Alert archive / Delaware / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 30, NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly

August 20, 2026Kent County, Delaware

NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly issued this tornado warning at Aug 20, 2026, 6:03 PM EDT for Kent County, Delaware. It was in force for 42 min. 4 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 20, 2026, 6:03 PM EDT (22:03 UTC)
Expired: Aug 20, 2026, 6:45 PM EDT
In force: 42 min
Issued by: NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Radar indicated
Hail: 0.75 in

County Kent County, DE

The radar

The Dover AFB radar (KDOX), 43 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:05 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 20, 6:05 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	1 Wnw Wyoming, DE	Report of mostly minor tree damage along Allabands Mill Road upstream of where the Dover tornado began. Several large tree branches down and wind damage to a large trailer. Radar data suggests this damaged occurred from the RFD surge just prior to tornadogenes
Aug 20, 6:09 PM EDT	TORNADO	2 N Wyoming, DE	A tornado formed over the open fields west of Wyoming Mill Rd near Riverside Rd, scarring the crops before moving to the tree line east of Wyoming Mill Rd, snapping several branches and tree tops. The tornado then made direct contact with the Dover Little Leag
Aug 20, 6:10 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	Dover, DE	Lots of branches of different sizes, some over 2 foot diameter, down on multiple roads in the area. Time estimated from radar.
Aug 20, 6:15 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	Dover, DE	Significant structural damage to the Kraft Food Facility. Tornado possible. Time estimated from radar.

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.

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
Aug 20, 2:31 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Watch	SPC	7 hr
Aug 20, 2:58 PM EDT	Tornado Watch	SPC	7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Washington/Dulle, VA (KIAD), launched 12:00Z, 10.1 hours before the alert went out and 167 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-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

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: 97 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -72 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 1192 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 47 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 115 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 230 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: -0.0
Supercell composite: -0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

748 
WFUS51 KPHI 202203
TORPHI
DEC001-202245-
/O.NEW.KPHI.TO.W.0030.260820T2203Z-260820T2245Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
Issued by National Weather Service New York NY
603 PM EDT Thu Aug 20 2026

The National Weather Service in Mount Holly NJ has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Central Kent County in central Delaware...

* Until 645 PM EDT.

* At 602 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms capable of producing both
  tornadoes and extensive straight line wind damage were located 
  over Hartly, or 8 miles west of Dover, moving east at 35 mph. This 
  storm has a history of producing a tornado and wind damage in 
  Queen Anne's County, Maryland.

  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...
  Dover, Camden, Cheswold, Hartly, Rising Sun-Lebanon, Rising Sun,
  Hazlettville, Dover Base Housing, Dover Speedway, Wyoming, Little
  Creek, Leipsic, Rodney Village, Kent Acres, and Highland Acres.

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.

This cluster of thunderstorms is capable of producing tornadoes and
widespread significant wind damage. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest
floor of a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3930 7542 3928 7540 3922 7538 3909 7539
      3908 7567 3919 7575
TIME...MOT...LOC 2202Z 251DEG 29KT 3915 7568 

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

$$

Staarmann

5 follow-up statements

330 
WWUS51 KPHI 202211
SVSPHI

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
Issued by National Weather Service New York NY
611 PM EDT Thu Aug 20 2026

DEC001-202245-
/O.CON.KPHI.TO.W.0030.000000T0000Z-260820T2245Z/
Kent DE-
611 PM EDT Thu Aug 20 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 645 PM EDT FOR CENTRAL
KENT COUNTY...

At 611 PM EDT, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was
located over Dover, moving east at 35 mph.

This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado.

IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may 
         be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes 
         will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, 
         businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction 
         is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Dover, Camden, Cheswold, Rising Sun-Lebanon, Rising Sun,
Hazlettville, Dover Base Housing, Dover Speedway, Wyoming, Little
Creek, Leipsic, Rodney Village, Kent Acres, and Highland Acres.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly
tornado is occurring. To protect your life, 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.

This cluster of thunderstorms is capable of producing tornadoes and
widespread significant wind damage. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest
floor of a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3920 7567 3930 7542 3929 7542 3928 7540
      3924 7539 3919 7538 3909 7539 3908 7562
      3912 7567
TIME...MOT...LOC 2211Z 254DEG 31KT 3915 7553 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

Staarmann

773 
WWUS51 KPHI 202218
SVSPHI

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
Issued by National Weather Service New York NY
618 PM EDT Thu Aug 20 2026

DEC001-202245-
/O.CON.KPHI.TO.W.0030.000000T0000Z-260820T2245Z/
Kent DE-
618 PM EDT Thu Aug 20 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 645 PM EDT FOR CENTRAL
KENT COUNTY...

