Alert archive / Wisconsin / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 50, NWS Milwaukee, WI
NWS Milwaukee, WI issued this tornado warning at May 16, 2026, 12:15 AM CDT for Iowa County, Wisconsin. It was in force for 17 min. 3 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
- May 16, 2026, 12:15 AM CDT (05:15 UTC)
- Expired
- May 16, 2026, 12:32 AM CDT
- In force
- 17 min
- Issued by
- NWS Milwaukee, WI
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.75 in
County Iowa County, WI
The radar
The Milwaukee radar (KMKX), 116 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 05:14 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 16, 12:36 AM CDT | TSTM WND GST 58 | 1 Ene Dodgeville, WI | Corrects previous non-tstm wnd gst report from 1 ENE Dodgeville. Mesonet station AP090 Madison. |
| May 16, 12:36 AM CDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 58 | 1 Ene Dodgeville, WI | Mesonet station AP090 Madison. |
| May 16, 12:40 AM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | Dodgeville, WI | Delayed report - several reports of downed trees across Dodgeville WI, including multiple on power lines. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 15, 10:33 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 4 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Davenport, (KDVN), launched 00:00Z, 5.3 hours before the alert went out and 149 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
- 392 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -247 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1683 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 50 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 75 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 214 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.6
The text
As transmitted.
567
WFUS53 KMKX 160515
TORMKX
WIC049-160545-
/O.NEW.KMKX.TO.W.0050.260516T0515Z-260516T0545Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
1215 AM CDT Sat May 16 2026
The National Weather Service in Milwaukee/Sullivan has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southeastern Iowa County in south central Wisconsin...
* Until 1245 AM CDT.
* At 1215 AM CDT, severe thunderstorms capable of producing both
tornadoes and extensive straight line wind damage were located near
Dodgeville, 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.
* This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
southeastern Iowa County, including the following locations...
Jonesdale, Waldwick, Hollandale, Ridgeway, and Barneveld.
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 4301 8984 4282 8984 4281 9004 4281 9012
4297 9017
TIME...MOT...LOC 0515Z 263DEG 45KT 4289 9005
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
MRC1 follow-up statement
489
WWUS53 KMKX 160532
SVSMKX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
1232 AM CDT Sat May 16 2026
WIC049-160542-
/O.CAN.KMKX.TO.W.0050.000000T0000Z-260516T0545Z/
Iowa WI-
1232 AM CDT Sat May 16 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN IOWA COUNTY IS CANCELLED...
The tornado threat has diminished and the Tornado Warning has been
cancelled. However, large hail and damaging winds remain likely and a
Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect for the area. However,
gusty winds are still possible with this thunderstorm.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 500 AM CDT for
south central Wisconsin.
&&
LAT...LON 4301 8984 4282 8984 4281 9004 4281 9012
4297 9017
TIME...MOT...LOC 0530Z 263DEG 45KT 4291 8981
$$
MRCWhat 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 Milwaukee, WI wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at May 15, 11:39 PM CDT, 36 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect through 5 AM CDT from Iowa to Milwaukee Counties southward. This is primarily for damaging winds and isolated hail up to 1 inch in diameter. North of the watch, rain and thunderstorms are still possible, but are not expected to become severe.
- Isolated thunderstorm development Saturday afternoon and evening, with more widespread rain and storms overnight Saturday. A storm or two could become severe, but confidence is not high at this time.
- Active start to next week, with multiple rounds of showers and storms expected. Some storms could be severe & produce locally heavy rainfall.
- Trending quieter & cooler Wednesday into Thursday.
Area forecast discussion, May 15, 11:39 PM CDT, 36 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
1139 PM CDT Fri May 15 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
- A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect through 5 AM CDT from
Iowa to Milwaukee Counties southward. This is primarily for
damaging winds and isolated hail up to 1 inch in diameter.
North of the watch, rain and thunderstorms are still possible,
but are not expected to become severe.
- Isolated thunderstorm development Saturday afternoon and
evening, with more widespread rain and storms overnight
Saturday. A storm or two could become severe, but confidence
is not high at this time.
- Active start to next week, with multiple rounds of showers
and storms expected. Some storms could be severe & produce
locally heavy rainfall.
- Trending quieter & cooler Wednesday into Thursday.
&&
.SHORT TERM...
