Alert archive / Wisconsin / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2023

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 77, NWS Milwaukee, WI

July 28, 2023Dodge County, Fond du Lac County, Washington County, Wisconsin

NWS Milwaukee, WI issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 28, 2023, 10:04 PM CDT for Dodge County, Fond du Lac County, Washington County, Wisconsin. It was in force for 56 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: Jul 28, 2023, 10:04 PM CDT (03:04 UTC)
Expired: Jul 28, 2023, 11:00 PM CDT
In force: 56 min
Issued by: NWS Milwaukee, WI
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Possible
Damage threat: Considerable
Hail: 0.75 in
Wind: 70.0 mph

Counties Dodge County, WI, Fond du Lac County, WI, Washington County, WI

The radar

The Milwaukee radar (KMKX), 61 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 03:05 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.

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
Jul 28, 6:27 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Watch	SPC	6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Green Bay/Straub, WI (KGRB), launched 00:00Z, 3.1 hours before the alert went out and 112 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-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

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: 220 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -180 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 1052 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 52 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: -41 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 40 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: -0.0
Supercell composite: -1.2

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 Milwaukee, WI wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Jul 28, 9:12 PM CDT, 52 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 28, 9:12 PM CDT, 52 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
912 PM CDT Fri Jul 28 2023

.UPDATE...
(Issued 911 PM CDT Fri Jul 28 2023)

Widespread strong to severe convection moving through the area at
this hour. Biggest severe threat will be MCS approaching from the
northwest, which has a history of producing 60-70 MPH winds. Also
keeping a close eye on hydro concerns near the state line; despite
drought conditions, very heavy rainfall rates are likely leading
to some flooding.

Convection will end from north to south after midnight tonight.

Boxell

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(Issued 239 PM CDT Fri Jul 28 2023)

Tonight through Saturday night:

Dew point temperatures in the lower 70s and upper 60s are reported
across the area. With expected high temperatures in the upper 80s
to mid-90s, heat index values will be near and above 100 degrees.
A Heat Advisory is in effect throughout this afternoon through 8
pm this evening.

Observed dew point temperatures line up well with the 12Z
modeling. Deep CAPE profiles are still indicated on model
soundings across the area, with deep layer shear between 40 and 50
kts. Confidence is high in strong to severe storms across the
area early to late this evening, with the primary threats being
large hail and damaging winds. A weak tornado is not out of the
question as boundaries interact, although the general helicity and
shear profiles are not ideal for tornadic activity. Best chances
for severe storms exist in far southern Wisconsin, although strong
storms are possible across the whole area.

Main generator of uncertainty for this event is timing. NAM 3K
and GFS indicate initiation potential prior to 00Z, while Euro
and HRRR indicate a line developing to the northwest and
progressing southeastward after 00Z. The ingredients are present,
so initiation can rapidly intensify whenever the first cell
develops.

Modeling is in good agreement that thunderstorm activity will
move southeastward out of the area late tonight, with showery
activity ending by Saturday morning. Dry and sunny conditions are
expected on Saturday, with highs in the lower 80s away from the
lakeshore. Northerly winds will lead to moderate swim risk
conditions from Sheboygan County through Kenosha County throughout
Saturday. Overnight Saturday, expect lows near 60 degrees.

MH

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Issued 239 PM CDT Fri Jul 28 2023)

Sunday through Friday:

Steady and dry north to northeast winds will persist through much
of Sunday afternoon in the wake of the cold front. A shortwave
trough is expected to slide through central WI, which might be
enough to squeeze out a few sprinkles, or at a minimum, a period
of higher sky cover. Right now, the forecast is dry. In addition,
the period of onshore winds could lead to a moderate swim risk
again Sunday. High temperatures Sunday will be in the upper 70s
to around 80.

High pressure over the Great Lakes will allow for quiet weather,
light winds, dry air, and pleasant summer temperatures in the
lower 80s through Tuesday. By Wednesday, return flow around the
high will start to usher mid 80s temps and dewpoints in the 60s
back into southern WI. The surface low, warm front, and low level
jet will be just to our south Wednesday night. We have a small
chance for storms in the forecast, but it is looking like the
better potential is for us to be dry.

The ECMWF and GFS start to diverge in their upper level patterns
on Thursday. The GFS tries to keep the Midwest low shunned to our
south with a more dominant northwest flow for southern WI. The
ECWMF allows for a shortwave to ride the surface ridge and clip
southern WI Thursday afternoon and night. The slightly more active
northwest flow will stick around through Friday before drier and
cooler high pressure set back in.

