Alert archive / Ohio / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 35, NWS Pittsburgh, PA

July 21, 2026Muskingum County, Ohio

NWS Pittsburgh, PA issued this tornado warning at Jul 21, 2026, 3:06 PM EDT for Muskingum County, Ohio. It was in force for 24 min. 6 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
Jul 21, 2026, 3:06 PM EDT (19:06 UTC)
Expired
Jul 21, 2026, 3:30 PM EDT
In force
24 min
Issued by
NWS Pittsburgh, PA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
1.5 in

County Muskingum County, OH

The radar

The Cincinnati radar (KILN), 160 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:09 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
Jul 21, 3:07 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG4 W Zanesville, OHImage showing trees down across Chapel Hill Rd in Zanesville. Reported near 585 Chapel Hill Rd. Time based on radar estimate.
Jul 21, 3:10 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG8 N Fultonham, OHLarge tree uprooted and several smaller trees with snapped trunks. Time estimated via radar.
Jul 21, 3:15 PM EDTTSTM WND DMGSouth Zanesville, OHNumerous trees down, some trees down on houses. Time estimated by radar.
Jul 21, 3:17 PM EDTTORNADO2 Wnw Duncan Falls, OHVideo on social media of tornado producing wind damage. Taken from 3840 Durants Rd, Zanesville, OH facing south. Time based on radar estimate.
Jul 21, 3:22 PM EDTTSTM WND DMGDuncan Falls, OHPart of a swath of heavy damage with numerous trees down and trees down on homes from South Zanesville to Duncan Falls OH. Time estimated from radar.
Jul 21, 3:22 PM EDTTORNADODuncan Falls, OHEF1 tornado confirmed. Flag pole bent and trees uprooted. Time estimated from radar.

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 2 storm reports to this tornado warning; the first came 11 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
Jul 21, 1:13 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC10 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Cncnati-Daytn, OH (KILN), launched 12:00Z, 7.1 hours before the alert went out and 158 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, Cncnati-Daytn, OH at 12:00Z on 2026-07-21Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 956 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, Cncnati-Daytn, OH at 12:00Z on 2026-07-21The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 172 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 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
956 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-55 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
883 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
47 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
172 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
149 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.9
Supercell composite
5.9

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

061 
WFUS51 KPBZ 211906
TORPBZ
OHC119-211930-
/O.NEW.KPBZ.TO.W.0035.260721T1906Z-260721T1930Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
306 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Central Muskingum County in east central Ohio...

* Until 330 PM EDT.

* At 306 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located 5 miles west of Zanesville, moving east at 40 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado and ping pong ball size hail.

  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...
  Zanesville, South Zanesville, North Zanesville, Philo, Pleasant
  Grove, Duncan Falls, Bridgeville, Chandlersville, Blue Rock State
  Park and Dillon State Park.

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 3991 8219 4004 8216 3996 8174 3978 8182
      3989 8216 3991 8216
TIME...MOT...LOC 1906Z 289DEG 34KT 3996 8212

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN

$$

MLB
3 follow-up statements
319 
WWUS51 KPBZ 211914
SVSPBZ

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
314 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

OHC119-211930-
/O.CON.KPBZ.TO.W.0035.000000T0000Z-260721T1930Z/
Muskingum OH-
314 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

...TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 330 PM EDT FOR SOUTHERN
MUSKINGUM COUNTY...

At 314 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Zanesville, moving east at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and ping pong ball size hail.

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...
  Zanesville, South Zanesville, North Zanesville, Philo, Pleasant
  Grove, Duncan Falls, Bridgeville, Chandlersville and Blue Rock
  State Park.

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 3988 8212 4001 8206 3996 8174 3978 8182
TIME...MOT...LOC 1906Z 289DEG 34KT 3996 8212

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN

$$

MLB
395 
WWUS51 KPBZ 211921
SVSPBZ

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
321 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

OHC119-211930-
/O.CON.KPBZ.TO.W.0035.000000T0000Z-260721T1930Z/
Muskingum OH-
321 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

...TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 330 PM EDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN MUSKINGUM COUNTY...

At 321 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 7 miles east of South Zanesville, or 8 miles southeast of
Zanesville, moving southeast at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and two inch hail.

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...
  Philo, Duncan Falls, Chandlersville and Blue Rock State Park.

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 3985 8202 3994 8196 3991 8177 3978 8182
TIME...MOT...LOC 1914Z 295DEG 39KT 3990 8199

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.00 IN

$$

MLB
654 
WWUS51 KPBZ 211930
SVSPBZ

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
330 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

OHC119-211940-
/O.EXP.KPBZ.TO.W.0035.000000T0000Z-260721T1930Z/
Muskingum OH-
330 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

...TORNADO WARNING HAS EXPIRED FOR SOUTHEASTERN MUSKINGUM COUNTY...

