Hail and Damaging Wind in Wisconsin, July 6, 2017

Name: Hail and Damaging Wind in Wisconsin, July 6, 2017
Start: 2017-07-06T17:30
End: 2017-07-06T19:02
Location: Wisconsin

July 6, 2017 · NWS DLH · 8 events in 4 counties and zones

Several severe thunderstorms moved across northern Wisconsin and produced large hail and strong, gusty winds. Hail stones ranged in size from dime size up to a hen's egg size.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 8

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS DLH wrote it up.

Several severe thunderstorms moved across northern Wisconsin and produced large hail and strong, gusty winds. Hail stones ranged in size from dime size up to a hen's egg size. The winds blew down several trees.

What forecasters said that day

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 Duluth, MN wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 6, 2:22 PM CST, 3 hours 8 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 6, 2:22 PM CST, 3 hours 8 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Duluth MN
322 PM CDT Thu Jul 6 2017

.SHORT TERM...(This evening through Friday)
Issued at 322 PM CDT Thu Jul 6 2017

Another night of strong to severe thunderstorms on tap across the
Northland. The mesoscale details near the surface are fairly
complicated. There are two remnant outflow boundaries over the
forecast area this afternoon; one from our northwest into the Twin
Ports to near Hayward, and another arcing clockwise from near
Silver Bay into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. A cool
front was advancing southeastward from near Crane Lake to Grand
Rapids to Leader. Ahead of those boundaries, moderate instability
of 1500-2500 J/kg of MLCAPE has developed with 0-6 km deep layer
shear of 35 to 45 knots. A few thunderstorms have developed ahead
of the cool front, with another area of storms on the eastern
outflow boundary in the Arrowhead. Expect storms to increase in
coverage and intensity during the remainder of the afternoon and
continue into this evening. Large hail, damaging wind, and
torrential rainfall are the main threats. However, with the
quantity of small scale boundaries in place across the Northland,
a small tornado risk cannot be ruled out.

Storms should exit the CWA this evening to the southwest with
quieter conditions expected for much of the night. Lingering
elevated instability over northwest and central Minnesota may
support another round of isolated thunderstorms from around 09Z
Friday morning into the afternoon as a compact and potent
shortwave trough dives out of the Canadian Prairies and across
central Minnesota. Severe storms are not expected, but a few
storms may be strong. Behind the cool front late tonight and
Friday, drier and slightly cooler air will advect into the region,
leading to slightly cooler and more comfortable conditions to
wrap up the work week.

.LONG TERM...(Friday night through Thursday)
Issued at 322 PM CDT Thu Jul 6 2017

A strong mid to upper level ridge across the southern Rockies
into the central and southern Great Plains will persist through
the long- term period, with an upper low approaching Hudson Bay
leading to a northwest flow pattern aloft across the Upper Midwest
this weekend into next week. The mid-level ridging flattens out
towards the middle of next week, with a number of mid-level
shortwave troughs embedded in the northwest to westerly flow
pattern possibly resulting in showers and storms.

Friday night through Sunday skies will be mainly clear with highs
in the 70s to near 80 Saturday and Sunday.

Sunday afternoon into Sunday night a mid-level shortwave trough
embedded in northwesterly flow approaches from the west as a
weakly-defined warm frontal boundary lifts north across central
Minnesota. Showers and storms may fire along the front late Sunday
afternoon into Sunday evening, with the best chance for storms
south of Highway 2. Given the spread in ensemble guidance
regarding placement of the front and thus the best instability,
the possibility for any strong to severe storms is very low.

Early week the subsidence influence from the mid-level ridge
approaching from the west will set in across the Upper Midwest
leading to little to no precipitation chances Monday into Tuesday.
Highs in the 70s to near 80.

Tuesday night into Wednesday another chance for showers and
thunderstorms as a front approaches from the best. Southerly flow
ahead of the front will result in dew points reaching the mid 60s
on Wednesday afternoon resulting in an environment with 1500 to
2500 J/kg MUCAPE. A few strong storms are possible, but deep layer
wind profiles will not be favorable for organized thunderstorms
capable of producing widespread severe weather. Highs in the upper
70s to mid 80s.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Friday afternoon)
Issued at 1234 PM CDT Thu Jul 6 2017

VFR conditions will prevail through the TAF period at all sites
with the exception of HYR where scattered to widespread storms
late today could result in brief MVFR to IFR visibility. Isolated
showers/storms may also impact HIB and DLH, though due to the low
coverage of storms expected kept just a mention of showers in the
TAF for now - will update with a mention of thunderstorms and more
detailed timing if/when confidence is higher that storms will
impact either site. Some mid to high level clouds this afternoon
at most sites, becoming clear overnight. West winds becoming more
northwesterly this afternoon with gusts to 18-22 knots, especially
at BRD and HIB. Winds become light overnight.

