Alert archive / Nevada / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 1, NWS Reno, NV
NWS Reno, NV issued this tornado warning at Aug 13, 2026, 1:25 PM PDT for Lyon County, Storey County, Washoe County, Nevada. It was in force for 30 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 13, 2026, 1:25 PM PDT (20:25 UTC)
- Expired
- Aug 13, 2026, 1:55 PM PDT
- In force
- 30 min
- Issued by
- NWS Reno, NV
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.75 in
Counties Lyon County, NV, Storey County, NV, Washoe County, NV
The radar
The Reno radar (KRGX), 31 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:28 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 nearest sounding before it
Reno, NV (KREV), launched 12:00Z, 8.4 hours before the alert went out and 107 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
- 640 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -79 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1516 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 12 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 28 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 67 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
220
WFUS55 KREV 132025
TORREV
NVC019-029-031-132115-
/O.NEW.KREV.TO.W.0001.260813T2025Z-260813T2115Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Reno NV
125 PM PDT Thu Aug 13 2026
The National Weather Service in Reno has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Storey County in western Nevada...
Southern Washoe County in western Nevada...
North central Lyon County in west central Nevada...
* Until 215 PM PDT.
* At 125 PM PDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 7 miles east of Lockwood, or 13 miles northeast of
Virginia City, moving east 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.
* This dangerous storm will be near...
Derby Dam around 130 PM PDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Fernley - Tiger Field Airport, Patrick, Wadsworth, and Silver Springs
Airport.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3938 11959 3956 11963 3967 11923 3940 11916
TIME...MOT...LOC 2025Z 258DEG 13KT 3949 11952
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
GG2 follow-up statements
944
WWUS55 KREV 132037
SVSREV
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Reno NV
137 PM PDT Thu Aug 13 2026
NVC019-029-031-132115-
/O.CON.KREV.TO.W.0001.000000T0000Z-260813T2115Z/
Storey NV-Washoe NV-Lyon NV-
137 PM PDT Thu Aug 13 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 215 PM PDT FOR STOREY...
SOUTHERN WASHOE AND NORTH CENTRAL LYON COUNTIES...
At 137 PM PDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Derby Dam, or 16 miles northeast of Virginia City,
moving east at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
This dangerous storm will be near...
Derby Dam around 140 PM PDT.
Fernley around 155 PM PDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Fernley - Tiger Field Airport and Wadsworth.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile
home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and
protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 3944 11955 3954 11958 3967 11923 3945 11920
TIME...MOT...LOC 2037Z 258DEG 13KT 3950 11946
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
GG006 WWUS55 KREV 132055 SVSREV Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service Reno NV 155 PM PDT Thu Aug 13 2026 NVC019-029-031-132105- /O.CAN.KREV.TO.W.0001.000000T0000Z-260813T2115Z/ Storey NV-Washoe NV-Lyon NV- 155 PM PDT Thu Aug 13 2026 ...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR STOREY...SOUTHERN WASHOE AND NORTH CENTRAL LYON COUNTIES IS CANCELLED... 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. LAT...LON 3944 11955 3954 11958 3967 11923 3945 11920 TIME...MOT...LOC 2054Z 258DEG 13KT 3951 11937 $$ GG
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 Reno, NV wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Aug 13, 12:14 PM PDT, 1 hour 11 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- * Threats from showers and thunderstorms today include flash flooding, lightning, outflow wind gusts up to 50 mph, and small hail. * 15-30% chance showers and thunderstorms Friday for W NV and the eastern Sierra. * Drier conditions until at least Monday with typical westerly afternoon breezes up to 25 mph.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 13, 12:14 PM PDT, 1 hour 11 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Reno NV
1214 PM PDT Thu Aug 13 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
* Threats from showers and thunderstorms today include flash
flooding, lightning, outflow wind gusts up to 50 mph, and small
hail.
* 15-30% chance showers and thunderstorms Friday for W NV and the
eastern Sierra.
