Alert archive / Wisconsin / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2017

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 8, NWS Duluth, MN

May 16, 20174 counties in Wisconsin

NWS Duluth, MN issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 16, 2017, 6:47 PM CDT for 4 counties in Wisconsin. It was in force for 43 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
May 16, 2017, 6:47 PM CDT (23:47 UTC)
Expired
May 16, 2017, 7:30 PM CDT
In force
43 min
Issued by
NWS Duluth, MN
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.25 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Bayfield County, WI, Douglas County, WI, Sawyer County, WI, Washburn County, WI

The radar

The Duluth radar (KDLH), 87 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:47 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.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
May 16, 4:02 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 12:00Z, 11.8 hours before the alert went out and 223 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, Minneapolis, MN at 12:00Z on 2017-05-16Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 241 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, Minneapolis, MN at 12:00Z on 2017-05-16The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -35 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
241 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-181 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1186 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
48 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-35 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
-4 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
-1.3

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

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.

NWS Duluth, MN wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at May 16, 3:21 PM CDT, 3 hours 26 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 16, 3:21 PM CDT, 3 hours 26 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Duluth MN
321 PM CDT Tue May 16 2017

.SHORT TERM...(Tonight)
Issued at 315 PM CDT Tue May 16 2017

Thunderstorms and heavy rainfall are expected tonight, with the
main focus over northwest Wisconsin and adjacent areas of east-
central and northeast Minnesota. Thunderstorms will redevelop in
central Minnesota and lift northeastward into the Northland
through this evening. The potential for training storms remains in
play which could result in one or more swaths of very heavy
rainfall this evening. With the rainfall from yesterday moving
through the area creeks and rivers, decided to issue a Flash Flood
Watch, in coordination with our neighbors. WPC has included
northwest Wisconsin and part of Pine County in the Slight Risk
area of the Day 1 excessive rainfall forecast. Strong northward
moisture transport will keep precipitable water values up to 1.5
inches through this evening. Rain amounts tonight will be highest
along the I-35 corridor and over northwest Wisconsin. One-half
inch to 1.5 inches of rain is expected, but higher amounts are
likely where the strongest storms track.

In addition to the flooding potential tonight, there remains a
slight risk of severe thunderstorms over much of northwest
Wisconsin. NAM BUFR soundings from HYR feature effective shear of
around 35 kts with 0-6 km shear around 45 knots along 3-3.5 kJ/kg
of MUCAPE are favorable for large hail and damaging wind gusts.
Low- level shear seems to preclude much of a tornado threat at
this time, however, the potential cannot entirely be ruled out.

.LONG TERM...(Wednesday through Tuesday)
Issued at 315 PM CDT Tue May 16 2017

The Northland has a rather wet and cool forecast through the
weekend, but warmer weather might return early next week. There
are multiple rounds of rain forecast through the weekend, with
temperatures about 10 to 15 degrees cooler than seasonal normal
temperatures.

A subtle front will stall from northeast Ontario to southern
Minnesota early Wednesday, including across northwest Wisconsin.
Meanwhile, a potent shortwave will lift north into the Northland
late tonight and early Wednesday. This wave will bring a surge of
moisture and widespread synoptic lift, setting off showers and
thunderstorms, mainly focused along and near the stalled front.
Precipitable water values could reach 1.5 inches. Parts of
northwest Wisconsin could get moderate to heavy rainfall. About
0.25" to nearly 1" of rainfall is forecast across northwest
Wisconsin, but there could be locally higher amounts.

There will likely be areas of fog Wednesday morning, but
increasing north-northeast flow will likely lift it by late
morning. Temperatures will be cool across the north and near Lake
Superior, but more seasonably warm across well-inland areas of
northwest Wisconsin.

A potent, vertically stacked area of low pressure will lift from
the Central Plains Wednesday to the Minnesota and Wisconsin areas
Wednesday night. This low will bring another surge of moisture of
moisture and even more potent and widespread synoptic lift across
the Northland. Much of the Northland can expect moderate to heavy
rainfall from late Wednesday through Thursday morning, with the
heaviest amounts again in northwest Wisconsin. Fortunately, most
of this rain will be less convective in nature, and more
stratiform in nature. The best chances of thunder are in Price
County in the far southeast forecast area. The stratiform nature
will limit the flooding the threat, but certainly areas of
northwest Wisconsin that get quite a bit of rain over the next
couple days could have flooding in low-lying areas. Widespread
rainfall of 1.25" to 1.5" is forecast in northwest Wisconsin,
about 0.25" or more from the Arrowhead to central Minnesota
Minnesota, but no rain for north- central Minnesota.

