Alert archive / West Virginia / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 13, NWS Charleston, WV
NWS Charleston, WV issued this tornado warning at Jul 21, 2026, 1:30 PM EDT for Calhoun County, Gilmer County, Ritchie County, West Virginia. It was in force for 30 min. 1 report 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, 1:30 PM EDT (17:30 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 21, 2026, 2:00 PM EDT
- In force
- 30 min
- Issued by
- NWS Charleston, WV
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 1.0 in
Counties Calhoun County, WV, Gilmer County, WV, Ritchie County, WV
The radar
The Charleston,WV radar (KRLX), 108 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 17:32 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 21, 1:38 PM EDT | TORNADO | 7 N Grantsville, WV | EF2 tornado tracked an estimated 1.8 miles down a hillside, across Leatherbark Rd and then up the adjacent hillside snapping large, mature hardwood trees and causing minor roof damage to a home. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 21, 1:13 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 10 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Pittsburgh, PA (KPIT), launched 12:00Z, 5.5 hours before the alert went out and 166 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
- 538 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -52 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 856 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 51 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 146 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 131 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.6
The text
As transmitted.
060
WFUS51 KRLX 211730
TORRLX
WVC013-021-085-211800-
/O.NEW.KRLX.TO.W.0013.260721T1730Z-260721T1800Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Charleston WV
130 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
The National Weather Service in Charleston West Virginia has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Northeastern Calhoun County in north central West Virginia...
Southeastern Ritchie County in northwestern West Virginia...
Northwestern Gilmer County in north central West Virginia...
* Until 200 PM EDT.
* At 130 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 9 miles north of Grantsville, moving east at 35 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 tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
northeastern Calhoun, southeastern Ritchie and northwestern Gilmer
Counties, including the following locations... Newberne, Auburn,
Brohard, Tanner, Smithville, and Burnt House.
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 3911 8081 3911 8080 3892 8089 3904 8119
3911 8116
TIME...MOT...LOC 1730Z 292DEG 27KT 3906 8110
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
303 follow-up statements
086
WWUS51 KRLX 211741
SVSRLX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
141 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
WVC013-021-085-211800-
/O.CON.KRLX.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-260721T1800Z/
Calhoun WV-Ritchie WV-Gilmer WV-
141 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 200 PM EDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN CALHOUN...SOUTHEASTERN RITCHIE AND NORTHWESTERN GILMER
COUNTIES...
At 141 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 8 miles north of Grantsville, moving east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Auburn, Newberne, Tanner, and Burnt House.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3911 8080 3892 8089 3901 8111 3911 8106
TIME...MOT...LOC 1741Z 292DEG 23KT 3904 8105
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
30548
WWUS51 KRLX 211750
SVSRLX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
150 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
WVC013-211800-
/O.CAN.KRLX.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-260721T1800Z/
Calhoun WV-
150 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN CALHOUN COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for
northern, north central and northwestern West Virginia.
&&
LAT...LON 3896 8087 3902 8104 3911 8096 3911 8080
TIME...MOT...LOC 1750Z 292DEG 27KT 3902 8099
$$
WVC021-085-211800-
/O.CON.KRLX.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-260721T1800Z/
Ritchie WV-Gilmer WV-
150 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 200 PM EDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN RITCHIE AND NORTHWESTERN GILMER COUNTIES...
