Alert archive / Wisconsin / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 1992

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 9, NWS Milwaukee, WI

May 16, 1992Portage County, Wisconsin

NWS Milwaukee, WI issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 16, 1992, 6:58 PM CDT for Portage County, Wisconsin. It was in force for 47 min. 1 report came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
May 16, 1992, 6:58 PM CDT (23:58 UTC)
Expired
May 16, 1992, 7:45 PM CDT
In force
47 min
Issued by
NWS Milwaukee, WI
Area
Whole counties

County Portage County, WI

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
May 16, 7:10 PM CDTTornado F2Portage, WI

NCEI Storm Data entries that began inside the alert's area while it was in force. Before 2003 the local storm report archive is thin, so this is the record of what happened rather than what was phoned in. Storm Data before 1996 records only tornadoes, thunderstorm wind and hail.

The nearest sounding before it

Green Bay/Straub, WI (KGRB), launched 12:00Z, 12.0 hours before the alert went out and 111 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, Green Bay/Straub, WI at 12:00Z on 1992-05-16Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 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, Green Bay/Straub, WI at 12:00Z on 1992-05-16The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 141 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
NaN m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
38 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
141 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
169 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

000 
TTAA00 KMKE 170003
SVRMKE
WIC097-170045-
 
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MILWAUKEE/SULLIVAN WI
658 PM CDT SAT MAY 16 1992
 
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MILWAUKEE/SULLIVAN HAS ISSUED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL  745 PM CDT
FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATION...
 
IN CENTRAL WISCONSIN
 
   ...PORTAGE COUNTY
 
AT 700 PM A LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS EXTEND OVER WESTERN PORTAGE
COUNTY FROM NEAR JUNCTION COUNTY SOUTHWARD TO JUST WEST OF BANCROFT...15
MILES SOUTH OF STEVENS POINT.
 
THE LINE OF STORMS IS MOVING EAST AT 40 MPH AND WILL BE AFFECTING THE
TOWNS OF STEVENS POINT...JORDAN...PLOVER AND BANCROFT BY 715 PM CDT.
 
IN ADDITION A FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR NORTHERN PORTAGE
COUNTY. PERSONS THERE SHOULD BE ALERT FOR HEAVY RAINS WHICH WOULD CAUSE
FLOODING.
 
A TORNADO WATCH IS ALSO IN EFFECT FOR THE WARNED AREA.  REMEMBER
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAN AND OCCASIONALLY DO PRODUCE TORNADOES
WITH LITTLE OR NO ADVANCE WARNING.  REMAIN CALM BUT BE ALERT TO
RAPIDLY CHANGING WEATHER CONDITIONS.
 
ZAJDEL

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 16, 4:39 PM CDT, 2 hours 19 minutes before
WIZ010-011-014-015-170000-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MADISON WI
440 PM CDT SAT MAY 16 1992

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS IN EXTREME NORTHERN JUNEAU COUNTY...

ANOTHER STRONG THUNDERSTORM IS PUSHING NORTHEAST THROUGH EXTREME
NORTHERN JUNEAU COUNTY AT THIS TIME.  RADAR INDICATES THAT VERY HEAVY
RAIN AND POSSIBLY SOME SMALL HAIL IS FALLING FROM THIS STORM.
NO INFORMATION HAS BEEN REPORTED FROM THE JUNEAU COUNTY SHERIFF
CONCERNING STORM ACTIVITY OR STORM DAMAGE YET THIS AFTERNOON.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR MUCH OF WISCONSIN INCLUDING
JUNEAU COUNTY UNTIL 9PM CDT.

MOONEY
Special weather statement, May 16, 5:40 PM CDT, 1 hour 18 minutes before
WIZ007-170200-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MILWAUKEE/SULLIVAN WI
535 PM CDT SAT MAY 16 1992

...THE CALM BEFORE THE STORMS...

PARTLY SUNNY SKIES AND WARM SOUTHERLY WINDS COVER SOUTHEAST WISCONSIN
THIS EVENING.  WEATHER SERVICE RADAR INDICATED SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS OVER
CENTRAL WISCONSIN...BUT NO ACTIVITY HERE IN THE SOUTHEAST PART OF THE
STATE.

STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO MOVE INTO THE MILWAUKEE AREA AFTER
1000 PM.

REMEMBER...A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR A LARGE PART OF CENTRAL
AND WEST-CENTRAL WISCONSIN UNTIL 900 PM.  THE ONLY COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST
WISCONSIN THAT IS INCLUDED IN THIS WATCH IS FOND DU LAC.  OTHER SEVERE
WEATHER WATCHES MAY BE NEEDED LATER...SO STAY TUNED TO NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE RADIO FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION.

J LAST
Special weather statement, May 16, 5:41 PM CDT, 1 hour 17 minutes before
WIZ012-013-017-020-170200-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MILWAUKEE/SULLIVAN WI
535 PM CDT SAT MAY 16 1992

...THE CALM BEFORE THE STORMS...

PARTLY SUNNY SKIES AND WARM SOUTHERLY WINDS COVER SOUTHEAST WISCONSIN
THIS EVENING.  WEATHER SERVICE RADAR INDICATED SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS OVER
CENTRAL WISCONSIN...BUT NO ACTIVITY HERE IN THE SOUTHEAST PART OF THE
STATE.

STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO MOVE INTO THE MILWAUKEE AREA AFTER
1000 PM.

REMEMBER...A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR A LARGE PART OF CENTRAL
AND WEST-CENTRAL WISCONSIN UNTIL 900 PM.  THE ONLY COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST
WISCONSIN THAT IS INCLUDED IN THIS WATCH IS FOND DU LAC.  OTHER SEVERE
WEATHER WAT9CHES MAY BE NEEDED LATER...SO STAY TUNED TO NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE RADIO FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION.

J LAST
Special weather statement, May 16, 5:59 PM CDT, 59 minutes before
WIZ010-011-014-015-018-019-170000-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT AND SHORT RANGE WEATHER SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MADISON WI
600 PM CDT SAT MAY 16 1992

...TORNADO WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF WISCONSIN UNTIL 9PM...

WINDY AND WARM WEATHER ACROSS WISCONSIN THIS AFTERNOON HAS PRODUCED
SOME SEVERE WEATHER IN WESTERN AND NORTHERN SECTIONS OF THE STATE.
SOUTHERN WISCONSIN HAS BEEN PARTLY SUNNY AND DRY WITH A RECORD HIGH
TEMPERATURE OF 87 DEGREES IN MADISON.

AREAS WEST AND NORTH OF DANE COUNTY ARE UNDER A TORNADO WATCH UNTIL
9PM THIS EVENING.  STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE ACROSS ALL OF
SOUTH-CENTRAL WISCONSIN AFTER SUNSET.  UNTIL THEN..TEMPERATURES WILL STAY
IN THE 80S WITH WINDS FROM TH'E SOUTH BETWEEN 20 AND 30 MILES AN HOUR.

BE ALERT FOR THREATENING WEATHER AND BE READY TO TAKE IMMEDIATE SHELTER.

MOONEY
Special weather statement, May 16, 6:18 PM CDT, 40 minutes before
WIZ010-011-014-015-170200-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MADISON WI
615 PM CDT SAT MAY 16 1992

... ANOTHER STRONG THUNDERSTORM IN NORTHERN JUNEAU COUNTY...

ANOTHER STRONG THUNDERSTORM IS PUSHING NORTHEAST THROUGH NORTHERN
JUNEAU COUNTY AT THIS TIME.  RADAR INDICATES THAT VERY HEAVY RAIN
AND SMALL HAIL IS FALLING FROM THIS STORM.  MODERATE HAIL IS ALSO
POSSIBLE ALONG WITH DAMAGING WINDS.  THE STORM IS NORTHWEST OF NECEDAH
AND SOUTH OF MATHER..OR ABOUT 30 MILES EAST OF LACROSSE MOVING NORTHEAST
AROUND 40 MILES AN HOUR.  THE STORM SHOULD SKIM NORTHWEST ADAMS COUNTY
AFTER 630 PM AND PASS NEAR THE CITY OF NEW ROME.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR MUCH OF WISCONSIN INCLUDING
JUNEAU AND ADAMS COUNTIES UNTIL 9PM CDT.

MOONEY
Special weather statement, May 16, 6:47 PM CDT, 11 minutes before
WIZ010-011-014-015-170200-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MADISON WI
645 PM CDT SAT MAY 16 1992

...THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPING OVER SOUTH-CENTRAL WISCONSIN...

THUNDERSTORMS ARE BEGINNING TO DEVELOP IN ADAMS..MARQUETTE..GREEN LAKE
AND NORTHERN COLUMBIA COUNTY THIS EVENING.  AT 640 PM THE NEW STORMS
WERE SCATTERED FROM JUST NORTHEAST OF THE WISCONSIN DELLS TO RED GRANITE
..OR ABOUT 45 TO 70 MILES NORTH-NORTHEAST OF MADISON.  THE STORMS ARE
MOVING NORTHEAST AROUND 40 MILES AN HOUR.  VERY HEAVY RAIN..SMALL HAIL..
STRONG GUSTY WINDS AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE LIKELY WITH THESE STORMS.
A TORNADO IS ALSO POSSIBLE AND A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THESE
AREAS UNTIL 9PM CDT.
IF THREATENING WEATHER APPRAOCHES..TAKE SHELTER IMMEDIATELY.

MOONEY

The office that day

Everything else NWS Milwaukee, WI issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 16, 2:00 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMKXMarathon, Wood45 min
May 16, 2:36 PM CDTTornado WarningMKXMarathon39 min
May 16, 2:57 PM CDTTornado WarningMKXLincoln, Taylor30 min
May 16, 3:10 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMKXWood26 min
May 16, 3:10 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMKXPortage50 min
May 16, 3:15 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMKXMarathon45 min
May 16, 5:09 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMKXPortage66 min
May 16, 5:09 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMKXWood33 min
May 16, 5:15 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMKXMarathon60 min
May 16, 5:59 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningMKXMarathon, Portage, Wood3 hr
May 16, 6:09 PM CDTTornado WarningMKXMarathon51 min
May 16, 6:12 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMKXPortage, Wood48 min
May 16, 6:23 PM CDTTornado WarningMKXWood37 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Wisconsin, 1992Every severe thunderstorm warning in 1992

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; verification from NCEI's Storm Data; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive.