Tornado Warning 33, NWS La Crosse, WI

972 
WWUS53 KARX 172139 RRA
SVSARX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
439 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

WIC019-053-172215-
/O.CON.KARX.TO.W.0033.000000T0000Z-260417T2215Z/
Clark WI-Jackson WI-
439 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 515 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN CLARK AND NORTHEASTERN JACKSON COUNTIES...

At 439 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located near Black River
Falls, moving east at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado.

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.

This tornado will be near...
  Hatfield around 445 PM CDT.
  Shortville around 500 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Chili,
Ballard Road And Pray Avenue, East Fork Campground, City Point, The
Black River Correctional Center, Chili Corners, and Lake Arbutus.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. 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 4433 9069 4448 9087 4469 9032 4434 9032
TIME...MOT...LOC 2139Z 248DEG 39KT 4438 9085 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

Skow

535 
WWUS53 KARX 172149
SVSARX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
449 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

WIC019-053-172215-
/O.CON.KARX.TO.W.0033.000000T0000Z-260417T2215Z/
Clark WI-Jackson WI-
449 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 515 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN CLARK AND EAST CENTRAL JACKSON COUNTIES...

At 449 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Hatfield, or 8 miles northeast of Black River Falls,
moving northeast at 35 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.

This dangerous storm will be near...
  Shortville around 505 PM CDT.
  Neillsville around 510 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Chili,
Ballard Road And Pray Avenue, East Fork Campground, Chili Corners,
Lake Arbutus, Lynn, and The Cunningham Airfield.

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 4444 9082 4469 9032 4437 9032 4436 9073
TIME...MOT...LOC 2149Z 240DEG 29KT 4441 9076 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

Skow

763 
WWUS53 KARX 172153 CCA
SVSARX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
453 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

WIC019-053-172215-
/O.COR.KARX.TO.W.0033.000000T0000Z-260417T2215Z/
Clark WI-Jackson WI-
453 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 515 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN CLARK AND EAST CENTRAL JACKSON COUNTIES...

At 453 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Hatfield, or 10 miles northeast of Black River
Falls, moving northeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and golf ball size 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.

This dangerous storm will be near...
  Neillsville around 510 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Chili,
Ballard Road And Pray Avenue, East Fork Campground, Chili Corners,
Lake Arbutus, Lynn, and The Cunningham Airfield.

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 4444 9082 4469 9032 4437 9032 4436 9073
TIME...MOT...LOC 2149Z 240DEG 29KT 4441 9076 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN

$$

Skow

029 
WWUS53 KARX 172200
SVSARX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
500 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

WIC019-053-172215-
/O.CON.KARX.TO.W.0033.000000T0000Z-260417T2215Z/
Clark WI-Jackson WI-
500 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 515 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN CLARK AND EAST CENTRAL JACKSON COUNTIES...

At 459 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Hatfield, or 10 miles south of Neillsville, moving
east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and golf ball size 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.

This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
southeastern Clark and east central Jackson Counties, including the
following locations... Lake Arbutus, Ballard Road And Pray Avenue,
East Fork Campground, The Cunningham Airfield, Pray, and Nevins.

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 4445 9073 4459 9032 4437 9032 4436 9068
TIME...MOT...LOC 2159Z 262DEG 27KT 4441 9066 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN

$$

Skow

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
1233 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- A complex severe weather forecast for this afternoon as
  possibly two waves of storms are in the offing, with the
  strength and timing of the first wave of storms playing into
  how the second wave of storms evolves.

- Large hail up to 2-3" in diameter, damaging winds of 60 to 70
  mph, a few tornadoes (some strong), and locally heavy
  rainfall are all on the table with these storms.

- Much colder for the weekend with low temperatures falling
  below freezing starting tonight through Sunday night. Daytime
  highs over the weekend will be stuck in the 40s. Can't rule
  out some flurries on Saturday.

- Dry conditions and warming temperatures expected for the start
  of next week.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 1215 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

Continuing to see rapid evolution of the environment over the
local area. Right now, the cold front is located near I35 in MN
tailing southwestward into IA. Surface low pressure is southwest
of Mason City at 17Z. To the east, widespread billow clouds
indicate a stable boundary layer over the much of southeast MN
and northeast IA. Closer to the front on I-35, the cumulus field
looks primed to initiate.

Warm Front: A confluence region exists approaching the Miss
river where some elevated echo is seen near Winona. SPC mesoa
deep moisture convergence is along this axis N-S and the latest
CAMS agree on more initiation over the next hour. That eastern
environment is elevated still with 2000-2500 J/Kg MUCAPE.
Development on this N-S axis is round 1 and as it heads east
with the dewpoint surging northward, these storms have
increasing chances at becoming surface-based in western WI.
However, this is moving east at a pretty good clip and depending
on the initiation of said storms, these might be surface-based
and mature into central and southwest WI or east of the local
area. The environment is rich, with effective helicity over 200
m2/s2 and 25-35 kts of 0-1km bulk shear now. If the low-level
winds remained backed, the CAMS suggest 300 eSRH and 200 0-500m
SRH in swrn WI by 2 pm. Supercells and strong tornadoes possible
with probabilities higher to I90 and south in WI for this area.

