Alert archive / Wisconsin / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 57, NWS La Crosse, WI
NWS La Crosse, WI issued this tornado warning at Jul 20, 2026, 7:46 PM CDT for Jackson County, Wisconsin. It was in force for 29 min. 1 report 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
- Jul 20, 2026, 7:46 PM CDT (00:46 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 20, 2026, 8:15 PM CDT
- In force
- 29 min
- Issued by
- NWS La Crosse, WI
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.0 in
County Jackson County, WI
The radar
The La Crosse radar (KARX), 54 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:48 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 20, 7:49 PM CDT | TORNADO | 4 Wsw Black River Falls, WI | A brief tornado occurred just southwest of Black River Falls based on radar and pictures from traffic cameras. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
Did it verify
Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched one storm report to this tornado warning; the first came 3 minutes after it went out.
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 nearest sounding before it
Green Bay/Straub, WI (KGRB), launched 00:00Z, 0.8 hours before the alert went out and 222 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
- 1492 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -124 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1140 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 44 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 338 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 464 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 1.4
- Supercell composite
- 15.7
The text
As transmitted.
370 WFUS53 KARX 210046 TORARX WIC053-210115- /O.NEW.KARX.TO.W.0057.260721T0046Z-260721T0115Z/ BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED Tornado Warning National Weather Service La Crosse WI 746 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026 The National Weather Service in La Crosse has issued a * Tornado Warning for... Southwestern Jackson County in west central Wisconsin... * Until 815 PM CDT. * At 745 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Black River Falls, moving southeast at 25 mph. HAZARD...Tornado. SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation. IMPACT...Expect damage to mobile homes, roofs, and vehicles. * This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of southwestern Jackson County, including the following locations... Fall Hall Glen, Perry Creek Recreation Area, Shamrock, The Black River Falls Airport, Castle Mound, and Disco. This includes Interstate 94 between mile markers 119 and 124. 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 4427 9100 4430 9095 4425 9066 4416 9078 TIME...MOT...LOC 0045Z 293DEG 21KT 4427 9093 TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN $$ Naylor
2 follow-up statements
969 WWUS53 KARX 210053 SVSARX Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service La Crosse WI 753 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026 WIC053-210115- /O.CON.KARX.TO.W.0057.000000T0000Z-260721T0115Z/ Jackson WI- 753 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026 ...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 815 PM CDT FOR SOUTH CENTRAL JACKSON COUNTY... At 752 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Black River Falls, moving east at 20 mph. HAZARD...Tornado. SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado. IMPACT...Expect damage to mobile homes, roofs, and vehicles. Locations impacted include... Black River Falls, Fall Hall Glen, Perry Creek Recreation Area, Shamrock, The Black River Falls Airport, and Castle Mound. This includes Interstate 94 between mile markers 119 and 124. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris. && LAT...LON 4426 9097 4430 9093 4425 9066 4416 9078 TIME...MOT...LOC 0052Z 282DEG 19KT 4427 9088 TORNADO...OBSERVED MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN $$ Naylor
725 WWUS53 KARX 210102 SVSARX Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service La Crosse WI 802 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026 WIC053-210115- /O.CON.KARX.TO.W.0057.000000T0000Z-260721T0115Z/ Jackson WI- 802 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026 ...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 815 PM CDT FOR SOUTH CENTRAL JACKSON COUNTY... At 801 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Black River Falls, moving southeast at 25 mph. HAZARD...Tornado. SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation. IMPACT...Expect damage to mobile homes, roofs, and vehicles. Locations impacted include... The Black River Falls Airport, Perry Creek Recreation Area, and Castle Mound. This includes Interstate 94 between mile markers 118 and 124. 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 4425 9087 4429 9085 4425 9066 4418 9075 TIME...MOT...LOC 0101Z 293DEG 21KT 4425 9081 TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN $$ Naylor
What 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 La Crosse, WI wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Jul 20, 6:15 PM CDT, 1 hour 31 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Enhanced-risk of severe storms for much of the Upper Mississippi River from 3 pm and 9 pm. All severe weather threats will be possible.
