Alert archive / Wisconsin / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 72, NWS Milwaukee, WI

July 2, 2026Iowa County, Wisconsin

NWS Milwaukee, WI issued this tornado warning at Jul 2, 2026, 4:56 PM CDT for Iowa County, Wisconsin. It was in force for 49 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Jul 2, 2026, 4:56 PM CDT (21:56 UTC)
Expired
Jul 2, 2026, 5:45 PM CDT
In force
49 min
Issued by
NWS Milwaukee, WI
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
1.0 in

County Iowa County, WI

The radar

The Milwaukee radar (KMKX), 115 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:58 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.

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
Jul 2, 3:19 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Lincoln, IL (KILX), launched 12:00Z, 9.9 hours before the alert went out and 334 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, Lincoln, IL at 12:00Z on 2026-07-02Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 2066 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Lincoln, IL at 12:00Z on 2026-07-02The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -15 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
2066 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-103 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
961 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
30 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-15 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
45 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

434 
WFUS53 KMKX 022156
TORMKX
WIC049-022245-
/O.NEW.KMKX.TO.W.0072.260702T2156Z-260702T2245Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
456 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

The National Weather Service in Milwaukee/Sullivan has issued a

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

* Until 545 PM CDT.

* At 456 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located over Dodgeville, moving east at 25 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.

  SOURCE...Weather spotters reported funnel cloud near Ridgeway.

  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 500 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Barneveld, Jonesdale, Ridgeway, Blue Mound St Park, and Hollandale.

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 4309 8984 4286 8984 4286 9014 4298 9017
TIME...MOT...LOC 2156Z 250DEG 20KT 4293 9013 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN

$$

PATTERSON
3 follow-up statements
868 
WWUS53 KMKX 022212
SVSMKX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
512 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

WIC049-022245-
/O.CON.KMKX.TO.W.0072.000000T0000Z-260702T2245Z/
Iowa WI-
512 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 545 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN IOWA COUNTY...

At 512 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Dodgeville, moving east at 25 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...
Barneveld, Jonesdale, Ridgeway, Blue Mound St Park, and Hollandale.

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 4309 8984 4286 8984 4286 9010 4302 9006
TIME...MOT...LOC 2212Z 250DEG 20KT 4296 9001 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN

$$

PATTERSON
135 
WWUS53 KMKX 022224
SVSMKX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
524 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

WIC049-022245-
/O.CON.KMKX.TO.W.0072.000000T0000Z-260702T2245Z/
Iowa WI-
524 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 545 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN IOWA COUNTY...

At 524 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 8 miles southwest of Mount Horeb, moving east at 30 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...
Hollandale.

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 4297 8984 4286 8984 4286 8999 4294 8994
TIME...MOT...LOC 2224Z 254DEG 25KT 4293 8985 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

$$

PATTERSON
104 
WWUS53 KMKX 022237
SVSMKX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
537 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

WIC049-022247-
/O.EXP.KMKX.TO.W.0072.000000T0000Z-260702T2245Z/
Iowa WI-
537 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN IOWA COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT
545 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 1000 PM CDT for
south central Wisconsin.

&&

LAT...LON 4297 8984 4286 8984 4286 8999 4294 8994
TIME...MOT...LOC 2237Z 250DEG 20KT 4295 8976 

$$

QUIGLEY

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 Jul 2, 1:59 PM CDT, 2 hours 57 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • An Extreme Heat Warning remains in effect for portions of south central and southeast WI into this evening. Additional heat headlines are not anticipated the remainder of this week.
  • Developing line of storms over ne IA is expected to move across srn WI late this afternoon and evening. Damaging winds is the main threat with a low potential for QLCS tornadoes.
  • Flood Watch for Sauk County until 7 AM CDT Fri for a flash flood potential given the 2 to 3 inches of accumulation today, and expected thunderstorms from late this afternoon through tnt.
  • Showers and thunderstorms chances of 50-80 percent continue for Fri-Sat but with lessening severe thunderstorm chances.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 2, 1:59 PM CDT, 2 hours 57 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
159 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- An Extreme Heat Warning remains in effect for portions of
  south central and southeast WI into this evening. Additional
  heat headlines are not anticipated the remainder of this week.

- Developing line of storms over ne IA is expected to move
  across srn WI late this afternoon and evening. Damaging winds
  is the main threat with a low potential for QLCS tornadoes.

- Flood Watch for Sauk County until 7 AM CDT Fri for a flash
  flood potential given the 2 to 3 inches of accumulation today,
  and expected thunderstorms from late this afternoon through
  tnt.

- Showers and thunderstorms chances of 50-80 percent continue
  for Fri-Sat but with lessening severe thunderstorm chances.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
Issued 159 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

Tonight through Friday night:

The developing MCS over ne IA is expected to move ewd across srn
WI late this afternoon and evening. MLCAPE may rebound to 2000
J/KG as far north of Madison and Milwaukee with lower amounts
and higher MLCIN to the north. Wly 0-3 KM shear around 30 kts is
expected yielding the potential for mesovortex generation and
associated damaging winds and isolated tornadoes. Afterward,
additional showers and storms can be expected as a swly low
level jet around 30 kts develops ahead of a shortwave trough
moving from nrn IA and srn MN across WI. This will likely yield
more of heavy rain threat. Given the 2-3 inches of rain today
over Sauk County, issued a Flood Watch for potential flash flooding
but lesser chances elsewhere due to drier antecedent conditions.

Another shortwave trough will approach from MN Fri AM and drift
across nrn and central WI during the day. CAMs also have a MCS
with this feature but many weaken it as it moves into srn WI.
Given the morning timing and the better instability shifting the
the south, this is plausible. Rain chances of 50-80 percent
over south central WI and 50 percent over se WI. Some
development in the afternoon is possible.

