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National Weather ServiceKentuckyTornado WarningArchive to October 11, 2026

Tornado Warnings in Kentucky

The National Weather Service issued 162 tornado warnings for Kentucky in 2025 and 97 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 13th most of any state. 2026 through September: 127, 50% above the average of 85 for those months in 2008-2025. Christian was covered most often (125 times since 2008).

How many tornado warnings does Kentucky get?

162 tornado warnings for Kentucky in 2025
1002003002008: 9120082009: 12620092010: 8920102011: 24320112012: 18320122013: 7420132014: 9520142015: 4720152016: 7820162017: 4620172018: 6620182019: 5220192020: 4620202021: 7220212022: 6220222023: 9720232024: 11920242025: 16220252026: 12720262008-2025 average 972026 through September: 1271002003002008: 9120082009: 1262010: 8920102011: 2432012: 18320122013: 742014: 9520142015: 472016: 7820162017: 462018: 6620182019: 522020: 4620202021: 722022: 6220222023: 972024: 11920242025: 1622026: 12720262008-2025 average 972026 through September: 1271002003002008: 9120082009: 1262010: 8920102011: 2432012: 18320122013: 742014: 9520142015: 472016: 7820162017: 462018: 6620182019: 522020: 4620202021: 722022: 6220222023: 972024: 11920242025: 1622026: 12720262008-2025 average 972026 through September: 1271002003002008: 9120082009: 1262010: 892011: 2432012: 1832013: 742014: 952015: 4720152016: 782017: 462018: 662019: 522020: 4620202021: 722022: 622023: 972024: 1192025: 1622026: 12720262008-2025 average 972026 through September: 127

Every tornado warning that covered part of Kentucky. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.

The numbers
YearCount
2026 (through September)127
2025162
2024119
202397
202262
202172
202046
201952
201866
201746
201678
201547
201495
201374
2012183
2011243
201089
2009126
200891

Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 11, 2026.

When in the year does Kentucky get them?

Kentucky's tornado warnings by month, 2008-2025
200400600Jan: 96JanFeb: 181FebMar: 234MarApr: 443AprMay: 258MayJun: 154JunJul: 105JulAug: 12AugSep: 42SepOct: 97OctNov: 36NovDec: 90Dec443200400600Jan: 96JanFeb: 181FebMar: 234MarApr: 443AprMay: 258MayJun: 154JunJul: 105JulAug: 12AugSep: 42SepOct: 97OctNov: 36NovDec: 90Dec443200400600Jan: 96JanFeb: 181FebMar: 234MarApr: 443AprMay: 258MayJun: 154JunJul: 105JulAug: 12AugSep: 42SepOct: 97OctNov: 36NovDec: 90Dec443200400600Jan: 96JFeb: 181FMar: 234MApr: 443AMay: 258MJun: 154JJul: 105JAug: 12ASep: 42SOct: 97ONov: 36NDec: 90D443

Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.

Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 11, 2026.

Where in Kentucky?

County or forecast zoneSince 2008Since 2023Last issued
Christian12525June 28, 2026
Hopkins9417April 28, 2026
Trigg9021August 20, 2026
Graves8827August 20, 2026
Marshall8535August 20, 2026
Muhlenberg7614July 21, 2026
Calloway7323August 20, 2026
Caldwell7223June 27, 2026
Henderson7125June 22, 2026
Hardin6925July 21, 2026
McCracken6930August 20, 2026
Grayson6714July 21, 2026

The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.

Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 11, 2026.

The latest tornado warnings for Kentucky in AreaZine's record

This list is AreaZine's record of the NWS alert feed, kept since April 6, 2026; the counts above come from the complete IEM archive.

Source: National Weather Service alerts (api.weather.gov).

Every tornado warning for Kentucky in AreaZine's record

24 notices in AreaZine's record; the latest first below. Every one, oldest first: April 28, 2026 to August 20, 2026.

  1. Tornado Warning: Calloway, Graves and Marshall, KY Calloway, Graves and Marshall expired
  2. Tornado Warning: Elliott, Fleming, Morgan and 1 more, KY Elliott, Fleming, Morgan and 1 more expired
  3. Tornado Warning: Carter and Lawrence, KY Carter and Lawrence expired
  4. Tornado Warning: Lewis, KY Lewis expired
  5. Tornado Warning: Grant and Pendleton, KY Grant and Pendleton expired
  6. Tornado Warning: Dearborn, Franklin, Ripley and 2 more, IN and KY Dearborn, Franklin, Ripley and 2 more expired
  7. Tornado Warning: Switzerland, Boone, Gallatin and 2 more, IN and KY Switzerland, Boone, Gallatin and 2 more expired
  8. Tornado Warning: Martin and Pike, KY Martin and Pike expired
  9. Tornado Warning: Lawrence, Lincoln, Logan and 2 more, KY and WV Lawrence, Lincoln, Logan and 2 more expired
  10. Tornado Warning: Lawrence, KY Lawrence expired
  11. Tornado Warning: Elliott, KY Elliott expired
  12. Tornado Warning: Laurel, Pulaski and Rockcastle, KY Laurel, Pulaski and Rockcastle expired
  13. Tornado Warning: Marion, Nelson and Washington County, KY Marion, Nelson and Washington County expired
  14. Tornado Warning: Breckinridge, Grayson and Hardin, KY Breckinridge, Grayson and Hardin expired
  15. Tornado Warning: Christian, KY Christian expired
  16. Tornado Warning: Massac and McCracken, IL and KY Massac and McCracken expired
  17. Tornado Warning: Massac, Pope, Livingston and 3 more, IL and KY Massac, Pope, Livingston and 3 more expired
  18. Tornado Warning: Alexander, Pulaski, Ballard and 2 more, IL and KY Alexander, Pulaski, Ballard and 2 more expired
  19. Tornado Warning: Perry, Breckinridge and Hancock, IN and KY Perry, Breckinridge and Hancock expired
  20. Tornado Warning: Harrison, Hardin and Meade, IN and KY Harrison, Hardin and Meade expired

Source: National Weather Service alerts (api.weather.gov). A U.S. Government work, in the public domain.

What is a tornado warning?

The NWS issues a tornado warning when a tornado has been seen or weather radar indicates one in the warned area. Warnings are drawn as polygons around the storm's path and usually last 30 to 60 minutes. A warning means the hazard is happening, about to happen, or very likely: act now to protect people and property. The national record · Every warning type in Kentucky.

How does Kentucky compare with its neighbours?

Illinois gets the most on Kentucky's border: 150 a year in 2021-2025.

StateA year, 2021-2025A year, 2008-2025Rank of all states
Illinois1501235th
Missouri1411457th
Tennessee10410812th
Kentucky1029713th
Indiana767519th
Ohio696020th
Virginia616421st
West Virginia191530th

Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 11, 2026.

More records for Kentucky