Alert archive / North Carolina / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 14, NWS Blacksburg, VA

July 28, 2026Rockingham County, North Carolina

NWS Blacksburg, VA issued this tornado warning at Jul 28, 2026, 6:25 PM EDT for Rockingham County, North Carolina. It was in force for 20 min. 2 reports 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, 6:25 PM EDT (22:25 UTC)
Expired: Jul 28, 2026, 6:45 PM EDT
In force: 20 min
Issued by: NWS Blacksburg, VA
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Radar indicated
Hail: 0.75 in

County Rockingham County, NC

The radar

The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 99 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:25 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, 6:25 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	5 Sse Reidsville, NC	Multiple trees down along Highway 29 at Mile Marker 147.
Jul 28, 6:29 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	4 Sse Reidsville, NC	Power outages reported along Mizpah Church Road between Highway 29 and NC 87 just west of the community of Williamsburg due to downed trees on power lines.

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

Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC (KGSO), launched 12:00Z, 10.4 hours before the alert went out and 31 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.

Skew-T log-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.

Mixed-layer CAPE: 321 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -111 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 1087 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 29 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 56 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 70 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

290 
WFUS51 KRNK 282225
TORRNK
NCC157-282300-
/O.NEW.KRNK.TO.W.0014.260728T2225Z-260728T2300Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
625 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

The National Weather Service in BLACKSBURG has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Southeastern Rockingham County in north central North Carolina...

* Until 700 PM EDT.

* At 625 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near Reidsville, moving southeast at 20 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...
  Reidsville...
  Monroeton...
  and Haw River State Park.

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 3625 7977 3627 7979 3638 7962 3631 7953
      3624 7953
TIME...MOT...LOC 2225Z 320DEG 19KT 3627 7965 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

AS

2 follow-up statements

828 
WWUS51 KRNK 282234
SVSRNK

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
634 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

NCC157-282300-
/O.CON.KRNK.TO.W.0014.000000T0000Z-260728T2300Z/
Rockingham NC-
634 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM EDT FOR 
SOUTHEASTERN ROCKINGHAM COUNTY...

At 634 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Camp Springs, moving southeast at 25 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 Rockingham 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.

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 3625 7967 3629 7964 3633 7956 3631 7953
      3624 7953
TIME...MOT...LOC 2234Z 300DEG 20KT 3625 7959 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

AS

818 
WWUS51 KRNK 282245
SVSRNK

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
645 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

NCC157-282254-
/O.CAN.KRNK.TO.W.0014.000000T0000Z-260728T2300Z/
Rockingham NC-
645 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN ROCKINGHAM 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 800 PM EDT for
north central North Carolina...and south central Virginia.

&&

LAT...LON 3625 7967 3629 7964 3633 7956 3631 7953
      3624 7953
TIME...MOT...LOC 2243Z 320DEG 19KT 3621 7954 

$$

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, 4 hours 36 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, 4 hours 36 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, 6:01 PM EDT, 24 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
601 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

NCZ001>006-018>020-VAZ032>035-043>047-058-059-292215-
Ashe-Alleghany NC-Surry-Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Watauga-Wilkes-
Yadkin-Patrick-Franklin-Bedford-Amherst-Henry-Pittsylvania-Campbell-
Appomattox-Buckingham-Halifax-Charlotte-
601 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 and west central Virginia.

.DAY ONE...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.

.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.

VAZ007-009>020-022>024-WVZ042>044-507-508-292215-
Tazewell-Smyth-Bland-Giles-Wythe-Pulaski-Montgomery-Grayson-Carroll-
Floyd-Craig-Alleghany VA-Bath-Roanoke-Botetourt-Rockbridge-Mercer-
Summers-Monroe-Eastern Greenbrier-Western Greenbrier-
601 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southwest Virginia, west
central Virginia and southeast West Virginia.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 28, 4:05 PM EDT, 2 hours 20 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
405 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

NCZ019-282030-
Wilkes NC-
405 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT
SOUTHWESTERN WILKES COUNTY THROUGH 430 PM EDT...

