You've probably heard the wind howling outside or saw a dark sky and immediately wondered if you should be heading for the basement. It’s that gut-punch feeling when the phone buzzes with a government alert. Right now, on Sunday, January 18, 2026, the weather story across the United States is actually more about ice and bone-chilling cold than it is about rotating clouds.
If you are looking for where are there tornado warnings right now, the short answer is: nowhere.
As of this afternoon, the National Weather Service (NWS) has zero active tornado warnings in effect for the entire country. Honestly, that’s a massive relief. Instead of dodging twisters, most of the nation is currently wrestling with an Arctic blast that is making life miserable from the Dakotas down to the Deep South.
Why the Radar is Quiet (For Now)
Tornadoes need a specific cocktail of ingredients. You need warm, moist air clashing with cold, dry air, plus a bit of "spin" in the atmosphere called wind shear. Today, the "warm and moist" part is missing.
Most of the U.S. is currently dominated by a massive, cold-core high-pressure system. According to the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) in Norman, Oklahoma, the convective outlook for today is "Non-Severe." That basically means the atmosphere is too stable to support the violent updrafts required for a tornado to form.
Instead of supercells, we are seeing "overrunning" precipitation. This is a fancy meteorological way of saying warm air is sliding over the top of the cold air sitting at the surface. In the South, specifically in Southeastern Alabama and Central Georgia, this is resulting in rare January snow.
Current Regional Weather Headlines
- Alabama and Georgia: You’ve got Winter Storm Warnings and Advisories. Areas around Dothan, Alabama, and Macon, Georgia, are seeing 1 to 3 inches of snow.
- The Upper Midwest: It’s a mess in North Dakota and Minnesota. Blizzard Warnings are active as winds gust up to 60 mph. Visibility is basically zero in some spots.
- Florida: This is the only place with even a hint of "stormy" weather. There are some isolated thunderstorms near the Keys, but they are staying offshore and lack the punch to spin up a tornado.
The Difference Between a Watch and a Warning
It’s easy to get these mixed up when you’re panicked. Think of it like a taco.
A Tornado Watch means we have all the ingredients for tacos on the counter. The meat, the cheese, the shells—it could happen. You should keep an eye on the sky and stay tuned.
A Tornado Warning means someone is eating a taco right now. Or, in weather terms, a tornado has actually been spotted by a person or detected on Doppler radar. When a warning is issued, it’s "go time." You move to your safe spot immediately.
Since there are no tornado warnings right now, you don't need to be in your basement. But you definitely might need a shovel or a very heavy coat if you're in the eastern half of the country.
Where the Danger Actually Lies Today
Even without tornadoes, today is dangerous for different reasons. The NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan office is tracking a "refreeze" situation. Basically, any rain or melted snow from earlier today is going to turn into a sheet of black ice tonight.
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In the Red River Valley, the blizzard conditions are life-threatening if you get stuck in your car. Wind chills are dipping toward -30°F. At those temperatures, frostbite happens in minutes.
We often obsess over tornadoes because they are dramatic and terrifying, but winter weather kills more people annually through traffic accidents and exposure. If you’re in Georgia or Alabama, don't let the "little bit of snow" fool you; the roads there aren't built for it, and the ice tonight will be treacherous.
How to Stay Informed Moving Forward
Weather changes fast. A "quiet" day can turn into a "busy" one if a front moves faster than expected.
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- Check the SPC Day 1 Outlook: This is the gold standard for seeing where the risk is. If you see bright colors (Yellow, Orange, Red) over your state, pay attention.
- Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA): Make sure these are ON in your phone settings. They’ll scream at you even if your phone is on silent if a warning is issued for your specific GPS coordinate.
- Local News Apps: National apps are okay, but local meteorologists know the terrain. They know which hills block the wind and which valleys flood first.
What to Do Next
Since there are no active tornado threats at this moment, your best move is to prepare for the cold. If you're in the Southeast, check your pipes. If you're in the Midwest, stay off the roads until the wind dies down.
Keep an eye on the National Weather Service's active alerts page. It updates every few minutes. If a cell suddenly starts spinning in Florida or along the coast, that’s where the first warning of the day would likely pop up.
Stay warm, stay dry, and keep your phone charged. The "quiet" on the radar is a good thing—let's hope it stays that way through the night.
Actionable Insights:
- Check your tire pressure; cold air makes it drop significantly.
- Ensure your "Go-Bag" has fresh batteries for your weather radio.
- If you're in a winter warning zone, bring your pets inside now.
- Monitor the NWS "Hazardous Weather Outlook" for your specific county to see if the threat levels change by tomorrow morning.