A line of thunderstorms, known as a quasi-linear convective system (QLCS), formed ahead of a cold front and produced widespread winds of 50 to 70 mph and tornadoes as it passed through central and east-central Wisconsin. Ten tornadoes formed during the afternoon.
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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.
A line of thunderstorms, known as a quasi-linear convective system (QLCS), formed ahead of a cold front and produced widespread winds of 50 to 70 mph and tornadoes as it passed through central and east-central Wisconsin. Ten tornadoes formed during the afternoon. One was associated with an isolated storm ahead of the main line. Five of the tornadoes were rated EF0 and the other five were EF1.
This was the biggest outbreak of tornadoes in the National Weather Service Green Bay service area of northeast and north-central Wisconsin, tying the April 10, 2011, event.
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 Jun 14, 12:00 PM CST, 47 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Green Bay WI 100 PM CDT Wed Jun 14 2017 Updated aviation portion for 18Z TAF issuance .SHORT TERM...Today...Tonight...and Thursday Issued at 246 AM CDT Wed Jun 14 2017 Convective trends and severe weather potential are the main forecast concerns. Have been watching the line of thunderstorms approaching from western WI. Recent observations have shown numerous gusts to 30-40 knots along this line. A gradual decrease in reflectivity and lightning, and warming cloud tops, suggests that the line is weakening as it encounters the upper level ridge and increased capping (+12 C at 700 mb). Meso-models support the weakening trend, and indicate that there may not be much left of the line as it reaches north central WI. However, all meso-models show elevated storms firing over northeast/far eastern WI by 09z, on the edge of the cap where the latest meso-analysis shows MUCAPE of 1000-1500 j/kg. Despite sufficient instability for severe hail, weak deep layer shear and high wet-bulb zero heights of 10.5-11.5 K FT suggest that small hail and heavy downpours will be the primary concerns. After a short lull in the convection during the mid-morning to midday period, a short-wave trof (currently over eastern Nebraska) will swing through the forecast area during the afternoon and early evening. This wave will trigger additional thunderstorms in a moderately unstable air mass (CAPE 1000-2500 J/kg). With sufficient deep layer shear of 25-40 kts, another round of organized severe weather is expected. Damaging winds and large hail will be the main threats, but 0-3 km helicities of around 200, strong low-level CAPE and the presence of the warm frontal boundary support a small tornado threat as well. A cold front will move through the forecast area tonight, continuing the chance of thunderstorms overnight, and possibly into early Thursday morning in far eastern WI. The rest of the day on Thursday looks dry, with decreasing clouds and humidity, and gusty west winds. Temperatures will remain above normal over the region. .LONG TERM...Thursday Night Through Tuesday Issued at 246 AM CDT Wed Jun 14 2017 A 500 mb low currently over the western CONUS should be in Manitoba by 00Z Friday. This will result in a more zonal flow aloft across the Great Lakes until a trough digs into the northern Plains over the weekend. A cooling trend will bring temperatures back closer to normal for the upcoming weekend. Once the upper trough axis passes to the east, flow aloft becomes northwest and at least a couple of days of cooler than normal high temperatures are expected for the early part of the work week. The main chances for showers and storms are expected to be late this week and into the weekend. Once the upper trough axis passes to the east there will be occasional slight chance/low end chance PoPs at most. && .AVIATION...for 18Z TAF Issuance Issued at 1259 PM CDT Wed Jun 14 2017 MVFR ceilings over northern Wisconsin will dissipate this afternoon as a warm front moves north and increasing winds mix out low level moisture. Thunderstorms will move across the area from southwest to northeast during the mid and late afternoon hours accompanied by gusty winds and heavy rain. They should exit the area during the early evening. Additional scattered thunderstorms are possible alter tonight as a weak cold front moves through. IFR ceilings and visibilities are possible late tonight and early Thursday where winds become light and the ground is wet from rain. Good flying weather is expected by noon Thursday. && .GRB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NONE. && SHORT TERM.....Kieckbusch LONG TERM......MG AVIATION.......RDM
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Green Bay WI 304 AM CDT Wed Jun 14 2017 WIZ005-010>013-018>022-030-031-035>040-045-048>050-073-074-150815- 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- 304 AM CDT Wed Jun 14 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north-central and northeast Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight There is a chance of thunderstorms with small hail and heavy downpours early this morning, especially over northeast and east central Wisconsin. There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms today and tonight, especially during the afternoon and early evening. Damaging winds, large hail, heavy rainfall and flooding, and possibly a tornado or two, may impact the region. Due to several recent bouts of heavy rainfall, the Wisconsin River continues to flow faster than normal with a few locations at or above flood stage. Caution should be used if boating or fishing on the Wisconsin River. Other rivers across the region will also be on the rise along with faster than normal flows for this time of year. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday A chance of thunderstorms will return for late this week and the weekend, but severe storms do not appear likely. The Wisconsin River will continue to flow faster than normal due to recent heavy rainfall, with a few locations expected to remain at or above flood stage through at least Thursday. Other rivers across north-central and northeast Wisconsin will be running high as well. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed at times today and tonight. LMZ521-522-541>543-150815- The Bay of Green Bay south of a line from Cedar River MI to Rock Island Passage-Lake Michigan from Washington Island to Sheboygan- 304 AM CDT Wed Jun 14 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northwest Lake Michigan and the waters of Green Bay. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight There is a chance of thunderstorms with small hail and heavy downpours early this morning. Additional strong to severe thunderstorms are possible later this afternoon and evening. Some of these storms will produce strong winds, hail and heavy rainfall. Patchy dense fog may develop, as a warm and moist air mass flows over the relatively cool waters of Lake Michigan. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday A chance of thunderstorms will return during the weekend. Kieckbusch/MG
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Green Bay WI
826 AM CDT WED JUN 14 2017
WIZ022-141415-
Door WI-
826 AM CDT WED JUN 14 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR CENTRAL DOOR COUNTY UNTIL 915 AM
CDT...