At 405 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Wilkesboro Reservoir, or near Boomer, 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.

Locations impacted include...
Wilkesboro...
Boomer...
Wilkesboro Reservoir...
Buck...
Elkville...
Moravian Falls...
and Cricket.

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...and southwestern Virginia.

&&

LAT...LON 3604 8138 3604 8140 3605 8139 3607 8141
      3608 8145 3622 8131 3606 8099 3603 8107
      3604 8114 3603 8117 3604 8120 3603 8127
      3600 8132
TIME...MOT...LOC 2005Z 310DEG 19KT 3611 8132

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

AS

Local storm report, Jul 28, 4:18 PM EDT, 2 hours 7 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
418 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0218 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 NE Dugspur            36.84N 80.59W
07/28/2026                   Carroll            VA   Public

            Tree down on Floyd Pike Rd.

&&

AKB

Local storm report, Jul 28, 4:20 PM EDT, 2 hours 5 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
420 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0420 PM     Hail             1 NNW Beech Mountain    36.22N 81.89W
07/28/2026  M0.25 Inch       Watauga            NC   Cocorahs

&&

WHP

Special weather statement, Jul 28, 4:27 PM EDT, 1 hour 58 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
427 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

NCZ018-282100-
Watauga NC-
427 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT
WATAUGA COUNTY THROUGH 500 PM EDT...

At 427 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Rominger, or near Sugar Grove, 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...
Boone...
Blowing Rock...
Beech Mountain...
Foscoe...
Sugar Grove...
Blowing Rock In Caldwell County...
and Beech Mountain In Avery County.

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...and southwestern Virginia.

&&

LAT...LON 3633 8185 3620 8148 3619 8146 3618 8148
      3614 8150 3612 8154 3612 8171 3611 8181
      3616 8183 3619 8186 3619 8189 3621 8191
      3623 8191
TIME...MOT...LOC 2027Z 300DEG 21KT 3622 8182

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

AS

Special weather statement, Jul 28, 4:51 PM EDT, 1 hour 34 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
451 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

NCZ004-005-VAZ032-043-282115-
Stokes NC-Rockingham NC-Henry VA-Patrick VA-
451 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT
NORTHEASTERN STOKES...NORTHWESTERN ROCKINGHAM...SOUTHWESTERN HENRY
AND SOUTHEASTERN PATRICK COUNTIES THROUGH 515 PM EDT...

At 451 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Critz, or near Spencer, moving southeast at 30 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...
Mayodan...
Madison...
Stoneville...
Spencer...
Sandy Ridge...
Ridgeway...
and Critz.

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...and south central,
southwestern and west central Virginia.

&&

LAT...LON 3660 8027 3674 8014 3659 7984 3647 7987
      3636 8005
TIME...MOT...LOC 2051Z 303DEG 25KT 3663 8013

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

AS

Local storm report, Jul 28, 6:03 PM EDT, 22 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
603 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0324 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Gratton                 37.13N 81.41W
07/28/2026                   Tazewell           VA   911 Call Center

            Several trees down in the Gratton area.

&&

AKB

The office that day

Everything else NWS Blacksburg, VA issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Jul 28, 12:18 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	RNK	Alleghany, Ashe	5 hr
Jul 28, 12:22 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Alleghany, Ashe, Surry, Wilkes	53 min
Jul 28, 2:13 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Wilkes	32 min
Jul 28, 4:05 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Wilkes	25 min
Jul 28, 4:21 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Wilkes	24 min
Jul 28, 4:27 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Watauga	33 min
Jul 28, 4:37 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Ashe, Watauga, Wilkes	53 min
Jul 28, 4:55 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Rockingham, Stokes	65 min
Jul 28, 5:30 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Ashe, Watauga, Wilkes	36 min
Jul 28, 5:59 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Caswell, Rockingham	49 min
Jul 28, 7:09 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Caswell	36 min
Jul 28, 7:24 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Caswell	43 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in North Carolina, 2026 Every tornado warning in 2026 Tornadoes 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.