- Dry weather from Tuesday through Saturday. Coldest day will be on Wednesday when high temperatures will be in the lower and mid-70s.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 20, 6:15 PM CDT, 1 hour 31 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
615 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Enhanced-risk of severe storms for much of the Upper
Mississippi River from 3 pm and 9 pm. All severe weather
threats will be possible.
- Dry weather from Tuesday through Saturday. Coldest day will
be on Wednesday when high temperatures will be in the lower
and mid-70s.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 1239 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026
This Afternoon and Evening
We are already seeing rapid recovery taking place in the wake of
the mesoscale convective complex across north-central Iowa and
south-central Minnesota. Temperatures are currently ranging from
the mid-80s to lower 90s. Dew points are in the lower and
mid-70s. This is resulting in surface-based CAPES of 3-4K. As
the afternoon progresses, this air mass will spread into the
Upper Mississippi River Valley ahead of a cold front extending
from the Minnesota Arrowhead to the southwest tip of Minnesota.
There is already scattered showers and storms along this front.
These storms should impact the Upper Mississippi River Valley
between 3 pm and 9 pm.
Further south, moderate to strong capping (10-12C 700 mb
temperatures) has developed across western Iowa and far southern
Minnesota. This should keep this sector relatively clean; thus,
this instability reservoir should continue to be able feed
storms this afternoon and early evening.
As a vigorous shortwave moves into the region this afternoon,
the winds aloft will strengthen. This will result 0-6 km shear
of 60-65 knots. As a result, initial storms will be likely
supercells. The hodographs are exceptionally long from eastern
portions or northeast Iowa northeast through central Wisconsin.
If these storms can become orthogonal with the cold front,
there could be a few tornadoes. SigTOR parameter is 8 in
southwest Wisconsin.
In addition with large NCAPE and strong mid-level lapse, there
could be some large hail with the earlier supercells. Over time
as cold pools coalesce, damaging winds will become the primary
threat. In addition, any surges along the line will have to be
watched for the potential for a few QLCS tornadoes.
Tuesday through Saturday
High pressure will build across the area on Tuesday and then
provide dry weather through Saturday. High temperatures will be
primarily in the 70s and 80s. The coolest day will be on
Wednesday when highs will be in the lower and mid-70s.
&&
.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 615 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026
Despite storms having largely evaded the region through the
afternoon, a cold front will continue moving eastward through
the Upper Mississippi River Valley this evening. VFR to MVFR
cumulus around 2.5-3.5kft along the front may give way to some
showers and storms (20-30%), but will largely be confined north
of I-90.
Behind the cold front, winds become northwesterly and skies
clear for the overnight before an area of MVFR to possibly IFR
(10-20%) stratus moves into the region Tuesday morning, most
favorable along/north of I-90. This stratus deck breaks up and
lifts slightly during the afternoon, resulting in SCT-BKN skies
with cloud bases around 3-5kft. Breezy conditions are expected
Tuesday, especially in the afternoon, as stronger low level
winds are able to mix to the surface resulting in northwesterly
gusts of 15-25KT, strongest west of the Mississippi River.
&&
.ARX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WI...None.
MN...Heat Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for MNZ079-086-087-
094-095.
IA...Heat Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for IAZ008-009-018-
019.
&&
DISCUSSION...Boyne
AVIATION...FalkinhamHazardous weather outlook, Jul 20, 4:30 AM CDT, 15 hours 16 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service La Crosse WI 430 AM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026 IAZ008>011-018-019-029-030-MNZ079-086>088-094>096-WIZ017-029- 032>034-041>044-053>055-061-211000- 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- 430 AM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southeast Minnesota...northeast Iowa and southwest into central Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Air Quality Alerts remain in effect through the morning hours for unhealthy air quality due to wildfire smoke. Strong to severe storms are possible through the afternoon into tonight with damaging winds, large hail, and a few tornadoes possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Severe reports are appreciated. .EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATION... No webinar is scheduled.