Increasing mid-level clouds late Friday morning at all sites,
with ceilings remaining VFR.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
DLH  58  73  53  78 /   0  30   0  10
INL  56  73  51  78 /  10   0   0  10
BRD  59  76  54  81 /   0  20   0   0
HYR  58  74  50  78 /  40  40   0  10
ASX  58  72  52  79 /  20  20   0   0

&&

.DLH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WI...None.
MN...None.
LS...None.
&&

SHORT TERM...Huyck
LONG TERM...JJM
AVIATION...JJM

Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 6, 2:04 PM CST, 3 hours 26 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED
National Weather Service Duluth MN
304 PM CDT Thu Jul 6 2017

MNZ010>012-018>021-025-026-033>038-WIZ001>004-006>009-071030-
Koochiching-North St. Louis-Northern Cook/Northern Lake-
North Itasca-Central St. Louis-Southern Lake/North Shore-
Southern Cook/North Shore-North Cass-South Itasca-South Cass-
Crow Wing-Northern Aitkin-South Aitkin-Carlton/South St. Louis-
Pine-Douglas-Bayfield-Ashland-Iron-Burnett-Washburn-Sawyer-Price-
304 PM CDT Thu Jul 6 2017

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northeast
Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight

Thunderstorms are likely this afternoon and tonight from northern
Minnesota southeast across northern Wisconsin. Large hail,
damaging wind gusts, and torrential rainfall are the main threats.
Localized flooding is possible should storms move over the same
location repeatedly tonight. There is a small risk of tornadoes,
especially this afternoon and early this evening, before sunset.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday

Several rounds of thunderstorms are possible from Friday morning
through Wednesday. Some of the storms may be strong, but it is too
early to highlight any particular time range or area.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SKYWARN Spotters will be needed this afternoon and this evening.

LSZ121-140>148-071030-
Bayfield to Oak Point WI-Grand Portage to Grand Marais MN-
Grand Marais to Taconite Harbor MN-
Taconite Harbor to Silver Bay Harbor MN-
Silver Bay Harbor to Two Harbors MN-Two Harbors to Duluth MN-
Duluth MN to Port Wing WI-Port Wing to Sand Island WI-
Sand Island to Bayfield WI-Oak Point to Saxon Harbor WI-
304 PM CDT Thu Jul 6 2017

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of the nearshore
waters of western Lake Superior.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight

A few thunderstorms are possible across western Lake Superior
this afternoon and this evening. Some of the storms may be strong
or severe with large hail, dangerous wind gusts, and heavy
rainfall which will reduce visibility.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday

Thunderstorms are possible across parts of western Lake Superior
late Tuesday night into Wednesday.

JJM/Huyck

More information may be obtained at the following web address:
http://www.weather.gov/duluth (all lower case)

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 6, 4:07 PM CST, 1 hour 23 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Duluth MN
507 PM CDT THU JUL 6 2017

WIZ002-062215-
Bayfield-
507 PM CDT THU JUL 6 2017

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN BAYFIELD COUNTY...

At 505 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was near Sand Island, or 12
miles northeast of Herbster Wisconsin, moving southeast at 35 mph.

Wind gusts up to 40 mph, dime-size hail, and frequent cloud to ground
lightning can be expected with this storm.

This storm will be near...
  Bayfield, Sand Bay and Red Cliff around 515 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this storm include Apostle Islands
National Lake Shore.

Seek shelter inside a sturdy building and away from windows until
this storm passes.

This storm may intensify, please monitor local media outlets for
additional information and possible warnings from the National
Weather Service.

LAT...LON 4680 9074 4678 9079 4677 9078 4664 9094
      4687 9123 4691 9117 4691 9112 4692 9108
      4696 9109 4698 9104 4701 9102 4702 9098
      4690 9068 4688 9070 4689 9067 4688 9064
TIME...MOT...LOC 2205Z 311DEG 31KT 4693 9101

LE

Local storm report, Jul 6, 4:08 PM CST, 1 hour 22 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DULUTH MN
508 PM CDT THU JUL 6 2017

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

0700 AM     HEAVY RAIN       3 WNW FRIESLAND         46.10N 92.99W
07/06/2017  M2.50 INCH       PINE               MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

WM

Special weather statement, Jul 6, 4:19 PM CST, 1 hour 11 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Duluth MN
519 PM CDT THU JUL 6 2017

WIZ002-003-062230-
Bayfield-Ashland-
519 PM CDT THU JUL 6 2017

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN BAYFIELD AND
NORTHWESTERN ASHLAND COUNTIES...

