Alert archive / Wisconsin / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 2, NWS Duluth, MN
NWS Duluth, MN issued this tornado warning at Apr 17, 2026, 4:12 PM CDT for Ashland County, Price County, Sawyer County, Wisconsin. It was in force for 33 min. 2 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
- Apr 17, 2026, 4:12 PM CDT (21:12 UTC)
- Expired
- Apr 17, 2026, 4:45 PM CDT
- In force
- 33 min
- Issued by
- NWS Duluth, MN
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.75 in
Counties Ashland County, WI, Price County, WI, Sawyer County, WI
The radar
The Duluth radar (KDLH), 139 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:17 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 17, 4:19 PM CDT | HAIL 1 | 10 Ssw Clam Lake, WI | Quarter size hail 25 E of Hayward by Moose Lake. Location is approximate. |
| Apr 17, 4:30 PM CDT | HAIL 1 | 6 N Winter, WI | This is a correction for a report at this location issued at 0503 PM for quarter size hail. Updated to correct time and description. Quarter size hail was reported at this location. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
Did it verify
Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this tornado warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.
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 watch it was issued in
The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 17, 9:23 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 11 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 12:00Z, 9.2 hours before the alert went out and 241 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
- 1 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 2301 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 39 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 188 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 229 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
586
WFUS53 KDLH 172112
TORDLH
WIC003-099-113-172145-
/O.NEW.KDLH.TO.W.0002.260417T2112Z-260417T2145Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Duluth MN
412 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
The National Weather Service in Duluth MN has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southwestern Ashland County in northwestern Wisconsin...
Northwestern Price County in north central Wisconsin...
Northeastern Sawyer County in northwestern Wisconsin...
* Until 445 PM CDT.
* At 411 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Chippewa Flowage East, moving east at 50 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...
Glidden.
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 4583 9120 4599 9124 4622 9055 4586 9047
TIME...MOT...LOC 2111Z 248DEG 44KT 4593 9110
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
PA3 follow-up statements
773
WWUS53 KDLH 172123
SVSDLH
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Duluth MN
423 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
WIC099-172133-
/O.CAN.KDLH.TO.W.0002.000000T0000Z-260417T2145Z/
Price WI-
423 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN PRICE COUNTY IS CANCELLED...
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 600 PM CDT for
north central and northwestern Wisconsin.
&&
LAT...LON 4603 9111 4622 9055 4601 9051 4591 9100
TIME...MOT...LOC 2123Z 239DEG 45KT 4603 9092
$$
WIC003-113-172145-
/O.CON.KDLH.TO.W.0002.000000T0000Z-260417T2145Z/
Ashland WI-Sawyer WI-
423 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 445 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN ASHLAND AND NORTHEASTERN SAWYER COUNTIES...
At 423 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 8 miles south of Clam Lake, or 13 miles northeast of
Chippewa Flowage East, moving northeast at 50 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...
Glidden, Moose Lake Sawyer County, and Blaisdell Lake.
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 4603 9111 4622 9055 4601 9051 4591 9100
TIME...MOT...LOC 2123Z 239DEG 45KT 4603 9092
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
BJH493
WWUS53 KDLH 172128
SVSDLH
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Duluth MN
428 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
WIC003-113-172145-
/O.CON.KDLH.TO.W.0002.000000T0000Z-260417T2145Z/
Ashland WI-Sawyer WI-
428 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 445 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN ASHLAND AND NORTHEASTERN SAWYER COUNTIES...
At 428 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 7 miles southeast of Clam Lake, or 17 miles northeast of
Chippewa Flowage East, moving east at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Glidden and Blaisdell Lake.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 4607 9099 4622 9055 4601 9051 4593 9090
TIME...MOT...LOC 2128Z 248DEG 44KT 4605 9083
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
BJH723 WWUS53 KDLH 172144 SVSDLH Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service Duluth MN 444 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026 WIC003-113-172153- /O.EXP.KDLH.TO.W.0002.000000T0000Z-260417T2145Z/ Ashland WI-Sawyer WI- 444 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026 ...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHWESTERN ASHLAND AND NORTHEASTERN SAWYER COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 445 PM CDT... The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area. Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 700 PM CDT for north central and northwestern Wisconsin. To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service Duluth MN. Remember, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning still remains in effect for SOUTHWESTERN ASHLAND AND NORTHEASTERN SAWYER COUNTIES until 515 PM CDT. && LAT...LON 4607 9099 4622 9055 4601 9051 4593 9090 TIME...MOT...LOC 2143Z 248DEG 44KT 4611 9061 $$ BJH
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 Duluth, MN wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Apr 17, 3:58 PM CDT, 14 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Showers and storms, some of which may be severe over northwest Wisconsin, will move east out of the Northland this evening. Large hail and damaging winds are the main threats and there is a small chance of a tornado.