The Tornado Warning that was previously in effect has been reissued
for Muskingum County and is in effect until 400 PM EDT. Please refer
to that bulletin for the latest severe weather information. To report
severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement agency. They
will send your report to the National Weather Service office.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT
Tuesday for a portion of east central Ohio.

&&

LAT...LON 3985 8202 3994 8196 3991 8177 3978 8182
TIME...MOT...LOC 1921Z 295DEG 39KT 3987 8190

$$

MLB

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 Pittsburgh, PA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Jul 21, 1:46 PM EDT, 1 hour 20 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • 1) Enhanced Risk for severe weather on Tuesday; Slight Risk for Excessive Rainfall.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 21, 1:46 PM EDT, 1 hour 20 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
146 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
Flood Watch has been expanded 1 tier of counties further north.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued until 8pm for all
of our OH, WV and PA counties south of a Beaver- Westmoreland
line. Morning rain has soured some of our environment and
shifted our focus a little further south, mainly along the I-70
corridor.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Enhanced Risk for severe weather on Tuesday; Slight Risk for
Excessive Rainfall.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1...
A large-scale area of low pressure is currently moving through
central Ontario. Remnant showers and storms from overnight
mesoscale convective systems (MCS) continue across the region
early this morning in the unzipping warm sector. Morning
convection has complicated but not eliminated our risk of severe
weather across the region. It has also acted to raise our short
term flood threat.

Our morning sounding only measured a PWAT of 1.32 but continued
moisture advection from our west will look to advect PWATs near
1.9 inches (just below the daily maximum of 1.96 inches) across
the region. This accompanied with a relatively high freezing
level will allow for efficient warm rain processes in a very
moist environment. Instantaneous rainfall rates up to 3-6 inches
per hour seem possible but this will be tempered by shorter
residence time of these rates owing to quick storm motions. With
more progressive storms we have a higher chance of exceeding
our 3 hour flash flood guidance more so than our 1 hour values
likely requiring multiple rounds of storms. Morning rain is
acting to set the table for flood issues later across a wider
portion of the region and thus our Flash Flood Watch has
expanded one tier of counties further north. The Flood Watch
continues across the region through 11pm.

Several factors in our previous analysis remain true: we have a
very intense (for July) left exit jet region overhead, dew
points are in the low 70s and shear across the region is even
over performing expectations with mesoscale analysis suggesting
upwards of 50 knots available in the 0-6km layer. The locally
lacking ingredient is instability due to widespread rain across
the region this morning. However, a local lack of instability
doesn't end our severe threat if we can produce instability to
our west and advect storms into the region. This is likely the
way our severe threat is shifting. If storms can form to our
west and move into our incredibly strong dynamic environment
then we still have a very high end severe threat on the table.
If storms do not form west of us and move in then lower level
storms can continue going forward and we may not realize the
full potential of our environment for today. To this point there
is a large area of clearing and Cu popping across IN and
western OH. This activity is already even or south of Pittsburgh
and any activity across our region from this likely focuses our
severe threat Pittsburgh on south, especially along the I-70
corridor.

The amount of shear available in the environment points towards
the possibility of Supercellular or QLCS structures. Each of
these storm modes can bring damaging wind gusts and tornadoes.
Morning rain has acted to locally lower LCLs nodding towards a
possibly improving Tornado threat. Going along with this is
drastically improving structure of our hodographs this afternoon
especially I-70 on south and a noticeable uptick in our SIGTOR
parameter. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued until 8pm
for all of our OH and WV counties and all of our PA counties
south of a Beaver- Westmoreland line.

Expect lingering showers and non-severe thunderstorms into
early Wednesday before a cold front tracks through the region.

The potential for precipitation remain low through the
remainder of the work week and into the weekend before showers
and storms again look possible on Sunday.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Showers and thunderstorms continue to cross the forecast area
through the afternoon and evening. Much of the terminals east of
ZZV will remain within MVFR and below conditions through the 22Z
timeframe. Heavy downpours will cause vis at some terminals to
drop below 1 mile. Have used mostly TEMPOs during the early part
and some PRB30s to cover later convection.

The main threat of severe storms will likely be over by 23Z. The
overnight tonight will expected to see left over showers and a
few thunderstorms but with flight conditions remaining below IFR
for most terminals due to low cigs.

