Alert archive / Ohio / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 52, NWS Pittsburgh, PA
NWS Pittsburgh, PA issued this tornado warning at Aug 16, 2026, 2:37 PM EDT for Belmont County, Guernsey County, Noble County, Ohio. It was in force for 23 min. 3 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
- Aug 16, 2026, 2:37 PM EDT (18:37 UTC)
- Expired
- Aug 16, 2026, 3:00 PM EDT
- In force
- 23 min
- Issued by
- NWS Pittsburgh, PA
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.0 in
Counties Belmont County, OH, Guernsey County, OH, Noble County, OH
The radar
The Pittsburgh radar (KPBZ), 113 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:39 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
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 16, 2:37 PM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | Barnesville, OH | down trees. |
| Aug 16, 2:50 PM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | Quaker City, OH | Power lines down. Also measured 1.75 inches of rain. |
| Aug 16, 3:01 PM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 4 Nw Jerusalem, OH | Multiple Trees/Branches in roadway. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 16, 1:05 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 9 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Pittsburgh, PA (KPIT), launched 12:00Z, 6.6 hours before the alert went out and 116 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
- 51 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -19 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 636 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 16 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 49 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 31 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
790
WFUS51 KPBZ 161837
TORPBZ
OHC013-059-121-161900-
/O.NEW.KPBZ.TO.W.0052.260816T1837Z-260816T1900Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
237 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Western Belmont County in east central Ohio...
Central Guernsey County in east central Ohio...
Northeastern Noble County in east central Ohio...
* Until 300 PM EDT.
* At 237 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms capable of producing a tornado
were located along a line from near Cambridge to 6 miles southeast
of Byesville, or along a line from near Cambridge to 10 miles
southeast of Cambridge, moving east at 45 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...
Cambridge, Barnesville, Byesville, Bethesda, Antrim, Quaker City,
Senecaville, Belmont, Lore City, Morristown, Old Washington,
Salesville, Somerton, Fairview, Batesville, Seneca Lake Park,
Piedmont Lake, Salt Fork State Park and Barkcamp 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 8156 3997 8160 4011 8162 4017 8120
4010 8098 3987 8100
TIME...MOT...LOC 1837Z 256DEG 38KT 4007 8155 3998 8147 3992 8145
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
$$
Kramar1 follow-up statement
836
WWUS51 KPBZ 161850
SVSPBZ
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
250 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
OHC013-059-121-161900-
/O.CON.KPBZ.TO.W.0052.000000T0000Z-260816T1900Z/
Belmont OH-Guernsey OH-Noble OH-
250 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
...TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM EDT FOR WESTERN
BELMONT, EAST CENTRAL GUERNSEY AND NORTHEASTERN NOBLE COUNTIES...
At 250 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms capable of producing both
tornadoes and extensive straight line wind damage were located along
a line from 9 miles southwest of Freeport to 5 miles southwest of
Barnesville, moving east at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Barnesville, Bethesda, Antrim, Quaker City, Belmont, Morristown,
Salesville, Somerton, Fairview, Batesville, Piedmont Lake and
Barkcamp State Park.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built building
away from windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a
vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself
from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 3995 8137 3997 8140 4011 8141 4017 8120
4010 8098 3987 8100 3989 8129
TIME...MOT...LOC 1837Z 256DEG 38KT 4007 8155 3998 8146 3992 8144
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
$$
KramarWhat 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 Aug 16, 12:50 PM EDT, 1 hour 47 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- 1)Severe weather and flash flooding risks continue this afternoon and evening with renewed thunderstorm development. 2) After lingering showers dissipate Monday, there is fairly high confidence in dry weather until Wednesday/Thursday, when the next front arrives.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 16, 12:50 PM EDT, 1 hour 47 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
1250 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
There is higher confidence in the potential for severe
thunderstorms this afternoon, given clearing skies to the west
allowing for increased instability. Beyond this evening, little
change was made to the forecast.
&&
.KEY MESSAGES...
1)Severe weather and flash flooding risks continue this
afternoon and evening with renewed thunderstorm development.
2) After lingering showers dissipate Monday, there is fairly
high confidence in dry weather until Wednesday/Thursday, when
the next front arrives.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1...
The region remains in a relative lull of activity between
overnight/early morning activity and developing convection to
the west, where a couple of Severe Thunderstorm Warnings are
already in effect. The new activity is associated with a vort
max/MCV over northwest Ohio. Ahead of this, a good deal of
sunshine is allowing for a buildup of instability, and the HREF
suggests that 1500-2500 J/kg of surface-based CAPE is likely by
18Z, mainly south of I-80. Other convective parameters look best
from I-80 on south, roughly matching with the SPC Slight Risk
area. In particular, a pocket of 25-30 knots of 0-6km shear is
most likely in this region, supporting multicells with mainly a
damaging gust potential where cold pools help consolidate into
short lines. Lengthening low-level hodographs and sufficient
0-1km SRH continue to suggest a low-end tornado threat for any
ESE-moving storms.
