Alert archive / Ohio / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 15, NWS Charleston, WV
NWS Charleston, WV issued this tornado warning at Jul 21, 2026, 3:29 PM EDT for Washington County, Ohio. It was in force for 31 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
- Jul 21, 2026, 3:29 PM EDT (19:29 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 21, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
- In force
- 31 min
- Issued by
- NWS Charleston, WV
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 1.0 in
County Washington County, OH
The radar
The Pittsburgh radar (KPBZ), 141 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:33 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 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, 7.5 hours before the alert went out and 139 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.
530
WFUS51 KRLX 211929
TORRLX
OHC167-212000-
/O.NEW.KRLX.TO.W.0015.260721T1929Z-260721T2000Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Charleston WV
329 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
The National Weather Service in Charleston West Virginia has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Northeastern Washington County in southeastern Ohio...
* Until 400 PM EDT.
* At 328 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 8 miles southeast of Caldwell, moving east at 40 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 Washington County, including the following
locations... Macksburg.
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 3964 8145 3963 8145 3963 8142 3962 8141
3961 8139 3960 8139 3959 8128 3961 8128
3960 8126 3958 8126 3957 8111 3951 8116
3960 8148 3965 8147
TIME...MOT...LOC 1928Z 289DEG 36KT 3964 8143
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
JP2 follow-up statements
514
WWUS51 KRLX 211944
SVSRLX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
344 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
OHC167-212000-
/O.CON.KRLX.TO.W.0015.000000T0000Z-260721T2000Z/
Washington OH-
344 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 PM EDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN WASHINGTON COUNTY...
At 344 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 12 miles west of Sistersville, or 12 miles north of St.
Marys, moving east at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
northeastern Washington County.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3956 8134 3959 8132 3959 8128 3961 8128
3960 8126 3958 8126 3957 8111 3951 8116
3952 8118
TIME...MOT...LOC 1944Z 289DEG 36KT 3959 8123
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
JP726
WWUS51 KRLX 211957
SVSRLX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
357 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
OHC167-212007-
/O.EXP.KRLX.TO.W.0015.000000T0000Z-260721T2000Z/
Washington OH-
357 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN WASHINGTON COUNTY WILL EXPIRE
AT 400 PM EDT...
The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for
southeastern Ohio.
&&
LAT...LON 3956 8134 3959 8132 3959 8128 3961 8128
3960 8126 3958 8126 3957 8111 3951 8116
3952 8118
TIME...MOT...LOC 1957Z 289DEG 36KT 3956 8111
$$
JPWhat 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 Jul 21, 1:36 PM EDT, 1 hour 53 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- 1) Severe storms expected this afternoon and early evening.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 21, 1:36 PM EDT, 1 hour 53 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Charleston WV
136 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
No significant changes were necessary at this time.
&&
.KEY MESSAGES...
- 1) Severe storms expected this afternoon and early evening.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1...
Mid level shortwave energy will dive south into the area into the
afternoon hours, followed by a cold front late this evening into the
overnight. As a cluster of elevated convection associated with this
shortwave approaches our area, it will encounter a very moist and
unstable environment, with convection becoming more surface based as
it enters our CWA. CAPE values progged to approach 2000 to 4000
J/kg, and increasing shear values of 40 to 60 kts in the 0-6km
layer, will result in potential for storms to become organized.
Damaging winds are the primary hazard, with convection potentially
organizing into lines/bowing segments, but with that being said,
there is a tornado threat as well, with low LCL heights less than
1500m and 0-3km SRH greater than 250.
Timing of the severe activity is difficult to pinpoint, but appears
most should occur in the afternoon to early/mid evening hours, with
an additional round of convection expected with the front later
tonight. It's possible some of this convection associated with the
front could be low end severe, but with loss of heating, and any
effects earlier convection has on the overall environment,
confidence isn't high.
Lastly, with any storms that occur, flash flooding is a possibility,
with the overall anomalously high PW are that continues to remain in
place. This should mainly be a threat in locations that receive
repetitive rounds of convection.
&&
.AVIATION /18Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Scattered showers and storms through at least 06Z when a
decrease in intensity and coverage should be noted. Storms will
be capable of brief IFR/LIFR or worse conditions, and strong
damaging wind gusts and perhaps a tornado and large hail.
After 06Z, expect widespread IFR/LIFR fog and/or stratus, with a
gradual improvement to VFR with light surface winds expected
after 13Z to 15Z.
FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 18Z WEDNESDAY...
FORECAST CONFIDENCE: Medium
ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Impacts due to thunderstorms could vary,
including timing and worse impacts than forecast. Fog and/or
stratus late tonight and Wednesday morning may be worse than
currently forecast.
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.
