Alert archive / West Virginia / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 11, NWS Charleston, WV
NWS Charleston, WV issued this tornado warning at Jun 18, 2026, 7:39 AM EDT for Fayette County, Raleigh County, Wyoming County, West Virginia. It was in force for 36 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
- Jun 18, 2026, 7:39 AM EDT (11:39 UTC)
- Expired
- Jun 18, 2026, 8:15 AM EDT
- In force
- 36 min
- Issued by
- NWS Charleston, WV
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.75 in
Counties Fayette County, WV, Raleigh County, WV, Wyoming County, WV
What was reported inside it
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 18, 7:59 AM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 1 N Daniels, WV | Over 1700 residents without power due to tree damage. There are several concentrated areas of outages. Time estimated based on radar. |
| Jun 18, 8:00 AM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 4 E Piney View, WV | Tree in Roadway on WV-41 (5034 Stanaford Road). |
| Jun 18, 8:20 AM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 3 S Lester, WV | Multiple trees down in Sophia, Helen and Coal City communities. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 18, 4:39 AM EDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 6 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Roanoke, VA (KRNK), launched 00:00Z, 11.7 hours before the alert went out and 148 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
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 2327 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 40 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 71 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 186 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
994
WFUS51 KRLX 181139
TORRLX
WVC019-081-109-181215-
/O.NEW.KRLX.TO.W.0011.260618T1139Z-260618T1215Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Charleston WV
739 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
The National Weather Service in Charleston West Virginia has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Raleigh County in southeastern West Virginia...
Northeastern Wyoming County in southern West Virginia...
South central Fayette County in southeastern West Virginia...
* Until 815 AM EDT.
* At 738 AM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 8 miles northwest of Sophia, or 11 miles west of
Beckley, 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.
* This dangerous storm will be near...
Beckley, Mabscott, Sophia, Bradley, Crab Orchard, Prosperity,
Beaver, Macarthur, Dry Creek, and Coal City around 745 AM EDT.
Piney View, Stanaford, and Shady Spring around 750 AM EDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Meadow
Bridge, Lester, Bolt, Glen Daniel, and Arnett.
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 3769 8154 3789 8144 3786 8083 3782 8094
3777 8089 3774 8092 3772 8089 3768 8088
3767 8090 3769 8090 3771 8094 3771 8098
3770 8098 3763 8107 3762 8107
TIME...MOT...LOC 1138Z 278DEG 37KT 3776 8140
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
262 follow-up statements
533
WWUS51 KRLX 181152
SVSRLX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
752 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
WVC109-181202-
/O.CAN.KRLX.TO.W.0011.000000T0000Z-260618T1215Z/
Wyoming WV-
752 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN WYOMING COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 AM EDT for southeastern
West Virginia.
&&
LAT...LON 3766 8136 3788 8130 3786 8083 3782 8094
3777 8089 3774 8092 3772 8089 3768 8088
3767 8090 3769 8090 3771 8094 3771 8098
3770 8098 3763 8107 3762 8107
TIME...MOT...LOC 1152Z 278DEG 37KT 3774 8122
$$
WVC019-081-181215-
/O.CON.KRLX.TO.W.0011.000000T0000Z-260618T1215Z/
Raleigh WV-Fayette WV-
752 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 815 AM EDT FOR CENTRAL
RALEIGH AND SOUTH CENTRAL FAYETTE COUNTIES...
At 752 AM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Crab Orchard, or near Beckley, 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.
This dangerous storm will be near...
Beckley, Mabscott, Piney View, Bradley, Crab Orchard, Prosperity,
Beaver, Stanaford, Macarthur, and Shady Spring around 755 AM EDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Meadow
Bridge and Lester.
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 3766 8136 3788 8130 3786 8083 3782 8094
3777 8089 3774 8092 3772 8089 3768 8088
3767 8090 3769 8090 3771 8094 3771 8098
3770 8098 3763 8107 3762 8107
TIME...MOT...LOC 1152Z 278DEG 37KT 3774 8122
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
26751
WWUS51 KRLX 181205
SVSRLX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
805 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
WVC019-081-181215-
/O.CON.KRLX.TO.W.0011.000000T0000Z-260618T1215Z/
Raleigh WV-Fayette WV-
805 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 815 AM EDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL RALEIGH AND SOUTH CENTRAL FAYETTE COUNTIES...
