Alert archive / Ohio / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 37, NWS Charleston, WV
NWS Charleston, WV issued this tornado warning at Sep 20, 2026, 11:04 PM EDT for Athens County, Vinton County, Ohio. It was in force for 10 min. 1 report 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
- Sep 20, 2026, 11:04 PM EDT (03:04 UTC)
- Expired
- Sep 20, 2026, 11:14 PM EDT
- In force
- 10 min
- Issued by
- NWS Charleston, WV
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.75 in
Counties Athens County, OH, Vinton County, OH
The radar
The Charleston,WV radar (KRLX), 118 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 03:05 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 20, 11:17 PM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 3 Ese Zaleski, OH | Tree down at State Forest Rd and Gambill Hollow Rd. Time estimated from radar. |
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 nearest sounding before it
Cncnati-Daytn, OH (KILN), launched 00:00Z, 3.1 hours before the alert went out and 126 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
- 2591 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -5 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 951 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 35 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 14 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 101 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.9
- Supercell composite
- 5.9
The text
As transmitted.
657
WFUS51 KRLX 210304
TORRLX
OHC009-163-210330-
/O.NEW.KRLX.TO.W.0037.260921T0304Z-260921T0330Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Charleston WV
1104 PM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026
The National Weather Service in Charleston West Virginia has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
East central Vinton County in southeastern Ohio...
West central Athens County in southeastern Ohio...
* Until 1130 PM EDT.
* At 1104 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a
tornado was located near Mcarthur, moving east at 15 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 Vinton and west central Athens Counties, including the
following locations... Zaleski.
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 3929 8246 3933 8225 3921 8227 3921 8230
3920 8231 3921 8233 3924 8247
TIME...MOT...LOC 0304Z 270DEG 12KT 3926 8243
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
JP1 follow-up statement
376
WWUS51 KRLX 210314 RRA
SVSRLX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
1114 PM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026
OHC009-163-210324-
/O.CAN.KRLX.TO.W.0037.000000T0000Z-260921T0330Z/
Vinton OH-Athens OH-
1114 PM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL VINTON AND WEST CENTRAL
ATHENS COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...
The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer appears capable of producing a tornado.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
&&
LAT...LON 3929 8246 3933 8225 3921 8227 3921 8230
3920 8231 3921 8233 3924 8247
TIME...MOT...LOC 0312Z 270DEG 12KT 3926 8239
$$
JPWhat 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 Sep 20, 6:39 PM EDT, 4 hours 25 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- 1) Unsettled through much of the work week, with continued potential for flooding and isolated strong to severe thunderstorms.
Area forecast discussion, Sep 20, 6:39 PM EDT, 4 hours 25 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Charleston WV
639 PM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026
.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
Flood Watch has been issued for tonight through Monday morning, when
additional heavy rain is expected to move through the area.
&&
.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Unsettled through much of the work week, with continued
potential for flooding and isolated strong to severe
thunderstorms.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1...
Additional rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected to
move through the area today through Monday night, with most
robust activity occurring in concert with a couple of
shortwaves.
Activity will be isolated to scattered this afternoon, then the next
round of more widespread activity arrives this evening. A Flood
Watch has been issued for southeast Ohio and much of West Virginia,
where heavy downpours could rapidly produce a couple inches of rain
overnight and Monday morning. Locations that already received heavy
rain earlier today will be at greatest risk for flash flooding
overnight. Additional rain on Monday could necessitate an
extension to the Flood Watch. A few strong to severe storms
could also be capable of producing locally strong wind gusts.
From Tuesday through Thursday, the pattern remains unsettled with
additional chances for flooding as an upper trough spirals across
the Middle Ohio Valley towards the east coast. Drier conditions
return late week into the weekend as the system pushes off the
Atlantic Coast.
&&
.AVIATION /00Z MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
Conditions this evening will generally be VFR, although a few
showers and thunderstorms could briefly cause restrictions.
Showers and thunderstorms may become more numerous later
tonight, but confidence on the location is low. In addition, fog
or low stratus could form at locations where there are enough
breaks in the clouds.
Expect a rising cumulus deck on Monday with more showers and
thunderstorms, especially during the afternoon hours.
FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 00Z TUESDAY...
FORECAST CONFIDENCE: High this evening, then low late tonight
and Monday morning. Medium Monday afternoon.
ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Timing, location, and intensity of
showers and thunderstorms could vary. Fog/low stratus may or
may not form overnight.
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 MON
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 H H H M L L L L
HTS CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H M M
BKW CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H M L L L
EKN CONSISTENCY H H H H H M L M M M M L
PKB CONSISTENCY M M M L L L L L L L L L
CKB CONSISTENCY H M M M M L L L L L L L
AFTER 00Z TUESDAY...
IFR conditions possible in showers and storms each day through
mid week.
&&
.RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WV...Flood Watch through Monday morning for WVZ006>011-013>020-
026>032-039-040-517>526.
OH...Flood Watch through Monday morning for OHZ066-067-075-076-
083>087.
KY...None.
VA...None.
