A line of storms moved across portions of western Wisconsin during the late afternoon of September 17th. These storms mainly produced wind gusts in the 40 to 50 mph range, which was strong enough to blow down trees across the western and southern sections of Jackson County, including in Melrose and Millston.
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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 ARX wrote it up.
A line of storms moved across portions of western Wisconsin during the late afternoon of September 17th. These storms mainly produced wind gusts in the 40 to 50 mph range, which was strong enough to blow down trees across the western and southern sections of Jackson County, including in Melrose and Millston.
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 Sep 17, 12:44 PM CST, 3 hours 19 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service La Crosse WI 144 PM CDT Mon Sep 17 2018 .SHORT TERM...(Tonight through Tuesday Night) Issued at 144 PM CDT Mon Sep 17 2018 Very active next couple of days setting up as a cold front slips in and becomes quasi-stationary across the area. Currently, the frontal boundary extends from central Upper MI through central WI into northern IA. Radar was showing some elevated thunderstorm activity across western MN north of the frontal boundary associated with a mid-level trough and increasing moisture transport. This convection is expected to continue heading this way later this afternoon into this evening. Some of the storms could be strong to possibly severe with hail and gusty/possibly damaging winds. In addition, given higher than normal precipitable water values, these storms will be capable of heavy rainfall. This batch of storms looks fairly progressive, pushing out of the area by late this evening. However, another mid-level wave pushes into the region overnight and is expected to fire some more elevated convection after midnight across MN, moving into our area by early Tuesday morning. This batch of rainfall looks progressive in nature as it moves though but heavy rain rates will likely be seen. Looks like a brief break in the action Tuesday evening, but then more convection is expected to re-fire/move in after midnight as yet another mid-level wave moves toward the region. As of now, the heaviest rainfall through this period (Tonight through Tuesday Night) appears to be south of I-90 across southeast MN/northeast IA. Thinking mean areal average rainfall will be somewhere in the 1-3 inch range ,but there is the distinct possibility for locally higher amounts. This give rise to some hydrology concern which will is addressed below in the Hydrology section. .LONG TERM...(Wednesday through Monday) Issued at 144 PM CDT Mon Sep 17 2018 Wednesday through Thursday will likely be active as well as low pressure organizes over the Central Plains and lifts northeastward into the area. Additional rounds of showers and storms are expected with the potential for more heavy rainfall. Additional rainfall of 1 to 3 inches, locally higher could be seen. In addition to the potential for heavy rainfall, we will have to keep a vigilant eye out for the possibility of severe thunderstorms Thursday as the surface low tracks across the area. Right now, the warm sector appears messy, so this may limit severe storm potential. However, if the warm sector cleans out, we could see some severe storm development as the cold front pushes in during the afternoon. Cooler and drier air filters into the area Friday into Saturday as high pressure slides in from Canada. Look for highs Friday and Saturday in the middle/upper 60s with lows Friday night expected to bottom out mainly in the 40s. Sunday looks dry again as another piece of high pressure builds into the area. This looks sort-lived though as a trough of low pressure moves from the Northern Plains into the Upper Mississippi River Valley Region which could result in a few showers/storms across northern WI. Otherwise, cooler weather will prevail with slightly below normal temperatures expected. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Tuesday afternoon) Issued at 1206 PM CDT Mon Sep 17 2018 Appears a couple bouts of shra/ts will impact the KRST/KLSE TAF sites through the period. A cold front will push scattered shra/ts into the area late this afternoon into this evening. Another batch moves in after midnight lasting int early Tuesday morning. Ceilings through tonight appear to remain VFR although there could be some temporary reductions in vsby into MVFR range. Reductions in ceiling bases are expected Tuesday morning into MVFR range with -shra scattered about. && .HYDROLOGY...(Through Thursday) Issued at 144 PM CDT Mon Sep 17 2018 Precipitable water values across much of the forecast area will be in the 1.5 to 2 inch range over the next several days. Combined with warm cloud depths of 4000 feet...this will allow the showers and thunderstorms to be efficient rain producers over the next several days. At this time...rainfall amounts of 2 to 5 inches are possible across much of the area...with the higher amounts over parts of southeast Minnesota and northeast Iowa. Current river levels across the area are running above normal and given the forecast QPF amounts, river rises can be expected and river flooding is possible along with the possibility of flash flooding. && .ARX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WI...None. MN...None. IA...None. && SHORT TERM...DAS LONG TERM...DAS AVIATION...DAS HYDROLOGY...DTJ
