Alert archive / West Virginia / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 24, NWS Charleston, WV
NWS Charleston, WV issued this tornado warning at Jul 21, 2026, 8:16 PM EDT for 4 counties in West Virginia. It was in force for 29 min. 2 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, 8:16 PM EDT (00:16 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 21, 2026, 8:45 PM EDT
- In force
- 29 min
- Issued by
- NWS Charleston, WV
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.75 in
Counties Boone County, WV, Fayette County, WV, Kanawha County, WV, Raleigh County, WV
The radar
The Charleston,WV radar (KRLX), 38 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:15 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, 8:25 PM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 1 Ssw Powellton, WV | Over 300 customers without power in and south of Powellton due to tree damage. |
| Jul 21, 8:25 PM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 1 Ssw Powellton, WV | Over 300 customers without power in and south of Powellton due to tree damage. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 21, 1:13 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 10 hr |
| Jul 21, 6:09 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 7 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Roanoke, VA (KRNK), launched 00:00Z, 0.3 hours before the alert went out and 194 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
- 2535 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -3 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 789 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 48 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 155 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 246 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 3.1
- Supercell composite
- 17.2
The text
As transmitted.
889
WFUS51 KRLX 220016
TORRLX
WVC005-019-039-081-220045-
/O.NEW.KRLX.TO.W.0024.260722T0016Z-260722T0045Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Charleston WV
816 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
The National Weather Service in Charleston West Virginia has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southeastern Kanawha County in central West Virginia...
North central Raleigh County in southeastern West Virginia...
Western Fayette County in southeastern West Virginia...
Eastern Boone County in central West Virginia...
* Until 845 PM EDT.
* At 815 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Burnwell, or 18 miles east of Madison, moving east
at 25 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...
Montgomery, Burnwell, and Powellton around 820 PM EDT.
Smithers around 825 PM EDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Handley, Leewood, Dawes, Sharon, and Eskdale.
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 3803 8158 3820 8155 3822 8114 3789 8118
TIME...MOT...LOC 0015Z 283DEG 23KT 3808 8146
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
SINCAVAGE3 follow-up statements
707
WWUS51 KRLX 220025
SVSRLX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
825 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
WVC005-081-220034-
/O.CAN.KRLX.TO.W.0024.000000T0000Z-260722T0045Z/
Raleigh WV-Boone WV-
825 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL RALEIGH AND EASTERN BOONE
COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM EDT for
central and southeastern West Virginia. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch
also remains in effect until 100 AM EDT for southeastern West
Virginia.
&&
LAT...LON 3793 8129 3794 8130 3795 8132 3797 8133
3797 8138 3800 8147 3803 8146 3806 8148
3820 8148 3822 8114 3789 8118
TIME...MOT...LOC 0024Z 283DEG 23KT 3807 8138
$$
WVC019-039-220045-
/O.CON.KRLX.TO.W.0024.000000T0000Z-260722T0045Z/
Kanawha WV-Fayette WV-
825 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 845 PM EDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN KANAWHA AND WESTERN FAYETTE COUNTIES...
At 824 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Burnwell, or 14 miles west of Fayetteville, moving
east at 25 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...
Montgomery, Smithers, and Powellton around 830 PM EDT.
Oak Hill around 835 PM EDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Handley, Leewood, Dawes, Sharon, and Eskdale.
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 3793 8129 3794 8130 3795 8132 3797 8133
3797 8138 3800 8147 3803 8146 3806 8148
3820 8148 3822 8114 3789 8118
TIME...MOT...LOC 0024Z 283DEG 23KT 3807 8138
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
SINCAVAGE313
WWUS51 KRLX 220037 RRA
SVSRLX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
837 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
WVC039-220047-
/O.CAN.KRLX.TO.W.0024.000000T0000Z-260722T0045Z/
Kanawha WV-
837 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN KANAWHA COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM EDT for
central and southeastern West Virginia. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch
also remains in effect until 100 AM EDT for southeastern West
Virginia.
&&
LAT...LON 3793 8129 3795 8130 3795 8132 3797 8133
3797 8138 3817 8133 3818 8133 3820 8127
3820 8114 3789 8118
TIME...MOT...LOC 0037Z 283DEG 23KT 3805 8128
$$
WVC019-220045-
/O.CON.KRLX.TO.W.0024.000000T0000Z-260722T0045Z/
Fayette WV-
837 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 845 PM EDT FOR WESTERN
FAYETTE COUNTY...
At 837 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Powellton, or 9 miles west of Fayetteville, moving
east at 25 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...
Oak Hill and Powellton around 840 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 3793 8129 3795 8130 3795 8132 3797 8133
3797 8138 3817 8133 3818 8133 3820 8127
3820 8114 3789 8118
TIME...MOT...LOC 0037Z 283DEG 23KT 3805 8128
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
SINCAVAGE639
WWUS51 KRLX 220042
SVSRLX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
842 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
WVC019-220050-
/O.EXP.KRLX.TO.W.0024.000000T0000Z-260722T0045Z/
Fayette WV-
842 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR WESTERN FAYETTE COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT 845
PM EDT...
The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer appears capable of producing a tornado.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM EDT for
central and southeastern West Virginia. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch
also remains in effect until 100 AM EDT for southeastern West
Virginia.
Remember, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning still remains in effect for
western Fayette County until 915 PM EDT.
&&
LAT...LON 3793 8129 3795 8130 3795 8132 3797 8133
3797 8138 3817 8133 3818 8133 3820 8127
3820 8114 3789 8118
TIME...MOT...LOC 0040Z 283DEG 23KT 3805 8126
$$
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, 7:12 PM EDT, 1 hour 4 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- 1) Severe storms expected this afternoon and early evening.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 21, 7:12 PM EDT, 1 hour 4 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Charleston WV
712 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
00Z Aviation Discussion Updated.