* Drier conditions until at least Monday with typical westerly
afternoon breezes up to 25 mph.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Convective initiation has started for the eastern Sierra of Mono
county and and the Sierra Front. Storms will progress
northeastward into W NV until 8pm. The 12Z sounding from Reno had
1000 J/kg of MUCAPE and current model values show MUCAPE between
1000-1200 J/kg this afternoon. PWATs range from 0.6-0.9", which is
above the 90th percentile based on sounding climatology for Reno.
Abundant moisture and slower storm motions will make flooding the
main threat for today. Flash flooding will be possible in urban
areas with debris flows most likely in areas of steep terrain and
near active fires. As such, much of the area is in a Slight
Excessive Rainfall Outlook from the Weather Prediction Center with
a Flash Flood Watch in effect over the same area. For details on
the Flash Flood Watch, please visit www.weather.gov/Reno. Keep an
eye and ear to the skies today and consider postponing outdoor
afternoon activities until after storms move through the area.
Even once storms have ceased, flooding can still remain a concern.
Flooding becomes increasingly difficult to gauge at night; never
drive through flooded roadways!
Lightning, gusty outflow winds up to 50 mph, and small hail can't
be ruled out of the forecast today, as well. Frequent lightning
may produce new fires and with any stronger outflows, new and
current wildfires may spread and/or change direction quickly.
Hail will be of the lesser threat today, with up to 0.5" in
diameter.
Shower and thunderstorm chances taper to 15-30% tomorrow, mainly
south of I-80 and into the eastern Sierra of Mono and Alpine
counties. Storms will be a bit faster in nature and with a drier
surface level, the threat for flooding and heavy rain will rely on
the need for training storms. DCAPE values range from 700-1000
J/kg tomorrow, coinciding with gusty outflows up to 50 mph.
Longer range guidance shows a drying trend for the weekend until
at least Monday. Expect typical afternoon westerly breezes up to
25 mph and warming conditions.
-Giralte
&&
.AVIATION...
Showers and thunderstorms for all terminals except KTRK/KTVL
today. Storms will continue until around 14/02Z, ending sooner
(roughly 14/00Z) for KMMH. Storms will be capable of frequent
lightning and lower CIGS/VIS will bring mountain obscurations for
all terminals. Flooding remains the primary threat, with anywhere
from ponding water to standing water on area runways from the
heaviest storms. MVFR/IFR conditions possible due to heavy
rainfall with gusty and erratic thunderstorm outflow winds up to
35 kts today.
VFR conditions expected for all terminals through the weekend,
with the only exception for KMMH/KRNO/KCXP/KMEV due to slight
chances (15-30%) of showers and thunderstorms Friday afternoon.
-Giralte
&&
.REV Watches/Warnings/Advisories...
NV...Flood Watch until 9 PM PDT this evening NVZ001-003.
Flood Watch from 1 PM this afternoon to 9 PM PDT this evening
NVZ004.
CA...Flood Watch until 9 PM PDT this evening CAZ073.
&&In the hours before
Special weather statement, Aug 13, 11:11 AM PDT, 2 hours 14 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Reno NV
1111 AM PDT Thu Aug 13 2026
CAZ071>073-NVZ001>005-132000-
Lassen-Eastern Plumas-Eastern Sierra Counties CA-
Greater Lake Tahoe Area CA-Mono CA-Greater Lake Tahoe Area NV-
Western Nevada Basin and Range including Pyramid Lake NV-
Northern Washoe County NV-Greater Reno-Carson City-Minden Area NV-
Mineral and Southern Lyon Counties NV-
1111 AM PDT Thu Aug 13 2026
...THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPING OVER WESTERN NEVADA...EASTERN SIERRA AND
NORTHEAST CALIFORNIA THROUGH 100 PM PDT...
At 1111 AM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking several showers and
thunderstorms develop over hte region, moving northeast at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Reno, Carson City, South Lake Tahoe, Fallon, Mammoth Lakes,
Lovelock, Gardnerville, Virginia City, June Lake, Pyramid Lake, Lee
Vining, Lahontan Reservoir.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building or vehicle.
Torrential rainfall is likely as the thunderstorm gain strength this
afternoon. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect until 9 PM this evening.
