Severe Thunderstorm Warning 178, NWS La Crosse, WI

858 
WWUS53 KARX 181950
SVSARX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
250 PM CDT Tue Aug 18 2026

MNC169-WIC011-063-121-182015-
/O.CON.KARX.SV.W.0178.000000T0000Z-260818T2015Z/
Winona MN-Buffalo WI-La Crosse WI-Trempealeau WI-
250 PM CDT Tue Aug 18 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 315 PM CDT
FOR SOUTHEASTERN WINONA...SOUTHEASTERN BUFFALO...NORTHERN LA CROSSE
AND SOUTHERN TREMPEALEAU COUNTIES...

At 250 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from near Galesville to near Winona, moving southeast at 25
mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to 
         roofs, siding, and trees.

These severe storms will be near...
  Trempealeau around 255 PM CDT.
  Holmen and Brice Prairie around 300 PM CDT.
  Dakota around 305 PM CDT.
  La Crosse, Onalaska, and French Island around 310 PM CDT.
  La Crosse Airport around 315 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by these severe thunderstorms include North
Side Of La Crosse, Camp Decorah, Perrot State Park, Stevenstown,
Ridgeway, New Hartford, and Severson Coulee.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 90 in Minnesota between mile markers 254 and 276.
 Interstate 90 in Wisconsin between mile markers 1 and 6.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

&&

LAT...LON 4403 9172 4418 9129 4394 9097 4385 9124
      4385 9162
TIME...MOT...LOC 1950Z 319DEG 22KT 4410 9126 4398 9168 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

Skow

221 
WWUS53 KARX 181956
SVSARX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
256 PM CDT Tue Aug 18 2026

WIC011-182006-
/O.CAN.KARX.SV.W.0178.000000T0000Z-260818T2015Z/
Buffalo WI-
256 PM CDT Tue Aug 18 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN BUFFALO COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

The storms which prompted the warning have moved out of the warned 
area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for
southeastern Minnesota...and west central Wisconsin.

&&

LAT...LON 4403 9156 4404 9157 4411 9137 4390 9108
      4385 9124 4385 9154 4403 9158
TIME...MOT...LOC 1956Z 324DEG 25KT 4401 9128 4391 9160 

$$

MNC169-WIC063-121-182015-
/O.CON.KARX.SV.W.0178.000000T0000Z-260818T2015Z/
Winona MN-La Crosse WI-Trempealeau WI-
256 PM CDT Tue Aug 18 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 315 PM CDT
FOR SOUTHEASTERN WINONA...NORTHWESTERN LA CROSSE AND SOUTH CENTRAL
TREMPEALEAU COUNTIES...

At 256 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from near Holmen to 10 miles south of Winona, moving
southeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail. Winds up to 50 mph 
         have been reported with this storm.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to 
         roofs, siding, and trees.

These severe storms will be near...
  Onalaska, Holmen, Dakota, and Brice Prairie around 300 PM CDT.
  La Crosse and French Island around 305 PM CDT.
  West Salem and La Crosse Airport around 310 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by these severe thunderstorms include North
Side Of La Crosse, Perrot State Park, The Valley View Mall, New
Hartford, County Roads M And W, Dresbach, and New Amsterdam.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 90 in Minnesota between mile markers 261 and 276.
 Interstate 90 in Wisconsin between mile markers 1 and 7.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

&&

LAT...LON 4403 9156 4404 9157 4411 9137 4390 9108
      4385 9124 4385 9154 4403 9158
TIME...MOT...LOC 1956Z 324DEG 25KT 4401 9128 4391 9160 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

Skow

344 
WWUS53 KARX 182007
SVSARX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
307 PM CDT Tue Aug 18 2026

WIC121-182016-
/O.CAN.KARX.SV.W.0178.000000T0000Z-260818T2015Z/
Trempealeau WI-
307 PM CDT Tue Aug 18 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTH CENTRAL TREMPEALEAU
COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

The storms which prompted the warning have moved out of the warned 
area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for
southeastern Minnesota...and west central Wisconsin.

&&

LAT...LON 4390 9108 4385 9124 4385 9142 4395 9145
      4398 9138 4399 9132 4401 9134 4404 9128
TIME...MOT...LOC 2006Z 313DEG 30KT 4397 9123 4388 9142 

$$

MNC169-WIC063-182015-
/O.CON.KARX.SV.W.0178.000000T0000Z-260818T2015Z/
Winona MN-La Crosse WI-
307 PM CDT Tue Aug 18 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 315 PM CDT
FOR SOUTHEASTERN WINONA AND NORTHWESTERN LA CROSSE COUNTIES...

At 306 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from Holmen to near Dakota, moving southeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to 
         roofs, siding, and trees.

