Alert archive / Kentucky / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 33, NWS Charleston, WV
NWS Charleston, WV issued this tornado warning at Aug 16, 2026, 6:17 PM EDT for Boyd County, Carter County, Lawrence County, Kentucky. It was in force for 28 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 16, 2026, 6:17 PM EDT (22:17 UTC)
- Expired
- Aug 16, 2026, 6:45 PM EDT
- In force
- 28 min
- Issued by
- NWS Charleston, WV
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 1.0 in
Counties Boyd County, KY, Carter County, KY, Lawrence County, KY
The radar
The Jackson,KY radar (KJKL), 77 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:17 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 16, 1:05 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 9 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Cncnati-Daytn, OH (KILN), launched 12:00Z, 10.3 hours before the alert went out and 158 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
- 2282 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -28 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 634 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 28 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 119 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 116 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 5.2
The text
As transmitted.
711
WFUS51 KRLX 162217
TORRLX
KYC019-043-127-162245-
/O.NEW.KRLX.TO.W.0033.260816T2217Z-260816T2245Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Charleston WV
617 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
The National Weather Service in Charleston West Virginia has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southwestern Boyd County in northeastern Kentucky...
Northwestern Lawrence County in northeastern Kentucky...
Southeastern Carter County in northeastern Kentucky...
* Until 645 PM EDT.
* At 617 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Grayson Lake State Park, moving southeast 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...
Grayson, Grayson Lake State Park, and Denton around 620 PM EDT.
Webbville around 625 PM EDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Houckville, Grahn, Willard, Fallsburg, and Hitchins.
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.
Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3840 8302 3821 8260 3820 8260 3817 8263
3817 8264 3816 8264 3799 8279 3809 8293
3811 8289 3817 8292 3817 8297 3820 8301
3820 8304 3818 8305 3822 8308 3824 8313
3826 8315
TIME...MOT...LOC 2217Z 305DEG 25KT 3829 8302
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
012 follow-up statements
800
WWUS51 KRLX 162229
SVSRLX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
629 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
KYC019-043-127-162245-
/O.CON.KRLX.TO.W.0033.000000T0000Z-260816T2245Z/
Boyd KY-Lawrence KY-Carter KY-
629 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 645 PM EDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN BOYD...NORTHWESTERN LAWRENCE AND SOUTHEASTERN CARTER
COUNTIES...
At 629 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Denton, or near Grayson Lake State Park, moving
southeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
This dangerous storm will be near...
Denton and Webbville around 635 PM EDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Houckville, Willard, Fallsburg, and Hitchins.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3835 8293 3821 8260 3820 8260 3817 8263
3817 8264 3816 8264 3799 8279 3809 8293
3811 8289 3817 8292 3817 8297 3820 8301
3820 8304 3818 8305 3822 8308
TIME...MOT...LOC 2229Z 305DEG 25KT 3824 8293
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
01835
WWUS51 KRLX 162247
SVSRLX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
647 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
KYC019-043-127-162255-
/O.EXP.KRLX.TO.W.0033.000000T0000Z-260816T2245Z/
Boyd KY-Lawrence KY-Carter KY-
647 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHWESTERN BOYD...NORTHWESTERN LAWRENCE
AND SOUTHEASTERN CARTER COUNTIES HAS EXPIRED...
The Tornado Warning that was previously in effect has been reissued
for Carter and Lawrence counties and is in effect until 715 PM EDT.
Please refer to that bulletin for the latest severe weather
information. Small hail, gusty winds and heavy rain are also
possible with this thunderstorm.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for
northeastern Kentucky...and western West Virginia.
&&
LAT...LON 3835 8293 3821 8260 3820 8260 3817 8263
3817 8264 3816 8264 3799 8279 3809 8293
3811 8289 3817 8292 3817 8297 3820 8301
3820 8304 3818 8305 3822 8308
TIME...MOT...LOC 2245Z 305DEG 25KT 3818 8283
$$
01What 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 16, 1:38 PM EDT, 4 hours 39 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- 1) Flash flooding and severe weather are expected today with a lingering, persistent active weather pattern. Repeated rounds of heavy rainfall from training showers and thunderstorms could rapidly lead to flash flooding, especially areas that are already saturated and inundated.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 16, 1:38 PM EDT, 4 hours 39 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Charleston WV
138 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
136 PM Update...
Severe thunderstorm watch issued for all of our SE Ohio
counties and a bulk of our West Virginia counties until 8 PM
tonight. ~18z aviation discussion update.
