Thunderstorms moved across northern Wisconsin during the early morning of September 6th. A man, who was walking his dog, was struck by lightning and died of his injuries two days later.
Every event with a place to put it. 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 GRB wrote it up.
Thunderstorms moved across northern Wisconsin during the early morning of September 6th. A man, who was walking his dog, was struck by lightning and died of his injuries two days later.
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 Green Bay, WI wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Sep 6, 3:53 AM CST, 1 hour 37 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Green Bay WI 453 AM CDT TUE SEP 6 2016 New Information added to update section .UPDATE... Issued at 447 AM CDT Tue Sep 6 2016 Have coordinated with MQT and MKX, and decided to expand the Flood Watch farther east to the lakeshore. Rainfall totals are just as high there, and WPC has nearly the entire forecast area in the day 1 slight risk for excessive rainfall. && .SHORT TERM...Today...Tonight...and Wednesday Issued at 357 AM CDT Tue Sep 6 2016 Thunderstorms were ongoing in a region of enhanced moisture convergence ahead of a cold front, which extended from western Lake Superior swwd to far northwest WI and southwest MN. Storms were rapidly increasing over far north central WI. A few of these storms were strong, due to an axis of moderate instability (MUCAPE 1000-1500 j/kg) and deep layer shear of 30-40 kts. The storms were also producing heavy rainfall, as PWATs were increasing to 1.75 to 2 inches ahead of the front. The cold front will continue to be the focus of convective development through Wednesday, with the highest pops focused over north central WI this morning and early afternoon, shifting into central and northeast WI later this afternoon and tonight, then the Fox River Valley and Lakeshore region on Wednesday. With PWATs around 2 inches continuing through the event, the main focus will be on heavy rainfall and potential flooding (see Hydrology section below). However, severe thunderstorms will also be a concern, particularly this afternoon and early evening, when SBCAPE is forecast to reach 1500-2000 j/kg, along with deep layer shear of 30-45 kts. One negative factor will be abundant cloud cover from morning and upstream convection, so confidence on the details is low. SPC has most of GRB CWA in a slight risk, which seems reasonable. Will also need to see exactly where the front resides Wednesday afternoon, but instability/shear parameters are at least marginal for severe thunderstorms in our far southern counties. Used a blend of the better performing guidance sets for temperatures. Today will be very warm and humid over all but the far northwest, but some cooling will be seen on Wednesday, especially over our northwest counties, which will be stuck in low cloud cover on the cool side of the front. .LONG TERM...Wednesday Night Through Monday Issued at 357 AM CDT Tue Sep 6 2016 Forecast concerns revolve around heavy rain potential on Wednesday night, followed by the next precip chance arriving on Friday and Friday night. Looking at model solutions tonight, both the nam and gfs appear too strong with the surface low that crosses the region Wednesday night. But given the moisture profiles, prefer something between these stronger solutions and the ecmwf. Will continue to side with the ecmwf for the second system arriving late this week. Wednesday night through Thursday night...The potential for heavy rainfall will continue into Wednesday night. Ensemble means indicate that pwats and integrated wv transport will target east-central WI early in the evening before shifting southward. Elevated instability is pretty meager, but forcing from a shortwave and mid-level convergence could have enough to overcome that negative. Will continue to advertise heavy rainfall in this area, possibly an additional 1-2 inches in the evening. Once any heavy rain departs, lighter shower activity could continue, especially over northern WI, into Thursday morning before ending. Then weak high pressure will bring clearing skies Thursday afternoon and evening for a relatively short period. Clouds will then increase late ahead of the next system. Rest of the forecast... The next shortwave will be sending another low pressure system over the Great Lakes region on Friday and Friday night. This time it looks like the deep moisture plume will remain south of the region, but the system should still bring some showers to the region, highest threat over east-central WI. Cooler and drier air will move in behind the system for Saturday and Sunday. Another surge of warmer air will quickly follow for early next week ahead of the next front. && .AVIATION...for 06Z TAF Issuance Issued at 1059 PM CDT Mon Sep 5 2016 Showers and thunderstorms continue to be a threat during the overnight hours as activity is currently firing up across our north and west. Radar trends seem to point to this activity affecting KRHI in the next few hours, with the KAUW/KCWA taf sites late tonight