At 150 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 8 miles northeast of Grantsville, moving east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Auburn, Newberne, and Burnt House.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3896 8087 3902 8104 3911 8096 3911 8080
TIME...MOT...LOC 1750Z 292DEG 27KT 3902 8099
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
30615 WWUS51 KRLX 211759 SVSRLX Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service Charleston WV 159 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026 WVC021-085-211808- /O.EXP.KRLX.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-260721T1800Z/ Ritchie WV-Gilmer WV- 159 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026 ...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN RITCHIE AND NORTHWESTERN GILMER COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 200 PM EDT... The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area. Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire. However, small hail, gusty winds and heavy rain are still possible with this thunderstorm. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for northern, north central and northwestern West Virginia. && LAT...LON 3896 8087 3902 8104 3911 8096 3911 8080 TIME...MOT...LOC 1758Z 292DEG 27KT 3900 8094 $$ 30
The office that day
Everything else NWS Charleston, WV issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 21, 3:59 AM EDT | Flood Watch | RLX | Barbour, Boone, Braxton, Cabell, Calhoun, Clay and 28 more | 22 hr |
| Jul 21, 4:20 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Barbour, Upshur | 40 min |
| Jul 21, 12:02 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Pleasants, Wood | 43 min |
| Jul 21, 1:07 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Calhoun, Doddridge, Ritchie, Wirt, Wood | 38 min |
| Jul 21, 1:18 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Pleasants, Wood | 3 hr |
| Jul 21, 1:57 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Gilmer, Lewis | 36 min |
| Jul 21, 2:06 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Cabell, Mason | 39 min |
| Jul 21, 2:15 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Lewis, Upshur | 60 min |
| Jul 21, 2:41 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Cabell, Kanawha, Lincoln, Mason, Putnam | 31 min |
| Jul 21, 2:55 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Randolph, Upshur | 50 min |
| Jul 21, 3:27 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Lewis, Randolph, Upshur | 11 hr |
| Jul 21, 3:40 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Pleasants, Tyler | 65 min |
| Jul 21, 3:43 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Pocahontas, Randolph | 47 min |
| Jul 21, 3:53 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | RLX | Tyler | 37 min |
| Jul 21, 4:15 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Pleasants, Ritchie, Tyler | 4 hr |
| Jul 21, 4:17 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | RLX | Doddridge, Tyler | 17 min |
| Jul 21, 4:24 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Mason | 51 min |
| Jul 21, 4:27 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Doddridge, Harrison, Tyler | 48 min |
| Jul 21, 4:29 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Pleasants, Ritchie, Tyler, Wood | 46 min |
| Jul 21, 4:37 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | RLX | Doddridge, Pleasants, Ritchie, Tyler | 27 min |
| Jul 21, 4:50 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Pleasants, Ritchie, Wood | 3 hr |
| Jul 21, 4:53 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Doddridge, Harrison, Lewis, Pleasants, Ritchie, Tyler | 52 min |
| Jul 21, 5:08 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Barbour, Harrison, Taylor | 37 min |
| Jul 21, 5:26 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Cabell, Wayne | 49 min |
| Jul 21, 5:34 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Barbour, Doddridge, Gilmer, Harrison, Lewis, Upshur | 56 min |
| Jul 21, 5:35 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | RLX | Barbour, Taylor | 25 min |
| Jul 21, 5:38 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Barbour, Doddridge, Gilmer, Harrison, Lewis, Ritchie and 3 more | 7 hr |
| Jul 21, 5:44 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Barbour, Randolph, Taylor | 31 min |
| Jul 21, 5:56 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Braxton, Calhoun, Doddridge, Gilmer, Lewis, Ritchie | 34 min |
| Jul 21, 6:08 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Barbour, Randolph | 67 min |
| Jul 21, 6:09 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Cabell, Wayne | 36 min |
| Jul 21, 6:15 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Braxton, Gilmer, Lewis, Ritchie | 7 hr |
| Jul 21, 6:20 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Braxton, Gilmer, Lewis, Pocahontas, Randolph, Upshur and 1 more | 55 min |
| Jul 21, 6:22 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | RLX | Cabell, Wayne | 23 min |
| Jul 21, 6:39 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Cabell, Lincoln, Wayne | 3 hr |
| Jul 21, 6:43 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Barbour, Lewis, Pocahontas, Randolph, Upshur | 7 hr |
| Jul 21, 6:43 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Cabell, Lincoln, Putnam, Wayne | 47 min |
| Jul 21, 6:57 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Lewis, Upshur | 6 hr |
| Jul 21, 6:57 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Boone, Kanawha, Lincoln | 48 min |
| Jul 21, 7:09 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Braxton, Gilmer, Lewis, Pocahontas, Randolph, Upshur and 1 more | 66 min |
| Jul 21, 7:13 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Mingo, Wayne | 47 min |
| Jul 21, 7:21 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Cabell, Kanawha, Lincoln, Putnam | 23 min |
| Jul 21, 7:47 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Boone, Kanawha, Lincoln | 31 min |
| Jul 21, 7:51 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Boone, Lincoln, Logan, Mingo, Wayne | 35 min |
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; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.