At 805 AM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Shady Spring, or 8 miles northwest of Hinton, moving
east at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
east central Raleigh and south central Fayette Counties, including
the following locations... Meadow Bridge.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 3763 8117 3787 8108 3786 8083 3782 8094
3777 8089 3774 8092 3772 8089 3768 8088
3767 8090 3769 8090 3771 8094 3771 8098
3770 8098 3763 8107 3762 8107
TIME...MOT...LOC 1205Z 278DEG 37KT 3772 8104
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
26What 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 Charleston, WV wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Jun 18, 4:42 AM EDT, 2 hours 57 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- 1) Potential for strong to severe storms this morning through the afternoon along with a threat for excessive rainfall as a cold front moves through the area. 2) Drier start to the weekend but storm chances return by Sunday evening.
Area forecast discussion, Jun 18, 4:42 AM EDT, 2 hours 57 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Charleston WV 442 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... A new Tornado Watch has been issued for much of the area until 11am. 12Z Aviation Forecast Discussion update. No major changes to the forecast at this time. && .KEY MESSAGES... 1) Potential for strong to severe storms this morning through the afternoon along with a threat for excessive rainfall as a cold front moves through the area. 2) Drier start to the weekend but storm chances return by Sunday evening. && .DISCUSSION... KEY MESSAGE 1... A Tornado Watch is out for northeast Kentucky counties of Cater and Greenup until 5am. This is due to robust helicity, abundant shear and a the STP tornado parameter of 1+ which indicates possible tornadic environment not too mention tornadic activity upstream. Activity is already upstream and headed our way for the first push of convection into the area although the threat is weakening, therefore the watch is not being expanded anywhere. This watch may have to be expanded if trends persist west into our Ohio counties but the last tornado warning out west has expired therefore currently holding off on expanding at this time. Hi-res and convection allowing models (CAMs) have another push of convection in the form of a line settling in by mid morning. The HRRR, FV3 and NAM Nest are most aggressive and suggest potential super cellular activity with embedded thunderstorms along a line progressing southeast into our area moving south throughout the late morning and into the afternoon. With enough instability for the late morning and afternoon storms will be able to continue under a strong low level jet support and high shear to promote a damaging wind threat as well as tornadic threat with rotating showers possible along the line or from super cellular storms. Even though prior convection will weaken instability the line will have enough support to keep going through the area, however it may not be as potent as other models suggest. The winds will be a thing to watch as shower and thunderstorm activity will have a good environment with high DCAPE and high PWATs to promote downbursts and heavy downpours which could promote flooding potential, however it should be more isolated in nature and be more apparent across low lying or flood prone areas unless training occurs elsewhere. One caveat is that the line will be moving fast with strong steering flow aloft which may deter flash flooding all together this late morning and afternoon. Unless rates exceed flash flood guidance or rather 2+ inches per hour or high rates affect an area repeatedly or under training will possibly cause issues to the aforementioned areas and elsewhere. Shower activity could bring down strong winds which could be damaging and severe but this will involve convection rather than synoptic winds which made the decision of holding off on a wind advisory being issued at this time. By mid morning, the tornado threat diminishes and only a damaging wind threat will remain, however we cannot rule out a quick spin up along the line as the cold front sags south into the southern portions of our county warning area. Due to our radar being down it will be hard to detect low level rotation therefore shower activity or heavy thunderstorm activity will likely be warned on if there is any indication of rotation or a meso even though the tornadic environment will be diminishing. As the line exits toward the south another push of convection is indicated by some of the Hi-res models coming in from the west to affect our southern half of the area. This will add to QPF values but the activity will be across our driest