Alert archive / New Jersey / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 15, NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly

July 21, 2026Cape May County, New Jersey

NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly issued this tornado warning at Jul 21, 2026, 6:09 PM EDT for Cape May County, New Jersey. It was in force for 36 min. 2 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, 6:09 PM EDT (22:09 UTC)
Expired
Jul 21, 2026, 6:45 PM EDT
In force
36 min
Issued by
NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.75 in

County Cape May County, NJ

The radar

The Dover AFB radar (KDOX), 49 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:13 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, 6:11 PM EDTTSTM WND GST 421 Ssw North Cape May, NJMesonet station XMAY Cape May.
Jul 21, 6:23 PM EDTTSTM WND GST 431 Se Villas, NJAWOS station KWWD Wildwood.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Jul 21, 2:06 PM EDTTornado WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Washington/Dulle, VA (KIAD), launched 12:00Z, 10.2 hours before the alert went out and 216 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, Washington/Dulle, VA at 12:00Z on 2026-07-21Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 941 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Washington/Dulle, VA at 12:00Z on 2026-07-21The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 68 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
941 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-113 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
772 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
35 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
68 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
112 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.2
Supercell composite
0.9

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

036 
WFUS51 KPHI 212209
TORPHI
NJC009-212245-
/O.NEW.KPHI.TO.W.0015.260721T2209Z-260721T2245Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
609 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

The National Weather Service in Mount Holly NJ has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Southwestern Cape May County in southern New Jersey...

* Until 645 PM EDT.

* At 609 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near West Cape May, or near Cape May, moving northeast
  at 15 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...
  Cape May, North Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, West Cape May, Stone
  Harbor, Diamond Beach, Green Creek, Rio Grande, North Cape May,
  Villas, West Wildwood, Erma, and Whitesboro-Burleigh.

This includes Garden State Parkway between mile markers 0 and 6.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid 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.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3891 7496 3895 7500 3907 7493 3901 7474
      3893 7485
TIME...MOT...LOC 2209Z 244DEG 15KT 3892 7500 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

Staarmann
4 follow-up statements
895 
WWUS51 KPHI 212219
SVSPHI

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
619 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

NJC009-212245-
/O.CON.KPHI.TO.W.0015.000000T0000Z-260721T2245Z/
Cape May NJ-
619 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 645 PM EDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN CAPE MAY COUNTY...

At 619 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over West Cape May, or over Cape May, moving northeast at
20 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...
Cape May, North Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, West Cape May, Stone
Harbor, Diamond Beach, Green Creek, Rio Grande, North Cape May,
Villas, West Wildwood, Erma, and Whitesboro-Burleigh.

This includes Garden State Parkway between mile markers 0 and 6.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid 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.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3891 7496 3895 7500 3907 7493 3901 7474
      3893 7485
TIME...MOT...LOC 2219Z 241DEG 19KT 3895 7495 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

Staarmann
496 
WWUS51 KPHI 212226
SVSPHI

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
626 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

NJC009-212245-
/O.CON.KPHI.TO.W.0015.000000T0000Z-260721T2245Z/
Cape May NJ-
626 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 645 PM EDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN CAPE MAY COUNTY...

At 626 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over North Cape May, or over Cape May, moving northeast
at 20 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...
Cape May, North Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, West Cape May, Stone
Harbor, Diamond Beach, Green Creek, Rio Grande, North Cape May,
Villas, West Wildwood, Erma, and Whitesboro-Burleigh.

This includes Garden State Parkway between mile markers 0 and 6.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid 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.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3891 7496 3895 7500 3907 7493 3901 7474
      3893 7485
TIME...MOT...LOC 2226Z 241DEG 19KT 3898 7491 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

Staarmann
187 
WWUS51 KPHI 212231
SVSPHI

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
631 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

NJC009-212245-
/O.CON.KPHI.TO.W.0015.000000T0000Z-260721T2245Z/
Cape May NJ-
631 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 645 PM EDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN CAPE MAY COUNTY...

At 630 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado 
was located over Rio Grande, or near the Cape May County Airport, 
moving northeast at 25 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...
North Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, Stone Harbor, Green Creek, Rio
Grande, Villas, West Wildwood, Erma, and Whitesboro-Burleigh.

This includes Garden State Parkway between mile markers 1 and 6.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid 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.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3897 7491 3900 7495 3907 7493 3901 7474
      3896 7482
TIME...MOT...LOC 2230Z 239DEG 21KT 3900 7487 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

Staarmann
161 
WWUS51 KPHI 212235
SVSPHI

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
635 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

NJC009-212245-
/O.EXP.KPHI.TO.W.0015.000000T0000Z-260721T2245Z/
Cape May NJ-
635 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHWESTERN CAPE MAY COUNTY WILL EXPIRE
AT 645 PM EDT...

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe 
limits, and has exited the warned area. Therefore, the warning will 
be allowed to expire.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT for southern New
Jersey.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
Mount Holly NJ.

LAT...LON 3897 7491 3900 7495 3907 7493 3901 7474
      3896 7482
TIME...MOT...LOC 2235Z 244DEG 15KT 3900 7486 

$$

Staarmann

The office that day

Everything else NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 21, 8:49 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningPHISussex, Warren2 hr
Jul 21, 11:01 AM EDTSpecial Marine WarningPHI59 min
Jul 21, 11:14 AM EDTSpecial Marine WarningPHI46 min
Jul 21, 12:07 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningPHI53 min
Jul 21, 1:52 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPHIMorris, Sussex, Warren53 min
Jul 21, 2:00 PM EDTTornado WarningPHIMorris30 min
Jul 21, 2:25 PM EDTTornado WarningPHIMorris50 min
Jul 21, 2:49 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningPHIMorris3 hr
Jul 21, 2:57 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPHIHunterdon37 min
Jul 21, 2:57 PM EDTTornado WarningPHIMorris, Somerset48 min
Jul 21, 3:13 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningPHIMorris, Somerset3 hr
Jul 21, 4:06 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningPHI54 min
Jul 21, 4:38 PM EDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatPHIBurlington, Camden, Gloucester, Salem4 hr
Jul 21, 4:43 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPHIGloucester, Salem47 min
Jul 21, 4:46 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningPHI89 min
Jul 21, 4:50 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPHIMercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Somerset55 min
Jul 21, 5:14 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPHIBurlington, Camden46 min
Jul 21, 5:30 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningPHI2 hr
Jul 21, 5:30 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPHIAtlantic, Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Salem45 min
Jul 21, 5:43 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningPHI2 hr
Jul 21, 5:49 PM EDTTornado WarningPHICape May26 min
Jul 21, 6:06 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPHIBurlington, Ocean39 min
Jul 21, 6:07 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningPHI53 min
Jul 21, 6:18 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningPHI57 min
Jul 21, 6:34 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPHIAtlantic, Burlington, Ocean41 min
Jul 21, 6:41 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningPHI94 min
Jul 21, 6:50 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningPHI85 min
Jul 21, 7:06 PM EDTTornado WarningPHIOcean12 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in New Jersey, 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.