Cold Front: The cold front will also initiate on the western
edge of the warm sector and winds are all backed into the front
right now with the surface low traveling north, over sern MN
and nern IA, with loopy long hodographs there as well. The main
question remains of how fast the storms becomes a line there.
Initial discrete storms will work toward linear modes with 0-6
shear vectors and the 850-300 mb mean wind at 45 degrees to the
front. Strong linear forcing /cold front/ seems like it may go
linear than remain discrete. BUT, while discrete, the looping
hodographs mean tornado potential is certain there in sern MN
and western nern IA. First lightning strikes just seen along the
cold front near I-35 per GOES GLM.

Tornado Watch is forthcoming.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 430 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

Severe Weather Threat for this Afternoon

Even at the 11th hour, some critical details on the evolution
of our afternoon severe weather threat remain to be nailed down.
This is a situation where attention needs to be paid to the
weather throughout the afternoon as the threats unfold.

The early morning surface analysis across the Upper Midwest
shows our culprit cold front stretching from Sioux Falls, SD to
International Falls, MN and marching steadily to the ESE, aided
by an approaching seasonably strong upper tropospheric northern
stream trough and strong CAA pursuing over the Dakotas. A
994-mb surface low pressure cell over eastern Nebraska will
propagate quickly northeast along the front, lifting a warm
front with it through the region this morning. Strong surface
theta-e advection is being observed across western Iowa ahead of
this low with dewpoints reaching the low to mid 60s just ahead
of the front. This is a classic "nick of time" severe weather
scenario where the favorable thermodynamic severe weather
environment will arrive just ahead of storm initiation.

There are two windows of opportunity for storms to form later
this morning into the afternoon, one wave along the leading
warm frontal boundary and the second with the cold front coming
through a few hours later. Rapid destabilization is progged to
occur in the warm sector as the warm front lifts through the
region between 16-19Z with warm sector MLCAPE values of
2000-2500 J/kg and deep shear profiles of 30-50+ kts. Low level
hodographs along the warm front will feature very favorable
profiles in the 0-1 to 0-6-km layer supportive of strongly
rotating updrafts and tornadoes. This parameter space exists for
several hours in the warm sector in the wake of the warm front
until the cold front blasts through between 18-00Z today from
west to east.

The timing of the storms will be absolutely critical today to
determine how the exact severe hazards will unfold with several
different scenarios in play. The latest runs of the HRRR are
favoring elevated convection developing north of the triple
point and kickstarting convection down the warm front as it
lifts into the forecast area. However, the updraft strength in
these model runs has not been overly strong with this round of
convection at first, likely owing to the mean storm motions (for
storms developing along the front) outpacing the boundary and
resulting in the storms tracking into a much higher inhibition
airmass ahead of the front before deviant right moving storm
motions can be achieved. A few CAM solutions show more robust
updrafts able to slow down and stay within the more favorable
thermodynamic environment, so how the threat along this boundary
evolves may have to be assessed on a storm by storm basis in
real time.

Can't fully rule out more open warm sector convection lagging
the warm front given the dynamic environment in place, which
would result in storms posing an all hazards risk rather
quickly. This looks to be more of a lower confidence, but
potentially higher impact scenario.

Attention then turns to the cold front as it cruises to the ESE
through the forecast area this afternoon. Recent CAM runs are
hinting at a better risk for larger and more robust storms
further south along what would now be more of a prefrontal
trough versus a true warm front in Iowa. Should robust
convection develop within this corridor--the inflow for our cold
frontal storms--this may choke off development further north
along the cold front. How far north remains to be seen. A
linear upscale growth progression is expected along the front as
the afternoon goes on, with the line advancing out of the
region by 00Z. Both supercellular and QLCS tornadoes would be
possible along the line given the favorable respective shear
profiles for both setups.

Alot to happen in a short 6-7 hour window this afternoon and
only small changes to the timing of any one of these variables
could have a domino effect on the rest of the event.

