Alert archive / Wisconsin / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 28, NWS Green Bay, WI
NWS Green Bay, WI issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Apr 17, 2026, 2:53 PM CDT for Marathon County, Wood County, Wisconsin. It was in force for 82 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The counties it named.
The facts
- Issued
- Apr 17, 2026, 2:53 PM CDT (19:53 UTC)
- Expired
- Apr 17, 2026, 4:15 PM CDT
- In force
- 82 min
- Issued by
- NWS Green Bay, WI
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Possible
- Hail
- 1.5 in
- Wind
- 60.0 mph
Counties Marathon County, WI, Wood County, WI
The radar
The La Crosse radar (KARX), 140 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:53 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.
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 |
| Apr 17, 12:40 PM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 9 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 12:00Z, 7.9 hours before the alert went out and 293 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
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Green Bay, WI wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Apr 17, 1:34 PM CDT, 1 hour 19 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- -Severe storms with a risk of tornadoes (possibly strong), large hail and damaging winds are increasingly likely from 3 pm to 8 pm today, with the highest risk across central Wisconsin. -Thunderstorms this afternoon and evening will produce locally heavy rainfall. If this occurs over the flood sensitive areas of central and east central WI additional significant flooding may occur. -Minor to major flooding will continue into next week with the greatest impacts expected on the Menominee and Wolf Rivers where major or record breaking flooding has been observed. -No significant precipitation is expected from Saturday through Thursday, but widespread showers and storms may return next Thursday night into Friday.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 17, 1:34 PM CDT, 1 hour 19 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Green Bay WI 134 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026 Forecast discussion for routine afternoon forecast issuance .KEY MESSAGES... -Severe storms with a risk of tornadoes (possibly strong), large hail and damaging winds are increasingly likely from 3 pm to 8 pm today, with the highest risk across central Wisconsin. -Thunderstorms this afternoon and evening will produce locally heavy rainfall. If this occurs over the flood sensitive areas of central and east central WI additional significant flooding may occur. -Minor to major flooding will continue into next week with the greatest impacts expected on the Menominee and Wolf Rivers where major or record breaking flooding has been observed. -No significant precipitation is expected from Saturday through Thursday, but widespread showers and storms may return next Thursday night into Friday. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 125 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026 Severe Thunderstorm and Flood Potential This Afternoon/Evening... Confidence is increasing in a significant, but fairly brief severe weather event. A narrow axis of SBCAPE (1500-2500 j/kg) was already developing ahead of a strong cold front over SE MN, NE IA and SW WI. This was coincident with 0-1km SRH of 200-250. Radar showed pre-frontal convection occurring in far SW WI and NE IA, with additional storms developing along the cold front in eastern MN. CAMs show intense convection, including supercells and line segments moving through the forecast area between 3 pm and 8 pm. Given the degree of shear, an all-hazard event, including tornadoes, is expected, with the tornado threat lessening for any storms nearing the lakeshore, where less instability will be present. A Tornado Watch has been issued along and south of Hwy 29 (away from Lake Michigan) through 8 pm. A lingering Severe Thunderstorm Watch is also still in effect for far NC WI until 5 pm. This will be a fairly short-lived event, as instability drops off rapidly after sunset. An additional band of light to moderate showers will accompany the cold front later this evening and overnight. Expect most locations to see between 0.50 and 1 inch of precipitation with event, which will exacerbate ongoing flooding. A Flood Watch remains in effect for all but the far northwest part of the CWA. The cold frontal passage will bring a period of cooler weather through the weekend into early next week. The best chance of precipitation during this period will be 20-40 percent chance of snow/rain showers over C/EC WI on Sunday, in association with a short-wave trough and cold frontal passage. Mainly dry and warmer weather is expected for the middle of next week, with high temperatures reaching into the 60s and 70s. An approaching cold front brings another potentially significant round of showers and storms Thursday night into Friday. && .AVIATION...for 12Z TAF Issuance Issued at 628 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026 Fog and very low stratus continues near Lake Michigan due to moist SSE flow off the cold waters. This will likely improve as low- level winds become southwest this evening, then northwest behind a cold front overnight. Thunderstorms storms were develop ahead of a cold front, and are likely to become severe as they move through the forecast area between 20z/Fri-01z/Sat. Flight conditions will quickly lower to MVFR/IFR during the storms, with MVFR and local IFR ceilings lingering into the late evening and overnight. A second band of showers will accompany the passage of the cold front tonight. Expect flight conditions to improve to VFR late tonight into early Saturday. South southeast surface winds will gust to 25 to 35 kts this afternoon, then become NW 15 to 25 kts after the cold front moves through this evening and overnight. Ahead of the front, periods of LLWS will continue. && .HYDROLOGY... Issued at 125 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026 A Flood Watch is in effect through tonight, due to an expected half inch to an inch of rain from thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. Locally higher amounts are possible. Flooding continues along multiple rivers due to the combination of snow melt and recent heavy rainfall, including major flooding along the Wolf and Menominee Rivers. If you live near a river or stream, continue to monitor the latest hydro forecasts and Flood Warnings from the National Weather Service in Green Bay. && .GRB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch through Saturday morning for WIZ011>013-019>022-030- 031-035>040-045-048>050-073-074. && DISCUSSION.....Kieckbusch AVIATION.......GK HYDROLOGY......Kieckbusch