Issued 1140 PM CDT Fri May 15 2026
Tonight through Sunday:
850 mb LLJ will strengthen existent storms as they progress
southeastward tonight along and south of the I-94 corridor late
tonight through early Saturday morning. A Severe Thunderstorm
Watch is in effect for Iowa County through Milwaukee County
southward. With storms already developing linear structure,
expecting the hail threat to be lower than previously
forecasted, although a few cores may become strong enough to
produce 1 inch in diameter hail. Cloud bases do remain high,
around 4000 ft, and combined with a stable to moist adiabatic
airmass in the low levels, expecting very low tornado threat.
An isolated tornado DOES remain possible in scenarios with an
easterly bowing segment and strong rear inflow jet. Storms are
expected to maintain intensity through the Lake Michigan
Counties, but confidence decreases farther east. Regardless of
intensity, expecting storms to exit offshore by 5 AM CDT.
Lingering light showers are possible after storms exit Saturday,
with clearing conditions through the rest of the day. Low
pressure developing in the central High Plains will bring warm
frontogenesis back into the Upper Midwest late Saturday
afternoon into Saturday night. If storms develop early enough on
Saturday (HRRR favors this solution with MUCAPE around 1000 J/kg),
probabilities for an isolated severe thunderstorm increase.
However, confidence is low (1 out of 5, or Marginal on the SPC
scale). More widespread rain and storms are expected to develop
during the overnight hours along this wing of frontogenesis.
Ingredients are not favorable for severe weather overnight, with
minimal MUCAPE and mid-level lapse rates only near 6 degrees
C/km as the surface front lingers just to the south.
Early Sunday morning, warm front finally lifts northward
through southern Wisconsin, bringing increasing instability and
shear. With overrunning precipitation, still not anticipating
any organization, but storms may become briefly surface based.
Southeasterly winds expected throughout the day Sunday, keeping
a wide temperature margin from the Lake Michigan and central
Wisconsin (low to mid 70s) to southwestern and inland counties
(low to mid 80s). Sunday afternoon, low pressure ejects into the
central Plains, bringing an additional frontogenesis region to
southwestern Wisconsin. Severe storms may become possible Sunday
afternoon into Sunday evening in this region, but confidence in
timing and placement remains in question (slower low
progression would result in less severe potential).
MH
&&
.LONG TERM...
Issued 1140 PM CDT Fri May 15 2026
Sunday night through Thursday:
Synopsis: Longwave ridging will remain entrenched over the eastern
CONUS Sunday night through the beginning of next week as a broad
upper trough gradually migrates from the Great Basin to the Northern
Plains. The upper pattern will support persistent high pressure off
the Eastern Seaboard, with broad low pressure gradually building
from the Central Plains into the upper Mississippi River Valley. The
placement of surface features will support southwesterly winds and
well-above normal temperatures through the day Monday. Muggy
conditions will accompany the warm temperatures. Temperatures will
slowly begin to trend downward Tuesday as low pressure continues to
build from Michigan's Upper Peninsula into Ontario, sweeping a cold
front across southern Wisconsin. The warm/muggy conditions &
eastward progressing upper trough, surface low and cold front will
support a continued active pattern featuring multiple chances for
additional showers and thunderstorms Sunday night into Tuesday. Some
storms could be severe, with locally heavy rainfall also possible.
Conditions will trend quieter and cooler in the wake of the departed
cold front Wednesday through Thursday.
Monday: Widespread thunderstorm development is forecast from the
Central Plains into the mid-upper Mississippi Valley during the
afternoon/evening hours as upper troughing & a surface cold front
impinge upon a warm/moist & unstable air mass in place regionally.
An overlap of ample instability with abundant speed & directional
wind shear will be supportive for potentially substantial severe
weather hazards in thunderstorm development. Precipitable water
values in the 1.25-1.50"+ range will also be favorable for heavy
downpours & locally heavy rainfall in any convection. Certainty of
the severe weather forecast picture in the MKX CWA, however, remains
cloudier relative to areas further west, as influences from early
day showers/storms could impact the quality of the afternoon/evening
warm sector over southern Wisconsin. Further, a number of different
solutions regarding the forward progression of the ejecting upper
trough & mirroring surface features remain apparent in available
global/mesoscale forecast guidance. If slower solutions apparent in
some guidance win out, the corridor of peak severe potential would
trend further west/away from southern Wisconsin. Will thus be
monitoring forecast trends very closely through the weekend, as
small changes in expectations for early day storms and/or storm
system progression will have large ramifications on the potential
for severe weather in southern Wisconsin on Monday.