UTC 1HRLY 18 19 20 21 22 23 00 01 02 03 04 05
EDT 1HRLY 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 00 01
CRW CONSISTENCY M M M M M L H H M M H H
HTS CONSISTENCY H H H H M M M M M M L L
BKW CONSISTENCY M M M M M M H M H H H H
EKN CONSISTENCY M M M M M H H H H H H H
PKB CONSISTENCY M M M H H H M H H H H H
CKB CONSISTENCY M M M M H H H H H M H H
AFTER 18Z WEDNESDAY...
IFR valley fog each morning through Friday.
&&
.RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WV...Flood Watch through late tonight for WVZ005>011-013>020-
024>034-039-040-515>523-525-526.
OH...Flood Watch through late tonight for OHZ067-075-076-083>087.
KY...Flood Watch through late tonight for KYZ101>103-105.
VA...Flood Watch through late tonight for VAZ003-004.
&&
DISCUSSION...SL
AVIATION...SLIn the hours before
Local storm report, Jul 21, 1:07 PM EDT, 2 hours 22 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
107 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1152 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg Nelsonville 39.46N 82.23W
07/21/2026 Athens OH 911 Call Center
Two separate reports of trees and wires down
along Canal St and Fort St in Nelsonville.
Time estimated from radar.
&&
HSLocal storm report, Jul 21, 1:39 PM EDT, 1 hour 50 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
139 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1253 PM Rain 5 E Amesville 39.37N 81.87W
07/21/2026 M1.70 Inch Athens OH Public
Reported by Trained Spotter.
&&Local storm report, Jul 21, 2:11 PM EDT, 1 hour 18 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
211 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1130 AM Rain 3 E Buchtel 39.47N 82.13W
07/21/2026 M2.22 Inch Athens OH Cocorahs
&&
HSLocal storm report, Jul 21, 2:21 PM EDT, 1 hour 8 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
221 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0200 PM Flash Flood 2 S Vienna 39.30N 81.54W
07/21/2026 Wood WV Public
Multiple pictures and videos sent via
Facebook showed flash flooding ongoing near
and along the College Parkway in
Parkersburg.
&&
HSLocal storm report, Jul 21, 2:56 PM EDT, 33 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
256 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0227 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 WSW Stonewall Jackson 38.99N 80.51W
07/21/2026 Lewis WV Amateur Radio
Tree down blocking roadway.
&&Local storm report, Jul 21, 3:10 PM EDT, 19 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
310 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1212 PM Flash Flood 3 WSW Jacksonville 39.47N 82.13W
07/21/2026 Athens OH 911 Call Center
Approximately three feet of water and a land
slide on ST RTE 685 halfway between Buchtel
and Redtown.
&&
HSThe 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 | Athens, Gallia, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs, Morgan and 2 more | 22 hr |
| Jul 21, 11:29 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Morgan | 46 min |
| Jul 21, 11:47 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Athens, Morgan, Washington | 28 min |
| Jul 21, 12:02 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Athens, Washington | 43 min |
| Jul 21, 12:32 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Athens | 4 hr |
| Jul 21, 12:48 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Washington | 4 hr |
| Jul 21, 1:18 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Washington | 3 hr |
| Jul 21, 1:37 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Lawrence | 38 min |
| Jul 21, 2:06 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Lawrence | 39 min |
| Jul 21, 2:09 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Perry | 23 min |
| Jul 21, 2:59 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | RLX | Morgan | 18 min |
| Jul 21, 3:09 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Morgan, Perry | 36 min |
| Jul 21, 3:37 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Perry | 4 hr |
| Jul 21, 3:40 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Morgan, Perry, Washington | 65 min |
| Jul 21, 3:53 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | RLX | Washington | 37 min |
| Jul 21, 3:59 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Morgan, Perry, Washington | 4 hr |
| Jul 21, 4:15 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Washington | 4 hr |
| Jul 21, 4:24 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Athens, Gallia, Jackson, Meigs, Vinton | 51 min |
| Jul 21, 4:29 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Washington | 46 min |
| Jul 21, 4:36 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Lawrence | 54 min |
| Jul 21, 4:37 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | RLX | Washington | 27 min |
| Jul 21, 4:50 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Washington | 3 hr |
| Jul 21, 5:12 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Lawrence | 3 hr |
| Jul 21, 5:26 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Gallia, Lawrence | 49 min |
| Jul 21, 6:09 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Lawrence | 36 min |
| Jul 21, 6:22 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | RLX | Lawrence | 23 min |
| Jul 21, 6:39 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Lawrence | 3 hr |
| Jul 21, 7:56 PM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | RLX | Morgan, Perry, Washington | 9 hr |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in Ohio, 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.