Alert archive / Wisconsin / Tornado Warnings in 2025
Tornado Warning 10, NWS Green Bay, WI
NWS Green Bay, WI issued this tornado warning at May 15, 2025, 6:17 PM CDT for Lincoln County, Wisconsin. It was in force for 17 min. 2 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.
The facts
- Issued
- May 15, 2025, 6:17 PM CDT (23:17 UTC)
- Expired
- May 15, 2025, 6:34 PM CDT
- In force
- 17 min
- Issued by
- NWS Green Bay, WI
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.75 in
County Lincoln County, WI
The radar
The Green Bay radar (KGRB), 162 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:18 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.
What was reported inside it
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 15, 6:21 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 2 W Merrill, WI | Strong winds caused roof damage. |
| May 15, 6:21 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 2 W Merrill, WI | Strong winds caused roof damage. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
Did it verify
Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this tornado warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.
Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.
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 15, 3:05 PM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 6 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Green Bay/Straub, WI (KGRB), launched 12:00Z, 11.3 hours before the alert went out and 163 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
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1019 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 22 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- -10 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 22 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
109
WFUS53 KGRB 152317
TORGRB
WIC069-160000-
/O.NEW.KGRB.TO.W.0010.250515T2317Z-250516T0000Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service GREEN BAY WI
Issued by National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
617 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025
The National Weather Service in GREEN BAY has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Central Lincoln County in north central Wisconsin...
* Until 700 PM CDT.
* At 616 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms capable of producing both
tornadoes and extensive straight line wind damage were located near
Council Grounds State Park, or 19 miles northwest of Wausau, moving
northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.
Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree
damage is likely.
* Locations impacted include...
Merrill, Tomahawk, Council Grounds State Park, Birch Trails Girl
Scout Camp, Gilbert, New Wood Wildlife Area, Bill Cross Rapids
Wildlife Area, Otis, and Irma.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 4551 8987 4538 8946 4512 8971 4512 8994
4525 9000
TIME...MOT...LOC 2316Z 218DEG 24KT 4522 8982
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
WAGNER1 follow-up statement
846
WWUS53 KGRB 152334
SVSGRB
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service GREEN BAY WI
Issued by National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
634 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025
WIC069-152344-
/O.CAN.KGRB.TO.W.0010.000000T0000Z-250516T0000Z/
Lincoln WI-
634 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR CENTRAL LINCOLN COUNTY IS CANCELLED...
The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer appears capable of producing a tornado.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled. However, gusty winds are
still possible with this thunderstorm.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for central and
north central Wisconsin.
Remember, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning still remains in effect for
Lincoln and surrounding counties.
LAT...LON 4551 8987 4538 8946 4512 8971 4512 8994
4525 9000
TIME...MOT...LOC 2332Z 218DEG 24KT 4532 8971
$$
WAGNERWhat forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this tornado warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Green Bay, WI wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at May 15, 4:00 PM CDT, 2 hours 17 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Marine Dense Fog Advisory for the nearshore areas of Lake Michigan through the early evening. A Small Craft Advisory
- A broken line of strong thunderstorms will cross northern WI between 4 and 9 PM today. Some severe storms are likely with the passage of a cold front. All hazards possible over central WI and large hail possible over eastern WI.
- Another period of showers and weak storms expected Friday with some potential for gusty winds with some of these showers/storms.
Area forecast discussion, May 15, 4:00 PM CDT, 2 hours 17 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Green Bay WI
Issued by National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
400 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Marine Dense Fog Advisory for the nearshore areas of Lake
Michigan through the early evening. A Small Craft Advisory
- A broken line of strong thunderstorms will cross northern WI
between 4 and 9 PM today. Some severe storms are likely with
the passage of a cold front. All hazards possible over central
WI and large hail possible over eastern WI.
- Another period of showers and weak storms expected Friday with
some potential for gusty winds with some of these
showers/storms.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 304 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025
The Rest of this Afternoon through Friday Night:
A broken line of cellular storms has broken out, currently from
Eau Claire down to Madison WI. This is line is expected to
develop further and ramp up in intensity this evening. Hail and
gusty winds are expected, owing to SBCAPE around 2500 J/kg amid
effective shear around 40 knots. A couple tornadoes also look
possible, given effective SRH values around 200 m2/s2 over much
of NE WI, and an effective warm front parked from the Fox
Valley up through Marathon and Lincoln County. The peak timing
for storms looks to be from 5pm through 8pm this evening as the
broken line moves northeast. A Tornado Watch is out from now
through 10pm over much of our CWA.
Storms will quickly move through and a dry punch aloft will
clear out skies fairly quickly behind the storms. There will be
a bit of a lull overnight, but tomorrow, enhanced mixing will
lead to gusty southwest winds with some scattered gusts to 40
mph. A secondary shortwave pivoting around an upper level low
and lingering moisture will squeeze out some more scattered
thunderstorm activity in the afternoon. Very dry low levels and
the high based nature of the storms will cause the potential for
gusty winds with any storms that get established enough in the
environment.
Saturday through Wednesday
The upper low will linger into Saturday. Cooler conditions are
expected due to clouds and the cooler air aloft and highs will
top out in the low to mid 60. Diurnally driven scattered
showers may occur through the day. This upper low should move
east on Sunday, restoring relative high pressure, but clouds
will likely linger along with cooler temperatures as winds will
come around to northeasterly. By late in the extended period, a
large low pressure system is expected to approach the upper
Midwest Monday into Tuesday, bringing a prolonged period of
showery rain and clouds to the area. Winds will remain
northeasterly off of the lake, keeping our CWA cool with highs
in the 50s.