High pressure will build into south-central Canada and the
US/Canada border area Thursday afternoon into Friday, providing
the Northland a period of dry and sunnier weather. The GFS,
European, and Canadian models are indicating another potent area
of low pressure will likely bring widespread moderate to heavy
rain across the Northland late this week and/or over the weekend.
The GFS and European are in fairly good agreement on the timing,
with the rain affecting the Northland late Friday night and
through Saturday night, but the Canadian brings the rain late
Saturday night through early Monday. If the GFS/ECMWF solution
pans out, then more seasonal weather might return for Monday, but
the slower Canadian would suggest cooler and cloudier weather for
Monday. The threat of thunder with this round of rain looks fairly
low at this point, but the GFS suggests a threat of thunder
across the southern forecast area when it lifts the warm front
close or into the southern forecast area Saturday evening.
Otherwise, instability should be fairly low due to the cooler
conditions, at the surface and aloft, across the Northland.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Wednesday afternoon)
Issued at 1246 PM CDT Tue May 16 2017

There will be a complex weather situation through tomorrow
morning, with rounds of showers and thunderstorms, and periods of
low ceilings and visibility. There are lingering areas of IFR/MVFR
conditions, as of early this afternoon, because of cloud cover
from showers and storms from earlier today. There should be a
transition to VFR for most areas for the middle of the afternoon,
save for KDLH, which will likely see low ceilings return when
southeast flow returns. A period of showers and storms are likely
during the middle afternoon through early evening when low
pressure moves through the Northland from west to east. Some of
storms could be strong to severe, primarily for the KHYR area,
which could get gusty winds, brief heavy rain, and hail.

The showers and storms will shift to the east this evening, and
mist and fog, and accompanying low ceilings, will likely develop
across much of the region overnight. Widespread LIFR/IFR
conditions are likely by the wee hours of Wednesday morning.

Another round of showers and thunderstorms will likely affect the
KHYR area late tonight and Wednesday morning. There is a chance
KDLH could be affected, too. Most areas will see some improvement
in ceilings and visibility later Wednesday morning, but with the
slowest improvement at KHYR.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
DLH  49  56  39  50 /  60  70  90  40
INL  46  57  38  55 /  50  10  10   0
BRD  53  61  44  57 /  40  70  80  30
HYR  56  62  42  51 /  90  90  90  50
ASX  48  55  39  47 /  70  90  90  60

&&

.DLH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WI...Dense Fog Advisory until 10 PM CDT this evening for WIZ001.

     Flash Flood Watch through Thursday afternoon for WIZ003-004-008-
     009.

MN...Dense Fog Advisory until 10 PM CDT this evening for MNZ037.

LS...None.
&&

SHORT TERM...Huyck
LONG TERM...Grochocinski
AVIATION...Grochocinski
Hazardous weather outlook, May 16, 4:36 PM CDT, 2 hours 11 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED
National Weather Service Duluth MN
436 PM CDT Tue May 16 2017

MNZ010>012-018>021-025-026-033>038-WIZ001>004-006>009-171030-
Koochiching-North St. Louis-Northern Cook/Northern Lake-
North Itasca-Central St. Louis-Southern Lake/North Shore-
Southern Cook/North Shore-North Cass-South Itasca-South Cass-
Crow Wing-Northern Aitkin-South Aitkin-Carlton/South St. Louis-
Pine-Douglas-Bayfield-Ashland-Iron-Burnett-Washburn-Sawyer-Price-
436 PM CDT Tue May 16 2017

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northeast
Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin.

.DAY ONE...Tonight

Showers and thunderstorms are possible across much of the
Northland. The strongest storms will be capable of producing
frequent lightning, large hail, gusty winds, and heavy rainfall. A
tornado watch is in effect for northwest Wisconsin until 10 PM.

