Alert archive / West Virginia / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 12, NWS Blacksburg, VA
NWS Blacksburg, VA issued this tornado warning at Jul 28, 2026, 2:32 PM EDT for Greenbrier County, Monroe County, Summers County, West Virginia. It was in force for 28 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
- Jul 28, 2026, 2:32 PM EDT (18:32 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 28, 2026, 3:00 PM EDT
- In force
- 28 min
- Issued by
- NWS Blacksburg, VA
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 1.0 in
Counties Greenbrier County, WV, Monroe County, WV, Summers County, WV
The radar
The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 87 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:34 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 28, 2:48 PM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 3 W Ronceverte, WV | Tree down across half the roadway. |
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 28, 1:14 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 8 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Roanoke, VA (KRNK), launched 12:00Z, 6.5 hours before the alert went out and 116 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
- 500 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -115 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1072 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 20 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 137 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 150 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.1
- Supercell composite
- 1.0
The text
As transmitted.
922
WFUS51 KRNK 281832
TORRNK
WVC025-063-089-281900-
/O.NEW.KRNK.TO.W.0012.260728T1832Z-260728T1900Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
232 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026
The National Weather Service in BLACKSBURG has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southwestern Greenbrier County in southeastern West Virginia...
Northeastern Summers County in southeastern West Virginia...
Northeastern Monroe County in southeastern West Virginia...
* Until 300 PM EDT.
* At 232 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Meadow Bluff, or 7 miles north of Alderson, moving
southeast 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.
* Locations impacted include...
Lewisburg...
White Sulphur Springs...
Ronceverte...
Alderson...
Union...
Asbury...
and Pickaway.
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.
When it is safe to do so, please send your reports of hail of any
size, as well as reports of any wind damage, including downed trees
or large limbs, to the National Weather Service by calling toll free
at 1...8 6 6...2 1 5...4 3 2 4. Reports and pictures can also be
shared on the National Weather Service Blacksburg Facebook page and
on X.
&&
LAT...LON 3781 8080 3794 8064 3773 8027 3753 8050
TIME...MOT...LOC 1832Z 312DEG 22KT 3783 8066
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
AS2 follow-up statements
572
WWUS51 KRNK 281841
SVSRNK
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
241 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026
WVC025-063-089-281900-
/O.CON.KRNK.TO.W.0012.000000T0000Z-260728T1900Z/
Greenbrier WV-Summers WV-Monroe WV-
241 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 300 PM EDT FOR
SOUTH CENTRAL GREENBRIER...EAST CENTRAL SUMMERS AND NORTHEASTERN
MONROE COUNTIES...
At 241 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Asbury, or near Alderson, moving southeast at 30
mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Lewisburg...
White Sulphur Springs...
Ronceverte...
Alderson...
Union...
Asbury...
and Pickaway.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
When it is safe to do so, please send your reports of hail of any
size, as well as reports of any wind damage, including downed trees
or large limbs, to the National Weather Service by calling toll free
at 1...8 6 6...2 1 5...4 3 2 4. Reports and pictures can also be
shared on the National Weather Service Blacksburg Facebook page and
on X.