into Tuesday morning. After that the picture becomes less clear as there are varying solutions later on with some models inundating KRHI through the TAF period. However will stick with a break in the action before additional activity fires up Tuesday afternoon, then sinking south through central and eventually east-central Wisconsin on Tuesday evening. For now will pick a window where thunderstorms are most likely, however they could easily happen for a longer period of time, particularly across central and north-central Wisconsin. && .HYDROLOGY... Issued at 357 AM CDT Tue Sep 6 2016 Locally heavy rain expected at times today through Wednesday night. Most locations should see between 2 and 3 inches of rain with locally higher amounts possible. WPC has most of our forecast area in a slight risk for exceeding flash flood guidance for today and tonight. Have decided to expand the Flood Watch farther east, as expected rainfall amounts are just as high in eastern WI. In addition to the potential for river flooding, have mentioned the potential for urban flooding in the Flood Watch text. && .GRB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch through late Wednesday night FOR WIZ010-011-013- 018>022-030-031-035>040-045-048>050-073-074. && UPDATE.........Kieckbusch SHORT TERM.....Kieckbusch LONG TERM......MPC AVIATION.......Kurimski HYDROLOGY......Kieckbusch
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREEN BAY WI 410 AM CDT TUE SEP 6 2016 WIZ005-010>013-018>022-030-031-035>040-045-048>050-073-074-070915- VILAS-ONEIDA-FOREST-FLORENCE-NORTHERN MARINETTE COUNTY-LINCOLN- LANGLADE-MENOMINEE-NORTHERN OCONTO COUNTY-DOOR-MARATHON-SHAWANO- WOOD-PORTAGE-WAUPACA-OUTAGAMIE-BROWN-KEWAUNEE-WAUSHARA-WINNEBAGO- CALUMET-MANITOWOC-SOUTHERN MARINETTE COUNTY- SOUTHERN OCONTO COUNTY- 410 AM CDT TUE SEP 6 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTH CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST WISCONSIN. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT THE CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS WILL SPREAD FROM NORTHWEST TO SOUTHEAST ACROSS THE REGION TODAY AND TONIGHT. THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS, ESPECIALLY THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. THE PRIMARY THREATS WILL BE DAMAGING WINDS, TORRENTIAL RAINFALL, FLOODING, AND LARGE HAIL. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY PERIODS OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT. TOTAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 2 TO 3 INCHES, WITH LOCALIZED HIGHER AMOUNTS, ARE EXPECTED ACROSS MUCH OF THE AREA FROM TODAY THROUGH EARLY THURSDAY MORNING. THE HEAVY RAIN MAY RESULT IN URBAN STREET FLOODING AND RAPID RISES ON AREA RIVERS AND CREEKS. RESIDENTS LIVING ALONG RIVERS AND CREEKS SHOULD MONITOR WATER LEVELS OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS. A CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS WILL RETURN LATE IN THE WORK WEEK. IT IS TOO EARLY TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS A CHANCE OF SEVERE WEATHER. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. SPOTTERS ARE ALSO URGED TO RELAY ANY REPORTS OF FLOODING OR HEAVY RAINFALL IN EXCESS OF AN INCH. LMZ521-522-541>543-070915- THE BAY OF GREEN BAY SOUTH OF A LINE FROM CEDAR RIVER MI TO ROCK ISLAND PASSAGE-LAKE MICHIGAN FROM WASHINGTON ISLAND TO SHEBOYGAN- 410 AM CDT TUE SEP 6 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHWEST LAKE MICHIGAN AND THE WATERS OF GREEN BAY. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE TODAY AND TONIGHT. SOME OF THE STORMS THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING COULD BECOME STRONG OR SEVERE, WITH STRONG WINDS, TORRENTIAL RAINFALL AND LARGE HAIL. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY PERIODS OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT, AND POSE A HAZARD TO MARINERS. ADDITIONAL STORMS ARE EXPECTED LATER THIS WEEK...RESULTING IN HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS FOR BOATERS ON THE LAKE AND BAY. KIECKBUSCH/MPC
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREEN BAY WI 317 AM CDT TUE SEP 6 2016 WIZ005-060845- VILAS WI- 317 AM CDT TUE SEP 6 2016 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN VILAS COUNTY UNTIL 345 AM CDT... AT 317 AM CDT...DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR MERCER...OR 8 MILES EAST OF TURTLE FLAMBEAU FLOWAGE...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 55 MPH. DIME SIZE HAIL AND WINDS IN EXCESS OF 30 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM. LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... LAC DU FLAMBEAU...BOULDER JUNCTION...WINCHESTER...PRESQUE ISLE AND MANITOWISH WATERS. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... TORRENTIAL RAINFALL IS ALSO OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM...AND MAY LEAD TO LOCALIZED FLOODING. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE THROUGH FLOODED ROADWAYS. 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 4618 8929 4598 8993 4630 8993 TIME...MOT...LOC 0817Z 241DEG 46KT 4609 9001 MG