&&
.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 304 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025
Current conditions still largely remain VFR across the CWA with
SCT to CLR conditions most everywhere save for areas from west
of KGRB to KCWA where BKN040 is largely present. A line of
storms currently present, arching from KMSN to KMSP, and this
line should continue to develop and move northeast between now
and 03z this evening. These storms will feature gusty winds, and
large hail. Following storms, skies are expected to remain
clear overnight as a dry slot moves in, with mostly clear winds.
VFR ceilings return tomorrow afternoon with sfc wind gusts
becoming strong out of the southwest to 35 knots in spots. There
may be additional scattered thunderstorm development in the
afternoon with gusty winds being the primary threat.
&&
.MARINE...
Issued at 304 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025
Marine dense fog will continue into this evening until
thunderstorms and a front pass during the early evening hours. A
small craft advisory will also continue into tonight on
southeast winds. Following the passage of the front, winds
should ease for a time overnight and then come around to
southwesterly by tomorrow at dawn. Gusty southwesterly winds are
then expected to pick up leading to a potential second period of
Small Craft Advisory conditions during tomorrow afternoon.
&&
.GRB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WI...None.
MARINE...Dense Fog Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for LMZ521-522-
541>543.
Small Craft Advisory until 1 AM CDT Friday for LMZ522.
Small Craft Advisory until 11 PM CDT this evening for LMZ542-
543.
&&
DISCUSSION...
AVIATION...
MARINE...Hazardous weather outlook, May 15, 3:08 PM CDT, 3 hours 9 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Green Bay WI Issued by National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI 308 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025 WIZ005-010>013-018>022-030-031-035>040-045-048>050-073-074-162015- Vilas-Oneida-Forest-Florence-Northern Marinette County-Lincoln- Langlade-Menominee-Northern Oconto County-Door-Marathon-Shawano- Wood-Portage-Waupaca-Outagamie-Brown-Kewaunee-Waushara-Winnebago- Calumet-Manitowoc-Southern Marinette County- Southern Oconto County- 308 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north-central and northeast Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...Tonight A line of strong thunderstorms will cross northern WI between 4 and 9 PM this afternoon into tonight. Severe storms are likely with all hazards possible over central WI and large hail possible over eastern WI. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Thursday Gusty southwest winds up to 45 mph are possible for the Fox Valley on Friday. Showers and another round of storms may bring gusty winds Friday afternoon. Thunderstorms may return Tuesday into Wednesday of next week. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will be needed this afternoon and evening. Your reports are appreciated. LMZ521-522-541>543-162015- The Bay of Green Bay south of a line from Cedar River MI to Rock Island Passage-Lake Michigan from Washington Island to Sheboygan- 308 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northwest Lake Michigan and the waters of Green Bay. .DAY ONE...Tonight A Marine Dense Fog Advisory remains in effect through the early evening. Small Craft Advisory in effect this afternoon through much of the evening for the southern portion of the Bay of Green Bay as well as in the nearshore from Sturgeon Bay to Sheboygan. Thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and evening. Some of the storms could become severe. The primary hazard will be large hail. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Thursday Hazardous conditions for small craft are possible Friday through Saturday due to high winds, particularly for Lake Michigan nearshore waters.
In the hours before
Local storm report, May 15, 6:06 PM CDT, 11 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Green Bay WI
606 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0557 PM Tornado 2 WSW Bancroft 44.30N 89.55W
05/15/2025 Portage WI Public
Brief Tornado reported from public via Law
Enforcement.
&&Local storm report, May 15, 6:07 PM CDT, 10 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Green Bay WI
607 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0606 PM Hail 4 NNW Bancroft 44.36N 89.54W
05/15/2025 E1.50 Inch Portage WI Local Official
&&Local storm report, May 15, 6:08 PM CDT, 9 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Green Bay WI
608 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0600 PM Hail 1 N Stratford 44.81N 90.08W
05/15/2025 M0.70 Inch Marathon WI Trained Spotter
Reported on slack from trained spotter.
&&
JFThe office that day
Everything else NWS Green Bay, WI issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 14, 8:14 PM CDT | Dense Fog Advisory | GRB | Brown, Door, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marinette, Oconto | 15 hr |
| May 15, 4:06 AM CDT | Small Craft Advisory | GRB | 19 hr | |
| May 15, 4:20 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GRB | Portage, Wood | 55 min |
| May 15, 4:50 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GRB | Marathon | 55 min |
| May 15, 5:11 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | GRB | Portage, Wood | 49 min |
| May 15, 5:12 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | GRB | Marathon, Wood | 48 min |
| May 15, 5:24 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GRB | Portage, Waushara | 66 min |
| May 15, 5:24 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | GRB | Marathon | 51 min |
| May 15, 5:46 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | GRB | Marathon, Portage | 44 min |
| May 15, 5:46 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | GRB | Portage, Waupaca, Waushara | 44 min |
| May 15, 5:51 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GRB | Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Oneida, Portage, Wood | 39 min |
| May 15, 6:05 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | GRB | Marathon | 55 min |
| May 15, 6:16 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | GRB | Portage | 34 min |
| May 15, 6:20 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GRB | Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Oneida | 55 min |
| May 15, 6:37 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GRB | Portage, Waupaca | 38 min |
| May 15, 6:39 PM CDT | Special Marine Warning | GRB | 2 hr | |
| May 15, 6:53 PM CDT | Special Marine Warning | GRB | 112 min |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in Wisconsin, 2025Every tornado warning in 2025Tornadoes in 2025
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.