Along with this the threat of flash flooding will continue to be
monitored, especially in areas that got heavier rain overnight.
This includes areas in eastern Ohio south of I-70, as well as a
strip extending from New Philadelphia ENE towards Butler County.
Although storms should be fairly progressive overall, the
environment remains highly supportive for efficient rainfall
production. The 12Z KPIT sounding recorded a precipitable water
measurement of 2.15 inches, which is the 9th-highest recorded
at the site since 1952. 2+ inch values remain in place through
this evening, along with 11k to 13k warm-cloud depths. The Flood
Watch will be maintained through tonight.
KEY MESSAGE 2...
Most of the convection should pull off to the east by 02Z-03Z,
although a few showers/storms may linger behind the main line as
another shortwave trough crosses in the mid-level zonal flow.
One last ripple in that flow crosses on Monday, leading to
showers and storms mainly south of Pittsburgh. Convective
parameters are unfavorable for severe weather with this
activity. Also, declining precipitable water values point to a
decreasing risk for heavy rainfall. The Flood Watch expires at 8
AM Monday, and an extension may not be needed.
High pressure building in from the Great Lakes should end
precipitation by Mon evening. Dry weather is then favored until
Wednesday, when the next front could potentially arrive,
although this timing could change. At this time, severe weather
and flooding risks appear low with this system, as supported by
longer-range machine learning guidance.
&&
.AVIATION /18Z SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
Mainly MVFR cigs continue this afternoon ahead of an approaching
prefrontal trough. A broken line of thunderstorms is expected to
track east across the region this afternoon and evening along
the prefrontal trough, with IFR restrictions. Some storms could
contain damaging wind and heavy rainfall. Included a tempo
mention in the tafs for the most likely time of arrival. Expect
a gradual deterioration back to IFR tonight with low level
moisture in place.
The surface cold front is progged to track across the region
Monday. Expect a gradual improvement in cig heights through the
day with mixing and some dry advection after FROPA. Airports
from near PIT and south could see a few afternoon showers or a
thunderstorm as this front crosses.
Outlook...
Other than early morning fog, VFR is then expected through
early Wednesday under high pressure. Restriction and
shower/thunderstorm chances return Wednesday and Wednesday night
with the approach and passage of a cold front. VFR returns
Thursday and Friday under high pressure.
&&
.PBZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PA...Flood Watch through Monday morning for PAZ020-021-029-031-
073>076.
OH...Flood Watch through Monday morning for OHZ039>041-048>050-
057>059-068-069.
WV...Flood Watch through Monday morning for WVZ001>004-012-021-
509>514.
&&
DISCUSSION...CL
AVIATION...WMHazardous weather outlook, Aug 16, 12:11 AM EDT, 14 hours 26 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA 1211 AM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026 OHZ039>041-048>050-057>059-068-069-PAZ020-021-029-031-073>076- WVZ001>004-012-021-509>514-170415- Tuscarawas-Carroll-Columbiana-Coshocton-Harrison-Jefferson OH- Muskingum-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- 1211 AM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026 ...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH MONDAY MORNING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Ohio, southwest Pennsylvania, western Pennsylvania, and northern West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today 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 complex of showers and thunderstorms will move through the area on Sunday morning. Flash flooding is the main risk with a lower probability of isolated instances of damaging wind. Another round of showers and thunderstorms is expected this afternoon and evening. These storms could be severe with damaging winds and heavy downpours that could lead to flooding. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flood Watch. A few showers and thunderstorms could produce some heavy rainfall on Monday morning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures. PAZ007>009-013>016-022-077-078-170415- Mercer-Venango-Forest-Lawrence-Butler-Clarion-Jefferson PA-Armstrong- Indiana-Higher Elevations of Indiana- 1211 AM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for western Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Showers and thunderstorms are possible during Sunday afternoon and evening. Some storms could be severe. The main threats will be damaging winds and heavy downpours that could lead to minor flooding. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. A few showers and thunderstorms could produce some heavy rainfall on Monday morning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures. Shallenberger
In the hours before
Local storm report, Aug 16, 11:49 AM EDT, 2 hours 48 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
1149 AM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1100 AM Flood 6 SSW Stafford 39.63N 81.32W
08/16/2026 Noble OH Dept of Highways
Several roads closed.
