Alert archive / Wisconsin / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 73, NWS Milwaukee, WI
NWS Milwaukee, WI issued this tornado warning at Jul 2, 2026, 5:00 PM CDT for Iowa County, Lafayette County, Wisconsin. It was in force for 45 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, 5:00 PM CDT (22:00 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 2, 2026, 5:45 PM CDT
- In force
- 45 min
- Issued by
- NWS Milwaukee, WI
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.75 in
Counties Iowa County, WI, Lafayette County, WI
The radar
The Milwaukee radar (KMKX), 130 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:05 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.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2, 3:19 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 7 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Lincoln, IL (KILX), launched 12:00Z, 10.0 hours before the alert went out and 319 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
- 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
The text
As transmitted.
156
WFUS53 KMKX 022200
TORMKX
WIC049-065-022245-
/O.NEW.KMKX.TO.W.0073.260702T2200Z-260702T2245Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
500 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026
The National Weather Service in Milwaukee/Sullivan has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Northern Lafayette County in south central Wisconsin...
Southeastern Iowa County in south central Wisconsin...
* Until 545 PM CDT.
* At 500 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Belmont, or 7 miles south of Mineral Point, 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...
Mineral Point around 505 PM CDT.
Blanchardville around 515 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Waldwick, Hollandale, Yellowstone Lake St Park, Fayette, and
Calamine.
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 4271 9030 4282 9031 4286 9014 4290 8984
4271 8984
TIME...MOT...LOC 2200Z 255DEG 33KT 4276 9023
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
PATTERSON3 follow-up statements
125
WWUS53 KMKX 022214
SVSMKX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
514 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026
WIC049-065-022245-
/O.CON.KMKX.TO.W.0073.000000T0000Z-260702T2245Z/
Lafayette WI-Iowa WI-
514 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 545 PM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN LAFAYETTE AND SOUTHEASTERN IOWA COUNTIES...
At 513 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 7 miles southeast of Mineral Point, moving east at 40
mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
This dangerous storm will be near...
Blanchardville around 520 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Waldwick, Hollandale, Yellowstone Lake St Park, Fayette, and
Calamine.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 4271 9017 4285 9018 4286 9014 4290 8984
4271 8984
TIME...MOT...LOC 2213Z 255DEG 33KT 4279 9006
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
PATTERSON727
WWUS53 KMKX 022229
SVSMKX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
529 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026
WIC049-065-022245-
/O.CON.KMKX.TO.W.0073.000000T0000Z-260702T2245Z/
Lafayette WI-Iowa WI-
529 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 545 PM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN LAFAYETTE AND SOUTHEASTERN IOWA COUNTIES...
At 529 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Blanchardville, or 14 miles southwest of Mount
Horeb, 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
northeastern Lafayette and southeastern Iowa Counties, including the
following locations... Hollandale and Yellowstone Lake 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 4271 9002 4288 8999 4290 8984 4271 8984
TIME...MOT...LOC 2229Z 255DEG 33KT 4283 8987
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
PATTERSON059 WWUS53 KMKX 022238 SVSMKX Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI 538 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026 WIC049-065-022248- /O.EXP.KMKX.TO.W.0073.000000T0000Z-260702T2245Z/ Lafayette WI-Iowa WI- 538 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026 ...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN LAFAYETTE AND SOUTHEASTERN IOWA COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 545 PM CDT... The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area. Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for south central Wisconsin. && LAT...LON 4271 9002 4288 8999 4290 8984 4271 8984 TIME...MOT...LOC 2238Z 255DEG 33KT 4285 8976 $$ 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, 3 hours 1 minute 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, 3 hours 1 minute 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. && 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, Jul 2, 12:34 PM CDT, 4 hours 26 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.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 1, 11:11 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MKX | Marquette | 49 min |
| Jul 1, 11:41 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MKX | Green Lake, Marquette | 34 min |
| Jul 2, 12:08 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MKX | Fond du Lac, Green Lake | 28 min |
| Jul 2, 1:13 AM CDT | Special Marine Warning | MKX | 62 min | |
| Jul 2, 4:45 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | MKX | Washington | 45 min |
| Jul 2, 4:47 AM CDT | Special Marine Warning | MKX | 58 min | |
| Jul 2, 12:29 PM CDT | Flood Watch | MKX | Sauk | 16 hr |
| Jul 2, 4:02 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MKX | Iowa, Lafayette | 73 min |
| Jul 2, 4:25 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MKX | Dane, Iowa, Sauk | 65 min |
| Jul 2, 4:41 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MKX | Lafayette | 34 min |
| Jul 2, 4:55 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MKX | Dane, Green, Iowa, Lafayette | 65 min |
| Jul 2, 4:56 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MKX | Iowa | 49 min |
| Jul 2, 5:01 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MKX | Columbia, Dane, Sauk | 74 min |
| Jul 2, 5:24 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MKX | Dane | 81 min |
| Jul 2, 5:42 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MKX | Green, Rock | 56 min |
| Jul 2, 5:58 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | MKX | Jefferson | 77 min |
| Jul 2, 6:02 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | MKX | Rock | 73 min |
| Jul 2, 6:04 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MKX | Dane, Dodge, Jefferson | 41 min |
| Jul 2, 6:18 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | MKX | Lafayette | 27 min |
| Jul 2, 6:32 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | MKX | Walworth, Waukesha | 73 min |
| Jul 2, 6:41 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MKX | Dodge, Fond du Lac, Washington | 49 min |
| Jul 2, 6:45 PM CDT | Special Marine Warning | MKX | 90 min | |
| Jul 2, 6:52 PM CDT | Special Marine Warning | MKX | 113 min | |
| Jul 2, 6:53 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MKX | Waukesha | 37 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.