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 /00Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Heavy rain and strong thunderstorms will continue to produce
IFR flight conditions at times this evening. Although activity
will continue to taper off from west to east tonight, IFR or
worse conditions are expected to develop in fog and stratus.
CIGs/VIS will slowly improve to VFR after 12Z Wednesday.
Expect moderate southwest winds, with stronger gusts in storms
this evening. Flow will then become calm to light out of the northwest
after a front crosses the area tonight.
FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 00Z THURSDAY...
FORECAST CONFIDENCE: Medium
ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Impacts due to thunderstorms could vary.
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.
DATE WED
UTC 1HRLY 23 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10
EDT 1HRLY 19 20 21 22 23 00 01 02 03 04 05 06
CRW CONSISTENCY H H H H L H H M H L L M
HTS CONSISTENCY M H H H H H H H H L H H
BKW CONSISTENCY M H H H H H H H H H H H
EKN CONSISTENCY H H H H M M M M L H M M
PKB CONSISTENCY M H H H H L M L M M H L
CKB CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H M H M L H
AFTER 00Z THURSDAY...
IFR valley fog each morning through Friday.
&&
.RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WV...Flood Watch until 2 AM EDT Wednesday for WVZ005>011-013>020-
024>034-039-040-515>523-525-526.
OH...Flood Watch until 2 AM EDT Wednesday for OHZ067-075-076-
083>087.
KY...Flood Watch until 2 AM EDT Wednesday for KYZ101>103-105.
VA...Flood Watch until 2 AM EDT Wednesday for VAZ003-004.
&&
DISCUSSION...SL
AVIATION...20In the hours before
Local storm report, Jul 21, 7:04 PM EDT, 1 hour 12 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
704 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0655 PM Flash Flood Buckhannon 38.98N 80.22W
07/21/2026 Upshur WV Amateur Radio
Corrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from
Buckhannon. Report of swift water rescue
from the creek along Little Sand Run Road.
&&
WebbLocal storm report, Jul 21, 7:08 PM EDT, 1 hour 8 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
708 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0707 PM Flash Flood 4 SW Buckhannon 38.96N 80.29W
07/21/2026 Upshur WV Amateur Radio
Swift water rescues underway for people
trapped in the upstairs of their home along
Brush Fork Road.
&&
WebbLocal storm report, Jul 21, 7:36 PM EDT, 40 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
736 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0720 PM Flash Flood Buckhannon 38.99N 80.23W
07/21/2026 Upshur WV Broadcast Media
Photo showing several city streets flooded
with swift moving water.
&&
WebbLocal storm report, Jul 21, 7:47 PM EDT, 29 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
747 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0710 PM Flash Flood 2 SSW Buckhannon 38.96N 80.24W
07/21/2026 Upshur WV 911 Call Center
Stony Run Road near South Route 20 Road
flooded with up to 3 feet of water.
&&
WebbLocal storm report, Jul 21, 7:59 PM EDT, 17 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
759 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0500 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 5 NE Salem 39.33N 80.49W
07/21/2026 Harrison WV 911 Call Center
Tree and lines down on Grass Run Road.
&&
JLBLocal storm report, Jul 21, 8:05 PM EDT, 11 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
805 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0700 PM Flash Flood 4 E Stonewall Jackson 39.00N 80.39W
07/21/2026 Lewis WV Broadcast Media
Video showing a portion of US Route 33 near
the Lewis County line flooded on all lanes.
&&
WebbThe office that day
Everything else NWS Charleston, WV issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 21, 8:06 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Boone, Fayette, Kanawha | 24 min |
| Jul 21, 8:09 PM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | RLX | Doddridge, Pleasants, Ritchie, Tyler | 35 hr |
| Jul 21, 8:25 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Boone, Fayette, Kanawha, Nicholas, Raleigh | 50 min |
| Jul 21, 8:30 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Braxton, Lewis, Randolph, Upshur, Webster | 47 min |
| Jul 21, 8:45 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Boone, Fayette, Kanawha | 3 hr |
| Jul 21, 8:51 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Fayette | 3 hr |
| Jul 21, 8:59 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | RLX | Fayette | 26 min |
| Jul 21, 9:31 PM EDT | River Flood Warning | RLX | Harrison, Lewis | 4 hr |
| Jul 21, 9:37 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Fayette | 23 min |
| Jul 21, 10:45 PM EDT | River Flood Warning | RLX | Upshur | 29 hr |
| Jul 21, 11:37 PM EDT | River Flood Warning | RLX | Barbour | 12 hr |
| Jul 22, 12:08 AM EDT | River Flood Warning | RLX | Harrison | 25 hr |
| Jul 22, 12:11 AM EDT | River Flood Warning | RLX | Barbour | 22 hr |
| Jul 22, 12:28 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | RLX | Barbour, Doddridge, Gilmer, Harrison, Lewis, Randolph and 4 more | 25 hr |
| Jul 22, 12:52 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | RLX | Braxton, Calhoun, Gilmer, Lewis, Ritchie | 4 hr |
| Jul 22, 1:24 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | RLX | Barbour, Lewis, Pocahontas, Randolph, Upshur | 9 hr |
| Jul 22, 2:54 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | RLX | Barbour, Lewis, Randolph, Upshur | 13 hr |
| Jul 22, 6:48 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | RLX | Ritchie | 3 hr |
| Jul 22, 10:02 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | RLX | Ritchie | 6 hr |
| Jul 22, 10:41 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | RLX | Harrison, Lewis | 6 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; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.