Tuesday: Could see shower/storm potential linger around the region,
particularly in the scenario of a slower storm system
evolution/delayed cold frontal arrival in southern Wisconsin.
Wouldn't be able to rule out a few stronger storms with additional
heavy rainfall in the event the cold front hangs up long enough &
instability can build back into parts of the area. Will be watching
trends over coming forecasts.
Quigley
&&
.AVIATION...
Issued 1140 PM CDT Fri May 15 2026
VFR conditions expected through the remainder of tonight outside
of organized thunderstorms. A line of strong thunderstorms
is expected to progress west to east along and south of the I-94
corridor tonight. Confidence is high in widespread thunderstorm
activity all the way to Lake Michigan, and will amend as storms
move toward terminals for updated wind speed potential. LLWS
will continue ahead of these storms as winds remain southerly at
the surface, and will diminish after the strong storms move
eastward and winds turn west-northwesterly. Expect light rain
to continue with isolated lightning for a few hours after the
line of storms exits. MVFR conditions are possible within and
behind the storms.
Storms will exit into Lake Michigan by 5 AM CDT Saturday, with
expectations for skies to remain VFR and become clear into
Saturday afternoon. Northwesterly winds will continue through
the day. Additional clouds around 3500 ft may develop Saturday
late afternoon into Saturday evening as a warm front develops.
Precipitation chances increase into Saturday night (50-70%
chance), with lightning expected in the strongest cells. Winds
will also shift to southeasterly overnight.
MH
&&
.MARINE...
Issued 1140 PM CDT Fri May 15 2026
Low pressure around 29.1 inches exiting into the Hudson Bay will
keep gusty southerly winds across the Lake through early
Saturday morning. Expect winds to shift to become northwesterly
and light into Saturday as a front crosses the lake.
Thunderstorms are expected along this front, with a few
becoming strong with gusty erratic winds possible. Storms will
end shortly after sunrise. Lighter northwest winds continue
through Saturday, with light and variable winds overnight.
Sunday, low pressure around 29.2 inches will develop in the
central High Plains, shifting winds to easterly. Winds remain
easterly through Sunday, shifting to southwesterly and becoming
gusty Sunday night through Monday night as low pressure ejects
into the western Great Lakes region. A few strong thunderstorms
are possible on Monday as low pressure crosses Lake Superior.
Potential for a few strong thunderstorms remains into Tuesday as
low pressure lingers in the region.
MH
&&
.MKX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WI...None.
LM...Gale Warning...LMZ261-LMZ362-LMZ364-LMZ563 until 1 AM Saturday.
Small Craft Advisory...LMZ643-LMZ644-LMZ645-LMZ646 until 4 AM
Saturday.
&&
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www.youtube.com/NWSMilwaukeeHazardous weather outlook, May 15, 2:27 PM CDT, 9 hours 48 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI 227 PM CDT Fri May 15 2026 WIZ046-047-051-052-056>060-062>072-161930- Marquette-Green Lake-Fond du Lac-Sheboygan-Sauk-Columbia-Dodge- Washington-Ozaukee-Iowa-Dane-Jefferson-Waukesha-Milwaukee- Lafayette-Green-Rock-Walworth-Racine-Kenosha- 227 PM CDT Fri May 15 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of east central Wisconsin, south central Wisconsin and southeast Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...Tonight A line of strong to severe thundestorms expected to develop and push across southern WI overnight tonight after 10 PM. Strong/damaging winds and some hail will be the main threats, especially toward the WI/IL border. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Friday Rounds of thunderstorms are expected Saturday night through Tuesday. The best chance for strong to severe storms will be later on Sunday and Monday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will be needed tonight. Overnight wind and hail reports would be appreciated. LMZ643>646-161930- Sheboygan to Port Washington WI- Port Washington to North Point Light WI- North Point Light to Wind Point WI- Wind Point WI to Winthrop Harbor IL- 227 PM CDT Fri May 15 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the nearshore waters from Sheboygan Wisconsin to Winthrop Harbor Illinois. .DAY ONE...Tonight Small craft conditions this evening/tonight. There is a chance of thunderstorms tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Friday There are chances for thunderstorms at times Saturday night through Tuesday. Periods of small craft conditions at times into early next week. LMZ080-261-362-364-366-563-565-567-669-671-673-675-777-779-868- 870-872-874-876-878-161930- Lake Michigan Michigan City IN to St. Joseph MI 5 NM offshore to mid-line of lake.