Alert archive / Wisconsin / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 61, NWS Milwaukee, WI

June 17, 2026Iowa County, Wisconsin

NWS Milwaukee, WI issued this tornado warning at Jun 17, 2026, 5:52 PM CDT for Iowa County, Wisconsin. It was in force for 41 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
Jun 17, 2026, 5:52 PM CDT (22:52 UTC)
Expired
Jun 17, 2026, 6:33 PM CDT
In force
41 min
Issued by
NWS Milwaukee, WI
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.75 in

County Iowa County, WI

The radar

The La Crosse radar (KARX), 111 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:51 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
Jun 17, 6:03 PM CDTTSTM WND DMG1 Nne Highland, WIReport of multiple trees down with at least one tree snapped at the base along with several other split or large branches down. Also home satellite dish ripped off the roof along with powerlines down around the property off of State Highway 80 north of Highlan

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.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Jun 17, 5:36 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC3 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Davenport, (KDVN), launched 12:00Z, 10.9 hours before the alert went out and 164 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.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Davenport, at 12:00Z on 2026-06-17Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Davenport, at 12:00Z on 2026-06-17The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 179 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
2165 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
52 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
179 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
218 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

395 
WFUS53 KMKX 172252
TORMKX
WIC049-172345-
/O.NEW.KMKX.TO.W.0061.260617T2252Z-260617T2345Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
552 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026

The National Weather Service in Milwaukee/Sullivan has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Northwestern Iowa County in south central Wisconsin...

* Until 645 PM CDT.

* At 552 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located 8 miles east of Boscobel, or 18 miles southwest of
  Richland Center, moving east at 40 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 dangerous storm will be near...
  Dodgeville around 615 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Clyde,
Blackhawk Lake Rec Area, Governor Dodge St Park, and Highland.

Other landmarks included are the following Location The House on the
Rock.
 
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 4316 9043 4314 9001 4293 9006 4303 9043
TIME...MOT...LOC 2252Z 283DEG 36KT 4310 9055 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

GAGAN
4 follow-up statements
257 
WWUS53 KMKX 172304
SVSMKX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
604 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026

WIC049-172345-
/O.CON.KMKX.TO.W.0061.000000T0000Z-260617T2345Z/
Iowa WI-
604 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 645 PM CDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN IOWA COUNTY...

At 604 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 8 miles south of Muscoda, or 14 miles northwest of
Dodgeville, moving east at 45 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 dangerous storm will be near...
  Dodgeville around 610 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Clyde,
Blackhawk Lake Rec Area, Governor Dodge St Park, and Highland.

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 4316 9043 4314 9001 4293 9006 4303 9043
TIME...MOT...LOC 2304Z 281DEG 38KT 4307 9038 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

GAGAN
521 
WWUS53 KMKX 172316
SVSMKX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
616 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026

WIC049-172345-
/O.CON.KMKX.TO.W.0061.000000T0000Z-260617T2345Z/
Iowa WI-
616 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 645 PM CDT FOR CENTRAL
IOWA COUNTY...

At 616 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 7 miles northwest of Dodgeville, moving east at 40 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 dangerous storm will be near...
  Dodgeville around 620 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Blackhawk Lake Rec Area, Governor Dodge St Park, and Clyde.

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 4315 9024 4314 9001 4293 9006 4302 9037
TIME...MOT...LOC 2316Z 283DEG 36KT 4304 9022 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

GAGAN
286 
WWUS53 KMKX 172326
SVSMKX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
626 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026

WIC049-172345-
/O.CON.KMKX.TO.W.0061.000000T0000Z-260617T2345Z/
Iowa WI-
626 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 645 PM CDT FOR CENTRAL
IOWA COUNTY...

At 626 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Dodgeville, moving east at 40 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
central Iowa County, including the following locations... Governor
Dodge St Park.

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 4314 9001 4293 9006 4297 9019 4314 9012
TIME...MOT...LOC 2326Z 283DEG 36KT 4302 9009 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

GAGAN
506 
WWUS53 KMKX 172333
SVSMKX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
633 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026

WIC049-172343-
/O.CAN.KMKX.TO.W.0061.000000T0000Z-260617T2345Z/
Iowa WI-
633 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR CENTRAL IOWA COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for south central
Wisconsin.

