Alert archive / Wisconsin / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2024
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 59, NWS Milwaukee, WI
NWS Milwaukee, WI issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 21, 2024, 6:03 PM CDT for Iowa County, Lafayette County, Wisconsin. It was in force for 42 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 21, 2024, 6:03 PM CDT (23:03 UTC)
- Expired
- May 21, 2024, 6:45 PM CDT
- In force
- 42 min
- Issued by
- NWS Milwaukee, WI
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Hail
- 1.0 in
- Wind
- 60.0 mph
Counties Iowa County, WI, Lafayette County, WI
The radar
The Milwaukee radar (KMKX), 130 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:06 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 21, 3:58 PM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 9 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Davenport, (KDVN), launched 12:00Z, 11.1 hours before the alert went out and 138 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 1292 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -75 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1074 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 34 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 21 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 63 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.1
- Supercell composite
- 1.4
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 May 21, 4:51 PM CDT, 1 hour 12 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- A Tornado Watch has been issued for most of southern Wisconsin until midnight, with multiple rounds of strong to severe storms possible.
- Isolated thunderstorms have developed over south-central and southwestern Wisconsin late this afternoon. Some of these storms could be severe through early evening. Large hail, damaging winds, and isolated tornadoes are all possible.
- Additional showers and thunderstorms will move in from the west this evening. Severe weather will also be possible in this activity. Damaging winds will be the primary concern, though hail and isolated tornadoes are also possible.
- Marine Dense Fog will continue to decrease in coverage through the afternoon.
Area forecast discussion, May 21, 4:51 PM CDT, 1 hour 12 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion...CORRECTED
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
451 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024
.KEY MESSAGES...
- A Tornado Watch has been issued for most of southern Wisconsin
until midnight, with multiple rounds of strong to severe
storms possible.
- Isolated thunderstorms have developed over south-central and
southwestern Wisconsin late this afternoon. Some of these
storms could be severe through early evening. Large hail,
damaging winds, and isolated tornadoes are all possible.
- Additional showers and thunderstorms will move in from the west
this evening. Severe weather will also be possible in this
activity. Damaging winds will be the primary concern, though
hail and isolated tornadoes are also possible.
- Marine Dense Fog will continue to decrease in coverage through
the afternoon.
&&
.UPDATE...
Issued 420 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024
...TORNADO WATCH 279 IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT FOR MOST OF
SOUTHERN WISCONSIN...
In coordination with the Storm Prediction Center, a tornado
watch has been issued for most of southern Wisconsin until
midnight. This watch includes the Madison metro. The city of
Milwaukee/Milwaukee County are not included in this initial
watch. A weak surface warm front is draped across the region
late this afternoon, with current analyses placing the boundary
along an approximate Lone Rock - Madison - Burlington line.
Winds have turned out of the southeast along/south of the
boundary, with stations in the warm sector reporting
temperatures in the 80s and dew points in the mid-upper 60s.
Likely encouraged by this boundary, widely scattered
thunderstorms have initiated & tracked into southwestern
Wisconsin over the last 30 mins, with severe warnings currently
in effect for Iowa and Lafayette Cos. A near term (next 1-2
hours) large hail and damaging wind threat will persist with
this activity, though the longevity of the threat deeper into
the evening/when storms move north of the front is unclear.
Given an environment characterized by abundant low level shear
south of the warm front, a tornado threat will exist in storms
remaining south of the front.
A several hour lull between this leading batch of storms and
additional activity over Iowa is anticipated. We expect these
storms to begin moving in following 7 PM, with activity pushing
through the region through midnight. Damaging winds will be a
concern in these storms, in addition to the potential for line-
embedded/spin up tornadoes. Have multiple ways to receive
warning information through this evening, and be prepared to
move to shelter if a warning is issued for your area.
Quigley
&&
.SHORT TERM...
Issued 244 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024
Tonight through Wednesday night:
Low to mid level warm, moist advection continues from IA into
WI. The sfc warm front is currently stalled and stretches from
near Lake Geneva to just south of Madison. This area of 1000-925
mb frontogenesis then extends south through ern IA into ne MO.
