Alert archive / Wisconsin / Tornado Warnings in 2025
Tornado Warning 28, NWS Twin Cities, MN
NWS Twin Cities, MN issued this tornado warning at May 15, 2025, 4:05 PM CDT for Chippewa County, Eau Claire County, Wisconsin. It was in force for 25 min. 22 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, 4:05 PM CDT (21:05 UTC)
- Expired
- May 15, 2025, 4:30 PM CDT
- In force
- 25 min
- Issued by
- NWS Twin Cities, MN
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.0 in
Counties Chippewa County, WI, Eau Claire County, WI
The radar
The La Crosse radar (KARX), 116 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:06 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.
What was reported inside it
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 15, 4:05 PM CDT | HAIL 1 | 2 Ssw Altoona, WI | |
| May 15, 4:09 PM CDT | HAIL 1.5 | 3 Ssw Altoona, WI | measured at the WQOW studios. |
| May 15, 4:11 PM CDT | HAIL 2 | 3 S Eau Claire, WI | picture sent via NWSchat. |
| May 15, 4:12 PM CDT | HAIL 1.5 | 5 S Eau Claire, WI | Report from mPING: Ping Pong Ball (1.50 in.). |
| May 15, 4:12 PM CDT | HAIL 2 | 5 S Altoona, WI | |
| May 15, 4:14 PM CDT | HAIL 1.75 | 2 Sw Altoona, WI | Report from mPING: Golf Ball (1.75 in.). |
| May 15, 4:15 PM CDT | HAIL 1.5 | 1 E Eau Claire, WI | |
| May 15, 4:15 PM CDT | HAIL 2.5 | 1 W Altoona, WI | |
| May 15, 4:15 PM CDT | HAIL 3.5 | Altoona, WI | Relayed with photo from WQOW. |
| May 15, 4:15 PM CDT | HAIL 4 | 2 W Altoona, WI | Relayed with photo by WQOW. |
| May 15, 4:16 PM CDT | HAIL 1.25 | 3 Sw Chippewa Falls, WI | Report from mPING: Half Dollar (1.25 in.). |
| May 15, 4:16 PM CDT | HAIL 2.5 | 1 W Altoona, WI | Damage to siding reported as well. |
| May 15, 4:18 PM CDT | HAIL 2.25 | 3 Ssw Altoona, WI | Corrects previous hail report from 3 SSW Altoona. measured at the WQOW studios. |
| May 15, 4:18 PM CDT | HAIL 2.75 | 3 Ssw Altoona, WI | Corrects previous hail report from 3 SSW Altoona. Corrects previous hail report from 3 SSW Altoona. measured at the WQOW studios. |
| May 15, 4:18 PM CDT | HAIL 2.75 | Altoona, WI | Report from mPING: Baseball (2.75 in.). |
| May 15, 4:18 PM CDT | HAIL 3.75 | 2 Wsw Altoona, WI | Email with picture. |
| May 15, 4:19 PM CDT | HAIL 3 | 2 Wsw Altoona, WI | 3 inch diameter hail measured at the WEAU studios. |
| May 15, 4:20 PM CDT | HAIL 2.25 | 3 Nnw Altoona, WI | |
| May 15, 4:21 PM CDT | HAIL 1 | 2 Ne Eau Claire, WI | Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.). |
| May 15, 4:23 PM CDT | HAIL 2 | 3 Sw Chippewa Falls, WI | Report from mPING: Hen Egg (2.00 in.). |
| May 15, 4:25 PM CDT | HAIL 1.75 | Chippewa Falls, WI | Report from mPING: Golf Ball (1.75 in.). |
| May 15, 4:31 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 5 Ene Chippewa Falls, WI | Delayed report, time estimated from radar. Downed powerline. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
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, 12:46 PM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 7 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 12:00Z, 9.1 hours before the alert went out and 170 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
- 515 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -91 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1098 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 18 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 148 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 141 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 1.0
The text
As transmitted.
017
WFUS53 KMPX 152105
TORMPX
WIC017-035-152130-
/O.NEW.KMPX.TO.W.0028.250515T2105Z-250515T2130Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
405 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025
The National Weather Service in the Twin Cities has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
South Central Chippewa County in west central Wisconsin...
Northwestern Eau Claire County in west central Wisconsin...
* Until 430 PM CDT.
* At 405 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a
tornado was located near Altoona, or 5 miles southeast of Eau
Claire, moving north at 40 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...
Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, Altoona, Lake Hallie, Lake Wissota,
Seymour, Eau Claire Airport and Bateman.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built
building away from 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 4486 9151 4498 9148 4495 9123 4471 9139
4472 9154
TIME...MOT...LOC 2105Z 199DEG 34KT 4475 9145
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
$$
Dye2 follow-up statements
038
WWUS53 KMPX 152112
SVSMPX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
412 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025
WIC017-035-152130-
/O.CON.KMPX.TO.W.0028.000000T0000Z-250515T2130Z/
Chippewa WI-Eau Claire WI-
412 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025
...TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 430 PM CDT FOR SOUTH
CENTRAL CHIPPEWA AND NORTHWESTERN EAU CLAIRE COUNTIES...
At 412 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Altoona, or near Eau Claire, moving north at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and two inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.
Damage to roofs, windows and vehicles will occur. Tree
damage is likely.
Locations impacted include...
Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, Altoona, Lake Hallie, Lake Wissota,
Seymour, Eau Claire Airport and Bateman.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built
building away from windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home,
or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 4486 9151 4498 9148 4495 9123 4476 9136
4478 9153
TIME...MOT...LOC 2105Z 199DEG 34KT 4475 9145
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.00 IN
$$
Dye177
WWUS53 KMPX 152125
SVSMPX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
425 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025
WIC017-035-152135-
/O.EXP.KMPX.TO.W.0028.000000T0000Z-250515T2130Z/
Chippewa WI-Eau Claire WI-
425 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025
...TORNADO WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 430 PM CDT FOR SOUTH CENTRAL
CHIPPEWA AND NORTHWESTERN EAU CLAIRE COUNTIES...
The tornado threat has diminished and the Tornado Warning has been
cancelled. However, large hail and damaging winds remain likely and
a Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect for the area. To
report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement agency.
They will send your report to the National Weather Service office.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT for a portion of
west central Wisconsin.
&&
LAT...LON 4486 9151 4498 9148 4495 9123 4476 9136
4478 9153
TIME...MOT...LOC 2112Z 199DEG 34KT 4481 9142
$$
DyeThe office that day
Everything else NWS Twin Cities, MN issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 15, 1:55 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Pierce | 35 min |
| May 15, 2:31 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Pepin, Pierce, Saint Croix | 44 min |
| May 15, 2:53 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MPX | Pierce | 22 min |
| May 15, 3:01 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MPX | Dunn, Pepin, Pierce | 14 min |
| May 15, 3:07 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MPX | Saint Croix | 23 min |
| May 15, 3:15 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MPX | Dunn, Pepin, Pierce | 30 min |
| May 15, 3:25 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MPX | Polk, Saint Croix | 35 min |
| May 15, 3:30 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MPX | Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin | 30 min |
| May 15, 3:41 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MPX | Dunn | 20 min |
| May 15, 3:49 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MPX | Polk | 26 min |
| May 15, 3:58 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Barron, Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin, Rusk | 47 min |
| May 15, 4:16 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Barron, Polk | 29 min |
| May 15, 4:43 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Barron, Chippewa, Eau Claire, Rusk | 47 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.