&&
LAT...LON 3776 8075 3789 8054 3773 8027 3753 8050
TIME...MOT...LOC 1841Z 311DEG 24KT 3778 8060
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
AS692 WWUS51 KRNK 281858 SVSRNK Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA 258 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026 WVC025-063-089-281907- /O.EXP.KRNK.TO.W.0012.000000T0000Z-260728T1900Z/ Greenbrier WV-Summers WV-Monroe WV- 258 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026 ...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTH CENTRAL GREENBRIER...EAST CENTRAL SUMMERS AND NORTHEASTERN MONROE COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 300 PM EDT... The tornado threat has diminished and the Tornado Warning has expired. However, large hail and damaging winds remain likely and a Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect for the area. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for southwestern and west central Virginia...and southeastern West Virginia. Remember, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning still remains in effect for Greenbrier, Monroe and Alleghany Counties. && LAT...LON 3776 8075 3789 8054 3773 8027 3753 8050 TIME...MOT...LOC 1857Z 312DEG 22KT 3772 8052 $$ AS
What 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 Blacksburg, VA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Jul 28, 1:49 PM EDT, 43 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Key Message 1: Another round of more potent thunderstorms this afternoon into evening. Storms have the potential to be strong/severe.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 28, 1:49 PM EDT, 43 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 149 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued area-wide through 8 PM this evening. Another second, more potent round of storms is expected through this afternoon into evening. Damaging winds will be the main threat, with a secondary tornado and hail threat. && .KEY MESSAGES... Key Message 1: Another round of more potent thunderstorms this afternoon into evening. Storms have the potential to be strong/severe. && .DISCUSSION... Key Message 1: Another round of more potent thunderstorms this afternoon into evening. Storms have the potential to be strong/severe. Severe Thunderstorm Watch in effect until 8 PM this evening area- wide. First impulse and associated rain has largely exited the area. Much of the previous activity was stratiform while more cellular development occurred near the western CWA. Some segments of strong storms have quickly triggered across WV and will enter our NW shortly. This was supported earlier this morning with decent CAM consensus and some scattering of the cloud deck has occurred allowing for destabilization. The upper NW flow looks to still support some shortwave impulse influencing dynamic forcing for continued development. Shear parameters look quite favorable for organized storm modes along with possible supercells interacting with low level helicity. Still thinking damaging winds are the primary threat then large hail and isolated tornadoes as secondary threats. As far as the flash flooding threat, there was already some training cells in the west earlier that prompted and verified warning issuance. This could continue to be an issue for other areas that see similar cell trends with the transition into the afternoon round of convection. The morning sounding indicated about a 1.5 inch PWAT so these storms should be efficient precip producers. By later this evening activity should wane and exit southward, then much of the rest of this week should be dry and dominated with an upper ridge of high pressure. The next main chance for precip looks to hold off until next weekend. && .AVIATION /18Z TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... While some shower and thunderstorm activity has pushed southeastward, another round of development is possible through the afternoon that could have strong to severe VRB gusts and reduced vsbys. Some clearing could occur later this evening into the overnight, while cigs of MVFR and lower could form near BLF to LWB. Outside of any storms, winds this afternoon should be west to SW 12- 14 kts gusting to the low 20s, then shift NW this evening through Wednesday with enhanced gusts again during the daytime. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK... Gusty, post frontal winds are expected Wednesday, but VFR. The rest of the week through Friday will also be mainly VFR, outside of any morning fog. Precipitation chances increase again by Saturday. && .RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VA...None. NC...None. WV...None. && DISCUSSION...AB AVIATION...AB/BMG
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 28, 2:08 PM EDT, 24 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 208 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026 NCZ001>006-018>020-VAZ007-009>020-022>024-032>035-043>047-058-059- WVZ042>044-507-508-291815- Ashe-Alleghany NC-Surry-Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Watauga-Wilkes- Yadkin-Tazewell-Smyth-Bland-Giles-Wythe-Pulaski-Montgomery-Grayson- Carroll-Floyd-Craig-Alleghany VA-Bath-Roanoke-Botetourt-Rockbridge- Patrick-Franklin-Bedford-Amherst-Henry-Pittsylvania-Campbell- Appomattox-Buckingham-Halifax-Charlotte-Mercer-Summers-Monroe- Eastern Greenbrier-Western Greenbrier- 208 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 526 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina, northwest North Carolina, central Virginia, south central Virginia, southwest Virginia, west central Virginia and southeast West Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Severe Thunderstorm Watch. A second round of strong to severe storms will be capable of producing damaging winds, hail, and isolated tornadoes this afternoon into evening. Flash flooding is also a threat. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are requested to report hail of any size, as well as any damage caused by thunderstorm winds in their area.