1204 PM Update...
Updates on flash flooding and severe potential for today and
tonight.
&&
.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Flash flooding and severe weather are expected today with a
lingering, persistent active weather pattern. Repeated rounds of
heavy rainfall from training showers and thunderstorms could
rapidly lead to flash flooding, especially areas that are
already saturated and inundated.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1...
136 PM Update...
A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect in til 8 PM tonight.
This is for all of our southeastern Ohio and a majority of our
West Virginia counties, basically the I-64 corridor and north.
Lincoln, Boone, and Raleigh are also included. Seeing generous
convection forming across our western forecast area with
downburst wind gusts reaching the 40-50 mph range as reported by
a few ASOS sites. Expecting these storms to hold together and
even strengthen as they traverse the area ESEward.
The best wind dynamics will be situated across SE'rn Ohio and
northern West Virginia (especially the US-50 corridor) where
better wind shear (20-40 knots) is present. Rapid clearing is
occurring over the central lowlands and coalfields which will
build better instability through the afternoon. This will be
another area to watch later this afternoon and evening.
1204 PM Update...
Flash flooding concerns continue through tonight. Additional
rounds of showers and thunderstorms will move across the area
this afternoon and evening leading to additional or worsening
flooding. ~12z HRRR shows the next round forming to our west in
Ohio and subsequently moving west to east across our area later
this afternoon and evening. The ~12z NAM is concerning as it
shows the next round forming over Ohio and then tracking across
our area between 1 PM and 3 PM, offering only a small break
between our most recent deluge. It then shows another hefty
round later this evening through tonight.
Some of these storms could be on the strong to severe side
containing damaging wind gusts and of course heavy downpours. CAPE
is expected to be between 2,500 and 3,500 J/kg if timely clearing
occurs this afternoon. This is more than sufficient to spawn
widespread showers and thunderstorms, with scattered strong to
severe storms being a possibility.
There is the chance for a tornado or two to occur with any more
organized, clear-air storms. The main driver for this threat would
be if an additional surface low forms along the stationary front
currently bisecting the area. This would cause a backing in the wind
field increasing wind shear from 20-30 knots to at least 40-60
knots. Otherwise, damaging downburst winds and the heavy rainfall
will be the main concerns.
Current guidance suggests that at least another 1-2 inches of
rainfall will fall across the area through tonight. Locally higher
amounts between 3-5 inches could be possible somewhere in Ohio or
central/northern WV if the NAM solution is right. A flood watch goes
until 8 AM Monday to cover the likely additional flash flooding
later this afternoon through tonight. A rare moderate risk
(level 3/4) for excessive rainfall spans the bulk of WV with the
rest of the area in a slight risk (level 2/4).
Showers and thunderstorms are expected again for Monday, but the
severe threat and primary heavy rain threat shifts south of our
area as a cold front crosses. A marginal risk (level 1/4) for
excessive rainfall is still in place across our area for Monday
with a marginal risk (level 1/5) for severe weather covers our
VA and far southern WV counties.
A bit of a reprieve is expected behind this front for Tuesday
and Wednesday until another front crosses Thursday.
&&
.AVIATION /18Z SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
VFR and MVFR conditions are being reported across the area with
SCT to BKN CIGs between 1,000 and 9,000 feet AGL. Scattered to
numerous SH and TS expected this afternoon and tonight
containing damaging winds, heavy downpours, and a tornado or
two being possible.
Showers and storms continue tonight with widespread MVFR, IFR,
LIFR conditions expected with and after the activity moves out.
Instances of low stratus and river fog are likely behind these
showers and thunderstorms.
Winds will be mostly SW'rly and breezy this afternoon gusting
between 15 and 20 knots. Winds will be erratic and gusty in and
near any thunderstorms with damaging gusts possible with any
severe storms. Light and SW'rly winds expected tonight.
FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 18Z MONDAY...
FORECAST CONFIDENCE: MEDIUM
ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Timing and location of showers and
thunderstorms will vary this afternoon and evening.