Additional shortwave troughs are expected for the weekend but
with lesser instability and near normal temperatures each day.
Rain chances of 60-80 percent on Sat falling to 20-40 percent
for Sun.

Gehring

&&

.LONG TERM...
Issued 159 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

Monday through Thursday:

Weak nwly flow aloft and high 500 mb heights will prevail next
week. Warm and humid conditions typical of July are forecast.
Weak shortwave troughs within the flow will bring 20-40 percent
chances of showers and storms at times.

Gehring

&&

.AVIATION...
Issued 159 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

Sct-bkn035-045 cumlus will develop late this afternoon ahead of
a line of storms approaching from ne IA. This line of storms
will move east across srn WI late this afternoon and evening and
possibly be followed by additional storms during the night. AT
least scattered showers and storms are then forecast for Fri. Patchy
MVFR Cigs and Vsbys can be expected in the wake of storms at times.

Gehring

&&

.MARINE...
Issued 159 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

Large high pressure around 30.1 inches will remain parked over
the Ohio Valley and Appalachian Mountains into Friday night.
Meanwhile, a trough of low pressure will remain over the Great
Plains today into Friday night. A weak low pressure area may then
organize and slowly move across Wisconsin and Lake Michigan from
Saturday afternoon into Sunday, or pass farther south across
Illinois into the Ohio Valley. Modest south to southwest winds
will persist today becoming a bit lighter tonight and Friday.
Light to modest winds are then forecast for the weekend, but with
some uncertainty on wind direction given low confidence in the
track of the low. A stormy period is expected for central and
southern Lake Michigan from tonight into the weekend. Patchy
marine fog will be possible at times as warm and humid air flows
over the relatively cooler lake.

Gehring

&&

.MKX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WI...Flood Watch...WIZ056 until 7 AM Friday.
LM...None.

&&

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Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 2, 12:34 PM CDT, 4 hours 22 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
1234 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

WIZ046-047-051-052-056>060-062>072-031745-
Marquette-Green Lake-Fond du Lac-Sheboygan-Sauk-Columbia-Dodge-
Washington-Ozaukee-Iowa-Dane-Jefferson-Waukesha-Milwaukee-
Lafayette-Green-Rock-Walworth-Racine-Kenosha-
1234 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

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

.DAY ONE...Tonight

An Extreme Heat Warning remains in effect portions of south
central and southeastern Wisconsin until this evening for heat
index values around 95 to 100 degrees.

A Flood Watch is in effect for Sauk County through Friday morning.
Flash Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.

Chances for thunderstorms this evening and overnight, with all
hazards possible. Storms will weaken late tonight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Thursday

There are periodic chances for thunderstorms throughout the
holiday weekend. Some strong to severe storms with heavy rainfall
may occur at times, though confidence remains low with the timing
of each round of storms.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed at times into the weekend.

LMZ643>646-031745-
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-
1234 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

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

.DAY ONE...Tonight

Chances for thunderstorms this evening and overnight, with all
hazards possible. Storms will weaken late tonight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Thursday

There are periodic chances for thunderstorms throughout the
holiday weekend. Some strong to severe storms may occur at times,
though confidence remains low with the timing of each round of
storms.

LMZ080-261-362-364-366-563-565-567-669-671-673-675-777-779-868-
870-872-874-876-878-031745-
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-
1234 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026

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

.DAY ONE...Tonight

Patchy dense fog may occur over northern portions of the lake.

Chances for thunderstorms this evening and overnight, with all
hazards possible. Storms will weaken late tonight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Thursday

Areas of dense fog may occur at times into the holiday weekend,
due to the very warm and humid airmass over the colder waters of
Lake Michigan.

There are chances for thunderstorms Friday afternoon and evening
for the whole lake, and across the southern half of the lake over
the holiday weekend. Some strong to severe storms may occur at
times, though confidence remains low with the timing of each round
of storms.

www.weather.gov/mkx

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 1, 11:11 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMKXMarquette49 min
Jul 1, 11:41 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMKXGreen Lake, Marquette34 min
Jul 2, 12:08 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMKXFond du Lac, Green Lake28 min
Jul 2, 1:13 AM CDTSpecial Marine WarningMKX62 min
Jul 2, 4:45 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMKXWashington45 min
Jul 2, 4:47 AM CDTSpecial Marine WarningMKX58 min
Jul 2, 12:29 PM CDTFlood WatchMKXSauk16 hr
Jul 2, 4:02 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMKXIowa, Lafayette73 min
Jul 2, 4:25 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMKXDane, Iowa, Sauk65 min
Jul 2, 4:41 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMKXLafayette34 min
Jul 2, 4:55 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatMKXDane, Green, Iowa, Lafayette65 min
Jul 2, 5:00 PM CDTTornado WarningMKXIowa, Lafayette45 min
Jul 2, 5:01 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMKXColumbia, Dane, Sauk74 min
Jul 2, 5:24 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMKXDane81 min
Jul 2, 5:42 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMKXGreen, Rock56 min
Jul 2, 5:58 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMKXJefferson77 min
Jul 2, 6:02 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMKXRock73 min
Jul 2, 6:04 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMKXDane, Dodge, Jefferson41 min
Jul 2, 6:18 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMKXLafayette27 min
Jul 2, 6:32 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMKXWalworth, Waukesha73 min
Jul 2, 6:41 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMKXDodge, Fond du Lac, Washington49 min
Jul 2, 6:45 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningMKX90 min
Jul 2, 6:52 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningMKX113 min
Jul 2, 6:53 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMKXWaukesha37 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.