A strong storm has developed along this boundary west of
Dubuque. Isold SVR storms will continue to be possible until
the more widespread convection arrives this evening.
The warm front should still move toward central WI by early
evening as the deepening sfc low over wrn IA tracks to just
west of KMSP by 00Z Wed. The amplifying upper wave, strong cold
front, and a broken to solid line of convection will then sweep
across WI this evening. Mdt to strong deep layer shear and
strong low level shear is present but there are limiting factors
to the severe potential this evening. An area of high MLCIN
exists over far wrn WI into ne IA where rounds of storms have
kept the warm front from advancing nwd. Also, an incoming warm
layer from 800-700 MB could yield a high LFC and very low 0-3 km
CAPE even after the warm front advances. In addition, boundary
layer cooling will begin to occur as sunset approaches. Although
there would still be some tornado risk over south central WI,
damaging winds and hail may be more probable. The warm layer and
building MLCIN could then actually cause the line to dissipate
over far se WI as indicated by some CAMs.
Cold advection to then take hold into Wed AM with a shortwave
trough to pass in the afternoon. Despite the trough, drying
conditions should bring some sunshine for the afternoon and high
temps in the lower 70s. High pressure will then pass to the
south Wed nt with lgt swly winds over srn WI.
Gehring
&&
.LONG TERM...
Issued 244 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024
Thursday through Tuesday:
Height rises associated with an upper level ridge will propagate
eastward across Wisconsin on Thursday which combined with surface
high pressure and dry air throughout the column will allow for dry
and sunny weather with highs in the upper 70s.
Showers and storms are expected to return Friday as the next
500hPa shortwave trough ejects off the Rocky Mountains and
traverses the northern Great Plains Thursday afternoon and
overnight. Current model guidance depicts this trough taking on
more of a negative tilt as it moves towards Wisconsin with a
deepening low pressure system at the surface moving northeastward
across Minnesota. Model soundings indicate decent mid-level lapse
rates and CAPE values as well as modest 0-6km wind shear in the
afternoon with a surface cold front progged to move across the
state throughout the day which would prove to be a forcing
mechanism. The mesoscale parameters combined with the upper level
dynamics suggests there may be potential for stronger storms on
Friday. However, there is the issue of potential morning
convection depleting the environment of these better conditions,
leading to uncertainty in the potential strength of Friday storms.
Discrepancy between the models still exists with the GFS
indicating a faster and stronger solution as compared to the
Euro/Canadian which would impact the strength of storms. These
variations will dissipate over the next few days though and we
should get a clearer picture as we get closer to Friday.
Upper level ridging and surface high pressure will briefly pass
through Wisconsin Saturday before yet another upper level
shortwave trough and associated surface low deepen across the
Plains before moving towards Wisconsin. There is again
discrepancy between the models with the location and path of this
low on Sunday with the Euro/Canadian bringing the low into
southern Wisconsin allowing for shower/storm chances across our
area while the GFS keeps the low further south across Illinois and
Indiana with the Wisconsin/Illinois border perhaps seeing a
little precipitation. Have gone with 30%-40% PoPs Sunday into
early Monday given the uncertainty associated with this system.
Weak upper level ridging will move through Wisconsin Monday and
should provide for drier conditions early next week.
Falkinham
Gehring
&&
.AVIATION...
Issued 244 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024
The Cigs well below 1 kft north of the MKE metro area will
dissipate by late afternoon or early evening. Otherwise
isolated strong to severe storms will move across south central
WI this afternoon followed by a north to south line moving ewd
across srn WI for the evening hours. After the cold front
passes, MVFR Cigs are expected to develop over much of srn WI
and continue into Wed AM before dissipating by afternoon. LLWS
is expected this evening due to a strong swly low level jet
stream.
Gehring
&&
.MARINE...
Issued 244 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024
Low pressure around 29.3 inches over western Iowa will deepen to
29.1 inches by early evening just northwest of Minneapolis, then
track to western Ontario by sunrise Wednesday. East to southeast
winds will increase this afternoon as a warm front approaches,
becoming breezy south winds, possibly approaching gale force, as
the front moves northward across the lake this evening. Areas of
dense fog should dissipate by early this evening over the south
half of the lake.
