Alert archive / Wisconsin / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 40, NWS Twin Cities, MN

April 17, 20264 counties in Wisconsin

NWS Twin Cities, MN issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Apr 17, 2026, 3:08 PM CDT for 4 counties in Wisconsin. It was in force for 35 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, 3:08 PM CDT (20:08 UTC)
Expired: Apr 17, 2026, 3:43 PM CDT
In force: 35 min
Issued by: NWS Twin Cities, MN
Area: Storm-based polygon
Hail: 1.0 in
Wind: 50.0 mph

Counties Barron County, WI, Dunn County, WI, Polk County, WI, Saint Croix County, WI

The radar

The Minneapolis radar (KMPX), 115 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:10 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, 8.1 hours before the alert went out and 117 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-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

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: 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

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

598 
WUUS53 KMPX 172008
SVRMPX
WIC005-033-095-109-172100-
/O.NEW.KMPX.SV.W.0040.260417T2008Z-260417T2100Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
308 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

The National Weather Service in the Twin Cities has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Southwestern Barron County in northwestern Wisconsin...
  Southeastern Polk County in northwestern Wisconsin...
  Northwestern Dunn County in west central Wisconsin...
  St. Croix County in west central Wisconsin...

* Until 400 PM CDT.

* At 308 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 6 miles east of
  Star Prairie, or 23 miles northeast of River Falls, moving
  northeast at 55 mph.

  HAZARD...Quarter size hail.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Damage to vehicles is expected.

* Locations impacted include...
  Baldwin, Hammond, Woodville, New Richmond, Star Prairie, Knapp,
  Cylon, Emerald, Glenwood City, Forest, Boyceville, Amery, Clear
  Lake, Wheeler, Clayton, Ridgeland, Prairie Farm, Turtle Lake,
  Arland and Dallas.

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 4521 9253 4545 9227 4521 9166 4521 9167
      4518 9167 4486 9214 4486 9247 4517 9257
TIME...MOT...LOC 2008Z 219DEG 49KT 4517 9242

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...<50 MPH

$$

Dunleavy

4 follow-up statements

218 
WWUS53 KMPX 172020
SVSMPX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
320 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

WIC005-033-095-109-172100-
/O.CON.KMPX.SV.W.0040.000000T0000Z-260417T2100Z/
Barron WI-Dunn WI-Polk WI-St. Croix WI-
320 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN BARRON, SOUTHEASTERN POLK, NORTHWESTERN DUNN AND
NORTHEASTERN ST. CROIX COUNTIES...

At 320 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Clear Lake, or
29 miles southwest of Rice Lake, moving northeast at 60 mph.

HAZARD...Quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Damage to vehicles is expected.

Locations impacted include...
  Woodville, Wilson, Cylon, Knapp, Emerald, Deer Park, Glenwood City,
  Forest, Downing, Boyceville, Clear Lake, Amery, Connorsville,
  Wheeler, Clayton, Prairie Farm, Ridgeland, Turtle Lake, Arland and
  Dallas.

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 4526 9246 4545 9227 4521 9166 4521 9167
      4518 9167 4486 9214 4498 9233
TIME...MOT...LOC 2008Z 222DEG 51KT 4516 9242

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...<50 MPH

$$

Dunleavy

297 
WWUS53 KMPX 172032
SVSMPX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
332 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

WIC095-109-172042-
/O.CAN.KMPX.SV.W.0040.000000T0000Z-260417T2100Z/
Polk WI-St. Croix WI-
332 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR SOUTHEASTERN POLK AND
NORTHEASTERN ST. CROIX COUNTIES...

The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled. However, small hail is
still possible with trailing thunderstorms.

&&

LAT...LON 4521 9216 4540 9216 4521 9166 4521 9167
      4518 9167 4501 9193 4509 9214 4512 9214
      4512 9216
TIME...MOT...LOC 2020Z 222DEG 51KT 4529 9226

$$


WIC005-033-172100-
/O.CON.KMPX.SV.W.0040.000000T0000Z-260417T2100Z/
Barron WI-Dunn WI-
332 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN BARRON AND NORTHWESTERN DUNN COUNTIES...

At 332 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Almena, or 19
miles southwest of Rice Lake, moving northeast at 55 mph.

HAZARD...Quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Damage to vehicles is expected.

Locations impacted include...
  Boyceville, Connorsville, Clayton, Reeve, Wheeler, Turtle Lake,
  Prairie Farm, Arland, Ridgeland and Dallas.

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 4521 9216 4540 9216 4521 9166 4521 9167
      4518 9167 4501 9193 4509 9214 4512 9214
      4512 9216
TIME...MOT...LOC 2020Z 239DEG 48KT 4528 9225

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...<50 MPH

$$

Dunleavy

084 
WWUS53 KMPX 172039
SVSMPX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
339 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

WIC005-033-172100-
/O.CON.KMPX.SV.W.0040.000000T0000Z-260417T2100Z/
Barron WI-Dunn WI-
339 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN BARRON AND NORTH CENTRAL DUNN COUNTIES...

At 339 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Almena, or 12
miles southwest of Rice Lake, moving northeast at 55 mph.

HAZARD...Quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Damage to vehicles is expected.

Locations impacted include...
  Prairie Farm, Arland, Ridgeland and Dallas.

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 9209 4536 9206 4521 9167 4518 9167
      4506 9187
TIME...MOT...LOC 2032Z 239DEG 48KT 4536 9206

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...<50 MPH

$$

Dunleavy

461 
WWUS53 KMPX 172043
SVSMPX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
343 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

WIC005-033-172053-
/O.CAN.KMPX.SV.W.0040.000000T0000Z-260417T2100Z/
Barron WI-Dunn WI-
343 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR SOUTHWESTERN BARRON
AND NORTH CENTRAL DUNN COUNTIES...

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled. However, small hail is
still possible with this thunderstorm.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 500 PM CDT for
portions of northwest and west central Wisconsin.

&&

LAT...LON 4523 9209 4536 9206 4521 9167 4518 9167
      4506 9187
TIME...MOT...LOC 2039Z 239DEG 48KT 4541 9195

$$

Dunleavy

What 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, 1 hour 6 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, 1 hour 6 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 55 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, 2:25 PM CDT, 43 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, 41 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

Dunleavy

Local storm report, Apr 17, 2:28 PM CDT, 40 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

&&

Local storm report, Apr 17, 2:42 PM CDT, 26 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
242 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0240 PM     Hail             2 SW Bay City           44.56N 92.47W
04/17/2026  M1.00 Inch       Goodhue            MN   Public

            Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.).

&&

Local storm report, Apr 17, 2:43 PM CDT, 25 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
243 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0241 PM     Hail             2 S Red Wing            44.53N 92.53W
04/17/2026  M1.00 Inch       Goodhue            MN   Public

            Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.).

&&

Local storm report, Apr 17, 2:57 PM CDT, 11 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
257 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0253 PM     Hail             1 SE St. Croix Falls    45.40N 92.62W
04/17/2026  M0.75 Inch       Polk               WI   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, 2:34 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, 3:09 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, 2026 Every 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.