&&
LAT...LON 3758 11901 3883 12010 4107 12034 4112 11933
4096 11933 4096 11879 4085 11878 4086 11765
4068 11764 4068 11730 4000 11754 3955 11749
3938 11776 3910 11778 3900 11819 3847 11770
3789 11842 3747 11783 3746 11784 3746 11878
TIME...MOT...LOC 1806Z 245DEG 7KT 3894 11974
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
BBSpecial weather statement, Aug 13, 12:53 PM PDT, 32 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Reno NV
1253 PM PDT Thu Aug 13 2026
CAZ072-073-NVZ001>005-132145-
Greater Lake Tahoe Area CA-Mono CA-Greater Lake Tahoe Area NV-
Western Nevada Basin and Range including Pyramid Lake NV-
Northern Washoe County NV-Greater Reno-Carson City-Minden Area NV-
Mineral and Southern Lyon Counties NV-
1253 PM PDT Thu Aug 13 2026
...THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HEAVY RAIN AND HAIL OF 0.5 TO
1 INCH ACROSS THE EASTERN SIERRA, THE SIERRA FRONT, AND WESTERN
NEVADA THROUGH 3 PM...
At 1250 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 15
miles east of Yerington, or 33 miles south of Fallon, moving
northeast at 55 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Reno, Carson City, South Lake Tahoe, Fallon, Mammoth Lakes, Lovelock,
Chalfant, Crowley Lake, Gardnerville, Virginia City, June Lake,
Pyramid Lake, Lee Vining, Twin Lakes, Lahontan Reservoir, Incline
Village, Toms Place, Bodie, Benton, and Bridgeport.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3748 11885 3774 11917 3804 11931 3811 11945
3880 11997 4018 11996 4028 11742 4000 11754
3988 11746 3955 11749 3938 11776 3922 11772
3910 11778 3900 11819 3889 11817 3847 11770
3790 11834 3789 11842 3747 11783 3746 11784
TIME...MOT...LOC 1950Z 240DEG 49KT 3900 11887
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
GGThe office that day
Everything else NWS Reno, NV issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 13, 11:11 AM PDT | Special Weather Statement | REV | Churchill, Douglas, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, Storey and 1 more | 109 min |
| Aug 13, 11:41 AM PDT | Areal Flood Advisory | REV | Churchill | 3 hr |
| Aug 13, 12:17 PM PDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | REV | Douglas | 43 min |
| Aug 13, 12:25 PM PDT | Areal Flood Advisory | REV | Douglas | 3 hr |
| Aug 13, 12:39 PM PDT | Areal Flood Advisory | REV | Storey, Washoe | 3 hr |
| Aug 13, 12:44 PM PDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | REV | Lyon | 46 min |
| Aug 13, 12:53 PM PDT | Special Weather Statement | REV | Churchill, Douglas, Lyon, Mineral, Storey | 112 min |
| Aug 13, 1:16 PM PDT | Flash Flood Warning | REV | Storey, Washoe | 3 hr |
| Aug 13, 1:21 PM PDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | REV | Lyon, Storey, Washoe | 39 min |
| Aug 13, 1:41 PM PDT | Areal Flood Advisory | REV | Mineral | 3 hr |
| Aug 13, 1:42 PM PDT | Areal Flood Advisory | REV | Douglas, Lyon | 3 hr |
| Aug 13, 1:50 PM PDT | Flash Flood Warning | REV | Mineral | 3 hr |
| Aug 13, 2:10 PM PDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | REV | Washoe | 50 min |
| Aug 13, 2:15 PM PDT | Flash Flood Warning | REV | Washoe | 3 hr |
| Aug 13, 2:24 PM PDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | REV | Churchill, Lyon, Mineral | 51 min |
| Aug 13, 3:13 PM PDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | REV | Churchill | 17 min |
| Aug 13, 3:17 PM PDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | REV | Churchill, Pershing | 28 min |
| Aug 13, 4:03 PM PDT | Special Weather Statement | REV | Pershing | 117 min |
| Aug 13, 4:09 PM PDT | Areal Flood Advisory | REV | Lyon | 3 hr |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in Nevada, 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.