Widespread westerly wind gusts of 45 to 60 mph occurred from late morning into the early evening across southern WI. Isolated tree damage occurred across the area.
Every event with a place to put it; 20 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 MKX wrote it up.
Widespread westerly wind gusts of 45 to 60 mph occurred from late morning into the early evening across southern WI. Isolated tree damage occurred across the area. Strong low pressure tracked across southeast WI to northern Lake MI and into Canada. As the low moved away from southern WI, the strong westerly wind gusts began.
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 Milwaukee, WI wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Feb 24, 5:41 AM CST, 2 hours 49 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
541 AM CST Sun Feb 24 2019
.UPDATE...
High Wind Warning remains in effect for the entire area until 9 PM
CST this evening.
Changeover to snow will reach the eastern parts of the area by 12Z
this morning, then move northeast out of the area by the middle
morning hours. An additional 1/2 inch or so of accumulation is
possible, which may make for some slick roads this morning.
Strong west to northwest winds are quickly developing across the
area, and will continue to strengthen over the next few hours.
Should see west/northwest winds of 25 to 35 MPH sustained, with
gusts of 55 to 60 MPH, today into this evening. The High Wind
Warning remains in effect until 9 PM CST this evening.
&&
.AVIATION(12Z TAFS)...
Changeover to snow will reach the eastern parts of the area by
12Z this morning, with the snow moving northeast out of the area
by the middle morning hours. Around 1/2 inch or so of snow is
possible across most of the area. Expect low ceilings around 500
to 1000 feet or so, with 1 to 3 mile visibility values, with the
snow.
Strong west to northwest winds are expected today into this
evening. Sustained winds of 26 to 33 knots, with gusts of 48 to 52
knots, are expected. Some higher gusts of 55 knots or greater are
possible near Lake Michigan. Conditions will remain rather windy,
with wind speeds and gusts gradually lowering, later this evening
and overnight. Low level wind shear is expected as well today into
this evening, with 2000 foot level west northwest winds around 55
knots.
Visibility will improve by middle morning to VFR category.
Ceilings will gradually rise into MVFR category later this
morning, with ceilings scattering out this evening and overnight.
Much colder temperatures are expected later today into tonight.
&&
.PREV DISCUSSION... (Issued 347 AM CST Sun Feb 24 2019)
SHORT TERM...
Today And Tonight...Forecast Confidence Is High.
Will allow Dense Fog Advisory to expire at 4 AM CST.
High Wind Warning is in effect from 6 AM CST until 9 PM CST
this evening across the entire area.
Area of precipitation associated with passing 500 mb shortwave
trough and surface cyclogenesis will continue to rotate
northeastward through the area this morning. The precipitation
will mix with and change to snow from west to east, as strong cold
air advection develops. Given this precipitation moving through
the area, along with winds increasing, will let the Dense Fog
Advisory expire at 4 AM CST.
Only expecting another inch or so of snow accumulation in the far
northwest parts of the area, with around 1/2 inch or so elsewhere
into this morning. Mesoscale models take most if not all of the
lingering snow north of the area by middle morning, which is about
when the strong west to northwest winds really kick in. Thus, did
not issue a Winter Weather Advisory for the northwestern
counties. Will continue to monitor conditions in this area into
the morning. Patchy blowing snow may still occur this morning, as
the winds ramp up.
Main impact will be the very strong winds expected across the
area today into this evening. A very tight pressure gradient,
with good downward momentum mixing, will allow for west to
northwest winds of 26 to 33 knots sustained, with gusts of 48 to
52 knots. There may be higher gusts of 55 knots or more near Lake
Michigan. Thus, will leave the High Wind Warning as is. Winds of
this magnitude will cause stability issues for high profile
vehicles on north to south oriented roads, and may cause power
outages.
It will still remain rather windy later this evening and
overnight, as the pressure gradient and downward momentum mixing
gradually weakens. Much colder temperatures are expected to move
into the area later today into tonight, with the strong cold air
advection. Temperatures should fall today and tonight, with lows
tonight ranging from 3 above zero near Kenosha, to around 5 below
zero near Reedsburg and Westfield. Wind chills should drop into
the 17 below to 25 below zero range later tonight into early
Monday morning. A Wind Chill Advisory may be needed for this
period.
LONG TERM...
Monday through Saturday...Forecast Confidence is Medium.
00z suite of model output remains in good agreement with an
overall pattern shift for the coming week. Predominately zonal to
northwest(ish) flow will dominate our weather pattern through
Thursday. Elongated surface high pressure will slide over the
region during the Monday/Tuesday time frame, exiting stage east
during the middle of the week. Overall, there is high confidence
in well below average temperatures for much of the week, with
some moderation toward average late in the week.
Confidence wanes a bit when it comes to timing energy moving
through the fast flow aloft. There are varying signals for a
narrow band of light snow to affect a portion of the area Monday
afternoon/evening. The global models dissipate QPF as it moves
into the region, while the NAM is more bullish. Given the amount
of low level dry air to overcome, will side with the drier global
models and include just a low end chance for light snow.
Another wave is expected in the late Tuesday through Wednesday
morning time frame (with some timing differences noted). Enough
moisture looks to be available to this system for light snow
accumulation across southern Wisconsin. Light snow appears to be
the predominate precip type, however will need to keep an eye on
cloud ice.
The next system of note focuses on next weekend. GFS has been most
consistent run to run in phasing northern and southern stream
energy to produce another robust low across the Great Lakes
region. While the latest version of the ECMWF provides a phased
solution, predictability is a bit lower when it comes to phasing
northern/southern stream energy. Below average temperatures return
after the weekend.