A strong cold front will then veer the winds to southwesterly
late tonight with the breezy winds continuing over the north half
of the lake through Wednesday. Light to modest southwest winds
will then prevail over the entire lake for Wednesday night and
Thursday. Widespread thunderstorms are expected tonight and may
contain strong, damaging winds.
A Small Craft Advisory is in effect from Sheboygan to Winthrop
Harbor tnt-Wed for breezy southerly winds and high waves.
Gehring
&&
.MKX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WI...None.
LM...Dense Fog Advisory...LMZ080-LMZ643-LMZ644-LMZ645-LMZ646-LMZ669-
LMZ671-LMZ673-LMZ675-LMZ777-LMZ779-LMZ870-LMZ872-LMZ874-
LMZ876-LMZ878 until 7 PM Tuesday.
Small Craft Advisory...LMZ645-LMZ646 until 10 AM Wednesday.
Small Craft Advisory...LMZ643-LMZ644 until 4 PM Wednesday.
&&
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www.youtube.com/NWSMilwaukeeHazardous weather outlook, May 21, 4:06 PM CDT, 1 hour 57 minutes before
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</html>In the hours before
Local storm report, May 21, 1:14 PM CDT, 4 hours 49 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
114 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1248 PM Hail 3 NNE Stoughton 42.96N 89.21W
05/21/2024 M1.00 Inch Dane WI Public
Hail at least 1 inch in diameter via social
media video.
&&
DDVLocal storm report, May 21, 1:32 PM CDT, 4 hours 31 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
132 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1243 PM Hail 1 NNW Stoughton 42.93N 89.23W
05/21/2024 E1.50 Inch Dane WI Public
Size estimated from social media pic. Time
estimated from radar.
&&
DDVSpecial weather statement, May 21, 4:54 PM CDT, 1 hour 9 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
454 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024
WIZ056-062-063-212230-
Iowa WI-Sauk WI-Dane WI-
454 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN IOWA...WEST CENTRAL
DANE AND SOUTH CENTRAL SAUK COUNTIES THROUGH 530 PM CDT...
At 454 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Dodgeville, moving northeast at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Dodgeville, Mazomanie, Black Earth, Barneveld, Arena, Ridgeway, and
Governor Dodge St Park.
This includes the following highways...
U.S. Highway 18 between mile markers 49 and 58.
U.S. Highway 151 between mile markers 46 and 47.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for south
central Wisconsin.
&&
LAT...LON 4292 9009 4299 9018 4328 8993 4314 8962
TIME...MOT...LOC 2154Z 222DEG 35KT 4303 9004
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
CMILLERLocal storm report, May 21, 5:02 PM CDT, 1 hour 1 minute before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
502 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0450 PM Hail Dodgeville 42.96N 90.13W
05/21/2024 M1.00 Inch Iowa WI Emergency Mngr
&&
DDVThe office that day
Everything else NWS Milwaukee, WI issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 20, 9:15 PM CDT | Small Craft Advisory | MKX | 24 hr | |
| May 20, 11:44 PM CDT | Dense Fog Advisory | MKX | Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Jefferson and 10 more | 10 hr |
| May 21, 4:09 AM CDT | Marine Dense Fog Advisory | MKX | 15 hr | |
| May 21, 12:43 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MKX | Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Jefferson | 28 min |
| May 21, 3:57 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MKX | Iowa, Lafayette | 49 min |
| May 21, 4:45 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MKX | Iowa | 30 min |
| May 21, 4:54 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | MKX | Iowa | 36 min |
| May 21, 6:27 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MKX | Iowa, Lafayette | 48 min |
| May 21, 6:28 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MKX | Sauk | 47 min |
| May 21, 6:47 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MKX | Iowa, Lafayette | 58 min |
| May 21, 6:48 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MKX | Columbia, Dane, Iowa, Sauk | 27 min |
Nearby
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Wisconsin, 2024Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2024
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.