&&
WMSpecial weather statement, Aug 16, 1:36 PM EDT, 1 hour 1 minute before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA 136 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026 OHZ039>041-048>050-057>059-068-069-PAZ007-008-013-014-020-021-029- 031-WVZ001>004-012-021-509-162000- Tuscarawas-Carroll-Columbiana-Coshocton-Harrison-Jefferson OH- Muskingum-Guernsey-Belmont-Noble-Monroe-Mercer-Venango-Lawrence- Butler-Beaver-Allegheny-Washington-Greene-Hancock-Brooke-Ohio- Marshall-Wetzel-Marion-Monongalia- Including the cities of New Philadelphia, Dover, Carrollton, Malvern, East Liverpool, Salem, Columbiana, Coshocton, Cadiz, Steubenville, Zanesville, Cambridge, Martins Ferry, St. Clairsville, Caldwell, Woodsfield, Sharon, Hermitage, Grove City, Oil City, Franklin, New Castle, Ellwood City, Butler, Aliquippa, Beaver Falls, Ambridge, Monaca, Pittsburgh Metro Area, Washington, Canonsburg, Waynesburg, Weirton, Follansbee, Wellsburg, Wheeling, Moundsville, New Martinsville, Fairmont, and Morgantown 136 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026 ...STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON... A line of thunderstorms will continue to move east across the region this afternoon. Some of these storms could contain wind gusts up to 50 mph. There is also a potential for severe storms with damaging wind gusts of 60 mph. The storms should approach the Pittsburgh area between 3:30 and 4 pm. Severe thunderstorm warnings may be needed. In addition, a Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until 8 PM. WM
Local storm report, Aug 16, 2:11 PM EDT, 26 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
211 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0208 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 SSW North Zanesville 39.97N 82.00W
08/16/2026 Muskingum OH 911 Call Center
Trees and power lines down.
&&
WMLocal storm report, Aug 16, 2:13 PM EDT, 24 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
213 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0213 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 SSE Zanesville 39.94N 82.01W
08/16/2026 Muskingum OH 911 Call Center
Trees and power lines down.
&&
WMLocal storm report, Aug 16, 2:19 PM EDT, 18 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
219 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0218 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 SSW Zanesville 39.94N 82.02W
08/16/2026 Muskingum OH 911 Call Center
*** 1 INJ ***
Person hit by a falling tree.
&&
WMLocal storm report, Aug 16, 2:22 PM EDT, 15 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
222 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0214 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 4 E Pleasant Grove 39.94N 81.89W
08/16/2026 M52 MPH Muskingum OH ASOS
ZZV airport.
&&
WMThe office that day
Everything else NWS Pittsburgh, PA issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 16, 12:08 AM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | PBZ | Muskingum | 3 hr |
| Aug 16, 1:45 AM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | PBZ | Noble | 5 hr |
| Aug 16, 2:10 AM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | PBZ | Carroll, Tuscarawas | 3 hr |
| Aug 16, 2:43 AM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | PBZ | Monroe | 3 hr |
| Aug 16, 6:24 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | PBZ | Muskingum | 6 hr |
| Aug 16, 6:36 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | PBZ | Monroe, Muskingum, Noble | 13 hr |
| Aug 16, 1:34 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PBZ | Coshocton, Guernsey, Muskingum, Tuscarawas | 41 min |
| Aug 16, 1:39 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PBZ | Carroll, Harrison, Jefferson, Tuscarawas | 51 min |
| Aug 16, 1:40 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | PBZ | Muskingum | 3 hr |
| Aug 16, 1:53 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PBZ | Carroll, Columbiana, Jefferson | 52 min |
| Aug 16, 2:10 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PBZ | Coshocton, Harrison, Tuscarawas | 35 min |
| Aug 16, 2:14 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PBZ | Coshocton, Guernsey, Harrison, Muskingum, Noble, Tuscarawas | 46 min |
| Aug 16, 2:19 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | PBZ | Carroll, Columbiana, Jefferson | 26 min |
| Aug 16, 2:30 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PBZ | Carroll, Columbiana, Harrison, Jefferson, Tuscarawas | 45 min |
| Aug 16, 2:38 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PBZ | Monroe, Noble | 37 min |
| Aug 16, 2:47 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PBZ | Belmont, Guernsey, Harrison, Jefferson, Monroe, Noble and 1 more | 43 min |
| Aug 16, 3:25 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PBZ | Belmont, Monroe | 50 min |
| Aug 16, 6:22 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | PBZ | Coshocton, Guernsey, Muskingum | 4 hr |
| Aug 16, 6:57 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | PBZ | Muskingum | 4 hr |
| Aug 16, 7:30 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | PBZ | Noble | 3 hr |
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.