Alert archive / Florida / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 43, NWS Tallahassee, FL

June 16, 2026Washington County, Florida

NWS Tallahassee, FL issued this tornado warning at Jun 16, 2026, 3:31 PM CDT for Washington County, Florida. It was in force for 12 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
Jun 16, 2026, 3:31 PM CDT (20:31 UTC)
Expired
Jun 16, 2026, 3:43 PM CDT
In force
12 min
Issued by
NWS Tallahassee, FL
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.75 in

County Washington County, FL

The radar

The Eglin Afb radar (KEVX), 33 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:34 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.

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

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 8.5 hours before the alert went out and 307 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-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Birmingham, AL at 12:00Z on 2026-06-16Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 29 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Birmingham, AL at 12:00Z on 2026-06-16The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 12 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
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
29 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-46 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
598 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
21 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
12 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
90 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

336 
WFUS52 KTAE 162031
TORTAE
FLC133-162100-
/O.NEW.KTAE.TO.W.0043.260616T2031Z-260616T2100Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
331 PM CDT Tue Jun 16 2026

The National Weather Service in Tallahassee has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Eastern Washington County in the Panhandle of Florida...

* Until 400 PM CDT.

* At 331 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near Vernon, moving northeast at 35 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 dangerous storm will be near...
  Vernon around 335 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Holmes
Valley, Millers Ferry, Gilberts Mill, Brock Crossroad, Chipley
Municipal Airport, Orange Hill, Bradford, Smyrna, Spring Hollow, and
Sunny Hills.

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 3079 8550 3057 8544 3057 8549 3055 8549
      3048 8578 3058 8585
TIME...MOT...LOC 2031Z 244DEG 32KT 3056 8574 

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

$$

73-YOUNG
1 follow-up statement
093 
WWUS52 KTAE 162043
SVSTAE

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
343 PM CDT Tue Jun 16 2026

FLC133-162053-
/O.CAN.KTAE.TO.W.0043.000000T0000Z-260616T2100Z/
Washington FL-
343 PM CDT Tue Jun 16 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EASTERN WASHINGTON COUNTY 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.  However, gusty winds and
heavy rain are still possible with this thunderstorm.

Remember, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning still remains in effect for
Washington County until 4 PM CDT.

&&

LAT...LON 3079 8550 3057 8544 3057 8549 3055 8549
      3048 8578 3058 8585
TIME...MOT...LOC 2041Z 244DEG 32KT 3061 8563 

$$

73-YOUNG

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 Tallahassee, FL wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Jun 16, 2:34 PM CDT, 57 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Issued at 316 PM EDT Tue Jun 16 2026
  • A few strong to marginally severe thunderstorms are expected again today with localized pockets of damaging wind gusts impacting trees and power lines.
  • Occasional rounds of heavy rainfall are likely through the end of the week, especially in Southeast Alabama and Southwest Georgia. Some localized flooding could occur with the heaviest rains.
  • A High Risk of rip currents is forecast to continue through tonight for the west facing beaches of Gulf county. It is strongly discouraged to enter the surf on high risk days. Please heed the beach flags and advice of local officials.
Area forecast discussion, Jun 16, 2:34 PM CDT, 57 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
334 PM EDT Tue Jun 16 2026

...New SHORT TERM, LONG TERM, MARINE, FIRE WEATHER, HYDROLOGY...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Issued at 316 PM EDT Tue Jun 16 2026

- A few strong to marginally severe thunderstorms are expected
  again today with localized pockets of damaging wind gusts
  impacting trees and power lines.

- Occasional rounds of heavy rainfall are likely through the end
  of the week, especially in Southeast Alabama and Southwest
  Georgia. Some localized flooding could occur with the heaviest
  rains.

- A High Risk of rip currents is forecast to continue through
  tonight for the west facing beaches of Gulf county. It is
  strongly discouraged to enter the surf on high risk days. Please
  heed the beach flags and advice of local officials.

&&

.SHORT TERM AND LONG TERM...
(This Evening through Monday)
Issued at 316 PM EDT Tue Jun 16 2026

Currently a broad longwave trough is funneling tropical moisture
into our area from the SW, keeping PWATs over 2 inches. Strong SW
flow aloft is also keeping 0-3km shear values elevated. That,
combined with decent CAPE values should lead to a good amount of
storm coverage today into tonight, with the possibility of some
of them being severe. The moist airmass will also lead to these
storms being rather efficient rainmakers, with rain rates
potentially bringing flooding concerns to areas under training or
repeated storm coverage.