- Colder into the weekend with breezy northwest winds. Some snowflakes are possible along the International Border Saturday afternoon.
- Warmer temperatures return next week with near-critical fire weather possible Monday and Wednesday.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 17, 3:58 PM CDT, 14 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion...CORRECTED
National Weather Service Duluth MN
358 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
Corrected Key Messages...
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Showers and storms, some of which may be severe over northwest
Wisconsin, will move east out of the Northland this evening.
Large hail and damaging winds are the main threats and there is
a small chance of a tornado.
- Colder into the weekend with breezy northwest winds. Some
snowflakes are possible along the International Border
Saturday afternoon.
- Warmer temperatures return next week with near-critical fire
weather possible Monday and Wednesday.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 353 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
This afternoon through tonight...
Rain and thunderstorms will advance eastward across northeast
Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin through this evening. The
greatest severe weather risk remains over northwest Wisconsin.
Large hail and damaging wind gusts are the greatest threat. A
small risk of a brief tornado remains, though that potential is
trending lower with time. Storms have formed several broken
lines and will continue to propagate northeastward at 50-60 mph
over northwest Wisconsin.
Farther west cold temperatures at the surface and aloft may
cause a transition from rain to snow or sleet before
precipitation ends. Strong cold air advection develops behind
the front tonight leading to strong and gusty northwest winds.
Temperatures tonight will drop well below normal with lows in
the upper teens north to the upper 20s south.
Gusty northwest winds persist Saturday with well below normal
temperatures. There may be enough moisture and cold air
advection to generate spotty flurries or convective snow showers
over the Iron Range to the Canadian border and over the
Arrowhead. Highs will reach the low 30s north to around 40 in
central Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin.
Sunday through next week...
Temperatures trend warmer Sunday through the week. Southerly
winds and deep mixing may lead to near-critical fire weather
conditions Monday ahead of a dry cold front. Wednesday may be
dry and gusty as well. Precipitation chances return Thursday and
Friday.
&&
.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/...
Issued at 115 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
A low pressure system will move across the region this
afternoon and tonight. A cold front from near the Minnesota/
Wisconsin border to near KELO will propagate eastward this
afternoon and evening. HYR will start out with VFR conditions
descending to MVFR behind the front. Scattered showers and
thunderstorms will persist through early evening and will taper
off from west to east through tonight. Low stratus may loiter
behind the front for tonight. Winds will turn northwesterly
behind the front and will be gusty overnight and Saturday
morning. A few snow showers are possible Saturday afternoon and
evening after 18.18Z and could impact INL and HIB.
&&
.MARINE /FOR NEARSHORE WATERS OF WESTERN LAKE SUPERIOR/...
Issued at 353 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
A low pressure system and cold front will propagate eastward
over the waters this afternoon and evening. Rain and
thunderstorms, some strong to severe, are forecast ahead of and
behind the front. Winds will back northwesterly and strengthen
behind the front and remain strong through Saturday night. Gales
of 35-40 knots are forecast for portions of the North Shore
tonight and Gale Warnings are in effect. Conditions will be
hazardous to small craft through Saturday evening. Quieter
conditions are forecast Sunday and Monday. Another cold front
will pass over the waters Monday night and Tuesday and could
pose a risk to small craft.
For the open water discussion, refer to the NWS Marquette Area
Forecast Discussion at weather.gov/mqt.
&&
.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 115 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
A low pressure system and associated cold front will propagate
through the region this afternoon and tonight. Showers and
thunderstorms will gradually pass eastward through the
afternoon. A few severe storms are possible with large hail,
damaging winds, and a few tornadoes. The greatest severe weather
risk will be over northwest Wisconsin through this evening.
Precipitation may turn over to snow before ending over central
and north-central Minnesota. Saturday will feature strong and
gusty northwest winds. RH values will dip into the 30-35% range.
Temperatures begin to trend warmer on Sunday and closer to
normal on Monday. The warmer temperatures Monday and again on
Wednesday may pose a risk of near-critical fire weather
conditions due to low RH values and gusty winds.
See the Fire Weather Forecast product for a more thorough
breakdown of fire weather conditions.
&&
.DLH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MN...None.
WI...None.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 10 PM CDT Saturday for LSZ121-
143>148.
