A two day period of heat and humidity affected western Wisconsin in the middle of July. Heat indices on the 21st and 22nd topped out between 105 and 115.
Every event with a place to put it; 6 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS ARX wrote it up.
A two day period of heat and humidity affected western Wisconsin in the middle of July. Heat indices on the 21st and 22nd topped out between 105 and 115. Around two dozen people utilized a cooling center opened by the Salvation Army in La Crosse (La Crosse County). The highest reported heat index was 127 from mesonet reporting station west of Gotham (Richland County).
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS La Crosse, WI wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 21, 5:10 AM CST, 5 hours 50 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
610 AM CDT THU JUL 21 2016
.SHORT TERM...(Today through Friday)
Issued at 336 AM CDT Thu Jul 21 2016
Problems galore in the short term today. Models have done a terrible
job of depicting the convective potential with this obvious QLCS
squall line moving through MN. Even with convection ongoing across
ND near the 00z init time of the models, most had no clue. But the
positive side of things...the action is going on in the best areas
as diagnosed via conventional mass field analysis. As such, do
anticipate that the ongoing convection will continue southeast
through the northern third of the forecast area this morning, which
was not accounted for in the previous forecast. The rain cooled air,
clouds, and resultant cold pool will throw a huge monkey wrench into
the heat forecast. Still feel there will be a chance for the
atmosphere to recover, and it will still get pretty warm. And the
rain may even add more low level moisture to the equation. But the
cold pool may take some time to overcome, so our actual air
temperature may not end up quite as warm as previously forecast. In
fact, our going temps were 2-7 degrees above the warmest of the
guidance values. So did lower temperatures some. The resulting heat
index values did come down some as well, and some areas may not hit
the actual Excessive Heat Warning criteria. But it will be close,
and will likely still be well into Advisory range. So will just hold
on to the headlines as they are at this point.
Adding further to the story...the few model solutions that actually
have some convection are suggesting that this line may run all the
way down into southern WI and eastern IA. Perusal of other model
fields suggests there should be a lull in the action for a time this
afternoon, so will continue to hold onto that idea. Which also
allows me to keep the rest of the forecast somewhat intact. But if
that actually does happen, temps/sky and the heat headlines are all
in trouble.
This all dovetails into tonight and even Friday as well. Based on
the convection and the strength of the short wave trough that is
causing all of this as it moves into the western Great Lakes, the
surface front is now shown to be down into Iowa by the models. Some
depict more convection along it. If that indeed is where the front
ends up, and we get more rain, we probably are too high for temps
tonight into Friday as well. Lots for the day crew forecasters to
look at, with several significant changes perhaps needed.
.LONG TERM...(Friday night through Wednesday)
Issued at 336 AM CDT Thu Jul 21 2016
The front is expected to lift north again Friday night in advance of
the next short wave that will send a surface low and cold front
through the region for the weekend. Indications are that some
convection will fire along this boundary, but it may be south and
west of the forecast area. The best chance for storms will come
Saturday afternoon and night. There will be a severe risk with these
storms due to ample shear and instability.
A brief respite Monday before another disturbance spreads showers
and thunderstorms into the region for late Tuesday into Wednesday.
Not much time to really dig into this given all of the short term
concerns.
&&
.AVIATION...(For the 12Z TAFS through 12Z Friday morning)
Issued at 610 AM CDT Thu Jul 21 2016
Primary concern for aviation interests today is the convective
potential this morning. Good squall line passing across northern
WI, but it appears it will stay north of both airfields. But those
who want to fly north or east this morning will have some
circumnavigation to deal with. Outside of this, expect warm and
muggy conditions once again today. Various short term models
suggest a cold front will drop into the region by evening, so
there could be some isolated convection that forms during the
evening. But the chances appear so small at this point that it
doesn't even warrant mention. But will definitely have to monitor
trends later today.
&&
.ARX Watches/Warnings/Advisories...
WI...Excessive Heat Warning from noon today to 7 PM CDT Friday for
WIZ032>034-041>044-053>055-061.
Excessive Heat Warning from noon today to 10 PM CDT this evening
for WIZ017-029.
MN...Excessive Heat Warning from noon today to 7 PM CDT Friday for
MNZ079-086>088-094>096.
IA...Excessive Heat Warning from noon today to 7 PM CDT Friday for
IAZ008>011-018-019-029-030.
&&
SHORT TERM...MW
LONG TERM...MW
AVIATION...MW<!doctype html>
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</html>SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI 708 AM CDT THU JUL 21 2016 WIZ029-033-034-042-211245- MONROE-TREMPEALEAU-CLARK-JACKSON- 708 AM CDT THU JUL 21 2016 ...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN CLARK... NORTHWESTERN MONROE...JACKSON AND CENTRAL TREMPEALEAU COUNTIES... AT 708 AM CDT...RADAR INDICATED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WERE LOCATED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM NEAR MARSHFIELD TO 6 MILES NORTHWEST OF GALESVILLE. MOVEMENT WAS EAST AT 35 MPH. WINDS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH...DIME SIZE HAIL AND HEAVY RAINFALL ARE POSSIBLE WITH THESE STORMS. LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... BLACK RIVER FALLS...NEILLSVILLE...MILLSTON...SHORTVILLE...HATFIELD... FRANKLIN...SHERWOOD...LYNN...IRVING...MERRILLAN...ETTRICK... ALMA CENTER...MELROSE...TAYLOR...HIXTON...GRANTON...CITY POINT... I 94 EXIT 115...IDUNA AND BEAR BLUFF TOWNSHIP. THESE STORMS MAY INTENSIFY...SO BE CERTAIN TO MONITOR LOCAL RADIO STATIONS AND AVAILABLE TELEVISION STATIONS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE. LAT...LON 4416 9032 4412 9155 4472 9032 TIME...MOT...LOC 1208Z 289DEG 30KT 4466 9027 4413 9148 WETENKAMP
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
737 AM CDT THU JUL 21 2016
MNZ088-WIZ034-041>044-211315-
WINONA-JUNEAU-ADAMS-MONROE-LA CROSSE-JACKSON-
737 AM CDT THU JUL 21 2016
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN WINONA...