portions of our CWA, so basically no flood watch is needed and will be handled by the warning process. WPC does have us in a slight risk for a excessive rainfall threat for this area so isolated flooding issues could occur in areas susceptible to flood or drainage issues. This activity will be coming in behind the front, therefore much of the instability will be used up so the environment should not pose a severe threat. After the aforementioned convection subsides things will clear out and any activity will exit by early afternoon opening the area up to a dry rest of the day on Friday and into the weekend. KEY MESSAGE 2... High pressure at the surface and a semi flat ridge aloft will help keep the weekend settled although by late Sunday a low pressure system will traverse into the region just north of us and drop down a weak frontal band for Monday. Models have this feature weakening as it comes through the area so frontolysis is likely. Thereafter, zonal flow will settle in and keep the area safe until Thursday as a short wave moves into the region which could promote chances for diurnal convection on next Thursday afternoon and evening. && .AVIATION /08Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... As the cold front pushes further toward the area rain and thunderstorms will become more prevalent and drop CIGs down to MVFR toward late morning. VIS restrictions will accompany shower activity and under heavy thunderstorm activity VIS could drop to IFR at times. Winds will increase out of the southwest gusting to 30kt by late morning. Gusty conditons will prevail until the early evening as the cold front sags south of the area. By evening, winds will diminish and CIGs will lift to VFR except for EKN/BKW who will endure MVFR CIGs into the evening and overnight. Clouds may clear out around a few western sites to promote fog formation overnight into Friday morning. If clouds clear out quicker fog could potentially affect the other sites in mid to late morning. FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 06Z FRIDAY... FORECAST CONFIDENCE: Medium. ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Timing of shower and thunderstorm activity could vary. Fog overnight into Friday morning could become areawide dependent upon how fast the clouds move out. EXPERIMENTAL TABLE OF FLIGHT CATEGORY OBJECTIVELY SHOWS CONSISTENCY OF WFO FORECAST TO AVAILABLE MODEL INFORMATION: H = HIGH: TAF CONSISTENT WITH ALL MODELS OR ALL BUT ONE MODEL. M = MEDIUM: TAF HAS VARYING LEVEL OF CONSISTENCY WITH MODELS. L = LOW: TAF INCONSISTENT WITH ALL MODELS OR ALL BUT ONE MODEL. DATE THU 06/18/26 UTC 1HRLY 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 EDT 1HRLY 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 CRW CONSISTENCY H H H M M H H M H H H H HTS CONSISTENCY H H M M H M M M H H H H BKW CONSISTENCY H H H H H L H H H M M M EKN CONSISTENCY H H H M M M H H H H H H PKB CONSISTENCY M M M H M H H H H H H H CKB CONSISTENCY H M H M L M M H H H H H AFTER 06Z FRIDAY... IFR ceilings may be possible with lingering showers along the mountains Thursday night. IFR fog is possible overnight into Friday morning. && && .RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WV...None. OH...None. KY...None. VA...None. && DISCUSSION...JZ AVIATION...JZ EQUIPMENT...JZ
In the hours before
Local storm report, Jun 18, 7:03 AM EDT, 36 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
703 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0630 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 9 NNE Leon 38.87N 81.89W
06/18/2026 Jackson WV 911 Call Center
Multiple trees down including Mt Altro, Jack
Burlingam Rd and Schoolhouse Run.
&&
ABELocal storm report, Jun 18, 7:04 AM EDT, 35 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
704 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0635 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 4 S Ravenswood 38.90N 81.76W
06/18/2026 Jackson WV 911 Call Center
Several trees down near Ravenswood including
Kenwood Ln and Pt Pleasant Rd.
&&
ABELocal storm report, Jun 18, 7:07 AM EDT, 32 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
707 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0640 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 E Ripley 38.81N 81.65W
06/18/2026 Jackson WV 911 Call Center
Tree and power lines down on Spencer Rd.
&&
ABELocal storm report, Jun 18, 7:30 AM EDT, 9 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
730 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0640 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 8 ENE Kermit 37.88N 82.28W
06/18/2026 Mingo WV 911 Call Center
Several trees down in northern Mingo County
including Stonecoal Rd, Low Gap Hollow Rd,
Jennies Creek Rd, and Messenger Branch.