Gale Warning until midnight CDT tonight for LSZ140>142.
Small Craft Advisory until 4 AM CDT Sunday for LSZ150.
&&
DISCUSSION...Huyck
AVIATION...Huyck
MARINE...Huyck
FIRE WEATHER...HuyckHazardous weather outlook, Apr 17, 6:04 AM CDT, 10 hours 8 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Duluth MN 604 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026 MNZ010>012-018>021-025-026-033>038-WIZ001>004-006>009-181115- Koochiching-North St. Louis-Northern Cook/Northern Lake- North Itasca-Central St. Louis-Southern Lake/North Shore- Southern Cook/North Shore-North Cass-South Itasca-South Cass- Crow Wing-Northern Aitkin-South Aitkin-Carlton/South St. Louis- Pine-Douglas-Bayfield-Ashland-Iron-Burnett-Washburn-Sawyer-Price- 604 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening. Large hail, damaging winds, and perhaps a tornado are all possible hazards. The Storm Prediction Center has a Slight Risk for much of northwest WI. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday Near-critical fire weather conditions are possible for all or portions of the Northland Saturday and again Monday due to blustery winds and low relative humidity. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Skywarn spotters may be needed this afternoon and evening, mainly over northwest Wisconsin. LSZ121-140>148-150-181115- Bayfield to Oak Point WI-Grand Portage to Grand Marais MN- Grand Marais to Taconite Harbor MN- Taconite Harbor to Silver Bay Harbor MN- Silver Bay Harbor to Two Harbors MN-Two Harbors to Duluth MN- Duluth MN to Port Wing WI-Port Wing to Sand Island WI- Sand Island to Bayfield WI-Oak Point to Saxon Harbor WI- Outer Apostle Islands Beyond 5 NM from Mainland- 604 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Lake Superior and the Nearshore waters of western Lake Superior. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Scattered thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening. Some storms could be strong to severe. Gusty northwesterly winds are forecast starting this evening and overnight tonight. Gale Warnings and Small Craft Advisories have been issued for late this afternoon and tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday Gusty northwesterly winds are likely Saturday and Saturday night. Small Craft Advisories are in effect through Saturday night. LE More information may be obtained at the following web address: http://www.weather.gov/duluth
In the hours before
Local storm report, Apr 17, 3:36 PM CDT, 36 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Duluth MN
336 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0312 PM Hail 2 ENE Two Harbors 47.05N 91.63W
04/17/2026 M1.00 Inch Lake MN Public
Report via social media.
&&
JJMLocal storm report, Apr 17, 3:40 PM CDT, 32 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Duluth MN
340 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0245 PM Hail 1 E Esko 46.71N 92.35W
04/17/2026 M0.50 Inch Carlton MN Trained Spotter
&&
JJMLocal storm report, Apr 17, 4:01 PM CDT, 11 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Duluth MN
401 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0340 PM Marine Tstm Wind 1 N Port Wing 46.79N 91.39W
04/17/2026 M40 MPH Bayfield WI Mesonet
PNGW3 Port Wing.
&&
JJMLocal storm report, Apr 17, 4:02 PM CDT, 10 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Duluth MN
402 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0353 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 SW Ashland 46.55N 90.92W
04/17/2026 M54 MPH Ashland WI ASOS
ASOS station KASX Ashland Airport.
&&
JJMLocal storm report, Apr 17, 4:04 PM CDT, 8 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Duluth MN
404 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0400 PM Marine Tstm Wind La Pointe 46.79N 90.79W
04/17/2026 M47 MPH LSZ147 WI Mesonet
CWOP Station DW6252.
&&
JJMLocal storm report, Apr 17, 4:07 PM CDT, 5 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Duluth MN
407 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0335 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Hayward 46.01N 91.49W
04/17/2026 Sawyer WI Emergency Mngr
Hayward Laundry on Dakota Ave had its roof
torn off by the wind. No injuries reported.
&&
JJMThe office that day
Everything else NWS Duluth, MN issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 17, 2:44 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DLH | Douglas | 61 min |
| Apr 17, 2:53 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DLH | Burnett, Sawyer, Washburn | 67 min |
| Apr 17, 3:27 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DLH | Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas | 63 min |
| Apr 17, 4:03 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DLH | Ashland, Bayfield, Iron | 27 min |
| Apr 17, 4:14 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DLH | Ashland, Bayfield, Iron, Price, Sawyer | 61 min |
| Apr 17, 4:36 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DLH | Ashland, Iron | 24 min |
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.