Alert archive / Wisconsin / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 37, NWS Twin Cities, MN
NWS Twin Cities, MN issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Apr 17, 2026, 2:34 PM CDT for Barron County, Polk County, Wisconsin. It was in force for 41 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
- Apr 17, 2026, 2:34 PM CDT (19:34 UTC)
- Expired
- Apr 17, 2026, 3:15 PM CDT
- In force
- 41 min
- Issued by
- NWS Twin Cities, MN
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Hail
- 1.0 in
- Wind
- 50.0 mph
Counties Barron County, WI, Polk County, WI
The radar
The Minneapolis radar (KMPX), 132 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:34 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 severe thunderstorm 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 17, 9:23 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 11 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 12:00Z, 7.6 hours before the alert went out and 134 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.
853
WUUS53 KMPX 171934
SVRMPX
WIC005-095-172015-
/O.NEW.KMPX.SV.W.0037.260417T1934Z-260417T2015Z/
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
234 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
The National Weather Service in the Twin Cities has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Northwestern Barron County in northwestern Wisconsin...
Eastern Polk County in northwestern Wisconsin...
* Until 315 PM CDT.
* At 234 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Amery, or 30
miles southwest of Rice Lake, moving northeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Damage to vehicles is expected.
* Locations impacted include...
Amery, Clear Lake, Joel, Range, Clayton, Turtle Lake, Almena,
Comstock, Mckinley, Cumberland Airport, Cumberland and Barronett.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from
windows. This storm is capable of producing large hail.
&&
LAT...LON 4523 9223 4522 9241 4556 9242 4573 9217
4573 9215 4564 9215 4564 9185 4552 9185
TIME...MOT...LOC 1933Z 218DEG 38KT 4532 9230
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...<50 MPH
$$
BED2 follow-up statements
026
WWUS53 KMPX 171947
SVSMPX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
247 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
WIC005-095-172015-
/O.CON.KMPX.SV.W.0037.000000T0000Z-260417T2015Z/
Barron WI-Polk WI-
247 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 315 PM CDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN BARRON AND EAST CENTRAL POLK COUNTIES...
At 247 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Turtle Lake, or
21 miles west of Rice Lake, moving northeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Damage to vehicles is expected.
Locations impacted include...
Joel, Clayton, Turtle Lake, Almena, Comstock, Mckinley, Cumberland
Airport, Cumberland and Barronett.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from
windows. This storm is capable of producing large hail.
&&
LAT...LON 4545 9231 4564 9215 4564 9185 4554 9185
4536 9206 4530 9214 4533 9224
TIME...MOT...LOC 1934Z 218DEG 38KT 4533 9229
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...<50 MPH
$$
BED822
WWUS53 KMPX 172012
SVSMPX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
312 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
WIC005-095-172022-
/O.EXP.KMPX.SV.W.0037.000000T0000Z-260417T2015Z/
Barron WI-Polk WI-
312 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 315 PM CDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN BARRON AND EAST CENTRAL POLK COUNTIES...
The Severe Thunderstorm Warning that was previously in effect has
been reissued for a new storm in eastern Polk and western Barron
Counties. Please refer to those bulletins for the latest severe
weather information. The previous storm has moved out of the warned
area.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 500 PM CDT for a
portion of northwest Wisconsin.
&&
LAT...LON 4545 9231 4564 9215 4564 9185 4554 9185
4536 9206 4530 9214 4533 9224
TIME...MOT...LOC 1947Z 218DEG 38KT 4544 9216
$$
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, 32 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, 32 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, 10 hours 21 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, 2:18 PM CDT, 16 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
218 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0214 PM Hail 2 E Ellsworth 44.73N 92.44W
04/17/2026 M1.00 Inch Pierce WI Trained Spotter
&&
tdkSpecial weather statement, Apr 17, 2:19 PM CDT, 15 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN 219 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026 MNZ053-063-WIZ014-023-171945- Chisago MN-Polk WI-St. Croix WI-Washington MN- 219 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN CHISAGO...NORTHERN WASHINGTON...NORTHWESTERN ST. CROIX AND SOUTH CENTRAL POLK COUNTIES UNTIL 245 PM CDT... At 219 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 5 miles north of Stillwater, or 17 miles northeast of St. Paul, moving northeast at 45 mph. HAZARD...Nickel size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible. Locations impacted include... Stillwater, Hugo, Lindstrom, Scandia, Osceola, Dresser, Center City, Grant, Dellwood, Shafer, Otisville, William OBrien State Park, Marine On St Croix, East Farmington, Osceola Airport and Nye. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening weather conditions. && LAT...LON 4510 9298 4544 9281 4533 9253 4504 9279 TIME...MOT...LOC 1919Z 208DEG 40KT 4513 9286 MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH Dunleavy
Local storm report, Apr 17, 2:24 PM CDT, 10 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
224 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0221 PM Hail 1 N Woodbury 44.93N 92.94W
04/17/2026 M0.75 Inch Washington MN Public
Report from mPING: Dime (0.75 in.).
&&Local storm report, Apr 17, 2:25 PM CDT, 9 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
225 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0218 PM Hail 2 SW Minneapolis 44.96N 93.28W
04/17/2026 M0.75 Inch Hennepin MN Public
&&Special weather statement, Apr 17, 2:27 PM CDT, 7 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
227 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
WIZ014>016-023-025-027-172100-
Rusk WI-St. Croix WI-Chippewa WI-Barron WI-Dunn WI-Polk WI-
227 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
...AN AREA OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT DUNN...RUSK...
BARRON...CHIPPEWA...ST. CROIX AND POLK COUNTIES UNTIL 4 PM CDT...
At 227 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking an area of strong
thunderstorms. Scattered strong thunderstorms producing small hail
will impact western Wisconsin through 4 PM this afternoon.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and penny 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...
Menomonie, River Falls, Rice Lake, Ladysmith, Chippewa Falls,
Hudson, New Richmond, Lake Hallie, North Hudson, Stanley, Bloomer,
Bayport, Barron, Amery, Lake Wissota, Somerset and Osceola.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 4529 9276 4544 9265 4555 9273 4557 9288
4564 9289 4564 9253 4573 9253 4573 9215
4564 9215 4564 9068 4538 9068 4538 9093
4486 9092 4486 9165 4468 9165 4469 9214
4486 9214 4486 9277 4507 9280 4511 9274
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
DunleavyLocal storm report, Apr 17, 2:28 PM CDT, 6 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
228 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0227 PM Hail Shoreview 45.09N 93.14W
04/17/2026 M0.75 Inch Ramsey MN Public
&&The 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, 2:06 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Pierce, Saint Croix | 33 min |
| Apr 17, 2:27 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | MPX | Barron, Chippewa, Dunn, Polk, Rusk, Saint Croix | 93 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.