At 517 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was near Sand Bay, or 9 miles
northwest of Bayfield, moving southeast at 35 mph.

Wind gusts up to 35 mph and dime-size hail can be expected with this
storm.

This storm will be near...
  Washburn, Bayfield, La Pointe, Red Cliff and Madeline Island
  around 530 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this storm include Big Bay State Park and
Apostle Islands National Lake Shore.

Seek shelter inside a sturdy building and away from windows until
this storm passes.

LAT...LON 4663 9092 4687 9121 4691 9113 4692 9108
      4693 9108 4703 9090 4685 9055
TIME...MOT...LOC 2217Z 308DEG 30KT 4688 9093

LE

Local storm report, Jul 6, 4:21 PM CST, 1 hour 9 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DULUTH MN
521 PM CDT THU JUL 6 2017

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

0520 PM     HAIL             4 E ISLAND LAKE         47.02N 92.11W
07/06/2017  M0.50 INCH       ST. LOUIS          MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

WM

Special weather statement, Jul 6, 4:27 PM CST, 1 hour 3 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Duluth MN
527 PM CDT THU JUL 6 2017

MNZ020-037-062245-
Southern Lake/North Shore-Carlton/South St. Louis-
527 PM CDT THU JUL 6 2017

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN ST. LOUIS COUNTY...

At 527 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was near French River, or 14
miles northeast of Duluth, moving southeast at 30 mph.

Wind gusts up to 35 mph, half-inch hail, and frequent cloud to ground
lightning can be expected with this storm.

This storm will be near...
  French River around 535 PM CDT.
  Knife River and Larsmont around 540 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this storm include North Shore, Lakewood
Twp, and Palmers.

Seek shelter inside a sturdy building and away from windows until
this storm passes.

LAT...LON 4697 9205 4700 9199 4706 9191 4696 9170
      4692 9174 4687 9187 4683 9194
TIME...MOT...LOC 2227Z 313DEG 27KT 4696 9195

LE

Special weather statement, Jul 6, 4:39 PM CST, 51 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Duluth MN
539 PM CDT THU JUL 6 2017

WIZ001-002-062300-
Douglas-Bayfield-
539 PM CDT THU JUL 6 2017

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHWESTERN BAYFIELD AND EAST
CENTRAL DOUGLAS COUNTIES...

At 538 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was near Barnes, or 30 miles
southeast of Superior, moving southeast at 30 mph.

Wind gusts up to 40 mph, dime-size hail, and frequent cloud to ground
lightning can be expected with this storm.

This storm will be near...
  Barnes around 550 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this storm include Middle Eau Claire Lake
and Upper Eau Claire Lake.

Seek shelter inside a sturdy building and away from windows until
this storm passes.

This storm may intensify, please monitor local media outlets for
additional information and possible warnings from the National
Weather Service.

LAT...LON 4644 9174 4653 9169 4658 9157 4643 9122
      4623 9148
TIME...MOT...LOC 2238Z 310DEG 26KT 4647 9158

LE

The radar

The Duluth radar (KDLH), 95 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:30 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

7 hail, 1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Bayfield

When: July 6, 5:30 PM CST
Where: Bayfield County, 4.39 mi SSW of Drummond
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 46.270, -91.280

Hail, Ashland

When: July 6, 5:36 PM CST
Where: Ashland County, 0.47 mi E of Ashland
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 46.580, -90.870

Thunderstorm Wind, Sawyer

When: July 6, 5:45 PM CST
Where: Sawyer County, 0.84 mi SW of Hayward Arpt
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 46.010, -91.460

Several trees were blown down and some were uprooted. One fallen tree damaged a wooden fence. Another tree was struck by lightning.

Hail, Sawyer

When: July 6, 6:08 PM CST
Where: Sawyer County, 1.38 mi N of Hayward Arpt
Measured: 2 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 46.040, -91.450

Hail, Sawyer

When: July 6, 6:21 PM CST
Where: Sawyer County, 3.66 mi NW of Winter
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 45.860, -91.070

Hail, Sawyer

When: July 6, 6:33 PM CST
Where: Sawyer County, 1.44 mi W of Round Lake
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 46.020, -91.360

Hail, Sawyer

When: July 6, 6:37 PM CST
Where: Sawyer County, 0.48 mi E of Stone Lake
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.850, -91.540

Hail, Washburn

When: July 6, 7:02 PM CST
Where: Washburn County, 0.84 mi SE of Spooner
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.820, -91.890

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Wisconsin in 2017 Every state in 2017 This day in weather history Warnings in Wisconsin, July 2017

Sources

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: 712083, 712084, 712090, 712085, 712086, 712087, 712088, 712089.