Cronce

&&

.AVIATION...
(Issued 911 PM CDT Fri Jul 28 2023)

Scattered diurnal cumulus at 2 to 4 kft is developing across the
area, with deep convection and potential for damaging wind and
large hail expected to develop this evening. Thunderstorm
activity will progress southeastward through the region and exit
during the late overnight hours. Ceilings underneath thunderstorms
may fall to or below MVFR conditions. Skies will clear quickly
into Saturday midday, with northerly winds expected throughout
the day.

MH

&&

.MARINE...
(Issued 239 PM CDT Fri Jul 28 2023)

Thunderstorms are expected through much of the overnight hours
across the lake as a cold front slowly sinks through the region.
Severe storms are expected, especially across southern Lake
Michigan.

Winds will become northeasterly overnight and continue through
Sunday. This will lead to wave heights in the 2 to 4 foot range
and some gusts nearing Small Craft Advisory criteria, although
conditions look to remain just below criteria for now. High
pressure will build in across the lake Sunday night, leading to
lighter winds through Monday.

MH

&&

.MKX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WI...None.
LM...None.
&&

Visit us at weather.gov/milwaukee

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube at:
www.facebook.com/NWSMilwaukee
www.twitter.com/NWSMilwaukee
www.youtube.com/NWSMilwaukee

Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 28, 9:17 PM CDT, 47 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
917 PM CDT Fri Jul 28 2023

WIZ046-047-051-052-056>060-062>072-300230-
Marquette-Green Lake-Fond du Lac-Sheboygan-Sauk-Columbia-Dodge-
Washington-Ozaukee-Iowa-Dane-Jefferson-Waukesha-Milwaukee-
Lafayette-Green-Rock-Walworth-Racine-Kenosha-
917 PM CDT Fri Jul 28 2023

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of
east central Wisconsin, south central Wisconsin
and southeast Wisconsin.

.DAY ONE...Tonight

Severe thunderstorms are expected until after midnight tonight.
All hazards are possible, especially damaging winds over 70 mph.

A moderate swim risk is expected for the lakefront overnight
tonight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Friday

A moderate swim risk is forecast for the lakefront through
Saturday.

There is a slight chance for thunderstorms late Wednesday night
through Thursday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed.

LMZ643>646-300230-
Sheboygan to Port Washington WI-
Port Washington to North Point Light WI-
North Point Light to Wind Point WI-
Wind Point WI to Winthrop Harbor IL-
917 PM CDT Fri Jul 28 2023

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the nearshore waters
from Sheboygan Wisconsin to Winthrop Harbor Illinois.

.DAY ONE...Tonight

Severe thunderstorms are likely into the overnight hours.

Nearshore conditions may approach Small Craft Advisory criteria
late tonight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Friday

Nearshore conditions may approach Small Craft Advisory criteria
Saturday.

There is a slight chance for thunderstorms late Wednesday night
through Thursday.

LMZ080-261-362-364-366-563-565-567-669-671-673-675-777-779-868-
870-872-874-876-878-300230-
Lake Michigan Michigan City IN to St. Joseph MI 5 NM offshore to
mid-line of lake.-
Lake Michigan from Seul Choix Point to Rock Island Passage 5NM
offshore to Mid Lake-
Lake Michigan South of a line from Seul Choix Point to the
Mackinac Bridge and North of a line from Charlevoix MI to South
Fox Island 5NM offshore-
Lake Michigan from Charlevoix to Point Betsie MI 5NM Offshore to
mid lake-
Lake Michigan from Point Betsie to Manistee MI 5NM offshore to
Mid Lake-
Lake Michigan from Rock Island Passage to Sturgeon Bay WI 5NM
offshore to mid lake-
Lake Michigan from Sturgeon Bay to Two Rivers WI 5NM offshore to
Mid Lake-
Lake Michigan from Two Rivers to Sheboygan WI 5NM offshore to Mid
Lake-
Lake Michigan from Sheboygan to Port Washington WI 5NM offshore
to Mid Lake-
Lake Michigan from Port Washington to North Point Light WI 5NM
offshore to Mid Lake-
Lake Michigan from North Point Light to Wind Point WI 5NM
offshore to Mid Lake-
Lake Michigan from Wind Point WI to Winthrop Harbor IL 5NM
offshore to Mid Lake-
Lake Michigan from Winthrop Harbor to Wilmette Harbor IL 5NM
offshore to Mid Lake-
Lake Michigan from Wilmette Harbor to Michigan City in 5NM
offshore to Mid Lake-
Lake Michigan from Pentwater to Manistee MI 5NM offshore to Mid
Lake-
Lake Michigan from Whitehall to Pentwater MI 5NM offshore to Mid
Lake-
Lake Michigan from Grand Haven to Whitehall MI 5NM offshore to
Mid Lake-
Lake Michigan from Holland to Grand Haven MI 5NM offshore to Mid
Lake-
Lake Michigan from South Haven to Holland MI 5NM offshore to Mid
lake-
Lake Michigan from St Joseph to South Haven MI 5NM offshore to
Mid Lake-
917 PM CDT Fri Jul 28 2023

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the open waters of Lake
Michigan.