&&

LAT...LON 4314 9001 4293 9006 4297 9019 4314 9012
TIME...MOT...LOC 2332Z 283DEG 36KT 4300 8999 

$$

GAGAN

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 Milwaukee, WI wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Jun 17, 2:55 PM CDT, 2 hours 57 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms expected today into tonight. Still monitoring an isolated risk for a few severe storms (hail/wind) late afternoon into the evening, though the greatest chances will be to the south of the area.
  • A Small Craft Advisory and High Swim Risk are both in effect for nearshore regions and beaches through late tonight. Gusty southeast winds will lead to high waves and dangerous currents.
  • The next substantial chance for thunderstorms arrives Sunday (45-65% chances), although on and off periods of isolated to scattered storms are possible through much of the week.
Area forecast discussion, Jun 17, 2:55 PM CDT, 2 hours 57 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
255 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms expected today
  into tonight. Still monitoring an isolated risk for a few
  severe storms (hail/wind) late afternoon into the evening,
  though the greatest chances will be to the south of the area.

- A Small Craft Advisory and High Swim Risk are both in effect
  for nearshore regions and beaches through late tonight. Gusty
  southeast winds will lead to high waves and dangerous
  currents.

- The next substantial chance for thunderstorms arrives Sunday
  (45-65% chances), although on and off periods of isolated to
  scattered storms are possible through much of the week.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
Issued 255 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026

Tonight through Thursday:

Light rain continues across the WI/IL border into this evening,
with the line of expected thunderstorms along a cold front
progressing eastward from southern Minnesota. Expecting storms
to arrive in southwestern Wisconsin around 5 PM CDT, progressing
to southeastern Wisconsin by 7 PM CDT. With plenty of cloud
cover and very little instability building into the region
(MUCAPE 500-750 J/kg riding just ahead of the cold frontal
boundary), expecting the primary hazard with this activity to be
lightning. An isolated storm may become severe in primarily
southwestern Wisconsin, with wind and hail as the main threats.
Storms will exit into Lake Michigan by sunset, with only a few
showers in central and southeastern Wisconsin lingering after
dark.

Winds are also expected to build waves up along Lake Michigan
beaches, with a High Swim Risk expected throughout this
afternoon and tonight. Stay out of the water and away from
dangerous areas like piers and breakwalls!

Winds become northwesterly overnight as low pressure exits to
the east, with gusty conditions possible in southeastern
Wisconsin Thursday morning before becoming steady midday.
Thursday afternoon, isolated thunderstorms along a weak 500 mb
shortwave are possible. No severe weather is expected with these
storms, but lightning is anticipated.

MH

&&

.LONG TERM...
Issued 255 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026

Thursday night through Wednesday:

Drier conditions are expected Thursday night as a surface high
pressure system begins to move in from the Plains following a
surface low. There is a slight chance for isolated precipitation
Thursday night (10-20%). As the high pressure enters from the
west Friday morning behind a cold front, primarily stable and
drier conditions are expected. However, the development of a NW-
SE jet streak over the region could bring a chance for
precipitation (20-40%) due to the upward motion following the
pattern. Temperatures for both Thursday and Friday suggest highs
in the low to mid-70s.

Into Saturday, an upper-level trough propagates eastward, with
the geopotential height gradients tightening around the upper-
level jet streak. A shortwave ridge in this region decreases the
chance for precipitation Saturday (<10%) with temperatures
rising into the upper 70s. With the tropical jet and polar jet
enhancing the jet streak, conditions favor the intensification
of a low pressure system in the Plains Saturday night, which
could create showers and thunderstorms in our region (50-70%).
As low pressure moves through Sunday, temperatures are expected
to drop into the low 70s.

Conditions are expected to become dry and warmer Monday, as a
surface high pressure system and upper-level ridge favor these
conditions. Tuesday and Wednesday still pose uncertainty with the
position of an eastward-propogating trough and a surface low in
the Plains moving toward the Mississippi River Valley. There is a
potential for showers on both Tuesday and Wednesday (10-30%), but
likelihood depends on the location of these systems.

Zawlocki

&&

.AVIATION...
Issued 255 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026

Southeasterly winds remain gusty at 25 to 30 kt outside of a
band of rain slowly moving across the I-94 corridor. Inside of
rain showers, gusty winds up to 20 kt are expected. Expecting
ceilings to continue to fall to become IFR by this evening and
through the overnight. Lightning chances have diminished
greatly for the afternoon, with the better chances for
thunderstorms now looking to arrive between 21Z and 00Z. A few
of these storms earlier in the evening may become capable of
producing damaging wind and hail. These storms will exit into
Lake Michigan by sunset, with showers lingering into the
overnight hours in southeast and central Wisconsin. Winds will
shift to become northwesterly overnight as well. Northwest winds
will continue into Thursday, with steady winds between 12 and 15
kt expected through much of the day. Thursday afternoon,
isolated (~15% coverage) thunderstorms are possible.

