Alert archive / Wisconsin / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 75, NWS Milwaukee, WI

July 3, 2026Kenosha County, Racine County, Walworth County, Wisconsin

NWS Milwaukee, WI issued this tornado warning at Jul 3, 2026, 12:28 PM CDT for Kenosha County, Racine County, Walworth County, Wisconsin. It was in force for 20 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
Jul 3, 2026, 12:28 PM CDT (17:28 UTC)
Expired
Jul 3, 2026, 12:48 PM CDT
In force
20 min
Issued by
NWS Milwaukee, WI
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
1.0 in

Counties Kenosha County, WI, Racine County, WI, Walworth County, WI

The radar

The Milwaukee radar (KMKX), 40 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 17:29 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
Jul 3, 12:28 PM CDTTSTM WND DMGLake Geneva, WI2 foot diameter tree down.
Jul 3, 12:36 PM CDTTSTM WND DMGBurlington, WITrees and powerlines down. Time estimated from radar.
Jul 3, 12:49 PM CDTTSTM WND GST 652 Sse Eagle Lake, WIPrivate Weather Station.

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
Jul 3, 11:52 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Lincoln, IL (KILX), launched 12:00Z, 5.5 hours before the alert went out and 284 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 2026-07-03Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 2722 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 2026-07-03The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -1 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
2722 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-34 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
932 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
19 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-1 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
58 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.8

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

752 
WFUS53 KMKX 031728
TORMKX
WIC059-101-127-031815-
/O.NEW.KMKX.TO.W.0075.260703T1728Z-260703T1815Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
1228 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

The National Weather Service in Milwaukee/Sullivan has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Southeastern Walworth County in southeastern Wisconsin...
  Racine County in southeastern Wisconsin...
  Northwestern Kenosha County in southeastern Wisconsin...

* Until 115 PM CDT.

* At 1228 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a
  tornado was located near Bohners Lake, or near Lake Geneva, moving
  east 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...
  Union Grove, Wind Lake, Rochester, Browns Lake, Waterford North, 
  and Eagle Lake around 1235 PM CDT.
  Yorkville around 1240 PM CDT.
  Raymond around 1245 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Waterford, Brighton, Springfield, Burlington, Kansasville, Honey
Creek, North Cape, and Slades Corners.

People attending Raymond 4th Fest  should seek safe shelter
immediately!

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 4255 8840 4268 8851 4284 8825 4284 8797
      4267 8794
TIME...MOT...LOC 1728Z 248DEG 45KT 4266 8835 

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

$$

HALBACH
2 follow-up statements
630 
WWUS53 KMKX 031739
SVSMKX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
1239 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

WIC127-031748-
/O.CAN.KMKX.TO.W.0075.000000T0000Z-260703T1815Z/
Walworth WI-
1239 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN WALWORTH COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out 
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 700 PM CDT for
southeastern Wisconsin.

&&

LAT...LON 4280 8831 4284 8825 4284 8797 4267 8794
      4258 8830
TIME...MOT...LOC 1738Z 248DEG 45KT 4271 8818 

$$

WIC059-101-031815-
/O.CON.KMKX.TO.W.0075.000000T0000Z-260703T1815Z/
Racine WI-Kenosha WI-
1239 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 115 PM CDT FOR RACINE
AND NORTHWESTERN KENOSHA COUNTIES...

At 1238 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Eagle Lake, or near Union Grove, moving east 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...
  Union Grove, Wind Lake, Raymond, Yorkville, and Eagle Lake around 
  1245 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Waterford, Burlington, Kansasville, Honey Creek, North Cape, Slades
Corners, and Brighton.

People attending Raymond 4th Fest  should seek safe shelter
immediately!

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 4280 8831 4284 8825 4284 8797 4267 8794
      4258 8830
TIME...MOT...LOC 1738Z 248DEG 45KT 4271 8818 

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

$$

HALBACH
686 
WWUS53 KMKX 031748
SVSMKX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
1248 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

WIC059-101-031757-
/O.CAN.KMKX.TO.W.0075.000000T0000Z-260703T1815Z/
Racine WI-Kenosha WI-
1248 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR RACINE AND NORTHWESTERN KENOSHA COUNTIES
IS CANCELLED...

The storm rotation which prompted the warning has weakened below 
severe limits, and no longer appears capable of producing a tornado.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.  However, gusty winds are
still possible with this thunderstorm.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 700 PM CDT for
southeastern Wisconsin.

