Alert archive / Wisconsin / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 36, NWS Twin Cities, MN
NWS Twin Cities, MN issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Apr 17, 2026, 2:06 PM CDT for Pierce County, Saint Croix County, Wisconsin. It was in force for 33 min. 2 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
- Apr 17, 2026, 2:06 PM CDT (19:06 UTC)
- Expired
- Apr 17, 2026, 2:39 PM CDT
- In force
- 33 min
- Issued by
- NWS Twin Cities, MN
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Hail
- 1.25 in
- Wind
- 50.0 mph
Counties Pierce County, WI, Saint Croix County, WI
The radar
The Minneapolis radar (KMPX), 92 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:08 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 17, 2:14 PM CDT | HAIL 1 | 2 E Ellsworth, WI | |
| Apr 17, 2:47 PM CDT | HAIL 1.25 | 4 Nnw Bay City, WI | Emailed photos of large hail in backyard. Time estimated via radar. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
Did it verify
Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched 3 storm reports to this severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 2 minutes after it went out.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 17, 9:23 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 11 hr |
| Apr 17, 12:40 PM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 9 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 12:00Z, 7.1 hours before the alert went out and 94 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
- 1 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 2301 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 39 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 188 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 229 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
932
WUUS53 KMPX 171906
SVRMPX
WIC093-109-171945-
/O.NEW.KMPX.SV.W.0036.260417T1906Z-260417T1945Z/
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
206 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
The National Weather Service in the Twin Cities has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Eastern Pierce County in west central Wisconsin...
Southeastern St. Croix County in west central Wisconsin...
* Until 245 PM CDT.
* At 206 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Bay City, or
over Red Wing, moving northeast at 60 mph.
HAZARD...Half dollar size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Damage to vehicles is expected.
* Locations impacted include...
Red Wing Airport, Hager City, Bay City, Esdaile, Ellsworth, El
Paso, Martel, Baldwin, Woodville, Wilson and Hersey.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from
windows. This storm is capable of producing large hail.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT Friday for a
portion of west central Wisconsin.
&&
LAT...LON 4461 9260 4500 9234 4496 9214 4482 9214
4455 9232 4456 9236 4456 9240 4457 9243
4456 9246 4457 9248 4457 9249 4458 9252
4457 9255 4458 9255 4460 9257 4460 9259
TIME...MOT...LOC 1906Z 210DEG 51KT 4457 9250
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...<50 MPH
$$
BED3 follow-up statements
654
WWUS53 KMPX 171918
SVSMPX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
218 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
WIC093-109-171945-
/O.CON.KMPX.SV.W.0036.000000T0000Z-260417T1945Z/
Pierce WI-St. Croix WI-
218 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 245 PM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN PIERCE AND SOUTHEASTERN ST. CROIX COUNTIES...
At 218 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 7 miles east of
Ellsworth, or 15 miles southeast of River Falls, moving northeast at
55 mph.
HAZARD...Half dollar size hail.
SOURCE...Trained spotters reported. At 2:15PM a trained spotter
reported 1.00 inch size hail 2 miles east of Ellsworth.
IMPACT...Damage to vehicles is expected.
Locations impacted include...
Ellsworth, El Paso, Martel, Woodville, Hersey and Wilson.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from
windows. This storm has produced large hail.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT Friday for a
portion of west central Wisconsin.
&&
LAT...LON 4486 9243 4500 9234 4496 9214 4482 9214
4474 9220 4462 9228 4463 9245 4470 9254
TIME...MOT...LOC 1906Z 219DEG 48KT 4464 9249
HAIL THREAT...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...<50 MPH
$$
BED309
WWUS53 KMPX 171928
SVSMPX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
228 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
WIC093-109-171945-
/O.CON.KMPX.SV.W.0036.000000T0000Z-260417T1945Z/
Pierce WI-St. Croix WI-
228 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 245 PM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN PIERCE AND SOUTHEASTERN ST. CROIX COUNTIES...
At 228 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 6 miles south of
Woodville, or 16 miles east of River Falls, moving northeast at 50
mph.
HAZARD...Quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Damage to vehicles is expected.
Locations impacted include...
El Paso, Martel, Woodville, Hersey and Wilson.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from
windows. This storm is capable of producing large hail.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT Friday for a
portion of west central Wisconsin.