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 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 00 01 02 03
EDT 1HRLY 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
CRW CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H M H
HTS CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H H
BKW CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H H
EKN CONSISTENCY H L M M H H H H H H H H
PKB CONSISTENCY M M H H H H H H H H H H
CKB CONSISTENCY M M M H H H H H H H H H
AFTER 18Z MONDAY...
Chances for scattered showers and thunderstorms on Monday
leading to possible IFR CIGs/VIS. IFR or lower possible in
valley fog and low stratus Monday night and Tuesday morning.
&&
.RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WV...Flood Watch through Monday morning for WVZ005>011-013>020-
024>032-034-039-040-515>526.
OH...Flood Watch through Monday morning for OHZ066-067-075-076-
083>087.
KY...Flood Watch through Monday morning for KYZ101>103-105.
VA...None.
&&
DISCUSSION...LTC
AVIATION...LTCIn the hours before
Local storm report, Aug 16, 5:48 PM EDT, 29 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
548 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0541 PM Flash Flood 4 WSW Pinch 38.39N 81.54W
08/16/2026 Kanawha WV 911 Call Center
High water reported on Buckner Lane off of
Mill Creek Rd.
&&
JPSpecial weather statement, Aug 16, 5:53 PM EDT, 24 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
553 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
KYZ101>103-105-162230-
Boyd KY-Greenup KY-Carter KY-Lawrence KY-
553 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WESTERN BOYD...NORTH CENTRAL
LAWRENCE...SOUTHERN GREENUP AND CARTER COUNTIES THROUGH 630 PM EDT...
At 553 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Carter Caves State Park, moving east at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Ashland, Grayson, Olive Hill, Carter Caves State Park, Cannonsburg,
Princess, Coalton, Denton, Gesling, Oldtown, Naples, Rush, Carter,
Westwood, Grahn, Hopewell, Summit, Willard, Hitchins, and Warnock.
This includes Interstate 64 in Kentucky between mile markers 152 and
185.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3833 8331 3833 8327 3834 8323 3835 8324
3843 8323 3844 8321 3845 8321 3845 8320
3847 8319 3849 8319 3852 8316 3848 8267
3816 8276 3832 8332
TIME...MOT...LOC 2153Z 286DEG 29KT 3839 8315
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
04Local storm report, Aug 16, 5:57 PM EDT, 20 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
557 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0416 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 NE Pennsboro 39.31N 80.93W
08/16/2026 Ritchie WV 911 Call Center
Tree down blocking Gnats Run Road. Time
estimated from radar.
&&Local storm report, Aug 16, 6:06 PM EDT, 11 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
606 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0504 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 6 ENE Salem 39.32N 80.47W
08/16/2026 Harrison WV 911 Call Center
Tree down with power lines involved blocking
both lanes of Marshville Rd in the 3100
block. Time estimated by radar.
&&Local storm report, Aug 16, 6:07 PM EDT, 10 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
607 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0308 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 5 NW Gassaway 38.72N 80.84W
08/16/2026 Braxton WV 911 Call Center
Tree down along 2300 block of Skidmore
School Road. Time estimated from radar.
&&Local storm report, Aug 16, 6:12 PM EDT, 5 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
612 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0514 PM Debris Flow 3 WNW Clarksburg 39.29N 80.38W
08/16/2026 Harrison WV 911 Call Center
Dye Street in the 100 block is impassable
due to a mudslide blocking the road.
&&The office that day
Everything else NWS Charleston, WV issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 16, 4:35 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Lawrence | 25 min |
| Aug 16, 5:07 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Martin | 23 min |
| Aug 16, 5:53 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Carter | 37 min |
| Aug 16, 6:04 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Boyd, Carter, Lawrence | 41 min |
| Aug 16, 6:27 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Greenup | 33 min |
| Aug 16, 6:30 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Rowan | 15 min |
| Aug 16, 6:40 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Boyd | 50 min |
| Aug 16, 6:41 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Boyd, Carter, Lawrence | 49 min |
| Aug 16, 6:44 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | RLX | Carter, Lawrence | 31 min |
| Aug 16, 6:47 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Carter | 28 min |
| Aug 16, 7:01 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Boyd, Carter, Greenup, Lawrence | 3 hr |
| Aug 16, 7:12 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | RLX | Lawrence | 33 min |
| Aug 16, 7:32 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Lawrence | 28 min |
| Aug 16, 7:41 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Lawrence | 34 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.