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service La Crosse WI 351 AM CDT Mon Sep 17 2018 IAZ008>011-018-019-029-030-MNZ079-086>088-094>096-WIZ017-029- 032>034-041>044-053>055-061-181200- Mitchell-Howard-Winneshiek-Allamakee-Floyd-Chickasaw-Fayette- Clayton-Wabasha-Dodge-Olmsted-Winona-Mower-Fillmore-Houston- Taylor-Clark-Buffalo-Trempealeau-Jackson-La Crosse-Monroe-Juneau- Adams-Vernon-Crawford-Richland-Grant- 351 AM CDT Mon Sep 17 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southeast Minnesota, northeast Iowa, and southwest into central Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Thunderstorms are expected to impact areas southwest of Interstate 94 late this afternoon through tonight. Some could be strong, with an outside chance for severe storms. The main threats will be hail and heavy rain. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday Several rounds of thunderstorms are expected through Thursday night. The main threat will be heavy rainfall, but confidence is low on locations that will see the heaviest rainfall. The risk for severe storms appears low at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... No action needed. .EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATION... No webinar is scheduled. CA
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
438 PM CDT MON SEP 17 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0418 PM TSTM WND GST 2 SW ROCHESTER 43.99N 92.50W
09/17/2018 M45 MPH OLMSTED MN ASOS
&&
SHEAPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
439 PM CDT MON SEP 17 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0437 PM TSTM WND GST 2 WSW GALESVILLE 44.07N 91.39W
09/17/2018 E50 MPH TREMPEALEAU WI TRAINED SPOTTER
ESTIMATED 45 TO 50 MPH WINDS.
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
445 PM CDT MON SEP 17 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0433 PM HEAVY RAIN WINONA 44.05N 91.66W
09/17/2018 M2.00 INCH WINONA MN AMATEUR RADIO
MEASURED 2 INCHES OF RAIN SINCE 338 PM.
&&
DANBPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
452 PM CDT MON SEP 17 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0451 PM FLOOD WINONA 44.05N 91.66W
09/17/2018 WINONA MN BROADCAST MEDIA
STREET AND YARD FLOODING FROM QUICK 2 INCHES OF RAIN
&&
SHEAPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
457 PM CDT MON SEP 17 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0420 PM TSTM WND DMG WINONA 44.05N 91.66W
09/17/2018 WINONA MN LAW ENFORCEMENT
MANY TREES DOWN IN TOWN ALONG WITH STREET FLOODING
0418 PM TSTM WND DMG GOODVIEW 44.07N 91.71W
09/17/2018 WINONA MN LAW ENFORCEMENT
ROOF DAMAGE REPORTED TO SOME OF THE INDUSTRY BUILDING
&&
SHEASpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service La Crosse WI 457 PM CDT MON SEP 17 2018 IAZ011-MNZ096-WIZ029-034-041-042-053-172245- Allamakee-Houston-Jackson-Vernon-La Crosse-Clark-Monroe- 457 PM CDT MON SEP 17 2018 ...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT NORTH CENTRAL ALLAMAKEE...EASTERN HOUSTON...LA CROSSE...SOUTHEASTERN CLARK... CENTRAL JACKSON...VERNON AND WESTERN MONROE COUNTIES... At 455 PM CDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located along a line extending from 7 miles northwest of Black River Falls to near New Albin. Movement was east at 30 mph. Winds gusts of 40 to 45 mph and heavy downpours are possible with these storms. Ponding of water can be expected in poor drainage areas. Locations impacted include... La Crosse, Sparta, La Crescent, Viroqua, Black River Falls, Onalaska, West Salem, Westby, Bangor, Cashton, Stoddard, Coon Valley, New Albin, North Bend, Brownsville, Millston, Hatfield, La Crosse Airport, Fort Mc Coy and Cataract. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. 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 4344 9074 4350 9144 4440 9100 4450 9037 TIME...MOT...LOC 2155Z 259DEG 28KT 4435 9098 4351 9138 Wetenkamp
The La Crosse radar (KARX), 37 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:05 UTC.
3 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Several trees and power lines were blown down in Melrose.
Several trees were blown down across the western and southern sections of Jackson County. The trees went down across approximately 30 roads.
Several trees and power lines were blown down in Millston.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Wisconsin in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in Wisconsin, September 2018
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: 783787, 783786, 783788.