River Flood Warning 38, NWS La Crosse, WI

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
155 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Heavy rainfall and flooding is expected this afternoon and
  evening generally for those along I-90 and south. Additional
  rainfall amounts of 1-3 inches are possible (30-60%).

- Strong to severe storms move through northeast Iowa into
  southwest Wisconsin this afternoon into this evening. The
  primary hazard is damaging wind, but a few isolated tornadoes
  cannot be ruled out.

- A wet holiday weekend is in store for the region as chances
  for showers and storms exist each day, though potential is
  greatest on Independence Day (50-80%). Additional rainfall
  amounts of of 1+ inches are possible Saturday through Monday
  (10-30%).

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 156 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

This Afternoon - Friday Morning: Severe, Heavy Rainfall, and
Flooding Potential

A quasi-stationary boundary laid out west-east across the Upper
Mississippi River Valley has been the primary catalyst for showers
and storms last night and through the morning hours today. This is
no different for this afternoon and evening as a shortwave lifts
northeastward while a strengthening low level jet transports
additional moisture into the boundary. At risk of sounding like a
broken record, showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop in
response to these forcings, but confidence in how things play out is
low.

Of greatest concern at the moment is additional heavy rainfall and
flooding potential this afternoon into tonight. Portions of
southeast Minnesota have received 3 to 5 inches of rain through 12
PM CDT resulting in flooded roadways and streams. The 02.12z REFS
suggests a 30-60% chance for amounts greater than 3 inches through
Friday morning primarily along the Minnesota/Iowa border, but does
extend into parts of western Wisconsin and further south into Iowa
towards Dubuque. The 02.12z REFS/HREF LPMM also suggest some
localized areas of up to 5 inches may occur. Additional river and
street flooding will likely occur given the plethora of rain over
the last several days. As such, have issued a Flood Watch to account
for the potential.

Transitioning away from the heavy rainfall, storms that develop are
expected to become strong to severe across northeast Iowa and
southwest Wisconsin, south of the aforementioned boundary. SPC Meso
Analysis suggests 2500-3500 J/kg of SBCAPE exist across this region
along with effective bulk shear profiles exceeding 40kts. Given high
PWAT values and strong mid-level flow, the primary hazard is
expected to be damaging wind gusts although a few tornadoes also
can't be ruled out given 0-1km SRH values of 70-90 m2/s2 and
surface vorticity ingestion from the boundary spanning the
region. Large hail remains a lower threat given poor mid-level
lapse rates and warm temperatures aloft, but also can't be ruled
out in supercells structures that develop.

Storms look to exit the region this evening with a bit of a lull
overnight, but confidence remains low as various CAM guidance
provides a multitude of solutions. That said, as we head into Friday
morning, the 02.12z HRRR suggests that another storm complex moves
through the region again bringing the potential for damaging winds
though the strongest instability looks to be situated south of our
area. The evolution of this complex will likely rely on how the rest
of this afternoon plays out. That said, our area is highlighted
in a level 2/5 slight risk for severe weather by the SPC.

Holiday Weekend - Next Week: Wet then Drier

Friday afternoon may ultimately end up dry depending on how the
morning goes. Upper level ridging looks to build across the region,
forcing shortwaves away from the area. Several of the CAM
solutions fail to convect through the afternoon, though the
02.12z HRRR/RAP do suggest some potential (30-50%) for showers
and storms as a shortwave sinks into the region on top of the
ridge, primarily along and east of the Mississippi River.
Independence Day sees far greater probabilities for showers and
storms as a stronger shortwave/closed upper low traverses over
the aforementioned ridge (50-80%).