In the hours before
Local storm report, Jul 20, 3:12 PM CDT, 4 hours 34 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
312 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0254 PM Tstm Wnd Gst Nora Springs 43.14N 93.01W
07/20/2026 E65 MPH Floyd IA Emergency Mngr
&&
KBLocal storm report, Jul 20, 3:16 PM CDT, 4 hours 30 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
316 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0301 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 SSE Nora Springs 43.12N 93.00W
07/20/2026 Floyd IA Emergency Mngr
Multiple vehicles and tractor trailers blown
over on Avenue of the Saints/ US-18 between
MM 195 and 196.
&&
KBSpecial weather statement, Jul 20, 3:37 PM CDT, 4 hours 9 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
337 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026
IAZ011-030-WIZ054-061-202100-
Clayton IA-Allamakee IA-Crawford WI-Grant WI-
337 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTH CENTRAL CLAYTON...
SOUTHEASTERN ALLAMAKEE...NORTHWESTERN GRANT AND SOUTHERN CRAWFORD
COUNTIES THROUGH 400 PM CDT...
At 337 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Harpers Ferry, or 8 miles northwest of Prairie Du Chien, moving east
at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
This strong thunderstorm will be near...
Prairie Du Chien around 340 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this storm include Highway 35 And County
D, Waterville, Eastman, Highway 61 And County T, Mount Ida, Watson,
Harris Ridge, County Roads K And T, Limery Ridge, and Bridgeport.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for northeastern
Iowa...and southwestern Wisconsin.
&&
LAT...LON 4307 9140 4324 9133 4314 9060 4286 9075
TIME...MOT...LOC 2037Z 288DEG 49KT 4315 9125
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
FergusonLocal storm report, Jul 20, 3:55 PM CDT, 3 hours 51 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
355 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0301 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 SSE Nora Springs 43.12N 93.00W
07/20/2026 Floyd IA Emergency Mngr
*** 1 INJ ***
Updates previous tstm wnd dmg report from 2
SSE Nora Springs. Multiple vehicles and
tractor trailers blown over on Avenue of the
Saints/ US-18 between MM 195 and 196. EM
reported 1 injury.
&&
KBSpecial weather statement, Jul 20, 4:18 PM CDT, 3 hours 28 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
418 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026
WIZ061-202145-
Grant WI-
418 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN GRANT COUNTY
THROUGH 445 PM CDT...
At 417 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Lancaster, moving east at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
This strong thunderstorm will be near...
Platteville around 425 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this storm include Arthur, Potosi, Union,
Cornelia, Rockville, Porters Bridge, Lancaster Municipal Airport,
Platteville Airport, Big Patch, and Klondyke Secluded Acres.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for southwestern
Wisconsin.
&&
LAT...LON 4277 9089 4293 9074 4288 9043 4254 9042
TIME...MOT...LOC 2117Z 288DEG 49KT 4281 9068
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
FergusonSpecial weather statement, Jul 20, 7:26 PM CDT, 20 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service La Crosse WI 726 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026 WIZ029-033-034-041-042-210200- Clark-Trempealeau-Jackson-La Crosse-Monroe- Including the cities of Neillsville, Arcadia, Whitehall, Black River Falls, La Crosse, Sparta, and Tomah 726 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026 ...Landspouts observed in the area... Funnel clouds and brief landspouts have been reported with showers and storms across portions of west-central Wisconsin this evening. If you live in portions of west central Wisconsin...remain on the alert and be prepared to move to a place of safety if a funnel should approach the ground. Atmospheric conditions will continue to be favorable for the formation of short lived funnels and possible landspouts during the next couple of hours.
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in Wisconsin, 2026Every tornado warning in 2026Tornadoes in 2026
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.