At 826 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms from Institute to Egg Harbor to Peninsula State
Park to Ephraim. The thunderstorms were moving to the northeast
at 25 mph.
Pea size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm. Torential rainfall can be expected with this storm that
may produce street flooding in Institute, Egg Harbor and Ephraim.
Locations impacted include...
Jacksonport, Ephraim, Egg Harbor, Newport State Park, Whitefish Bay,
Baileys Harbor, Sister Bay, Peninsula Center, Fish Creek and
Peninsula State Park.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 4516 8697 4501 8710 4488 8716 4481 8726
4497 8735 4524 8719 4530 8713 4530 8691
TIME...MOT...LOC 1322Z 223DEG 23KT 4499 8716
ECKBERGSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Green Bay WI
904 AM CDT WED JUN 14 2017
WIZ022-141445-
Door WI-
904 AM CDT WED JUN 14 2017
...STRONG THUNDERSTORM ACROSS NORTHERN DOOR COUNTY...
At 903 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Ephraim, or 25 miles northeast of Sturgeon Bay, moving northeast at
30 mph.
Winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with this storm.
This strong thunderstorm will be near...
Newport State Park around 920 AM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this storm include Baileys Harbor, Fish
Creek, Peninsula State Park, Sister Bay, Rowleys Bay and Ellison Bay.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 4524 8690 4519 8692 4516 8697 4510 8695
4501 8709 4513 8725 4533 8707 4534 8706
4527 8688
TIME...MOT...LOC 1403Z 226DEG 25KT 4513 8709
ECKBERGSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Green Bay WI
1244 PM CDT WED JUN 14 2017
WIZ035-036-045-141900-
Waushara WI-Wood WI-Portage WI-
1244 PM CDT WED JUN 14 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WOOD...PORTAGE AND WESTERN
WAUSHARA COUNTIES UNTIL 200 PM CDT...
At 1243 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms
across far southwest Wisconsin. The thunderstorms were moving to the
northeast around 45 mph. These storms will arrive across southern
Wood, southwest Portage and western Waushara counties between 130 PM
and 215 PM CDT. These storms are expected to continue across the
region during the mid afternoon hours.
At this time, these storms are not severe, however conditions are
favorable for the storms to strengthen and become severe. A severe
thunderstorm watch is in effect until 8 pm. Stay tuned to your
favorite media source for the latest statements and possible
warnings on this cluster of thunderstorms.
Locations that my be impacted by these thunderstorms include...
Stevens Point, Wisconsin Rapids, Marshfield, Whiting, Pittsville,
Plainfield, Babcock, Lake Wazeecha, Plover and Stockton.
LAT...LON 4468 9032 4468 8937 4398 8937 4398 8960
4425 8960 4425 9032
TIME...MOT...LOC 1737Z 218DEG 41KT 4414 9134 4369 9067 4289 9081
EckbergThe Green Bay radar (KGRB), 65 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:45 UTC.
26 thunderstorm wind, 12 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
A weak tornado briefly touched down in an open field near the Shawano/Menominee County line. The tornado was photographed.
Thunderstorm winds downed a barn in Richford. The time of this event is an estimate based on radar data.
Thunderstorms produced a wind gust to 59 mph at Wautoma Municipal Airport.
Thunderstorm winds downed trees in central Waushara County.
A tornado formed east of Wild Rose and quickly moved northeast, uprooting or snapping over 100 pine trees (DI 28, DOD 2-4) along its intermittent path. Several houses sustained significant roof damage from fallen trees.
A thunderstorm produced a wind gust to 65 mph in Wild Rose.
Thunderstorm winds uprooted or heavily damaged 10 trees on Onaway Island on the Chain O' Lakes.
Thunderstorm wind gusts, estimated as high as 70 mph, downed trees in Waupaca.
Thunderstorm winds downed a few trees in Eureka.
A thunderstorm wind gust to 60 mph was measured in Scandinavia.
Thunderstorm winds downed numerous trees in Iola, including some large trees that were knocked onto houses and power lines.
Thunderstorm winds downed a few trees around Oshkosh.
Thunderstorm winds blew in the south facing windows of a building along the Fox River in Oshkosh.
Thunderstorm winds heavily damaged a barn and tore the roof from an outbuilding near Sugar Bush.