Towards dawn, expect to see some development of some fog which
could drop vis below 1 mile at times. Winds through the period
will be from the southwest with some gusts up to 30 knots.

Outlook...
There may be some MVFR cigs in the vicinity of DUJ/FKL early
Thursday morning with cool northerly flow. Otherwise, VFR
conditions will prevail under high pressure into Friday.

&&

.PBZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PA...Flood Watch until 11 PM EDT this evening for PAZ014-020>022-
     029-031-073>078.
OH...Flood Watch until 11 PM EDT this evening for OHZ040-041-049-
     050-058-059-068-069.
WV...Flood Watch until 11 PM EDT this evening for WVZ001>004-012-
     021-509>514.

&&

DISCUSSION...AK
AVIATION...Shallenberger
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 21, 1:18 PM EDT, 1 hour 48 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
118 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

PAZ007>009-013-015-016-221730-
Mercer-Venango-Forest-Lawrence-Clarion-Jefferson PA-
118 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for western Pennsylvania.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

A new disturbance is expected to impact the region today. Flash
flooding and/or severe storms that produce damaging winds, hail, and
tornadoes may occur between 12pm and 8pm.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

PAZ014-022-077-078-221730-
Butler-Armstrong-Indiana-Higher Elevations of Indiana-
118 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for western Pennsylvania.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Flood Watch.

A new disturbance is expected to impact the region today. Flash
flooding and/or severe storms that produce damaging winds, hail, and
tornadoes may occur between 12pm and 8pm.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

OHZ040-041-049-050-058-059-068-069-PAZ020-021-029-031-073>076-
WVZ001>004-012-021-509>514-221730-
Carroll-Columbiana-Harrison-Jefferson OH-Guernsey-Belmont-Noble-
Monroe-Beaver-Allegheny-Washington-Greene-Westmoreland-
Higher Elevations of Westmoreland-Fayette-
Higher Elevations of Fayette-Hancock-Brooke-Ohio-Marshall-Wetzel-
Marion-Monongalia-
Ridges of Eastern Monongalia and Northwestern Preston-Preston-
Eastern Preston-Western Tucker-Eastern Tucker-
118 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM EDT THIS EVENING...
...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 506 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Ohio, southwest
Pennsylvania, western Pennsylvania, and northern West Virginia.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Flood Watch.
   Severe Thunderstorm Watch.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

OHZ039-048-057-221730-
Tuscarawas-Coshocton-Muskingum-
118 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 506 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Ohio.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Severe Thunderstorm Watch.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

AK

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 21, 9:31 AM EDT, 5 hours 35 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
931 AM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

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

0710 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     3 S Shippenville        41.21N 79.47W
07/18/2026                   Clarion            PA   Broadcast Media

            several large trees uprooted and snapped
            near the top. Estimated wind 70-75 mph.

&&

FWM

The office that day

Everything else NWS Pittsburgh, PA issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 21, 3:11 AM EDTFlood WatchPBZBelmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Guernsey, Harrison, Jefferson and 3 more20 hr
Jul 21, 12:14 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZCarroll, Columbiana, Jefferson46 min
Jul 21, 1:05 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZBelmont, Harrison, Jefferson40 min
Jul 21, 2:21 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZGuernsey, Muskingum, Noble39 min
Jul 21, 2:28 PM EDTTornado WarningPBZMuskingum32 min
Jul 21, 2:30 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningPBZBelmont, Guernsey, Monroe, Noble6 hr
Jul 21, 2:37 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningPBZGuernsey, Muskingum, Noble9 hr
Jul 21, 2:53 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatPBZCoshocton, Guernsey, Muskingum, Noble52 min
Jul 21, 2:56 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningPBZBelmont5 hr
Jul 21, 2:59 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZBelmont, Guernsey, Monroe, Muskingum, Noble46 min
Jul 21, 3:01 PM EDTTornado WarningPBZMuskingum, Noble29 min
Jul 21, 3:19 PM EDTTornado WarningPBZMonroe, Noble26 min
Jul 21, 3:30 PM EDTTornado WarningPBZMuskingum, Noble13 min
Jul 21, 3:37 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZMonroe, Noble38 min
Jul 21, 3:41 PM EDTTornado WarningPBZMonroe34 min
Jul 21, 3:51 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatPBZMonroe, Noble39 min
Jul 21, 3:59 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningPBZMonroe, Noble8 hr
Jul 21, 7:34 PM EDTTornado WarningPBZCarroll26 min
Jul 21, 7:58 PM EDTTornado WarningPBZCarroll19 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Ohio, 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.