Beyond the weekend, ensemble guidance is beginning to
suggest that Monday into Tuesday should finally be a dry couple
of days (knock on wood) as high pressure sinks southward into
the Upper Midwest.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 1240 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

Showers and storms continue across the region this afternoon,
generally along a line from central Wisconsin into northeast
Iowa. Coverage of these showers and storms is expected to
increase through the afternoon into this evening, but the
greatest impacts look to be primarily be along and south of
I-90. A bit of a lull in storm activity is possible overnight
generally from 06z-12z, but there is a lot of uncertainty
regarding this as model solutions vary quite a bit in
timing/placement of storms. Showers/storms move eastward towards
the end of the TAF period.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
Issued at 149 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

Rainfall totals exceeding 3-5 inches have been observed across
the Upper Mississippi River last night into today with some
locations having received upwards of 7 inches. Additional
rainfall in the 1-3 inch range is expected overnight (30-60%)
generally along and south of I-90 per the 02.12z REFS/HREF. The
02.12z REFS/HREF LPMM even suggests upwards of 5 inches could
occur. Areas that see additional rainfall through the afternoon
into the evening will be at risk for additional flooding impacts
and as such a Flood Watch has been issued for counties
generally along I-90 and south.

&&

.ARX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WI...Flood Watch through Friday morning for WIZ041-042-053>055-061.
MN...Flood Watch through Friday morning for MNZ087-088-094>096.
IA...Flood Watch through Friday morning for IAZ008>011-018-019-029-
     030.

&&

DISCUSSION...Falkinham
AVIATION...Falkinham
HYDROLOGY...Falkinham

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
1113 AM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

IAZ008>011-018-019-029-030-MNZ079-086>088-094>096-WIZ017-029-
032>034-041>044-053>055-061-032015-
Mitchell-Howard-Winneshiek-Allamakee-Floyd-Chickasaw-Fayette-
Clayton-Wabasha-Dodge-Olmsted-Winona-Mower-Fillmore-Houston-
Taylor-Clark-Buffalo-Trempealeau-Jackson-La Crosse-Monroe-Juneau-
Adams-Vernon-Crawford-Richland-Grant-
1113 AM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southeast
Minnesota...northeast Iowa and southwest into central Wisconsin.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

Periodic storms will occur through tonight. Some of the storms
may become severe this afternoon and tonight. The main threats
will be damaging winds, hail, and potentially a tornado.

Elevated water levels are present across much of the area and
additional moderate to heavy rain will accompany any
thunderstorms. Additional flooding and water rises are possible
today and tonight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday

Periodic thunderstorms will occur Friday and Saturday. Some of
these may become severe, especially storms early Friday morning.

Elevated water levels are present across much of the area and
additional moderate to heavy rain will accompany any thunderstorms
that occur through Friday and Saturday. Additional flooding and
water rises are possible Friday and Saturday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters may be needed periodically into the weekend.

.EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATION...

A webinar is scheduled for this afternoon at 2 PM.

APF

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
1105 AM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

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

0504 AM     Flood            6 SSE La Crosse         43.75N 91.19W
07/02/2026                   La Crosse          WI   Law Enforcement

            Delayed report: Water over roadway of Old
            Town Hall Road. Time of flooding unknown.

&&

JAW

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
1106 AM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

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

0405 AM     Flood            Rockland                43.91N 90.93W
07/02/2026                   La Crosse          WI   Public

            Delayed report: Water over roadway of CTH U
            near Rockland. Time estimated. Water has
            receded.

&&

JAW

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
1110 AM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

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

0609 AM     Flood            5 SSE La Crosse         43.76N 91.21W
07/02/2026                   La Crosse          WI   Law Enforcement

            Delayed report of flood debris impacting
            railroad. Time estimated.

&&

JAW

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
138 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

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

0101 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     3 E Charles City        43.06N 92.61W
07/02/2026  M59 MPH          Floyd              IA   Public

            Personal weather station.

&&

APF

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
220 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

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

1120 AM     Flood            4 W Elkton              43.67N 92.80W
07/02/2026                   Mower              MN   Emergency Mngr

            3 people were swept into Rose Creek while
            walking near the riverbank at a campground.
            Swift water rescue teams were deployed and
            all three individuals made it out of the
            river safely.

&&

JAW

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
231 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

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

0148 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 WNW Oelwein           42.68N 91.93W
07/02/2026                   Fayette            IA   Public

            Report of tree branches down in Oelwein.
            Time estimated from radar.

&&

NRF