&&
LAT...LON 4486 9243 4500 9234 4496 9214 4486 9214
4480 9219 4475 9230 4479 9248
TIME...MOT...LOC 1918Z 211DEG 41KT 4477 9238
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...<50 MPH
$$
BED877
WWUS53 KMPX 171939
SVSMPX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
239 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
WIC093-109-171949-
/O.CAN.KMPX.SV.W.0036.000000T0000Z-260417T1945Z/
Pierce WI-St. Croix WI-
239 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR NORTHEASTERN PIERCE
AND SOUTHEASTERN ST. CROIX COUNTIES...
The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and has exited the warned area. Therefore, the warning has
been cancelled.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT Friday for a
portion of west central Wisconsin.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 500 PM CDT for a
portion of west central Wisconsin.
&&
LAT...LON 4486 9243 4500 9234 4496 9214 4486 9214
4480 9219 4475 9230 4479 9248
TIME...MOT...LOC 1928Z 211DEG 41KT 4487 9229
$$
BEDWhat forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Twin Cities, MN wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Apr 17, 2:02 PM CDT, 4 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- The passage of a strong cold front today will bring scattered thunderstorms. As of 1pm, the severe weather risk is mainly across western Wisconsin.
- Large hail and damaging winds are the primary hazards across western Wisconsin, and the risk for tornadoes increases as you head east.
- Much colder air is expected for the weekend with possibly a few snow showers but with no snow accumulation.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 17, 2:02 PM CDT, 4 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN 202 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - The passage of a strong cold front today will bring scattered thunderstorms. As of 1pm, the severe weather risk is mainly across western Wisconsin. - Large hail and damaging winds are the primary hazards across western Wisconsin, and the risk for tornadoes increases as you head east. - Much colder air is expected for the weekend with possibly a few snow showers but with no snow accumulation. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 1257 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026 Today: Early afternoon satellite and radar imagery showed storms across central and western Minnesota. These storms were behind a strong cold front that as of 1pm were generally along the I-35 corridor. At Jackson Minnesota, the temperature dropped 22 degrees in 41 minutes earlier today! Meanwhile, a few storms were developing ahead of the cold front, and these are the ones that could produce large hail, damaging wind, and tornadoes later this afternoon. For this afternoon, severe thunderstorm watches and tornado watches have been issued for a few counties in far eastern MN, and much of Wisconsin. There is strong forcing for severe weather, meaning the CAP will not hold. However, we expect storms to quickly develop which could lead to destructive interference. But the overall environment does support strong to severe storms through roughly 3 to 5 pm in our area, and then we expect the convection to be east of Rusk, Chippewa, and Eau Claire counties. As for the rain threat, these storms will be moving quickly, so most locations will have less than an inch. Tonight through Thursday: Once the storms exit the region, northwest winds will continue to bring in cold air overnight, with lows falling below freezing across the region. The cold air will continue though Saturday, with highs only in the mid 40s, and breezy northwest winds continuing, keeping wind chills near freezing throughout the day. On Sunday, high pressure will build in and temperatures will be a bit warmer, with highs in the upper 40s. The real warmth returns on Monday, with highs back in the 60s. This is in response to upper level ridging building across the central CONUS, and warm air advection overspreading across the region. This ridge will also keep the region dry through Wednesday. On Thursday troughing from the west will bring increased moisture across the region, and high chances (50 to 70) for showers and thunderstorms. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/... Issued at 1257 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026 Main concern in the short term is showers and thunderstorms this afternoon, but they should diminish from west to east during the late afternoon and into the evening as a cold front continue to move through the region. This will bring northwest winds and MVFR ceilings. Ceilings will start raise, and expect mostly VFR conditions on Saturday. KMSP... Expect scattered showers and thunderstorms this afternoon with northwest winds and MVFR ceilings. Then ceilings will lift and expect VFR conditions after that. /OUTLOOK FOR KMSP/ SUN...VFR. Wind NW 5-10kts. MON...VFR. Wind SE 10kts becoming S 10G20kts. TUE...VFR. Wind SW 5-10kts becoming NW. && .MPX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MN...None. WI...None. && DISCUSSION...JRB AVIATION...JRB
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 17, 4:13 AM CDT, 9 hours 53 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN 413 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026 MNZ041>045-047>070-073>078-082>085-091>093-WIZ014>016-023>028- 180900- Douglas-Todd-Morrison-Mille Lacs-Kanabec-Stevens-Pope-Stearns- Benton-Sherburne-Isanti-Chisago-Lac Qui Parle-Swift-Chippewa- Kandiyohi-Meeker-Wright-Hennepin-Anoka-Ramsey-Washington- Yellow Medicine-Renville-McLeod-Sibley-Carver-Scott-Dakota- Redwood-Brown-Nicollet-Le Sueur-Rice-Goodhue-Watonwan-Blue Earth- Waseca-Steele-Martin-Faribault-Freeborn-Polk-Barron-Rusk- St. Croix-Pierce-Dunn-Pepin-Eau Claire- 413 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central and southern Minnesota, and west central Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. A strong cold front will push across the area today. A line of strong to severe thunderstorms will develop along it across eastern Minnesota late this morning into early this afternoon, then track quickly across western Wisconsin. Large hail, damaging winds, and a tornado or two are possible, especially in Wisconsin. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SKYWARN spotter activation may be needed this afternoon, mainly in eastern Minnesota into western WI.