Remember, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning still remains in effect for
Racine and Kenosha counties.

&&

LAT...LON 4280 8831 4284 8825 4284 8797 4267 8794
      4258 8830
TIME...MOT...LOC 1746Z 248DEG 45KT 4276 8803 

$$

HALBACH

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 3, 10:43 AM CDT, 1 hour 45 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Our severe chance has increased for southeast WI and the timing is much earlier (now through 2 PM). A few severe storms with strong winds and hail are possible.
  • Additional batches of showers and storms continue tonight through Sunday. Keep up with the forecast if planning to be outdoors.
  • Trending quieter early next week.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 3, 10:43 AM CDT, 1 hour 45 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
1043 AM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Our severe chance has increased for southeast WI and the
  timing is much earlier (now through 2 PM). A few severe storms
  with strong winds and hail are possible.

- Additional batches of showers and storms continue tonight
  through Sunday. Keep up with the forecast if planning to be
  outdoors.

- Trending quieter early next week.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued 1043 AM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

The thunderstorm complex that was over Iowa that was expected to
dissipate is actually holding together. This is bringing an area
of showers and thunderstorms into south central and southeast
WI (toward WI/IL border) through the next couple of hours. With
the morning sunshine in southeast WI, we have managed to get a
sliver of higher instability there. The latest RAP analysis is
showing +2000 j/kg and bulk shear is 35-40kt along the WI/IL
border. This is our chance for severe thunderstorms today. The
storms that are in northwest IL are expected to reach the
Kenosha area around 1 PM.

The big change for our overall forecast is that while we can
still see afternoon showers and thunderstorms, our severe
chances will be lower this afternoon due to all the morning
showers and cloud cover.

Cronce

&&

.SHORT TERM...
Issued 200 AM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

Today through Tonight:

Synopsis/Mesoanalysis: Regional radar mosaics remain busy
tonight following an evening of strong to severe storms across
southern Wisconsin. Said storms laid down an elongated outflow
boundary, which currently stretches from the Chicago metro to
just south of the Des Moines, Iowa vicinity. Thanks to a
southwesterly low level jet in place regionally, ascent up &
over the outflow has allowed convection to blossom to the
north/cool side of the boundary from Iowa across northern
Illinois. Some of this activity could leak north into southern
Wisconsin through the remainder of the overnight hours,
particularly to the south of I-94 and US-18. Further to the west
over the Central Plains, additional widespread convection is
ongoing over Nebraska. While these storms will remain well west
of the area through tonight, high-res forecast guidance is
hinting at an affiliated remnant shortwave/MCV crossing the
region this afternoon. Whether this feature will be able to
trigger storm development will depend on air mass recovery in
the wake of predawn showers/storms regionally, with forecast
trends being monitored through the rest of this morning. In the
event storms were to form this afternoon, a few would be capable
of producing gusty straight line winds. Additional showers and
storms are possible during the predawn hours Saturday. With
clouds & areas of showers/storms around the region, temperatures
are expected to remain below heat headline thresholds today.

Rest of the Overnight: Will be monitoring convective trends
over Iowa and northern Illinois as storms regenerate over the
top of outflow boundaries laid down by earlier evening
convection. Expect that development will continue over these
regions through the remainder of the overnight hours given a
persistent southwesterly low level jet & attendant overrunning.
Whether activity manages to propagate further north/into
southern Wisconsin remains more uncertain, as the low level air
mass remains worked over in the wake of multiple batches of
convection last evening. Best convective potential will be
along/south of I-94 & US-18, where elevated instability values
remain a touch higher compared to further north. Not expecting
severe weather in the event convection makes it back into the
area, though heavy downpours would be possible. Have maintained
the existing Flood Watch over Sauk Co given antecedent wet
conditions & convective chances. If appreciable precip stays
south of the region through the rest of the overnight, watch
will be allowed to expire as scheduled at 7 AM.

This Afternoon & Evening: Forecast uncertainty increases as a
remnant shortwave/MCV from storms currently over the Missouri
Basin moves across the region. If sufficient destabilization can
occur in advance of the feature, it could help trigger
scattered storm development during the ~12-8 PM timeframe, with
a few severe storms with gusty winds and hail possible. If,
however, morning convection over Iowa/Illinois/southern
Wisconsin holds better instability to the south of the region,
storm coverage would be minimal. Will thus be monitoring trends
closely, as what storms do through the morning hours will go a
long way in determining what the radar looks like come
afternoon. Will continue to provide forecast updates through the
morning.