These severe storms will be near...
  La Crosse, Onalaska, Holmen, Dakota, La Crosse Airport, Brice 
  Prairie, and French Island around 310 PM CDT.
  West Salem around 315 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by these severe thunderstorms include County
Roads M And W, Dresbach, North Side Of La Crosse, New Amsterdam, The
Valley View Mall, Nathan Hill, and Veterans Memorial Park.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 90 in Minnesota between mile markers 267 and 276.
 Interstate 90 in Wisconsin between mile markers 1 and 7.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

&&

LAT...LON 4390 9108 4385 9124 4385 9142 4395 9145
      4398 9138 4399 9132 4401 9134 4404 9128
TIME...MOT...LOC 2006Z 313DEG 30KT 4397 9123 4388 9142 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

Skow

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
1229 PM CDT Tue Aug 18 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Thunderstorms are expected to develop this afternoon and a few could
  become severe, with damaging wind gusts and large hail being
  the primary hazards.

- There are periodic chances for showers and storms Thursday into
  Friday and once again next week.

- Temperatures will remain around to slightly below normal in
  the 70s to lower 80s over the next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 1224 PM CDT Tue Aug 18 2026

This Afternoon through Evening: Severe Storm Potential

A few isolated showers and storms remain across the forecast area
late this morning, mainly across the southern half of the area.
These storms are not in a prime environment to become severe at this
point, but that will change as we go into the afternoon.

Cloud cover has become much more sparse than previously forecast for
this morning, which is allowing temperatures to rise into the 70s,
with some upper 70s already being observed. This is in part due to
the rain shower/storm coverage from overnight not being as
widespread as model guidance was hinting at yesterday. With that
being said, the severe storm environment for this afternoon is
increasing. A weak surface front, with a north wind in its wake, is
forecast to move in over the area in the next few hours. The front
should set up near I-90 by early to mid afternoon and this front is
expected to be the focal point for additional thunderstorm
development beginning in the 1-3 PM window. Storms should form along
the boundary and move off to the east/southeast this afternoon into
this evening. Sufficient severe storm ingredients will be in place
at that time, with MLCAPE values of 1500-2000 J/kg and bulk shear
upwards of 40-50 kts. Isolated development of storms is expected
initially, with a threat for large hail and damaging wind gusts. The
storms may congeal and form a linear line at some point this
evening, just when or if that happens is uncertain and that is
when the main severe threat would turn to a damaging wind gust
threat. The tornado potential is very low, but with a surface
boundary in play, a tornado or two cannot be completely ruled
out. Storms should begin to exit off to the east/southeast early
this evening, but a few may linger into the 9-11 PM time frame
with the severe threat decreasing by that point.

Wednesday through Friday Night: Periodic Rain Chances

The forecast area should be in between two broad systems to end this
week with a trough to the east and a building ridge to the west.
This pattern will lead to northwest flow over the Upper Midwest
during the later half of this work week and temperatures will remain
near average in the upper 70s to low 80s each afternoon. The next
decent chance for showers and storms is expected to be Thursday
night into Friday morning as a H500 impulse moves over the region.
The better chances for a half inch of rain or more are across
northeastern Minnesota into northern Wisconsin, which are currently
dealing with drought conditions and would certainly benefit from
any rainfall that the system can provide. Some rain showers or
storms may linger into the day on Friday, mainly across the
eastern half of the forecast area.

This Weekend into Next Week: Generally Dry Conditions with Mild
Temperatures

The upper level pattern in the forecast guidance diverges beginning
Saturday through the remainder of this forecast period. There is
fairly good agreement that a trough will dig south over the eastern
CONUS as the ridge from the west moves slightly east over the
Plains. Northerly to northwesterly flow will remain over the region
during this time frame, but that will be dependent upon where each
feature exactly sets up. Rain chances may continue if mid level
moisture can remain far enough east over the Upper Midwest, but
mostly dry conditions are favored at this time. Temperatures will
continue to remain in the 70s to mid 80s.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 1224 PM CDT Tue Aug 18 2026

The main aviation hazard over the next 24 hours will be the
potential for thunderstorms before 00z. Both KRST and KLSE have
the potential to be impacted by thunderstorms and PROB30 groups
have been included. If any storms move over the terminals, gusty
and erratic wind along with visibility/ceiling reductions should
be expected. VFR conditions are currently forecast after the
storm potential exits off to the east. There are chances for fog
at KLSE for a few hours near 12z, but confidence is not high
enough to include in the TAF at this time. The wind will
initially be out of the west but will become northerly
overnight but should remain at 10 kts or less.

&&

.ARX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WI...None.
MN...None.
IA...None.

&&

DISCUSSION...Muscha
AVIATION...Muscha

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
1231 PM CDT Tue Aug 18 2026

IAZ008>011-018-019-029-030-MNZ079-086>088-094>096-WIZ017-029-
032>034-041>044-053>055-061-192145-
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-
1231 PM CDT Tue Aug 18 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southeast
Minnesota...central Wisconsin...north central Wisconsin and west
central Wisconsin.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

Strong to severe storms will be possible this afternoon through
early evening, mainly along I-90 and areas further south. Damaging
wind gusts and large hail will be the primary hazards with any
severe thunderstorms.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

No action needed.

.EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATION...

No webinar is scheduled.