Thunderstorm winds uprooted many trees in Menasha.
A tornado developed at 3:28 PM CDT in far northeast Winnebago County near the village of Fox Crossing then moved into Outagamie County, about 1.8 miles south of Appleton, at 3:29 PM CDT. The tornado continued into Outagamie County for another 7 miles before dissipating at 3:37 PM CDT. The tornado damaged nearly two dozen trees and uprooted several others (DI 27 and 28, DOD 1-3) in Winnebago County. One house sustained roof damage by a fallen tree.
This tornado moved out of far northeast Winnebago County (1.8 miles south of Appleton) and entered Outagamie County at 3:29 PM CDT. The tornado uprooted or snapped several dozen trees (DI 27 and 28, DOD 1-3), some of which fell on houses along its path across the southeast side of the city of Appleton. Two large industrial buildings suffered damage on Appleton's east side. One building's large HVAC system was blown off its roof and another large building had several overhead doors blown in and lost portions of its roof and a wall (DI 23, DOD 3 and 4). A self-service car wash lost its roof in Kimberly. An industrial park in Little Chute was also affected. A building had an HVAC unit damaged and a couple trees were knocked down. The tornado dissipated after crossing I-41 north of Kaukauna.
A weak tornado caused minor house damage (DI 2, DOD 2) and ripped small limbs off trees (DI 27, DOD 1 and 2).
Thunderstorm winds downed large trees on the south and east sides of Appleton.
Thunderstorm winds downed trees and power lines in Shiocton.
A weak tornado uprooted several trees in saturated soil and broke limbs off about a dozen more (DI 27 and 28, DOD 1 and 2). A metal barn roof was blown off (DI 1, DOD 2) and another barn roof collapsed (DI 1, DOD 5).
Thunderstorms produced an estimated 65 mph wind gust south of Appleton.
A tornado formed at 3:40 PM CDT and moved northeast, entering Shawano County 1.4 miles north of Nichols at 3:43 PM CDT. The tornado removed some shingles and siding off a house (DI 2, DOD 2) before strengthening as it continued into Shawano County for another 1.8 miles. The tornado dissipated at 3:45 PM CDT.
This tornado moved out of northern Outagamie County, 1.4 miles north of Nichols, into Shawano County at 3:43 PM CDT. A detached garage/outbuilding was swept off its foundation (DI 1, DOD 7). Another garage/outbuilding collapsed with the walls falling outward (DI 1, DOD 6). A stand of pines across the street had a 75 yard wide by 125 yard long area that were blown down and snapped in a convergent pattern (DI 28, DOD 4). The tornado dissipated at 3:45 PM CDT.
Another tornado formed northeast of Nichols and moved north-northeast causing isolated damage along its path. The tornado heavily damaged a wood and sheet-metal pole barn (DI 1, DOD 6). A mobile home was destroyed as it tumbled off its block foundation (DI 3, DOD 7). Portions of the home were blown nearly a quarter mile away into nearby fields and trees. Several trees along the storm's path were uprooted or snapped (DI 27 and 28, DOD 3 and 4).
Thunderstorm winds downed large tree limbs in Shawano.
Thunderstorm winds uprooted or damaged 20 trees on the Fox River.
An EF1 tornado formed and moved north-northeast on the west side of the city of Pulaski. The tornado ripped off a garage door and one side of the garage collapsed inward (DI 2, DOD 4). Another nearby garage door (on a different property) collapsed and one side was heavily damaged (DI 2, DOD 4). In addition, a barn's roof was collapsed (DI 1, DOD 5). Several dozen trees were uprooted in wet soil or heavily damaged (DI 27 and 28, DOD 2 and 3) in the path of the tornado.
Thunderstorm winds downed numerous trees near Sobieski.
A weak tornado caused minor tree damage (DI 27, DOD 1 and 2).
This tornado, west of Angelica, heavily damaged an old barn (DI 1, DOD 6) and partially tore the roof off an outbuilding (DI 1, DOD 2). Another old barn had most of its roof blown off (DI 1, DOD 5). A nearby home had roof damage (DI 2, DOD 2) and its garage door partially collapsed inward.
Thunderstorm winds downed trees that caused damage to several homes on the south side of De Pere.
Thunderstorm winds downed several trees near Highway 172 and Monroe Road.
Thunderstorm winds tore 4 to 5 inch limbs from trees and tossed them 100 to 150 feet.
Thunderstorm winds downed numerous trees around Little Suamico.
A thunderstorm produced a wind gust to 64 mph in Pulaski.
Thunderstorm winds downed several trees in Manitowoc.
Thunderstorm winds caused widespread tree damage across Door County.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Wisconsin in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Wisconsin, 2017Warnings in Wisconsin, June 2017
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: 694048, 705735, 705928, 705736, 696419, 705929, 705738, 705739, 705741, 705930, 705742, 705744, 705746, 705747, 705749, 693747, 693748, 693745, 705917, 705918, 694134, 705932, 694106, 694107, 694117, 705919, 705920, 694056, 705921, 693746, 694079, 705922, 705923, 705924, 705925, 705931, 705926, 705927.