There is also a possibility the storms will repeatedly move over
the same areas, leading to a risk of flash flooding. The
additional rainfall today and tonight will contribute to continued
minor flooding concerns for portions of northwest Wisconsin.
Please see the latest Flash Flood Watch message for additional
information.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday

Thunderstorms are likely across northwest Wisconsin Wednesday
morning through early afternoon, and possibly into parts of nearby
Minnesota. The rain from the storms could result in minor
flooding for some parts of northwest Wisconsin. Additional
thunderstorms, and moderate to heavy rainfall, is forecast across
northwest Wisconsin late Wednesday through early Thursday. The
multiple rounds of rainfall could result in flooding over parts of
the northwest Wisconsin, especially over areas that had up to
several inches of rain Monday and Monday night. A Flash Flood
Watch has been issued for parts of northwest Wisconsin through
early Thursday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Skywarn spotters may be needed this afternoon and tonight.
Spotters and the public are also encouraged to report rainfall
amounts and observed flooding to the National Weather Service.

LSZ121-140>148-171030-
Bayfield to Oak Point WI-Grand Portage to Grand Marais MN-
Grand Marais to Taconite Harbor MN-
Taconite Harbor to Silver Bay Harbor MN-
Silver Bay Harbor to Two Harbors MN-Two Harbors to Duluth MN-
Duluth MN to Port Wing WI-Port Wing to Sand Island WI-
Sand Island to Bayfield WI-Oak Point to Saxon Harbor WI-
436 PM CDT Tue May 16 2017

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of the Nearshore
waters of western Lake Superior.

.DAY ONE...Tonight

Thunderstorms are possible across western Lake Superior through
tonight, with the best chances along and near the South Shore
along northern Wisconsin. Some storms could be strong with heavy
rain, hail, and gusty winds.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday

More thunderstorms are possible across western Lake Superior
Wednesday morning through early afternoon, mainly along and near
the South Shore along northern Wisconsin. The storms will likely
be relatively weak.

Strong northeast flow will develop across western Lake Superior
late Wednesday through early Thursday. Gale force wind gusts are
likely near the South Shore from Bayfield Peninsula to the
Michigan border. Gale Warnings and Small Craft Advisories have
been issued for Wednesday evening through Thursday afternoon.
Please read the latest marine weather messages for more
information.

Strong east to northeast flow will develop Saturday into Saturday
night. The flow and resulting waves could cause hazardous
conditions for small craft, especially near the head of the Lake
and the Twin Ports area.

Grochocinski/Huyck

More information may be obtained at the following web address:
http://www.weather.gov/duluth (all lower case)

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 16, 6:29 PM CDT, 18 minutes before
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Special weather statement, May 16, 6:32 PM CDT, 15 minutes before
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Special weather statement, May 16, 6:36 PM CDT, 11 minutes before
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Local storm report, May 16, 6:37 PM CDT, 10 minutes before
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Local storm report, May 16, 6:41 PM CDT, 6 minutes before
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Local storm report, May 16, 6:44 PM CDT, 3 minutes before
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The office that day

Everything else NWS Duluth, MN issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 16, 2:29 PM CDTDense Fog AdvisoryDLHCarlton, Saint Louis5 hr
May 16, 3:38 PM CDTGale WarningDLH42 hr
May 16, 3:38 PM CDTSmall Craft AdvisoryDLH54 hr
May 16, 4:46 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDLHPine29 min
May 16, 4:56 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDLHCarlton34 min
May 16, 5:49 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDLHAitkin26 min
May 16, 5:52 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDLHPine23 min
May 16, 10:40 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryDLHAshland, Iron12 hr
May 16, 3:38 PM CDTFlash Flood WatchDLHAshland, Bayfield, Iron, Price, Sawyer35 hr
May 16, 4:53 PM CDTAreal Flood WarningDLHAshland, Iron12 hr
May 16, 5:15 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDLHWashburn15 min
May 16, 5:20 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDLHBurnett25 min
May 16, 5:25 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDLHBurnett, Washburn34 min
May 16, 5:43 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDLHSawyer17 min
May 16, 5:53 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDLHAshland, Bayfield, Sawyer37 min
May 16, 5:56 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDLHBurnett34 min
May 16, 6:02 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDLHDouglas28 min
May 16, 6:27 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDLHAshland, Iron33 min
May 16, 6:29 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDLHWashburn31 min
May 16, 6:32 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDLHBurnett28 min
May 16, 6:36 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDLHPrice9 min
May 16, 6:48 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedDLHPrice42 min
May 16, 6:51 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDLHBayfield24 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Wisconsin, 2017Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2017

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.