The rest of the work week is expected to stay active as a low
pressure system passing over the Great Lakes region drags the trough
axis slightly eastward. This, combined with a weak tropical system
to the west will bring a more direct and enhanced southerly flow.
Models suggest decent CAPE and favorable shear leading to another
day of expanded coverage and heavy rain potential tomorrow.
Thereafter, the exact positioning and path of PTC One will
influence the flow and pattern through the extended period, with
Thursday having the potential for additional forcing, further
enhancing the severe storm and tornado potential.

Storm coverage is expected to relax a bit over the weekend as a
ridge of high pressure attempts to build in from the west. However,
a lingering frontal boundary may be enough to help initiate some
additional convection depending how the overall pattern sets up.

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 141 PM EDT Tue Jun 16 2026

On and off showers and thunderstorms are expected to affect all
terminals thru the aftn into the evening with another round tmrw.
Used the latest HRRR & local CAMs guidance to update the timing
of -TSRA/TSRA via TEMPO groups on the front end and PROB30 on the
back end. A convective lull takes place tonight, though there may
be some lingering -SHRA. Otherwise, a mix of VFR-MVFR conds are
fcst with potential for IFR cigs late tonight into early tmrw
morning.

&&

.MARINE...
Issued at 316 PM EDT Tue Jun 16 2026

Moderate southwest breezes will prevail through Wednesday, becoming
fresh or possibly strong southerlies on Thursday and Friday as low
pressure passes to our north. Once low pressure has exited on
Saturday, a reduction to gentle westerlies is expected.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 316 PM EDT Tue Jun 16 2026

A very moist air mass will be in place through Friday, supporting
widespread shower and thunderstorm activity, thick cloud cover, and
wetting rains. Pockets of heavy rainfall are expected. Thunderstorms
will come with dangerous lightning and sudden gusty winds.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
Issued at 316 PM EDT Tue Jun 16 2026

A quick 2-3 inches of precipitation can be expected beneath heavier
storms today. Where training or backbuilding occurs, isolated totals
of 3-5 inches are possible. Current flash flood guidance for areas
that received recent heavy rain shows that it would take about 3
inches of rain in a 3 hour period to result in flash flooding, or 4
inches of rain in a 6 hour period. The 00z HREF shows low chances
(10-15 percent) of exceeding flash flood guidance across portions of
southeast Alabama and southwest Georgia. While the chance looks too
low to issue a flood watch right now, trends will continue to be
monitored as we head through the week and conditions become more
saturated.

Rivers remain on the low side from the ongoing drought conditions,
so significant riverine flooding is currently not expected.

Thursday and Friday have heavy rain potential as well, especially
west and northwest of the Apalachicola and Flint. If that occurs, it
may be easier to achieve flash flooding after today's rainfall.

&&

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not requested. However, spotters are always
encouraged to safely report significant weather conditions when they
occur by calling the office or tweeting us @NWSTallahassee.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Tallahassee   73  86  77  89 /  80  70  30  70
Panama City   75  86  79  87 /  80  50  60  80
Dothan        70  83  75  85 /  70  90  50  90
Albany        70  83  74  87 /  80  90  30  80
Valdosta      71  85  76  90 /  80  90  20  60
Cross City    75  90  78  92 /  60  30  20  40
Apalachicola  78  87  81  87 /  60  30  30  60

&&

.TAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...High Rip Current Risk through late tonight for FLZ114.

GA...None.
AL...None.
GM...None.
&&

SHORT TERM...Humphreys
LONG TERM....Humphreys
AVIATION...IG3
MARINE...Humphreys
FIRE WEATHER...Humphreys
HYDROLOGY...Humphreys

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jun 16, 2:31 PM CDT, 1 hour before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
331 PM EDT Tue Jun 16 2026

FLZ007-008-010-012>014-108-112-114-326-426-162015-
Coastal Bay FL-Central Walton FL-Southern Liberty FL-Inland Bay FL-
Calhoun FL-Northern Liberty FL-Inland Gulf FL-South Walton FL-
North Walton FL-Washington FL-Coastal Gulf FL-
331 PM EDT Tue Jun 16 2026

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN GULF...BAY...
SOUTHWESTERN CALHOUN AND SOUTHERN WALTON COUNTIES IN THE PANHANDLE OF
FLORIDA...WEST CENTRAL LIBERTY COUNTY IN BIG BEND FLORIDA AND
SOUTHERN WASHINGTON COUNTIES IN THE PANHANDLE OF FLORIDA THROUGH 415
PM EDT/315 PM CDT/...