MH

&&

.MARINE...
Issued 255 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026

Southeasterly winds gusting consistently around 30 kt will build
waves in the southern half of Lake Michigan into this evening
as low pressure around 29.2 inches approaches. Winds will become
northeasterly in the northern half and westerly in the southern
half as low pressure crosses central portions of the open waters
late tonight. Winds in the southern half will continue to gust
near 30 kt. For both periods, a few gales are expected. Isolated
thunderstorms are also expected across the southern half this
evening.

As low pressure exits into Michigan early Thursday morning,
expect all winds to shift to become northwesterly and diminish
gradually into Thursday. Winds remain light and northwesterly
through the remainder of Thursday and through Friday as high
pressure around 30.0 inches progresses southeastward into the
Lower Mississippi Valley. Winds may briefly turn southwesterly
Friday night as weak low pressure moves through the region, but
high pressure will rapidly regain dominance by Saturday,
keeping winds light and variable. Stronger low pressure will
approach from the central Plains on Sunday, bringing more
widespread rain and thunderstorms and turning winds to
northeasterly. Northeast winds will continue into early next
week.

MH

&&

.MKX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WI...Beach Hazards Statement...WIZ052-WIZ060-WIZ066-WIZ071-WIZ072
     until 4 AM Thursday.

LM...Small Craft Advisory...LMZ643-LMZ644-LMZ645-LMZ646 until 4 AM
     Thursday.

&&

Visit us at weather.gov/milwaukee

Follow us on Facebook, X, and YouTube at:
www.facebook.com/NWSMilwaukee
www.x.com/NWSMilwaukee
www.youtube.com/NWSMilwaukee
Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 17, 2:10 PM CDT, 3 hours 42 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
210 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026

WIZ046-047-051-052-056>060-062>072-181915-
Marquette-Green Lake-Fond du Lac-Sheboygan-Sauk-Columbia-Dodge-
Washington-Ozaukee-Iowa-Dane-Jefferson-Waukesha-Milwaukee-
Lafayette-Green-Rock-Walworth-Racine-Kenosha-
210 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of east central
Wisconsin, south central Wisconsin and southeast Wisconsin.

.DAY ONE...Tonight

Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected this afternoon
into this evening, with a few gaining the potential to produce
damaging winds and hail.

A High Swim Risk is in effect for Lake Michigan beaches through
late tonight. Gusty southeast winds will lead to life threatening
waves of 5 to 7 ft and dangerous currents. Stay out of the water
and away from dangerous areas like piers and breakwalls!

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Wednesday

Isolated to scattered thunderstorms possible Thursday and Friday.

Next noteworthy chance for widespread thunderstorm development is
Sunday.

Thunderstorm chances also develop Tuesday and Wednesday of next
week.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed this afternoon and evening.

LMZ643>646-181915-
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-
210 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the nearshore waters from
Sheboygan Wisconsin to Winthrop Harbor Illinois.

.DAY ONE...Tonight

Thunderstorms are possible this evening. A few storms may become
strong to severe, particularly further south towards Winthrop
Harbor.

A Small Craft Advisory is in effect this afternoon through late
tonight. Gusty southeast winds and high waves are expected. Winds
turn west to northwest late tonight, but waves remain elevated
into the early morning hours.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Wednesday

Next noteworthy chance for widespread thunderstorm development is
Sunday.

LMZ080-261-362-364-366-563-565-567-669-671-673-675-777-779-868-
870-872-874-876-878-181915-
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-
210 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the open waters of Lake
Michigan.

.DAY ONE...Tonight

Thunderstorms are possible this evening. A few may become strong
to severe, especially across southern portions of the Lake.

A few gales are possible this afternoon into tonight over the
southern half of the lake.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Wednesday

Next noteworthy chance for thunderstorm development is Sunday.

www.weather.gov/mkx

The office that day

Everything else NWS Milwaukee, WI issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jun 17, 6:23 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMKXDane, Iowa52 min
Jun 17, 6:46 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMKXDane, Green, Iowa, Lafayette, Rock59 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.