Tonight: Will be watching for more thunderstorms during the
predawn hours as one or multiple clusters of convection move
into the Mississippi Valley from the Plains. Expect that
convective intensities will be waning as these storms approach,
likely limiting severe potential. Will continue to monitor
trends and provide updates through today.

Quigley

&&

.LONG TERM...
Issued 200 AM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

Independence Day through Wednesday:

The upper ridge over the eastern CONUS will gradually diminish
as mid level westerlies win out as they head east of the Great
Lakes region Sunday and Monday. Unfortunately, our region will
remain in a battle zone of sorts for Independence Day into
Sunday. From a large scale pattern perspective, it is prudent to
expect an convective system or two. However the timing and
details will be heavily determined by how the mesoscale is
altered by convective behavior and remnant boundaries Friday and
Friday night. At this time, from a large scale pattern
perspective, it appears the better rain chances shift east of
the area on Sunday, but this will have to be closely monitored
day to day.

Early next week, ensemble consensus is for a mid level ridge to
build over the Rockies, nudging our upper level pattern into
northwest flow. This will deliver typical July conditions with
lows in the 60s and highs in the 80s. Small ripples from time to
time are to be expected in this northwest flow pattern, though
timing these individual waves is a futile exercise. Bottom line,
there will be a good amount of dry time, and intermittent
chances for showers/storms with any ripples.

Gagan

&&

.AVIATION...
Issued 625 AM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

Current area of showers and storms west of the area should have
a tough time holding together as it tries to shift east into
the morning hours. May see a few showers or storms make it to
Madison or Janesville terminals later this morning or midday,
before weakening. Otherwise, middle level clouds may be
scattered to broken at times today, depending on how long the
precipitation to the west keeps going. Winds should remain
fairly light today into tonight.

This will help determine if more showers and storms develop
this afternoon and early evening across the area. There is a
decent amount of uncertainty on timing and areal coverage of any
showers or storms, so kept PROB03 mentions going in the TAFs
for all terminals this afternoon into early evening. Stronger
storms could bring strong winds and hail.

There may be more chances for showers and storms at times
tonight, with the better chances toward the Illinois border.
Again, kept PROB30 mentions going in TAFs, though Janesville and
Kenosha may see prevailing showers or storms after midnight
tonight.

Wood

&&

.MARINE...
Issued 200 AM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

High pressure around 1020 mb will remain parked over the Ohio
Valley and Appalachian Mountains into tonight. Meanwhile, a
trough of low pressure will remain over the Great Plains through
tonight. 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 become lighter
today. 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 through the weekend. Patchy
marine fog will be possible at times as warm and humid air flows
over the relatively cooler lake.

Quigley

&&

.MKX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WI...None.
LM...None.
&&

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Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 3, 6:38 AM CDT, 5 hours 50 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
638 AM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

WIZ046-047-051-052-056>060-062>072-041145-
Marquette-Green Lake-Fond du Lac-Sheboygan-Sauk-Columbia-Dodge-
Washington-Ozaukee-Iowa-Dane-Jefferson-Waukesha-Milwaukee-
Lafayette-Green-Rock-Walworth-Racine-Kenosha-
638 AM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

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

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

Chances for thunderstorms, mainly this afternoon with severe
possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday 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 this weekend.

LMZ643>646-041145-
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-
638 AM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

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

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

Chances for thunderstorms, mainly this afternoon with severe
possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday 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-
870-872-874-876-878-041145-
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-
638 AM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

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

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

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

Chances for thunderstorms, mainly this afternoon with severe
possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday 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 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.

MRC

www.weather.gov/mkx

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 2, 7:04 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMKXKenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan26 min
Jul 2, 7:10 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMKXMilwaukee, Ozaukee, Sheboygan24 min
Jul 2, 7:11 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningMKX64 min
Jul 2, 8:34 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMKXLafayette56 min
Jul 2, 10:16 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMKXRock, Walworth59 min
Jul 3, 11:33 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMKXRock42 min
Jul 3, 11:45 AM CDTTornado WarningMKXRock22 min
Jul 3, 11:53 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatMKXWalworth48 min
Jul 3, 12:23 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatMKXKenosha, Racine53 min
Jul 3, 12:47 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningMKX58 min
Jul 3, 12:52 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMKXKenosha, Racine23 min
Jul 3, 1:42 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningMKX33 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.