- Lake Michigan from Seul Choix Point to Rock Island Passage 5NM offshore to Mid Lake- Lake Michigan South of a line from Seul Choix Point to the Mackinac Bridge and North of a line from Charlevoix MI to South Fox Island 5NM offshore- Lake Michigan from Charlevoix to Point Betsie MI 5NM Offshore to mid lake- Lake Michigan from Point Betsie to Manistee MI 5NM offshore to Mid Lake- Lake Michigan from Rock Island Passage to Sturgeon Bay WI 5NM offshore to mid lake- Lake Michigan from Sturgeon Bay to Two Rivers WI 5NM offshore to Mid Lake- Lake Michigan from Two Rivers to Sheboygan WI 5NM offshore to Mid Lake- Lake Michigan from Sheboygan to Port Washington WI 5NM offshore to Mid Lake- Lake Michigan from Port Washington to North Point Light WI 5NM offshore to Mid Lake- Lake Michigan from North Point Light to Wind Point WI 5NM offshore to Mid Lake- Lake Michigan from Wind Point WI to Winthrop Harbor IL 5NM offshore to Mid Lake- Lake Michigan from Winthrop Harbor to Wilmette Harbor IL 5NM offshore to Mid Lake- Lake Michigan from Wilmette Harbor to Michigan City in 5NM offshore to Mid Lake- Lake Michigan from Pentwater to Manistee MI 5NM offshore to Mid Lake- Lake Michigan from Whitehall to Pentwater MI 5NM offshore to Mid Lake- Lake Michigan from Grand Haven to Whitehall MI 5NM offshore to Mid Lake- Lake Michigan from Holland to Grand Haven MI 5NM offshore to Mid Lake- Lake Michigan from South Haven to Holland MI 5NM offshore to Mid lake- Lake Michigan from St Joseph to South Haven MI 5NM offshore to Mid Lake- 227 PM CDT Fri May 15 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the open waters of Lake Michigan. .DAY ONE...Tonight Southerly gales are expected for the northern third into tonight. A Gale Warning remains in effect. Thunderstorms are possible late tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Friday Gales may be possible again Monday and Tuesday. There are chances for thunderstorms at times Saturday night into early next week. www.weather.gov/mkx
In the hours before
Special weather statement, May 16, 12:10 AM CDT, 5 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
1210 AM CDT Sat May 16 2026
WIZ046-047-057-058-160600-
Dodge WI-Columbia WI-Green Lake WI-Marquette WI-
1210 AM CDT Sat May 16 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN GREEN LAKE...
NORTHEASTERN COLUMBIA...SOUTHEASTERN MARQUETTE AND NORTHWESTERN DODGE
COUNTIES THROUGH 100 AM CDT...
At 1210 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Portage to near Pardeeville to near Rio.
Movement was northeast at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Portage, Pardeeville, Randolph, Markesan, Rio, Cambria, Fox Lake,
Manchester, Wyocena, Otsego, Friesland, Kingston, Doylestown,
Marquette, Astico, and Dalton.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 90/94 between mile markers 102 and 108.
Interstate 39 between mile markers 85 and 98.
Interstate 39/90/94 near mile marker 109.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4370 8893 4366 8889 4363 8889 4363 8886
4361 8884 4335 8923 4346 8948 4350 8960
4356 8960 4356 8965 4357 8967 4378 8928
TIME...MOT...LOC 0510Z 248DEG 41KT 4354 8955 4349 8936 4340 8920
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
QUIGLEYThe office that day
Everything else NWS Milwaukee, WI issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 15, 11:40 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MKX | Iowa, Lafayette | 80 min |
| May 15, 11:55 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MKX | Iowa, Lafayette | 35 min |
| May 16, 12:07 AM CDT | Tornado Warning | MKX | Lafayette | 23 min |
| May 16, 12:10 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | MKX | Columbia | 50 min |
| May 16, 12:19 AM CDT | Tornado Warning | MKX | Lafayette | 26 min |
| May 16, 12:21 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | MKX | Sauk | 39 min |
| May 16, 12:24 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MKX | Dane, Green, Rock | 66 min |
| May 16, 1:06 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MKX | Jefferson, Rock, Walworth | 54 min |
| May 16, 1:09 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | MKX | Fond du Lac | 51 min |
| May 16, 1:20 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MKX | Fond du Lac, Sheboygan | 40 min |
| May 16, 1:33 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | MKX | Kenosha, Milwaukee, Racine, Waukesha | 57 min |
| May 16, 1:50 AM CDT | Special Marine Warning | MKX | 85 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.