This Weekend & Early Next Week: Drier & Cooler

As we head past today, cooler air works its way in within the
broader troughing regime on Saturday with highs likely
plummeting into the 40s to lower 50s for the weekend. Cannot
rule out some flurries or light snow showers north of I-94
during the morning hours on Saturday. Overnight lows on
Saturday night will likely fall below freezing for many spots so
be sure to cover any plants you have set out! However, no
accumulations would be expected. Otherwise, surface high
pressure moves into the region for Sunday keeping us relatively
precipitation free into early next week.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/...
Issued at 1220 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

A rapidly moving cold front is currently located just to the
west of KRST as of 17/17Z. Visible Satellite and Radar Imagery
show convection starting to develop along the front. MVFR to IFR
Cu and stratus with gusty southerly flow up to 30 kt is being
observed just east of this activity. Thunderstorms and
convective showers will rapidly develop with TSRA chances with
IFR or lower ceilings for KRST through 19Z. These storms will
likely develop into a line with better chances for TSRA around
20Z for KLSE (+/- 1 hour). All modes of severe weather are
possible including large hail, damaging winds, and lightning.
General frontal turbulence is also likely. Winds will quickly
shift to the NW and remain gusty behind the front shortly after.
CIGs are likely to remain MVFR category are several hours and
gradually lifting to VFR conditions with high clouds towards the
latter end of the package.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
Issued at 430 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

A Flood Watch has been issued for Southwest Wisconsin and
portions of West Central Wisconsin given the chance for
additional showers and thunderstorms this afternoon and evening.
These areas have already seen copious amounts of rainfall over
the last week with many rivers experiencing signficiant flooding
(enough to close some roads in multiple counties). A
widespread 1/2 inch of rain is likely with localized pockets of
1-2 inches--any additional rain will be problematic and only
exacerbate existing problems. Mudslides also look to be a
problem as we haven't seen a full green up yet so roots have not
taken a strong hold yet. Rivers across Wisconsin are likely to
see additional rises, especially the Kickapoo, Yellow, Black,
and Wisconsin.

&&

.ARX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WI...Flood Watch through Saturday morning for WIZ042>044-053>055-
     061.
MN...None.
IA...None.

&&

UPDATE...Baumgardt
DISCUSSION...Naylor/Skow
AVIATION...NWS
HYDROLOGY...Barendse

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
336 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

WIZ033-034-041>044-053>055-061-181245-
Trempealeau-Jackson-La Crosse-Monroe-Juneau-Adams-Vernon-Crawford-
Richland-Grant-
336 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central
Wisconsin...southwest Wisconsin and west central Wisconsin.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

The threat for severe weather returns this afternoon as possibly
two lines of storms moves through the region. Large hail,
damaging winds, and tornadoes will all be possible with these
storms depending on how the event unfolds.

Flooding along rivers and low lying locations will continue
through at least the weekend.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter reports may be needed this afternoon.

.EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATION...

A webinar has been scheduled for 1030 am this morning.

IAZ008>011-018-019-029-030-MNZ079-086>088-094>096-WIZ017-029-032-
181245-
Mitchell-Howard-Winneshiek-Allamakee-Floyd-Chickasaw-Fayette-
Clayton-Wabasha-Dodge-Olmsted-Winona-Mower-Fillmore-Houston-
Taylor-Clark-Buffalo-
336 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

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

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

The threat for severe weather returns this afternoon as possibly
two lines of storms moves through the region. Large hail,
damaging winds, and tornadoes will all be possible with these
storms depending on how the event unfolds.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter reports may be needed this afternoon.

.EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATION...

A webinar has been scheduled for 1030 am this morning.

KDS

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
344 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

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

0245 PM     Hail             8 NW Thorp              45.03N 90.92W
04/17/2026  M1.00 Inch       Taylor             WI   Trained Spotter

&&

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
400 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

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

0351 PM     Hail             Mondovi                 44.57N 91.67W
04/17/2026  E0.88 Inch       Buffalo            WI   911 Call Center

            Dime to nickel size hail in Mondovi. Relayed
            from Eau Claire County comm center.

&&

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
416 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

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

0253 PM     Tornado          2 N Elgin               44.17N 92.25W
04/17/2026                   Wabasha            MN   Public

            Tornado touched down north of Elgin where it
            flipped a semi. It caused damage on 2
            farmsteads. Ended 1 3/4 miles north of 247
            near County Rd 2.

&&

JSB

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
421 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

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

0418 PM     Hail             Postville               43.09N 91.57W
04/17/2026  E1.00 Inch       Allamakee          IA   Emergency Mngr

            Quarter size hail in Postville relayed from
            Emergency Manager.

&&

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
423 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

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

0422 PM     Hail             2 SE Lancaster          42.83N 90.69W
04/17/2026  M0.88 Inch       Grant              WI   Emergency Mngr

            Nickel size hail at Sheriffs office
            southeast of Lancaster.

&&

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
433 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

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

0427 PM     Tornado          5 E Osseo               44.59N 91.12W
04/17/2026                   Jackson            WI   Law Enforcement

            An officer reported a tornado near the
            intersection of County Rd M and Highway 10
            heading east.

&&

JSB