&&
ABELocal storm report, Jun 18, 7:36 AM EDT, 3 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
736 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0535 AM Flash Flood 6 WNW Mcarthur 39.27N 82.59W
06/18/2026 Vinton OH 911 Call Center
Occupied vehicle stranded in high water.
&&
ABELocal storm report, Jun 18, 7:37 AM EDT, 2 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
737 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0717 AM Flash Flood 2 N Hamden 39.19N 82.53W
06/18/2026 Vinton OH 911 Call Center
Flash flooding reported on Rt 683 in Clinton
Township.
&&
ABEThe office that day
Everything else NWS Charleston, WV issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 18, 4:01 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Pleasants | 29 min |
| Jun 18, 4:59 AM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Wood | 3 hr |
| Jun 18, 5:14 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Jackson, Mason, Wood | 31 min |
| Jun 18, 5:33 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Wayne | 27 min |
| Jun 18, 5:54 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Cabell, Lincoln, Mason, Putnam, Wayne | 36 min |
| Jun 18, 6:02 AM EDT | Tornado Warning | RLX | Cabell, Mason, Putnam | 28 min |
| Jun 18, 6:11 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Calhoun, Jackson, Mason, Ritchie, Roane, Wirt and 1 more | 34 min |
| Jun 18, 6:19 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Boone, Cabell, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan and 5 more | 26 min |
| Jun 18, 6:28 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Calhoun, Jackson, Kanawha, Mason, Putnam, Roane | 32 min |
| Jun 18, 6:36 AM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Jackson, Mason, Wood | 3 hr |
| Jun 18, 6:39 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Boone, Lincoln, Logan, Mingo, Wayne, Wyoming | 36 min |
| Jun 18, 6:44 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Boone, Calhoun, Clay, Fayette, Jackson, Kanawha and 5 more | 31 min |
| Jun 18, 6:47 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Braxton, Calhoun, Clay, Doddridge, Gilmer, Harrison and 4 more | 28 min |
| Jun 18, 6:53 AM EDT | Tornado Warning | RLX | Boone, Logan, Mingo, Wyoming | 37 min |
| Jun 18, 7:11 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Boone, Fayette, Kanawha, Logan, Raleigh, Wyoming | 34 min |
| Jun 18, 7:13 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Barbour, Braxton, Gilmer, Harrison, Lewis, Randolph and 2 more | 32 min |
| Jun 18, 7:17 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Boone, Braxton, Calhoun, Clay, Fayette, Gilmer and 7 more | 28 min |
| Jun 18, 7:17 AM EDT | Tornado Warning | RLX | Boone, Fayette, Kanawha, Logan, Raleigh, Wyoming | 28 min |
| Jun 18, 7:25 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Boone, Lincoln, Logan, Mingo, Wayne | 35 min |
| Jun 18, 7:34 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Fayette, Nicholas, Raleigh, Wyoming | 26 min |
| Jun 18, 7:37 AM EDT | Tornado Warning | RLX | Barbour, Randolph | 8 min |
| Jun 18, 7:44 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Barbour, Braxton, Clay, Lewis, Nicholas, Pocahontas and 4 more | 31 min |
| Jun 18, 7:54 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Boone, Fayette, Kanawha, Logan, McDowell, Mingo and 2 more | 36 min |
| Jun 18, 7:55 AM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Wood | 3 hr |
| Jun 18, 8:08 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Fayette, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Webster | 37 min |
| Jun 18, 8:18 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Pocahontas, Randolph, Webster | 27 min |
| Jun 18, 8:27 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Fayette, Logan, McDowell, Mingo, Raleigh, Wyoming | 33 min |
| Jun 18, 8:55 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | McDowell, Raleigh, Wyoming | 35 min |
| Jun 18, 10:02 AM EDT | Flood Watch | RLX | Boone, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Mingo, Raleigh and 2 more | 15 hr |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in West Virginia, 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.