Alert archive / West Virginia / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 21, NWS Charleston, WV
NWS Charleston, WV issued this tornado warning at Jul 21, 2026, 6:22 PM EDT for Boyd County, Kentucky; Lawrence County, Ohio; Cabell County, Wayne County, West Virginia. It was in force for 23 min. 6 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
- Jul 21, 2026, 6:22 PM EDT (22:22 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 21, 2026, 6:45 PM EDT
- In force
- 23 min
- Issued by
- NWS Charleston, WV
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 1.0 in
Counties Boyd County, KY, Lawrence County, OH, Cabell County, WV, Wayne County, WV
The radar
The Charleston,WV radar (KRLX), 68 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:25 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, 6:25 PM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 1 E Ceredo, WV | Tree down on James River Road. Time estimated by radar. |
| Jul 21, 6:25 PM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 1 E Ceredo, WV | Tree down on James River Road. Time estimated by radar. |
| Jul 21, 6:30 PM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 3 Ese Huntington, WV | Report of trees uprooted along Norwood Rd south of I-64. |
| Jul 21, 6:30 PM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 3 Ese Huntington, WV | Report of trees uprooted along Norwood Rd south of I-64. |
| Jul 21, 6:38 PM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 4 Ssw Huntington, WV | Social media photos of snapped tree trunks off the side of Fifth Street Rd. Time estimated from radar. |
| Jul 21, 6:38 PM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 4 Ssw Huntington, WV | Social media photos of snapped tree trunks off the side of Fifth Street Rd. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 21, 1:13 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 10 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Cncnati-Daytn, OH (KILN), launched 12:00Z, 10.4 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
- 956 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -55 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 883 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 47 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 172 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 149 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.9
- Supercell composite
- 5.9
The text
As transmitted.
454
WFUS51 KRLX 212222
TORRLX
KYC019-OHC087-WVC011-099-212245-
/O.NEW.KRLX.TO.W.0021.260721T2222Z-260721T2245Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Charleston WV
622 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
The National Weather Service in Charleston West Virginia has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southeastern Boyd County in northeastern Kentucky...
South central Lawrence County in southeastern Ohio...
Southwestern Cabell County in central West Virginia...
Northwestern Wayne County in western West Virginia...
* Until 645 PM EDT.
* At 621 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Ceredo, or 7 miles east of Cannonsburg, 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.
* This dangerous storm will be near...
Huntington, Chesapeake, Beech Fork State Park, and Ceredo around
625 PM EDT.
Wayne and Barboursville around 630 PM EDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Lockwood, Pea Ridge, Lavalette, Burlington, and South Point.
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 3829 8265 3842 8262 3843 8229 3824 8232
TIME...MOT...LOC 2221Z 272DEG 25KT 3836 8257
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
SINCAVAGE2 follow-up statements
251
WWUS51 KRLX 212232
SVSRLX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
632 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
KYC019-OHC087-212241-
/O.CAN.KRLX.TO.W.0021.000000T0000Z-260721T2245Z/
Boyd KY-Lawrence OH-
632 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN BOYD AND SOUTH CENTRAL
LAWRENCE COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for
southeastern Ohio...and central and western West Virginia.
&&
LAT...LON 3841 8253 3843 8246 3843 8229 3828 8231
3828 8232 3832 8254
TIME...MOT...LOC 2231Z 272DEG 25KT 3836 8248
$$
WVC011-099-212245-
/O.CON.KRLX.TO.W.0021.000000T0000Z-260721T2245Z/
Cabell WV-Wayne WV-
632 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 645 PM EDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN CABELL AND NORTH CENTRAL WAYNE COUNTIES...
At 631 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Huntington, moving east at 30 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...
Huntington, Chesapeake, Beech Fork State Park, and Barboursville
around 635 PM EDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Lavalette, Burlington, and Pea Ridge.
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 3841 8253 3843 8246 3843 8229 3828 8231
3828 8232 3832 8254
TIME...MOT...LOC 2231Z 272DEG 25KT 3836 8248
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
SINCAVAGE657
WWUS51 KRLX 212240
SVSRLX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
640 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
WVC011-099-212250-
/O.EXP.KRLX.TO.W.0021.000000T0000Z-260721T2245Z/
Cabell WV-Wayne WV-
640 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHWESTERN CABELL AND NORTH CENTRAL
WAYNE COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 645 PM EDT...
The tornado threat has diminished and the Tornado Warning has been
cancelled. However, large hail and damaging winds remain likely and a
Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect for the area.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for
southeastern Ohio...and central and western West Virginia.
&&
LAT...LON 3841 8253 3843 8246 3843 8229 3828 8231
3828 8232 3832 8254
TIME...MOT...LOC 2240Z 272DEG 25KT 3836 8241
$$
SINCAVAGEThe 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 | Boyd, Carter, Greenup, Lawrence | 22 hr |
| Jul 21, 1:37 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Greenup | 38 min |
| Jul 21, 4:36 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Boyd, Carter, Greenup | 54 min |
| Jul 21, 4:56 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | RLX | Greenup | 37 min |
| Jul 21, 5:12 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Greenup | 3 hr |
| Jul 21, 5:26 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Boyd, Carter, Greenup | 49 min |
| Jul 21, 6:09 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Boyd | 36 min |
| Jul 21, 6:33 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Carter, Lawrence | 42 min |
| Jul 21, 6:39 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Boyd, Greenup | 3 hr |
| Jul 21, 6:48 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | RLX | Lawrence | 27 min |
| Jul 21, 7:11 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | RLX | Lawrence | 18 min |
| Jul 21, 7:13 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Lawrence | 47 min |
| 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, 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, 3:29 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | RLX | Washington | 31 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, 4:37 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | RLX | Washington | 27 min |
| Jul 21, 4:50 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Washington | 3 hr |
| Jul 21, 7:56 PM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | RLX | Morgan, Perry, Washington | 9 hr |
| Jul 21, 4:20 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Barbour, Upshur | 40 min |
| Jul 21, 1:07 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Calhoun, Doddridge, Ritchie, Wirt, Wood | 38 min |
| Jul 21, 1:30 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | RLX | Calhoun, Gilmer, Ritchie | 30 min |
| Jul 21, 1:57 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Gilmer, Lewis | 36 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, 3:43 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Pocahontas, Randolph | 47 min |
| Jul 21, 4:17 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | RLX | Doddridge, Tyler | 17 min |
| Jul 21, 4:27 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Doddridge, Harrison, Tyler | 48 min |
| 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, 5:34 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, 6:15 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, 6:43 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, 7:21 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, 2026Tornado Warnings in Kentucky, 2026Tornado 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.