.DAY ONE...Tonight

Severe thunderstorms are are likely into the overnight hours,
especially over the south half of the lake.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Friday

There is a slight chance for thunderstorms Thursday.

MRC

www.weather.gov/mkx

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 28, 8:47 PM CDT, 1 hour 17 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
847 PM CDT Fri Jul 28 2023

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

0840 PM     Hail             Waterford               42.76N 88.22W
07/28/2023  E1.00 inch       Racine             WI   Public

            Report relayed from social media.

&&

TP

Local storm report, Jul 28, 9:20 PM CDT, 44 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
920 PM CDT Fri Jul 28 2023

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

0840 PM     Hail             1 SSW Waterford North   42.78N 88.23W
07/28/2023  E2.50 inch       Racine             WI   Public

            Reports from MPING and through Twitter.

&&

AB

Local storm report, Jul 28, 9:41 PM CDT, 23 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
941 PM CDT Fri Jul 28 2023

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

0925 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     Lone Rock Airport       43.18N 90.18W
07/28/2023  M77 MPH          Sauk               WI   Official NWS Obs

            Lone Rock airport observation 67 kt/77 MPH.

&&

AB

Local storm report, Jul 28, 9:44 PM CDT, 20 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
944 PM CDT Fri Jul 28 2023

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

0942 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     Kingston                43.69N 89.13W
07/28/2023  E55 MPH          Green Lake         WI   Emergency Mngr

            Wind gusts to 55mph have been reported out
            of the village of Kingston and Marquette.

&&

TP

Local storm report, Jul 28, 9:53 PM CDT, 11 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
953 PM CDT Fri Jul 28 2023

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

0947 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     2 NNE Maple Bluff       43.13N 89.35W
07/28/2023  M58 MPH          Dane               WI   ASOS

            ASOS station KMSN Madison-Dane County
            Airport.

&&

MRC

Local storm report, Jul 28, 10:00 PM CDT, 4 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
1000 PM CDT Fri Jul 28 2023

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

0836 PM     Hail             Waterford               42.76N 88.22W
07/28/2023  M2.50 inch       Racine             WI   Public

            Picture via Facebook.

&&

AB

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Jul 28, 7:03 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	MKX	Iowa, Lafayette	57 min
Jul 28, 7:10 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	MKX	Lafayette	35 min
Jul 28, 7:39 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	MKX	Lafayette	51 min
Jul 28, 7:41 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	MKX	Lafayette	20 min
Jul 28, 7:58 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MKX	Racine, Walworth, Waukesha	47 min
Jul 28, 8:14 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MKX	Walworth	41 min
Jul 28, 8:17 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MKX	Rock	22 min
Jul 28, 8:17 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MKX	Sauk	43 min
Jul 28, 8:37 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MKX	Racine	38 min
Jul 28, 8:38 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MKX	Columbia, Marquette, Sauk	67 min
Jul 28, 8:49 PM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	MKX	Green, Iowa, Lafayette	4 hr
Jul 28, 8:58 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	MKX	Columbia, Sauk	26 min
Jul 28, 9:01 PM CDT	Special Marine Warning	MKX		59 min
Jul 28, 9:21 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	MKX	Columbia, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Green Lake	54 min
Jul 28, 9:27 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	MKX	Dane, Iowa, Jefferson	63 min
Jul 28, 9:28 PM CDT	Special Marine Warning	MKX		47 min
Jul 28, 9:39 PM CDT	Special Marine Warning	MKX		96 min
Jul 28, 9:44 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	MKX	Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Jefferson	46 min
Jul 28, 9:59 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	MKX	Dane, Green, Jefferson, Rock, Walworth, Waukesha	61 min
Jul 28, 10:04 PM CDT	Special Marine Warning	MKX		56 min
Jul 28, 10:25 PM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	MKX	Dane	2 hr
Jul 28, 10:26 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	MKX	Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, Waukesha	49 min
Jul 28, 10:29 PM CDT	Special Marine Warning	MKX		2 hr
Jul 28, 10:33 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	MKX	Racine, Walworth, Waukesha	27 min
Jul 28, 10:39 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	MKX	Kenosha, Racine, Walworth	51 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Wisconsin, 2023 Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2023

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.