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 17, 1:54 PM CDT, 59 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Green Bay WI 154 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026 WIZ005-010>013-018>022-030-031-035>040-045-048>050-073-074-181900- Vilas-Oneida-Forest-Florence-Northern Marinette County-Lincoln- Langlade-Menominee-Northern Oconto County-Door-Marathon-Shawano- Wood-Portage-Waupaca-Outagamie-Brown-Kewaunee-Waushara-Winnebago- Calumet-Manitowoc-Southern Marinette County- Southern Oconto County- 154 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north-central and northeast Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight Thunderstorms, some severe with locally heavy rain, will impact the area between 3 pm and 8 pm. Hazards include large hail, a few tornadoes, possibly strong, and damaging winds. The highest threat is across central Wisconsin. Flooding may occur with the storms, especially in urban areas, and locations already impacted by heavy rain earlier in the week. River flooding is expected to continue due to recent heavy rainfall, with major flooding on parts of the Wolf and Menominee Rivers. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday Flooding will continue on some area rivers and streams into next week. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are requested to report any severe weather or flooding to the National Weather Service in Green Bay. LMZ521-522-541>543-181900- The Bay of Green Bay south of a line from Cedar River MI to Rock Island Passage-Lake Michigan from Washington Island to Sheboygan- 154 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northwest Lake Michigan and the waters of Green Bay. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight Areas of dense fog are expected through late tonight. A Dense Fog Advisory is in effect for the Lake Michigan nearshore waters and the bay of Green Bay. Thunderstorms will occur later this afternoon and evening. Any thunderstorms could be hazardous to boaters. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. Kieckbusch
The office that day
Everything else NWS Green Bay, WI issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 16, 8:36 PM CDT | Dense Fog Advisory | GRB | Brown, Calumet, Door, Forest, Kewaunee, Langlade and 9 more | 12 hr |
| Apr 16, 8:37 PM CDT | Marine Dense Fog Advisory | GRB | 31 hr | |
| Apr 17, 2:56 AM CDT | Small Craft Advisory | GRB | 31 hr | |
| Apr 17, 3:00 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | GRB | Wood | 60 min |
| Apr 17, 3:27 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GRB | Wood | 48 min |
| Apr 17, 3:40 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | GRB | Lincoln | 65 min |
| Apr 17, 3:52 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GRB | Marathon, Portage, Wood | 53 min |
| Apr 17, 4:10 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | GRB | Marathon, Wood | 5 hr |
| Apr 17, 4:11 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | GRB | Winnebago | 34 min |
| Apr 17, 4:19 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GRB | Oneida | 24 min |
| Apr 17, 4:21 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | GRB | Marathon | 39 min |
| Apr 17, 4:36 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GRB | Lincoln | 39 min |
| Apr 17, 4:44 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | GRB | Marathon | 32 min |
| Apr 17, 4:48 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | GRB | Lincoln | 21 min |
| Apr 17, 4:50 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GRB | Langlade, Lincoln | 30 min |
| Apr 17, 4:52 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | GRB | Langlade, Lincoln | 30 min |
| Apr 17, 5:00 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GRB | Lincoln, Oneida | 45 min |
| Apr 17, 5:06 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | GRB | Langlade, Marathon, Shawano | 39 min |
| Apr 17, 5:14 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | GRB | Wood | 61 min |
| Apr 17, 5:19 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GRB | Forest, Langlade, Oneida | 18 min |
| Apr 17, 5:24 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | GRB | Vilas | 36 min |
| Apr 17, 5:27 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GRB | Langlade, Marathon, Menominee, Portage, Shawano, Waupaca | 37 min |
| Apr 17, 5:28 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | GRB | Vilas | 17 min |
| Apr 17, 5:30 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | GRB | Langlade, Menominee | 45 min |
| Apr 17, 5:48 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | GRB | Shawano | 9 min |
| Apr 17, 5:58 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GRB | Vilas | 32 min |
| Apr 17, 6:06 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | GRB | Langlade, Oconto | 28 min |
| Apr 17, 6:26 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | GRB | Marathon, Portage, Wood | 64 min |
| Apr 17, 6:43 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | GRB | Oneida | 32 min |
| Apr 17, 6:52 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | GRB | Langlade, Marathon, Menominee, Shawano | 2 hr |
| Apr 17, 6:58 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GRB | Oneida, Vilas | 32 min |
Nearby
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Wisconsin, 2026Every severe thunderstorm warning 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.