard County, Missouri. It was in force for 18 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
Aug 20, 2026, 12:35 AM CDT (05:35 UTC)
Expired
Aug 20, 2026, 12:53 AM CDT
In force
18 min
Issued by
NWS Paducah, KY
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.0 in

Counties New Madrid County, MO, Stoddard County, MO

The radar

The Paducah radar (KPAH), 88 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 05:34 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.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Aug 19, 9:42 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Little Rock, AR (KLZK), launched 00:00Z, 5.6 hours before the alert went out and 202 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, Little Rock, AR at 00:00Z on 2026-08-20Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 659 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, Little Rock, AR at 00:00Z on 2026-08-20The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 7 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
659 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-17 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
2822 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
21 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
7 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
0 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

356 
WFUS53 KPAH 200535
TORPAH
MOC143-207-200600-
/O.NEW.KPAH.TO.W.0092.260820T0535Z-260820T0600Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1235 AM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

The National Weather Service in Paducah has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  East Central New Madrid County in southeastern Missouri...
  Southeastern Stoddard County in southeastern Missouri...

* Until 100 AM CDT.

* At 1235 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a
  tornado was located 6 miles south of Canalou, or 7 miles northwest
  of Lilbourn, moving east at 40 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.

* Locations impacted include...
  New Madrid, Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site, Farrenburg and North
  Lilbourn.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built building
away from 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 3664 8979 3673 8978 3670 8941 3656 8945
      3657 8948 3657 8949 3658 8950 3658 8954
TIME...MOT...LOC 0535Z 281DEG 32KT 3667 8970

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

$$

DW
3 follow-up statements
222 
WWUS53 KPAH 200541
SVSPAH

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1241 AM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

MOC207-200551-
/O.CAN.KPAH.TO.W.0092.000000T0000Z-260820T0600Z/
Stoddard MO-
1241 AM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

...TORNADO WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR SOUTHEASTERN STODDARD COUNTY...

The tornado threat has diminished and the Tornado Warning has been
cancelled. However, large hail and damaging winds remain likely and a
Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect for the area.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 300 AM CDT for a
portion of southeast Missouri.

&&

LAT...LON 3657 8949 3658 8950 3658 8954 3659 8956
      3661 8966 3662 8969 3662 8971 3663 8971
      3663 8970 3667 8970 3672 8969 3672 8966
      3670 8941 3656 8945
TIME...MOT...LOC 0535Z 281DEG 32KT 3667 8969

$$


MOC143-200600-
/O.CON.KPAH.TO.W.0092.000000T0000Z-260820T0600Z/
New Madrid MO-
1241 AM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

...TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM CDT FOR EAST CENTRAL
NEW MADRID COUNTY...

At 1241 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Lilbourn, moving east at 40 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.

Locations impacted include...
  New Madrid, Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site, Farrenburg and North
  Lilbourn.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built building
away from 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 3657 8949 3658 8950 3658 8954 3659 8956
      3661 8966 3662 8969 3662 8971 3663 8971
      3663 8970 3667 8970 3672 8969 3672 8966
      3670 8941 3656 8945
TIME...MOT...LOC 0535Z 281DEG 32KT 3667 8969

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

$$

DW
269 
WWUS53 KPAH 200548
SVSPAH

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1248 AM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

MOC143-200600-
/O.CON.KPAH.TO.W.0092.000000T0000Z-260820T0600Z/
New Madrid MO-
1248 AM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

...TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM CDT FOR EAST CENTRAL
NEW MADRID COUNTY...

At 1248 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site, moving east at 40
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.

Locations impacted include...
  New Madrid, Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site and Farrenburg.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built building
away from 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 3658 8952 3659 8956 3660 8962 3672 8960
      3670 8941 3656 8945 3657 8948 3657 8949
      3658 8950
TIME...MOT...LOC 0541Z 281DEG 32KT 3666 8962

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

$$

DW
633 
WWUS53 KPAH 200553
SVSPAH

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1253 AM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

MOC143-200603-
/O.CAN.KPAH.TO.W.0092.000000T0000Z-260820T0600Z/
New Madrid MO-
1253 AM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

...TORNADO WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR EAST CENTRAL NEW MADRID COUNTY...

