Alert archive / Virginia / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 32, NWS Charleston, WV
NWS Charleston, WV issued this tornado warning at Aug 11, 2026, 7:21 PM EDT for Buchanan County, Virginia. It was in force for 24 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
- Aug 11, 2026, 7:21 PM EDT (23:21 UTC)
- Expired
- Aug 11, 2026, 7:45 PM EDT
- In force
- 24 min
- Issued by
- NWS Charleston, WV
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.0 in
County Buchanan County, VA
The radar
The Charleston,WV radar (KRLX), 127 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:24 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 11, 2:36 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 7 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Roanoke, VA (KRNK), launched 12:00Z, 11.4 hours before the alert went out and 215 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
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1476 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 30 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- -55 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- -56 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- -0.0
The text
As transmitted.
967
WFUS51 KRLX 112321
TORRLX
VAC027-112345-
/O.NEW.KRLX.TO.W.0032.260811T2321Z-260811T2345Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Charleston WV
721 PM EDT Tue Aug 11 2026
The National Weather Service in Charleston West Virginia has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southeastern Buchanan County in southwestern Virginia...
* Until 745 PM EDT.
* At 720 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Grundy, moving southeast at 50 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
southeastern Buchanan County, including the following locations...
Vansant and Oakwood.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3721 8217 3732 8209 3722 8175 3720 8176
3720 8178 3718 8180 3717 8187 3715 8187
3715 8190 3713 8192 3712 8197 3713 8199
3712 8200
TIME...MOT...LOC 2320Z 294DEG 42KT 3726 8203
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
$$
252 follow-up statements
932
WWUS51 KRLX 112334
SVSRLX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
734 PM EDT Tue Aug 11 2026
VAC027-112345-
/O.CON.KRLX.TO.W.0032.000000T0000Z-260811T2345Z/
Buchanan VA-
734 PM EDT Tue Aug 11 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 745 PM EDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN BUCHANAN COUNTY...
At 733 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Jewell Ridge, or 7 miles north of Richlands, moving
southeast at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Oakwood.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 3715 8204 3726 8190 3722 8175 3720 8176
3720 8178 3718 8180 3717 8187 3715 8187
3715 8190 3713 8192 3712 8197 3713 8199
3712 8200
TIME...MOT...LOC 2333Z 294DEG 42KT 3719 8185
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
$$
25039
WWUS51 KRLX 112341
SVSRLX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
741 PM EDT Tue Aug 11 2026
VAC027-112350-
/O.EXP.KRLX.TO.W.0032.000000T0000Z-260811T2345Z/
Buchanan VA-
741 PM EDT Tue Aug 11 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN BUCHANAN COUNTY WILL EXPIRE
AT 745 PM EDT...
The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and has exited the warned area. Therefore, the warning will
be allowed to expire.
&&
LAT...LON 3715 8204 3726 8190 3722 8175 3720 8176
3720 8178 3718 8180 3717 8187 3715 8187
3715 8190 3713 8192 3712 8197 3713 8199
3712 8200
TIME...MOT...LOC 2340Z 294DEG 42KT 3716 8177
$$
25What 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 Aug 11, 7:17 PM EDT, 4 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- 1.) Episodic rounds of showers and storms so far today sets the stage for additional activity moving in late this afternoon and evening, leading to little to no reprieve. 2.) Daily chances of showers and thunderstorms with heavy rain prevails through the end of the week. A small window of reprieve arrives on Saturday before filling back in quickly with active weather for the second half of the weekend.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 11, 7:17 PM EDT, 4 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Charleston WV
717 PM EDT Tue Aug 11 2026
.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
Updated 00Z aviation discussion.
&&
.KEY MESSAGES...
1.) Episodic rounds of showers and storms so far today sets the
stage for additional activity moving in late this afternoon and
evening, leading to little to no reprieve.
2.) Daily chances of showers and thunderstorms with heavy rain
prevails through the end of the week. A small window of reprieve
arrives on Saturday before filling back in quickly with active
weather for the second half of the weekend.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1...
Radar trends at the time of writing depicts several clusters of
thunderstorm activity from the Midwest into the Appalachians.
Several rounds of severe and flooding have already pressed
through the forecast area today, contributing to widespread tree
and power line damage, as well as life-threatening flash
flooding.
Atmospheric recovery efforts already appears underway, with the
western flank of the forecast area branching back out into
sunshine and temperatures quickly rising back into the 70s to
almost low 80s. Focusing on convection upstream, a corridor of
severe strength storms stretches from central Indiana into the
Columbus area of Ohio and tracking south-southeastward. Storms
will likely follow the path of least resistance when it comes to
their propagation through the Ohio Valley, and that will be
strongly based on areas of best destabilization. With that in
mind, opted to hoist a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for parts of
Kentucky and Ohio through the afternoon as we closely track this
line. As has been the case with the history of storms today,
convective activity will be capable of producing damaging to
destructive wind gusts, quarter size hail, embedded rotation
that could touch down into a tornado, and heavy downpours.
Confidence in the forecast for the overnight period remains low,
with each cycle run of our readily Convective Available Models
suggesting additional development of storms along a pseudo-warm
front parked overhead. Repetition of these overnight storms will
contribute to ongoing flash flooding concerns across the
forecast area. The Flood Watch remains in effect tonight into
most of the work week.
KEY MESSAGE 2...