In the hours before
Local storm report, Apr 17, 9:38 AM CDT, 4 hours 28 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
938 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0930 AM Hail 4 NE Faribault 44.33N 93.21W
04/17/2026 M1.00 Inch Rice MN Trained Spotter
&&Local storm report, Apr 17, 10:15 AM CDT, 3 hours 51 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
1015 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1008 AM Hail 1 S Cannon Falls 44.49N 92.91W
04/17/2026 M1.00 Inch Goodhue MN Public
&&Local storm report, Apr 17, 10:39 AM CDT, 3 hours 27 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
1039 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1012 AM Hail 2 SSW Cannon Falls 44.48N 92.92W
04/17/2026 M1.00 Inch Goodhue MN Trained Spotter
Hail measurement photo provided via NWSChat.
Time estimated via radar.
&&
RMDSpecial weather statement, Apr 17, 10:57 AM CDT, 3 hours 9 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
1057 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
WIZ023-024-171645-
Pierce WI-St. Croix WI-
1057 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL ST. CROIX AND NORTH
CENTRAL PIERCE COUNTIES UNTIL 1145 AM CDT...
At 1057 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
River Falls, moving northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
River Falls, Hammond, Baldwin, Roberts, Woodville, Glenwood City,
Emerald, Cylon, Deer Park, Martel, Hersey and Beldenville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
&&
LAT...LON 4485 9272 4520 9238 4506 9214 4501 9214
4474 9252
TIME...MOT...LOC 1557Z 218DEG 27KT 4483 9257
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
MPGLocal storm report, Apr 17, 11:22 AM CDT, 2 hours 44 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
1122 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1000 AM Hail Hastings 44.74N 92.85W
04/17/2026 M0.88 Inch Dakota MN Public
Measurement provided via Facebook. Time
estimated via radar.
&&
RMDSpecial weather statement, Apr 17, 1:53 PM CDT, 13 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
153 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
MNZ060-062-069-171930-
Ramsey MN-Scott MN-Hennepin MN-
153 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT HENNEPIN...SOUTHWESTERN RAMSEY
AND NORTHEASTERN SCOTT COUNTIES UNTIL 230 PM CDT...
At 153 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Eden Prairie, or 13 miles southwest of Minneapolis, moving northeast
at 55 mph.
HAZARD...Nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible.
Locations impacted include...
Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Eden Prairie,
Minnetonka, Edina, St. Louis Park, Shakopee, Richfield, Roseville,
Brooklyn Center, Savage, Prior Lake and New Brighton.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
&&
LAT...LON 4488 9352 4511 9333 4509 9328 4504 9328
4504 9323 4506 9323 4499 9306 4481 9326
4479 9333 4475 9333 4472 9336 4480 9354
4480 9352
TIME...MOT...LOC 1852Z 214DEG 45KT 4482 9342
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH
DunleavyThe office that day
Everything else NWS Twin Cities, MN issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 17, 10:10 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Pierce | 50 min |
| Apr 17, 10:57 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | MPX | Saint Croix | 48 min |
| Apr 17, 2:27 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | MPX | Barron, Chippewa, Dunn, Polk, Rusk, Saint Croix | 93 min |
| Apr 17, 2:34 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Barron, Polk | 41 min |
| Apr 17, 2:35 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Chippewa | 10 min |
| Apr 17, 2:42 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Pierce | 33 min |
| Apr 17, 3:08 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Barron, Dunn, Polk, Saint Croix | 35 min |
| Apr 17, 3:09 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Barron | 36 min |
| Apr 17, 3:17 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Dunn | 26 min |
| Apr 17, 4:13 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MPX | Eau Claire | 32 min |
Nearby
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Wisconsin, 2026Every severe thunderstorm warning 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.