&&
DISCUSSION...20
AVIATION...RPYIn the hours before
Special weather statement, Sep 20, 5:09 PM EDT, 5 hours 55 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
509 PM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026
KYZ101-202145-
Greenup KY-
509 PM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL GREENUP COUNTY THROUGH
545 PM EDT...
At 508 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles west of Letitia, or 13 miles southwest of Portsmouth, moving
southeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Portsmouth, South Shore, Load, Letitia, Grays Branch, South
Portsmouth, and Warnock.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3859 8307 3862 8308 3862 8307 3863 8307
3864 8305 3866 8305 3868 8303 3870 8304
3873 8303 3872 8298 3874 8296 3872 8287
3869 8288 3867 8286 3848 8296 3856 8310
TIME...MOT...LOC 2108Z 293DEG 14KT 3868 8317
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
01Special weather statement, Sep 20, 5:42 PM EDT, 5 hours 22 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
542 PM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026
KYZ101-202215-
Greenup KY-
542 PM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL GREENUP COUNTY THROUGH
615 PM EDT...
At 542 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Letitia, or 11 miles south of Portsmouth, moving southeast at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Greenup, Load, and Greenbo Lake.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3863 8305 3862 8286 3858 8284 3857 8282
3845 8287 3854 8307
TIME...MOT...LOC 2142Z 299DEG 17KT 3859 8300
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
01Local storm report, Sep 20, 5:48 PM EDT, 5 hours 16 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
548 PM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0623 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 5 W Coolville 39.23N 81.90W
09/19/2026 Athens OH 911 Call Center
A tree has fallen on power lines and is
blocking one lane of Lottridge Rd near Blake
Rd. Time estimated by radar data.
&&Special weather statement, Sep 20, 9:55 PM EDT, 1 hour 9 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
955 PM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026
OHZ083-084-210230-
Jackson OH-Vinton OH-
955 PM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHERN JACKSON AND NORTHWESTERN
VINTON COUNTIES THROUGH 1030 PM EDT...
At 954 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Williamsport to near Chillicothe to near
North Folk Village. Movement was east at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Allensville and Eagle Mills.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect. Heavy downpours could cause
rapid rises in water. If rising water is observed, move to higher
ground. Do not drive into areas covered by water.
&&
LAT...LON 3937 8275 3936 8264 3937 8263 3937 8252
3936 8251 3931 8252 3916 8273 3917 8277
TIME...MOT...LOC 0154Z 278DEG 29KT 3952 8306 3942 8301 3937 8302 3932
8309
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
01Special weather statement, Sep 20, 10:23 PM EDT, 41 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
1023 PM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026
OHZ066-075-083-084-210300-
Jackson OH-Athens OH-Perry OH-Vinton OH-
1023 PM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN PERRY...NORTHEASTERN
JACKSON...VINTON AND WEST CENTRAL ATHENS COUNTIES THROUGH 1100 PM
EDT...
At 1022 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Williamsport to 8 miles northwest of North
Folk Village to 6 miles northeast of Bainbridge. Movement was east at
30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Wellston, Mcarthur, Lake Hope State Park, Hamden, Zaleski,
Allensville, Creola, Eagle Mills, and Byer.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect. Heavy downpours could cause
rapid rises in water. If rising water is observed, move to higher
ground. Do not drive into areas covered by water.
&&
LAT...LON 3935 8225 3910 8241 3918 8277 3937 8275
3936 8264 3937 8263 3937 8252 3940 8251
3939 8229 3948 8228 3959 8231 3960 8237
3963 8238 3963 8231
TIME...MOT...LOC 0222Z 275DEG 28KT 3956 8316 3942 8313 3930 8321
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
01The office that day
Everything else NWS Charleston, WV issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 20, 9:55 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Vinton | 35 min |
| Sep 20, 10:23 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Vinton | 37 min |
| Sep 20, 10:35 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Jackson, Meigs, Vinton | 6 hr |
| Sep 20, 10:38 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Athens, Meigs, Vinton | 6 hr |
| Sep 20, 10:43 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Athens, Vinton | 6 hr |
| Sep 20, 10:45 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Athens, Gallia, Meigs, Washington | 6 hr |
| Sep 20, 10:55 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | RLX | Vinton | 19 min |
| Sep 20, 11:13 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Athens, Gallia, Jackson, Meigs, Vinton | 32 min |
| Sep 20, 11:22 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Gallia, Meigs | 5 hr |
| Sep 20, 11:25 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Gallia, Jackson, Vinton | 4 hr |
| Sep 20, 11:33 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Meigs | 6 hr |
| Sep 20, 11:40 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Meigs | 35 min |
| Sep 20, 11:54 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Meigs | 36 min |
| Sep 21, 12:06 AM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Morgan, Perry | 4 hr |
| Sep 21, 12:13 AM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Athens, Morgan, Perry, Washington | 4 hr |
| Sep 21, 2:35 AM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Washington | 106 min |
| Sep 21, 3:52 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | RLX | Gallia, Jackson, Meigs, Vinton | 6 hr |
| Sep 21, 4:42 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | RLX | Jackson, Meigs, Vinton | 49 hr |
| Sep 21, 4:43 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | RLX | Athens, Meigs, Vinton | 49 hr |
| Sep 21, 4:44 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | RLX | Athens, Gallia, Meigs, Washington | 48 hr |
| Sep 21, 4:46 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | RLX | Athens, Morgan, Vinton, Washington | 49 hr |
| Sep 21, 4:54 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | RLX | Washington | 25 hr |
| Sep 21, 5:19 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | RLX | Meigs | 9 hr |
| Sep 21, 5:49 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | RLX | Athens | 24 hr |
| Sep 21, 8:31 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | RLX | Athens, Morgan, Perry, Washington | 7 hr |
| Sep 21, 9:00 AM EDT | River Flood Warning | RLX | Athens | 20 hr |
| Sep 21, 9:37 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Athens, Meigs, Morgan, Perry | 38 min |
| Sep 21, 1:56 PM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | RLX | Washington | 20 hr |
| Sep 21, 2:16 PM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | RLX | Washington | 16 hr |
Nearby
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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.