Alert archive / Kentucky / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 22, NWS Charleston, WV
NWS Charleston, WV issued this tornado warning at Jul 21, 2026, 6:48 PM EDT for Lawrence County, Kentucky. It was in force for 27 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, 6:48 PM EDT (22:48 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 21, 2026, 7:15 PM EDT
- In force
- 27 min
- Issued by
- NWS Charleston, WV
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.75 in
County Lawrence County, KY
The radar
The Jackson,KY radar (KJKL), 62 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:50 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
Cncnati-Daytn, OH (KILN), launched 12:00Z, 10.8 hours before the alert went out and 172 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.
543
WFUS51 KRLX 212248
TORRLX
KYC127-212315-
/O.NEW.KRLX.TO.W.0022.260721T2248Z-260721T2315Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Charleston WV
648 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
The National Weather Service in Charleston West Virginia has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southwestern Lawrence County in northeastern Kentucky...
* Until 715 PM EDT.
* At 647 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Culver, or 7 miles southeast of Sandy Hook, moving
east at 35 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...
Blaine and Martha around 655 PM EDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Houckville.
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 3804 8300 3805 8296 3808 8294 3811 8289
3814 8291 3817 8291 3809 8269 3791 8273
3797 8283 3800 8294 3799 8297 3801 8302
TIME...MOT...LOC 2247Z 287DEG 29KT 3805 8300
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
SINCAVAGE2 follow-up statements
207
WWUS51 KRLX 212255 RRA
SVSRLX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
655 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
KYC127-212315-
/O.CON.KRLX.TO.W.0022.000000T0000Z-260721T2315Z/
Lawrence KY-
655 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM EDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN LAWRENCE COUNTY...
At 654 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Martha, or near Blaine, moving east at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
This dangerous storm will be near...
Blaine around 700 PM EDT.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!
Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3808 8294 3811 8289 3809 8269 3791 8273
3797 8283 3800 8294 3801 8299 3803 8299
3805 8297 3805 8296
TIME...MOT...LOC 2254Z 289DEG 32KT 3803 8292
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
SINCAVAGE730
WWUS51 KRLX 212305 RRA
SVSRLX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
705 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
KYC127-212315-
/O.CON.KRLX.TO.W.0022.000000T0000Z-260721T2315Z/
Lawrence KY-
705 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM EDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN LAWRENCE COUNTY...
At 705 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Winifred, or near Blaine, moving southeast at 35
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
southwestern Lawrence 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.
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 3807 8285 3805 8270 3791 8273 3797 8283
3799 8291
TIME...MOT...LOC 2305Z 292DEG 31KT 3798 8282
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
SINCAVAGEWhat 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, 5 hours 12 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- 1) Severe storms expected this afternoon and early evening.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 21, 1:36 PM EDT, 5 hours 12 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, 5:53 PM EDT, 55 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
553 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0523 PM Flash Flood Mcconnelsville 39.65N 81.85W
07/21/2026 Morgan OH 911 Call Center
Terrace Drive reported flooded.
&&
WebbLocal storm report, Jul 21, 6:00 PM EDT, 48 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
600 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0549 PM Flash Flood 3 N Stockport 39.59N 81.79W
07/21/2026 Morgan OH 911 Call Center
State Route 376 flooded on both lanes near
intersection with South Taylor Hollow Road.
&&
WebbLocal storm report, Jul 21, 6:04 PM EDT, 44 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
604 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0552 PM Flash Flood 2 SSE Pennsboro 39.26N 80.96W
07/21/2026 Ritchie WV 911 Call Center
Pullman Drive reported flooded.
&&
WebbLocal storm report, Jul 21, 6:06 PM EDT, 42 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
606 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0558 PM Flash Flood 1 SSE Harrisville 39.20N 81.05W
07/21/2026 Ritchie WV 911 Call Center
A portion of South Spring Street reported
flooded.
&&
WebbLocal storm report, Jul 21, 6:17 PM EDT, 31 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
617 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0609 PM Flash Flood 3 SSW Flemington 39.22N 80.15W
07/21/2026 Barbour WV 911 Call Center
Portion of Bear Mountain Road reported
flooded.
&&
WebbLocal storm report, Jul 21, 6:25 PM EDT, 23 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
625 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0624 PM Rain Lost Creek 39.16N 80.35W
07/21/2026 M2.50 Inch Harrison WV Broadcast Media
Reported to have accumulated in 45 minutes.
&&
WebbThe 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, 6:22 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | RLX | Boyd | 23 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, 7:11 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | RLX | Lawrence | 18 min |
| Jul 21, 7:13 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Lawrence | 47 min |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in Kentucky, 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.