Alert archive / West Virginia / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 25, NWS Charleston, WV
NWS Charleston, WV issued this tornado warning at Jul 21, 2026, 8:59 PM EDT for Fayette County, West Virginia. It was in force for 26 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, 8:59 PM EDT (00:59 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 21, 2026, 9:25 PM EDT
- In force
- 26 min
- Issued by
- NWS Charleston, WV
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.75 in
County Fayette County, WV
The radar
The Charleston,WV radar (KRLX), 83 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:02 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
Roanoke, VA (KRNK), launched 00:00Z, 1.0 hours before the alert went out and 149 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.
990
WFUS51 KRLX 220059
TORRLX
WVC019-220145-
/O.NEW.KRLX.TO.W.0025.260722T0059Z-260722T0145Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Charleston WV
859 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
The National Weather Service in Charleston West Virginia has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southeastern Fayette County in southeastern West Virginia...
* Until 945 PM EDT.
* At 858 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Babcock State Park, 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...
Babcock State Park around 905 PM EDT.
Rainelle around 910 PM EDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Meadow
Bridge and Thurmond.
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.
Tornadoes are extremely difficult to see and confirm at night. 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 3792 8113 3808 8109 3807 8088 3805 8085
3806 8080 3804 8083 3803 8082 3803 8080
3801 8079 3799 8079 3798 8077 3795 8081
3787 8075 3787 8081 3784 8087
TIME...MOT...LOC 0058Z 284DEG 28KT 3798 8104
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
SINCAVAGE4 follow-up statements
887
WWUS51 KRLX 220108
SVSRLX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
908 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
WVC019-220145-
/O.CON.KRLX.TO.W.0025.000000T0000Z-260722T0145Z/
Fayette WV-
908 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 945 PM EDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN FAYETTE COUNTY...
At 908 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Babcock State Park, moving east at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
This dangerous storm will be near...
Rainelle around 915 PM EDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Meadow
Bridge.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
Tornadoes are extremely difficult to see and confirm at night. Do not
wait to see or hear the tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!
Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3788 8099 3808 8100 3807 8088 3805 8085
3806 8080 3804 8083 3803 8082 3803 8080
3801 8079 3799 8079 3798 8077 3795 8081
3787 8075 3787 8081 3784 8087
TIME...MOT...LOC 0108Z 283DEG 29KT 3796 8093
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
SINCAVAGE491
WWUS51 KRLX 220113
SVSRLX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
913 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
WVC019-220145-
/O.CON.KRLX.TO.W.0025.000000T0000Z-260722T0145Z/
Fayette WV-
913 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 945 PM EDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN FAYETTE COUNTY...
At 912 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Rainelle, 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...
Rainelle around 920 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.
Tornadoes are extremely difficult to see and confirm at night. 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 3792 8094 3807 8091 3807 8088 3805 8085
3806 8080 3804 8083 3803 8082 3803 8080
3801 8079 3799 8079 3798 8077 3795 8081
3787 8075 3788 8080 3789 8087
TIME...MOT...LOC 0112Z 279DEG 29KT 3797 8087
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
SINCAVAGE922
WWUS51 KRLX 220121
SVSRLX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
921 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
WVC019-220145-
/O.CON.KRLX.TO.W.0025.000000T0000Z-260722T0145Z/
Fayette WV-
921 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 945 PM EDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL FAYETTE COUNTY...
At 921 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Rainelle, moving east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
east central Fayette County.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
Tornadoes are extremely difficult to see and confirm at night. Do not
wait to see or hear the tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!
Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3799 8087 3805 8085 3806 8080 3804 8083
3803 8082 3803 8080 3801 8079 3799 8079
3798 8077 3795 8081 3793 8080 3794 8087
TIME...MOT...LOC 0121Z 284DEG 28KT 3795 8078
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
SINCAVAGE916
WWUS51 KRLX 220125
SVSRLX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
925 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
WVC019-220135-
/O.CAN.KRLX.TO.W.0025.000000T0000Z-260722T0145Z/
Fayette WV-
925 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL FAYETTE COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM EDT for
southeastern West Virginia.
To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
Charleston West Virginia.
&&
LAT...LON 3799 8087 3805 8085 3806 8080 3804 8083
3803 8082 3803 8080 3801 8079 3799 8079
3798 8077 3795 8081 3793 8080 3794 8087
TIME...MOT...LOC 0123Z 284DEG 28KT 3794 8074
$$
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 47 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 47 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, 8:25 PM EDT, 34 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
825 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0747 PM Flash Flood 1 SE Buckhannon 38.97N 80.21W
07/21/2026 Upshur WV 911 Call Center
Swift water rescue for two people trapped in
a vehicle on Bailey Ridge Road at Little
Sand Run.
&&
WebbLocal storm report, Jul 21, 8:34 PM EDT, 25 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
834 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0809 PM Flash Flood 4 WSW Buckhannon 38.97N 80.30W
07/21/2026 Upshur WV 911 Call Center
Person trapped on top of camper along Stone
Coal Lake Road due to floodwaters.
&&
WebbLocal storm report, Jul 21, 8:35 PM EDT, 24 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
835 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0510 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 12 SW South Shore 38.58N 83.09W
07/21/2026 Greenup KY 911 Call Center
Tree on lines at State Route 2070 and State
Route 784. Time estimated from radar.
&&
JLBLocal storm report, Jul 21, 8:37 PM EDT, 22 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
837 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0815 PM Flash Flood 2 ESE Buckhannon 38.98N 80.19W
07/21/2026 Upshur WV 911 Call Center
Residents trapped in home along Old Elkins
Road due to flood waters.
&&
WebbLocal storm report, Jul 21, 8:48 PM EDT, 11 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
848 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0451 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 5 NNE Pennsboro 39.35N 80.93W
07/21/2026 Ritchie WV 911 Call Center
Trees down on Willow Lane. Time estimated
from radar.
&&
JLBLocal storm report, Jul 21, 8:57 PM EDT, 2 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
857 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0800 PM Rain 6 S Buckhannon 38.90N 80.24W
07/21/2026 M6.22 Inch Upshur WV Mesonet
French Creek IFLOWS gage measurement over
the past 12 hours. 3.66 inches measured over
the past 3 hours.
&&
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, 8:16 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | RLX | Boone, Fayette, Kanawha, Raleigh | 29 min |
| 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, 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.