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREEN BAY WI
341 AM CDT TUE SEP 6 2016
WIZ005-060900-
VILAS WI-
341 AM CDT TUE SEP 6 2016
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN VILAS COUNTY UNTIL
400 AM CDT...
AT 341 AM CDT...DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM
NEAR BOULDER JUNCTION...OR 20 MILES EAST OF TURTLE FLAMBEAU
FLOWAGE...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 55 MPH.
NICKEL SIZE HAIL AND WINDS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH
THIS STORM.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
BOULDER JUNCTION...MANITOWISH WATERS...LAND O LAKES AND TROUT LAKE.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TORRENTIAL RAINFALL IS ALSO OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM...AND MAY LEAD
TO LOCALIZED FLOODING. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE THROUGH FLOODED
ROADWAYS.
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 4616 8922 4596 8982 4607 8993 4613 8993
4626 8971
TIME...MOT...LOC 0841Z 241DEG 46KT 4612 8976
MGSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREEN BAY WI
548 AM CDT TUE SEP 6 2016
WIZ005-010>012-018-061215-
FLORENCE WI-LINCOLN WI-ONEIDA WI-FOREST WI-VILAS WI-
548 AM CDT TUE SEP 6 2016
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR VILAS...ONEIDA...NORTHWESTERN
FOREST AND NORTHWESTERN LINCOLN COUNTIES UNTIL 715 AM CDT...
AT 543 AM CDT...DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING STRONG THUNDERSTORMS
ALONG AND NORTHWEST OF A LINE EXTENDING FROM NEAR IRON RIVER TO NEAR
TRIPOLI. THE LINE WAS MOVING NORTHEAST AT 35 MPH WHILE INDIVIDUAL
STORMS WERE MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH.
NICKEL SIZE HAIL AND WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH
THESE STORMS.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
RHINELANDER...EAGLE RIVER...LAC DU FLAMBEAU...TOMAHAWK...PHELPS...
BOULDER JUNCTION...WOODBORO...WINCHESTER...TRIPOLI AND SQUIRREL LAKE.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TORRENTIAL RAINFALL IS ALSO OCCURRING WITH THESE STORMS...AND MAY
LEAD TO LOCALIZED FLOODING. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE THROUGH
FLOODED ROADWAYS.
FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THESE STORMS.
LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE 10 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM. SEEK A SAFE
SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE.
TO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER...CONTACT YOUR NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT
AGENCY. THEY WILL RELAY YOUR REPORT TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
OFFICE IN GREEN BAY.
&&
LAT...LON 4614 8909 4602 8882 4601 8868 4599 8867
4602 8851 4527 9004 4598 9005 4598 8993
4630 8993
TIME...MOT...LOC 1043Z 237DEG 32KT 4617 8861 4553 9010
MGThe Marquette radar (KMQT), 181 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 11:30 UTC.
1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.
A 66-year-old man was struck by lightning outside his residence on Tanglewood Court in Minocqua. He was first taken to Howard Young Medical Center, then transported to St. Claire's Hospital in Weston. From there, he was taken to a burn center in Madison where he died from his injuries.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lightning, Oneida | 2016-09-08 | 66 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
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, September 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 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 660148.