Daily chances for showers and thunderstorms triumphs through at
least Thursday while a frontal boundary remains draped through
the heart of the Ohio Valley. Propagation of these storms will
remain closely tied to the low to mid level wind field each day,
which will sometimes cause a southeastward approach of
convection and at other times bypass our forecast area
altogether. Complexes that are able to hold their composure and
venture into the area will bring damaging wind gusts and
torrential heavy rain. Sufficient rainfall producers will only
exacerbate already inundated soils more and could lead to easily
achievable flash flooding. Thus, the Flood Watch remains in
place through Friday morning.
The start of the weekend trends slightly drier with the mass
exodus of the stalled front, but may quickly fill back in with
additional convection aiming for the Central Appalachians for
Sunday and onward.
&&
.AVIATION /00Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
This evening, expect occasional visibility drops to MVFR and
IFR during bursts of heavier downpours.
During the overnight period, expect IFR dense fog and ceilings
to develop. Restrictions may reach LIFR or VLIFR during the
overnight hours at a few terminals. IFR Conditions will slowly
improve after 12Z Wednesday, but MVFR ceilings will likely
continue for most of the day across many sites.
Additional thunderstorms may develop and impact the southern and
western TAF sites early Wednesday morning after 06Z. Confidence
in this is low. Additional thunderstorms may also develop
sometime Wednesday afternoon, but confidence in timing and
location of any storms remains low.
FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 00Z THURSDAY...
FORECAST CONFIDENCE: Low.
ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Thunderstorm timing and associated
restrictions may vary.
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 22 23 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09
EDT 1HRLY 18 19 20 21 22 23 00 01 02 03 04 05
CRW CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H L L L M H
HTS CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H H
BKW CONSISTENCY H H M H H H H H M H H H
EKN CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H L M H
PKB CONSISTENCY H M H H H H H H M M H H
CKB CONSISTENCY H M H H H H H H H H M M
AFTER 00Z THURSDAY...
Wednesday through Friday, additional convective complexes favor
daily chances of showers and thunderstorms with MVFR or IFR in
heavy rain. Morning valley fog or low stratus may return after
wetting rains, especially at EKN and other sheltered sites.
&&
.RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WV...Flood Watch through Friday morning for WVZ005>011-013>020-
024>034-039-040-515>526.
OH...Flood Watch through Friday morning for OHZ066-067-075-076-
083>087.
KY...Flood Watch through Friday morning for KYZ101>103-105.
VA...Flood Watch through Friday morning for VAZ003-004.
&&
DISCUSSION...05
AVIATION...26In the hours before
Local storm report, Aug 11, 7:09 PM EDT, 12 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
709 PM EDT Tue Aug 11 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1157 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 6 SSW Wurtland 38.48N 82.83W
08/11/2026 Greenup KY 911 Call Center
A downed tree was observed along State Route
207, blocking both lanes of traffic. Time
estimated via radar.
&&Local storm report, Aug 11, 7:10 PM EDT, 11 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
710 PM EDT Tue Aug 11 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1158 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 W Worthington 38.55N 82.75W
08/11/2026 Greenup KY 911 Call Center
A tree blocked both lanes of traffic along
Riverside Drive in Worthington. Time
estimated via radar.
&&Local storm report, Aug 11, 7:12 PM EDT, 9 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
712 PM EDT Tue Aug 11 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1141 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 6 SE South Shore 38.66N 82.88W
08/11/2026 Greenup KY 911 Call Center
In Lloyd, a tree was blown down onto Ohio
River Road, blocking both lanes of traffic.
Time estimated via radar.
&&Local storm report, Aug 11, 7:15 PM EDT, 6 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
715 PM EDT Tue Aug 11 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1140 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 4 SE South Shore 38.68N 82.92W
08/11/2026 Greenup KY 911 Call Center
Trees were blown down along State Route 7
near Jacob Spur Lane at Maloneton. Time
estimated via radar.
&&Local storm report, Aug 11, 7:18 PM EDT, 3 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
718 PM EDT Tue Aug 11 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1240 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 WSW Charleston 38.34N 81.67W
08/11/2026 Kanawha WV 911 Call Center
A tree was blown down at the intersection of
Lucado Road and Bryant Road in Charleston.
Time estimated via radar.
&&Local storm report, Aug 11, 7:20 PM EDT, 1 minute before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
720 PM EDT Tue Aug 11 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1256 PM Flash Flood Charleston 38.35N 81.64W
08/11/2026 Kanawha WV 911 Call Center
High water was observed along Hale Street at
Kanawha Boulevard East in Charleston.
&&The office that day
Everything else NWS Charleston, WV issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 11, 12:36 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Buchanan | 24 min |
| Aug 11, 1:05 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Buchanan | 25 min |
| Aug 11, 1:29 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Buchanan | 31 min |
| Aug 11, 1:39 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Dickenson | 36 min |
| Aug 11, 1:54 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Buchanan | 48 min |
| Aug 11, 2:12 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Russell | 33 min |
| Aug 11, 2:36 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Buchanan | 39 min |
| Aug 11, 2:57 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Dickenson | 33 min |
| Aug 11, 3:12 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Buchanan, Dickenson | 33 min |
| Aug 11, 6:14 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Buchanan, Dickenson | 61 min |
| Aug 11, 7:08 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Buchanan, Dickenson | 52 min |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in 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.