NORTHERN MONROE...SOUTHEASTERN JACKSON...NORTHERN LA CROSSE...
NORTHWESTERN JUNEAU AND NORTHERN ADAMS COUNTIES...
AT 736 AM CDT...RADAR INDICATED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS PORTIONS
OF SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA AND SOUTHWEST INTO CENTRAL WISCONSIN.
MOVEMENT WAS EAST AT 50 MPH.
WINDS IN EXCESS OF 30 MPH ARE POSSIBLE WITH THESE STORMS.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
LA CROSSE...SPARTA...TOMAH...ONALASKA...HOLMEN...WEST SALEM...
BANGOR...DAKOTA...MILLSTON...BRICE PRAIRIE...FORT MC COY...
CATARACT...NEW ROME...FRENCH ISLAND...LEON...BURNS...ROCKLAND...
MELROSE...DRESBACH AND WARRENS.
THESE STORMS MAY INTENSIFY...SO BE CERTAIN TO MONITOR LOCAL RADIO
STATIONS AND AVAILABLE TELEVISION STATIONS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.
LAT...LON 4386 9074 4389 9160 4399 9137 4399 9132
4400 9133 4441 9032 4425 9032 4425 8960
4422 8960
TIME...MOT...LOC 1236Z 292DEG 41KT 4428 9035 4390 9141
WETENKAMPPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
759 AM CDT THU JUL 21 2016
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0612 AM TSTM WND DMG LUBLIN 45.08N 90.72W
07/21/2016 TAYLOR WI LAW ENFORCEMENT
LUBLIN AS A REFERENCE POINT. TAYLOR COUNTY SHERIFF
DEPARTMENT REPORTED NUMEROUS TREES DOWN ACROSS THE
COUNTY.
0616 AM TSTM WND DMG THORP 44.96N 90.80W
07/21/2016 CLARK WI LAW ENFORCEMENT
NUMEROUS TREES DOWN
&&
AJSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
823 AM CDT THU JUL 21 2016
WIZ042>044-211400-
JUNEAU-ADAMS-MONROE-
823 AM CDT THU JUL 21 2016
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS MOVING THROUGH CENTRAL
WISCONSIN THIS MORNING....
AT 820 AM...RADAR INDICATED A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS FROM NEAR
TOMAH TO NEAR WAUTOMA IN WESTERN AND CENTRAL WISCONSIN...PRODUCING
WIND GUSTS OF 30 TO 40 MPH. LOCALLY HEAVY RAIN IS ALSO EXPECTED AS
THESE STORMS MOVE SOUTHEAST THIS MORNING.
BE ALERT FOR THESE WIND GUSTS...ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE IN A WOODED
AREA OR CAMPING.
LAT...LON 4364 9019 4371 9031 4373 9031 4373 9034
4391 9059 4410 8960 4364 8960
TIME...MOT...LOC 1320Z 306DEG 21KT 4405 8959 4389 9043
SHEAPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
848 AM CDT THU JUL 21 2016
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0842 AM HAIL ADAMS 43.95N 89.81W
07/21/2016 E0.75 INCH ADAMS WI TRAINED SPOTTER
OCCURRED AT INTERSECTION OF LINDEN STREET
AND ANN STREET.
&&
CJAPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
921 AM CDT THU JUL 21 2016
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0848 AM HAIL 2 SE GRAND MARSH 43.88N 89.68W
07/21/2016 E0.50 INCH ADAMS WI PUBLIC
&&
SHEAThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
6 heat. Local standard time, as filed.
Heat indices topped out between 105 and 115 on both the 21st and 22nd. The highest reported heat index was 116 by the automated weather observing equipment at the Platteville airport, while other mesonet reporting stations near Boscobel and Fennimore hit 115.
Heat indices topped out between 105 and 115 on both the 21st and 22nd. The highest reported index was 121 by a mesonet reporting station in De Soto. Prairie du Chien had a heat index of 107 on the 21st.
Heat indices topped out between 105 and 115 on both the 21st and 22nd. The highest reported heat index was 112 from a mesonet reporting station in Cochrane.
Heat indices topped out between 105 and 115 on both the 21st and 22nd. The highest reported heat index was 117 from a mesonet reporting station in Readstown. Viroqua had a heat index of 105 on the 21st and 101 on the 22nd.
Heat indices topped out between 100 and 105 on both the 21st and 22nd. The highest reported heat index was 104 from a mesonet reporting station south of Arcadia.
Heat indices topped out between 105 and 115 on both the 21st and 22nd. The highest reported heat index was 114 by a mesonet reporting station near Bangor. Around two dozen people used a cooling center in La Crosse opened by the Salvation Army. At the La Crosse Airport (ASOS) the heat index reached 106 on the 21st and 105 on the 22nd.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Wisconsin in 2016Every state in 2016This day in weather historyWarnings in Wisconsin, July 2016
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-30. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 650051, 650050, 650047, 650060, 650059, 650052.