At 618 PM EDT, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was
located over Dover Speedway, or over Dover, moving northeast at 30
mph. Damage from the tornado has been reported in Dover.

This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado.

IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may 
         be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes 
         will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, 
         businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction 
         is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Dover, Camden, Cheswold, Rising Sun-Lebanon, Rising Sun, Dover Base
Housing, Dover Speedway, Wyoming, Little Creek, Leipsic, Rodney
Village, Kent Acres, and Highland Acres.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly
tornado is occurring. To protect your life, 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.

Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

&&

LAT...LON 3921 7561 3930 7542 3929 7542 3928 7540
      3920 7538 3909 7539 3908 7558 3912 7562
TIME...MOT...LOC 2218Z 247DEG 28KT 3919 7550 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

Staarmann

965 
WWUS51 KPHI 202224
SVSPHI

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
Issued by National Weather Service New York NY
624 PM EDT Thu Aug 20 2026

DEC001-202245-
/O.CON.KPHI.TO.W.0030.000000T0000Z-260820T2245Z/
Kent DE-
624 PM EDT Thu Aug 20 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 645 PM EDT FOR CENTRAL
KENT COUNTY...

At 624 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Dover Speedway, or near Dover, moving east at 30 
mph. This storm has a history of producing a trained spotter and 
radar confirmed tornado near Dover.

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...
Dover, Camden, Dover Base Housing, Rising Sun-Lebanon, Dover
Speedway, Rising Sun, Wyoming, Little Creek, Highland Acres, Rodney
Village, and Kent Acres.

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.

Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

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

&&

LAT...LON 3913 7556 3922 7554 3929 7542 3928 7540
      3921 7538 3909 7539 3908 7554
TIME...MOT...LOC 2224Z 247DEG 27KT 3919 7546 

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

$$

Staarmann

307 
WWUS51 KPHI 202235
SVSPHI

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
Issued by National Weather Service New York NY
635 PM EDT Thu Aug 20 2026

DEC001-202245-
/O.CON.KPHI.TO.W.0030.000000T0000Z-260820T2245Z/
Kent DE-
635 PM EDT Thu Aug 20 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 645 PM EDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN KENT COUNTY...

At 634 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado 
was located 9 miles northeast of Dover, moving east at 35 mph. This 
storm has a history of producing a trained spotter and radar 
confirmed tornado near Dover.

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...
Dover and Little Creek.

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.

Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

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

&&

LAT...LON 3914 7547 3925 7547 3929 7542 3928 7540
      3923 7539 3919 7538 3909 7539 3909 7545
TIME...MOT...LOC 2234Z 251DEG 29KT 3922 7535 

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

$$

Staarmann

377 
WWUS51 KPHI 202240 RRA
SVSPHI

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
Issued by National Weather Service New York NY
640 PM EDT Thu Aug 20 2026

DEC001-202250-
/O.EXP.KPHI.TO.W.0030.000000T0000Z-260820T2245Z/
Kent DE-
640 PM EDT Thu Aug 20 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN KENT COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT
645 PM EDT...

The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area over 
Delaware Bay. Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM EDT for central
Delaware.

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 3914 7547 3925 7547 3929 7542 3928 7540
      3923 7539 3919 7538 3909 7539 3909 7545
TIME...MOT...LOC 2240Z 251DEG 29KT 3923 7530 

$$

Staarmann

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Aug 20, 4:16 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	PHI	Kent	29 min
Aug 20, 4:50 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	PHI	New Castle	40 min
Aug 20, 5:27 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	PHI	New Castle	48 min
Aug 20, 5:39 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	PHI	New Castle	4 hr
Aug 20, 5:39 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	PHI	Kent	36 min
Aug 20, 5:40 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PHI	Kent	50 min
Aug 20, 6:09 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PHI	Kent, New Castle	51 min
Aug 20, 6:13 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PHI	New Castle	47 min
Aug 20, 6:21 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PHI	Kent, Sussex	39 min
Aug 20, 6:53 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning Considerable damage threat	PHI	Kent	105 min
Aug 20, 6:57 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PHI	Kent, Sussex	48 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Delaware, 2026 Every tornado warning in 2026 Tornadoes 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.