At 331 PM EDT/231 PM CDT/, Doppler radar was tracking strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from near Santa Rosa Beach to
near Panama City to near Mexico Beach. Movement was northeast 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...
Panama City, Lynn Haven, Panama City Beach, Callaway, Santa Rosa
Beach, Springfield, Mexico Beach, Hiland Park, Eglin Air Force Base,
Stonemill Creek, Tyndall Air Force Base, Orange, Live Oak, Parker,
Wewahitchka, Freeport, Ebro, Honeyville, Villa Tasso, and Allanton.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3038 8633 3042 8631 3039 8626 3040 8623
      3042 8627 3039 8611 3044 8616 3047 8613
      3046 8619 3050 8620 3046 8639 3075 8639
      3046 8542 3019 8493 2984 8547 2989 8550
      3009 8580 3022 8605 3032 8639 3040 8639
TIME...MOT...LOC 1931Z 226DEG 30KT 3036 8632 3014 8576 2989 8537

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

73-YOUNG
Local storm report, Jun 16, 3:22 PM CDT, 9 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
422 PM EDT Tue Jun 16 2026

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

0411 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     3 NNE Vicksburg         30.36N 85.64W
06/16/2026                   Bay                FL   Law Enforcement

            Tree down on power line on Highway 388.

&&
Local storm report, Jun 16, 3:25 PM CDT, 6 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
425 PM EDT Tue Jun 16 2026

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

0340 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     1 WNW Saint Andrews Sta 30.13N 85.75W
06/16/2026  M57 MPH          Bay                FL   Mesonet

            HAZCAM station in Panama City reports a 57
            mph wind gust.

&&
Local storm report, Jun 16, 3:27 PM CDT, 4 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
427 PM EDT Tue Jun 16 2026

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

0421 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 W Dirego Park         30.19N 85.65W
06/16/2026                   Bay                FL   Law Enforcement

            Power line down on East 23rd Street.

&&
Local storm report, Jun 16, 3:29 PM CDT, 2 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
429 PM EDT Tue Jun 16 2026

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

0353 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 W Dirego Park         30.19N 85.65W
06/16/2026                   Bay                FL   Law Enforcement

            Corrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from 1
            W Dirego Park. Power line down on East 23rd
            Street.

&&
Local storm report, Jun 16, 3:30 PM CDT, 1 minute before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
430 PM EDT Tue Jun 16 2026

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

0403 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     3 NNE Vicksburg         30.36N 85.64W
06/16/2026                   Bay                FL   Law Enforcement

            Corrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from 3
            NNE Vicksburg. Tree down on power line on
            Highway 388.

&&

The office that day

Everything else NWS Tallahassee, FL issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jun 15, 9:45 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningTAE74 min
Jun 16, 10:26 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTAEMadison34 min
Jun 16, 12:27 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTAEHolmes48 min
Jun 16, 1:15 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTAELeon45 min
Jun 16, 1:18 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningTAE117 min
Jun 16, 1:33 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTAEGadsden42 min
Jun 16, 1:55 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTAEJefferson50 min
Jun 16, 2:01 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningTAE44 min
Jun 16, 2:03 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTAEFranklin, Gulf42 min
Jun 16, 2:15 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningTAE90 min
Jun 16, 2:26 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTAEFranklin, Gulf49 min
Jun 16, 2:31 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTAEBay, Walton44 min
Jun 16, 2:40 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTAEBay, Calhoun, Gulf, Liberty, Walton, Washington50 min
Jun 16, 2:47 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningTAE43 min
Jun 16, 3:00 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTAEFranklin, Gulf, Liberty, Wakulla45 min
Jun 16, 3:15 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTAEBay, Calhoun, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson and 5 more45 min
Jun 16, 3:38 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTAEFranklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Taylor and 1 more67 min
Jun 16, 3:41 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningTAE102 min
Jun 16, 3:51 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTAECalhoun, Gadsden, Jackson, Liberty, Washington54 min
Jun 16, 4:30 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTAEGadsden, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Madison, Wakulla35 min
Jun 16, 5:05 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTAEMadison, Taylor55 min
Jun 16, 6:58 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningTAE62 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Florida, 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.