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, small hail and
gusty winds are still possible with this thunderstorm.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 300 AM CDT for a
portion of southeast Missouri.

&&

LAT...LON 3658 8952 3659 8956 3660 8962 3672 8960
      3670 8941 3656 8945 3657 8948 3657 8949
      3658 8950
TIME...MOT...LOC 0548Z 281DEG 32KT 3665 8955

$$

DW

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, 6 hours 6 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, 6 hours 6 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 39 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 20, 12:14 AM CDT, 21 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1214 AM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

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

1213 AM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 SW Folsomdale         36.88N 88.69W
08/20/2026                   Graves             KY   Public

            Tree fallen on a home. No injuries.

&&
Local storm report, Aug 20, 12:15 AM CDT, 20 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1215 AM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

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

1214 AM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 W Blandville          36.93N 89.00W
08/20/2026                   Ballard            KY   Public

            Tree limbs down and brief power outage.

&&
Local storm report, Aug 20, 12:17 AM CDT, 18 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1217 AM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

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

1145 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     0 SW Cunningham         36.91N 88.89W
08/20/2026                   Carlisle           KY   Public

            Large trees down on house and vehicle.

&&
Local storm report, Aug 20, 12:22 AM CDT, 13 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1222 AM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

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

1222 AM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     3 SE Lovelaceville      36.93N 88.81W
08/20/2026                   Graves             KY   Utility Company

            Numerous power outages reported across
            multiple counties.

&&
Local storm report, Aug 20, 12:27 AM CDT, 8 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1227 AM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

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

1213 AM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     3 E Tanner              36.92N 89.63W
08/20/2026                   Scott              MO   Trained Spotter

&&
Local storm report, Aug 20, 12:35 AM CDT, 0 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1235 AM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

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

1235 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     0 SW Sikeston           36.88N 89.58W
08/20/2026  E60 MPH          Scott              MO   Public

            Several public reports of 60 mph winds.

&&

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 19, 8:23 PM CDTFlood WatchPAHBollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Mississippi, New Madrid and 5 more11 hr
Aug 19, 9:44 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHBollinger31 min
Aug 19, 9:56 PM CDTTornado WarningPAHCarter34 min
Aug 19, 10:08 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHBollinger, Cape Girardeau34 min
Aug 19, 10:20 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHBollinger, Cape Girardeau, Scott, Stoddard40 min
Aug 19, 10:22 PM CDTTornado WarningPAHCarter23 min
Aug 19, 10:41 PM CDTTornado WarningPAHButler, Carter, Wayne34 min
Aug 19, 10:55 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHCape Girardeau, Mississippi, Scott, Stoddard50 min
Aug 19, 11:24 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHMississippi, New Madrid51 min
Aug 19, 11:30 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementPAHStoddard30 min
Aug 19, 11:42 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningPAHScott, Stoddard5 hr
Aug 19, 11:44 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatPAHMississippi, Scott14 min
Aug 19, 11:45 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHBollinger, Cape Girardeau, Scott, Stoddard22 min
Aug 19, 11:57 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningPAHMississippi6 hr
Aug 20, 12:05 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHMississippi, New Madrid, Scott, Stoddard40 min
Aug 20, 12:16 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatPAHCape Girardeau, Scott, Stoddard23 min
Aug 20, 12:31 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningPAHBollinger, Wayne2 hr
Aug 20, 12:31 AM CDTTornado WarningPAHMississippi13 min
Aug 20, 12:47 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHMississippi34 min
Aug 20, 2:09 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementPAHScott36 min
Aug 20, 2:11 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHMississippi, Scott42 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Missouri, 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.