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Jul 28, 1:25 PM EDT, 1 hour 7 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
125 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026
VAZ012-013-016-017-281800-
Pulaski VA-Wythe VA-Floyd VA-Carroll VA-
125 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT
SOUTHERN PULASKI...WEST CENTRAL FLOYD...NORTHEASTERN WYTHE AND
NORTHEASTERN CARROLL COUNTIES THROUGH 200 PM EDT...
At 125 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Gunton Park, or near Max Meadows, moving southeast at 40 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.
Locations impacted include...
Pulaski...
Hillsville...
Indian Valley...
Max Meadows...
Patterson...
Allisonia...
and Dugspur.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for
north central and northwestern North Carolina...south central,
southwestern and west central Virginia...and southeastern West
Virginia.
&&
LAT...LON 3696 8102 3707 8093 3707 8091 3709 8092
3711 8090 3690 8040 3671 8079
TIME...MOT...LOC 1725Z 303DEG 33KT 3700 8088
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
ASSpecial weather statement, Jul 28, 1:28 PM EDT, 1 hour 4 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
128 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026
WVZ043-507-508-281815-
Western Greenbrier WV-Summers WV-Eastern Greenbrier WV-
128 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT
SOUTHWESTERN GREENBRIER AND NORTHEASTERN SUMMERS COUNTIES THROUGH 215
PM EDT...
At 128 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles north of Babcock State Park, moving southeast at 35 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.
Locations impacted include...
Rainelle...
Alderson...
Rupert...
Quinwood...
Renick...
Falling Spring...
and Asbury.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for
southwestern and west central Virginia...and southeastern West
Virginia.
&&
LAT...LON 3799 8032 3772 8063 3773 8066 3769 8068
3762 8074 3784 8090 3787 8081 3787 8075
3795 8081 3799 8077 3799 8079 3802 8080
3804 8083 3806 8080 3805 8084 3806 8087
3808 8089 3810 8088 3808 8071 3811 8066
TIME...MOT...LOC 1728Z 298DEG 31KT 3811 8094
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
ASLocal storm report, Jul 28, 1:30 PM EDT, 1 hour 2 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
130 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1145 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg Atkins 36.87N 81.42W
07/28/2026 Smyth VA 911 Call Center
Numerous trees were reported down across the
Atkins area in Smyth County Virginia this
morning.
&&
EBLocal storm report, Jul 28, 1:31 PM EDT, 1 hour 1 minute before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
131 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0100 PM Flash Flood 1 WSW Atkins 36.86N 81.43W
07/28/2026 Smyth VA Public
911 Call Center reported Nicks Creek Road
was closed due to water over the roadway.
&&
EBLocal storm report, Jul 28, 1:33 PM EDT, 59 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
133 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1132 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 NW Troutdale 36.72N 81.47W
07/28/2026 Smyth VA 911 Call Center
Numerous trees were reported down along
Sugar grove highway in Smyth County
Virginia.
&&
EBSpecial weather statement, Jul 28, 2:13 PM EDT, 19 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
213 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026
NCZ019-281845-
Wilkes NC-
213 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT
SOUTHWESTERN WILKES COUNTY THROUGH 245 PM EDT...
At 213 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Elkville, or 8 miles west of Boomer, moving southeast at 25 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.
Locations impacted include...
Boomer...
Wilkesboro Reservoir...
and Elkville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for
northwestern North Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3604 8138 3604 8140 3605 8139 3607 8141
3608 8143 3607 8144 3609 8146 3609 8147
3617 8139 3604 8112 3603 8116 3604 8120
3603 8127 3600 8132
TIME...MOT...LOC 1813Z 309DEG 22KT 3606 8139
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
ASThe office that day
Everything else NWS Blacksburg, VA issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 28, 1:28 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | Greenbrier | 47 min |
| Jul 28, 2:08 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RNK | Greenbrier, Monroe, Summers | 67 min |
| Jul 28, 3:11 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RNK | Monroe | 64 min |
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.