Alert archive / Wisconsin / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 8, NWS Green Bay, WI
NWS Green Bay, WI issued this tornado warning at Apr 17, 2026, 5:28 PM CDT for Vilas County, Wisconsin. It was in force for 17 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
- Apr 17, 2026, 5:28 PM CDT (22:28 UTC)
- Expired
- Apr 17, 2026, 5:45 PM CDT
- In force
- 17 min
- Issued by
- NWS Green Bay, WI
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 1.0 in
County Vilas County, WI
The radar
The Marquette radar (KMQT), 128 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:29 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, 5:29 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 4 Wsw Phelps, WI | Time estimated by radar. Trees and power lines down on Moore Lane southwest of Phelps. Also Trees and power lines down on Hwy 17 in the area. Possible tornado, spotted by public. Reports relayed from Vilas County Sheriff. |
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, 10.5 hours before the alert went out and 378 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.
990
WFUS53 KGRB 172228
TORGRB
WIC125-172300-
/O.NEW.KGRB.TO.W.0008.260417T2228Z-260417T2300Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Green Bay WI
528 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
The National Weather Service in Green Bay has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southeastern Vilas County in north central Wisconsin...
* Until 600 PM CDT.
* At 528 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Phelps, or 7 miles northeast of Eagle River,
moving northeast at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and quarter 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...
Phelps around 535 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Anvil
Lake Campground and Spectacle Lake Campground.
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 4613 8906 4607 8893 4599 8893 4598 8895
4598 8905 4593 8905 4590 8912 4601 8924
4613 8908
TIME...MOT...LOC 2228Z 227DEG 44KT 4599 8912
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
MPC2 follow-up statements
125
WWUS53 KGRB 172240
SVSGRB
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Green Bay WI
540 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
WIC125-172300-
/O.CON.KGRB.TO.W.0008.000000T0000Z-260417T2300Z/
Vilas WI-
540 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 PM CDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL VILAS COUNTY...
At 540 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Phelps, or 15 miles west of Iron River, moving
northeast at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
east central Vilas County.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 4613 8906 4607 8893 4599 8893 4608 8914
4613 8908
TIME...MOT...LOC 2240Z 227DEG 44KT 4609 8896
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
MPC097
WWUS53 KGRB 172245
SVSGRB
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Green Bay WI
545 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
WIC125-172255-
/O.CAN.KGRB.TO.W.0008.000000T0000Z-260417T2300Z/
Vilas WI-
545 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL VILAS COUNTY IS CANCELLED...
The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT for
north central and northeastern Wisconsin.
&&
LAT...LON 4613 8906 4607 8893 4599 8893 4608 8914
4613 8908
TIME...MOT...LOC 2245Z 227DEG 44KT 4614 8889
$$
MPCWhat 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 Green Bay, WI wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Apr 17, 1:34 PM CDT, 3 hours 54 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, 3 hours 54 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, 3 hours 34 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
In the hours before
Local storm report, Apr 17, 4:41 PM CDT, 47 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Green Bay WI
441 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0441 PM Hail 1 NW Rothschild 44.89N 89.62W
04/17/2026 M0.25 Inch Marathon WI Trained Spotter
&&
JFLocal storm report, Apr 17, 4:58 PM CDT, 30 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Green Bay WI
458 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0451 PM Tornado 1 SE Weston 44.89N 89.55W
04/17/2026 Marathon WI Fire Dept/Rescue
Damage to houses.
&&
JFLocal storm report, Apr 17, 5:01 PM CDT, 27 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Green Bay WI
501 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0455 PM Funnel Cloud 1 S Jeffris 45.49N 89.43W
04/17/2026 Lincoln WI Trained Spotter
Seen funnel cloud in area with strong winds
and rain.
&&
JFLocal storm report, Apr 17, 5:07 PM CDT, 21 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Green Bay WI
507 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0505 PM Tornado 1 SSW Ringle 44.89N 89.41W
04/17/2026 Marathon WI Trained Spotter
Caller said tornado on ground going north
east.
&&
JFLocal storm report, Apr 17, 5:18 PM CDT, 10 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Green Bay WI
518 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0515 PM Funnel Cloud 5 NNW Stevens Point 44.58N 89.60W
04/17/2026 Portage WI Law Enforcement
Sheriff office called saying officers have
seen funnel cloud going over I39.
&&
JFSpecial weather statement, Apr 17, 5:24 PM CDT, 4 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Green Bay WI
524 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
WIZ005-011-172300-
Vilas WI-Forest WI-
524 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN FOREST AND
SOUTHEASTERN VILAS COUNTIES THROUGH 600 PM CDT...
At 524 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Eagle River, moving northeast at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel 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...
Phelps around 530 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this storm include Franklin Lake
Campground, Spectacle Lake Campground, Anvil Lake Campground, and Lac
Vieux Desert.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT for
north central and northeastern Wisconsin.
&&
LAT...LON 4614 8909 4604 8886 4603 8883 4589 8905
4590 8918 4589 8918 4597 8931 4615 8913
TIME...MOT...LOC 2224Z 227DEG 45KT 4597 8915
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
MPCThe 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, 2:53 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GRB | Marathon, Wood | 82 min |
| 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, 5:30 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
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.