AVIATION(06Z TAFS)...
Any dense fog will end with precipitation moving through the area
early this morning. Precipitation will change from rain to snow
from west to east early this morning, with all snow before moving
northeast out of the area by the middle to late morning hours.
Around 1/2 inch or so of snow is possible across most of the area.
Expect low ceilings around 500 feet or so, with 1 to 2 mile
visibility values, with the precipitation.
Strong west to northwest winds are expected today into this
evening. Sustained winds of 26 to 33 knots, with gusts of 48 to 52
knots, are expected. Some higher gusts of 55 knots or greater are
possible near Lake Michigan. Conditions will remain rather windy,
with wind speeds and gusts gradually lowering, later this evening
and overnight.
Visibility will quickly improve this morning to VFR category.
Ceilings will gradually rise into MVFR category later this
morning, with ceilings scattering out this evening and overnight.
Much colder temperatures are expected later today into tonight.
MARINE...
East winds early this morning will become southwesterly and then
westerly by daybreak as strong low pressure lifts north across
the lake. Expect a short period of southwest gales early Sunday
morning before winds rapidly increase to storm force during the
mid/late morning hours and continuing into the evening. Gusts to
50 knots are expected over the nearshore and 55 to 60 knots over
the open waters. Very high waves are likely over the lake, with
waves in excess of 20 feet over southeastern Lake Michigan.
Winds will diminish to gales tonight into Monday morning.
High pressure will dominate our weather regime during the early
portion of the upcoming week. By later Tuesday, easterly waves
are expected to increase ahead of a cold front. That front will
bring gusty west winds to the lake for Wednesday.
&&
.MKX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WI...High Wind Warning until 9 PM CST this evening for WIZ046-047-051-
052-056>060-062>072.
LM...Heavy Freezing Spray Warning from 6 PM this evening to noon CST
Monday for LMZ080-261-362-364-366-563-565-567-643>646-669-
671-673-675-777-779-868-870-872-874-876-878.
Storm Warning until 9 PM CST this evening for LMZ080-261-362-364-
366-563-565-567-643>646-669-671-673-675-777-779-868-870-872-
874-876-878.
&&
Update...Wood
Today/Tonight and Aviation/Marine...Wood
Monday THROUGH Saturday...GaganHazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI 751 AM CST Sun Feb 24 2019 WIZ046-047-051-052-056>060-062>072-251400- Marquette-Green Lake-Fond Du Lac-Sheboygan-Sauk-Columbia-Dodge- Washington-Ozaukee-Iowa-Dane-Jefferson-Waukesha-Milwaukee- Lafayette-Green-Rock-Walworth-Racine-Kenosha- 751 AM CST Sun Feb 24 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of east central Wisconsin, south central Wisconsin and southeast Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Light snow this morning will taper off to flurries by midday. Most locations will see less than an inch of snow accumulation this morning. Areas northwest of Madison toward Reedsburg and the Wisconsin Dells may see up to 1 to 2 inches of snow. Very strong westerly winds will then develop this morning and last into this evening. Wind gusts of 55 to 60 mph are expected. A High Wind Warning is in effect for today into early this evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday There is a chance for light snow accumulation late Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday morning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will not be needed, however any snow and wind reports are appreciated. LMZ643>646-251400- Sheboygan to Port Washington WI- Port Washington to North Point Light WI- North Point Light to Wind Point WI- Wind Point WI to Winthrop Harbor IL- 751 AM CST Sun Feb 24 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the nearshore waters from Sheboygan Wisconsin to Winthrop Harbor Illinois. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight West to northwest storm force winds are expected today through early this evening. Winds will begin to gradually diminish to gales overnight tonight. A heavy freezing spray warning is in effect beginning this evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday West to northwest winds will continue to gradually diminish Monday morning. A heavy freezing spray warning is in effect until noon Monday. LMZ080-261-362-364-366-563-565-567-669-671-673-675-777-779-868- 870-872-874-876-878-251400- Lake Michigan Michigan City IN to St. Joseph MI 5 NM offshore to mid-line of lake.- Lake Michigan from Seul Choix Point to Rock Island Passage 5NM offshore to Mid Lake- Lake Michigan South of a line from Seul Choix Point to the Mackinac Bridge and North of a line from Charlevoix MI to South Fox Island 5NM offshore- Lake Michigan from Charlevoix to Point Betsie MI 5NM Offshore to mid lake- Lake Michigan from Point Betsie to Manistee MI 5NM offshore to Mid Lake- Lake Michigan from Rock Island Passage to Sturgeon Bay WI 5NM offshore to mid lake- Lake Michigan from Sturgeon Bay to Two Rivers WI 5NM offshore to Mid Lake- Lake Michigan from Two Rivers to Sheboygan WI 5NM offshore to Mid Lake- Lake Michigan from Sheboygan to Port Washington WI 5NM offshore to Mid Lake- Lake Michigan from Port Washington to North Point Light WI 5NM offshore to Mid Lake- Lake Michigan from North Point Light to Wind Point WI 5NM offshore to Mid Lake- Lake Michigan from Wind Point WI to Winthrop Harbor IL 5NM offshore to Mid Lake- Lake Michigan from Winthrop Harbor to Wilmette Harbor IL 5NM offshore to Mid Lake- Lake Michigan from Wilmette Harbor to Michigan City in 5NM offshore to Mid Lake- Lake Michigan from Pentwater to Manistee MI 5NM offshore to Mid Lake- Lake Michigan from Whitehall to Pentwater MI 5NM offshore to Mid Lake- Lake Michigan from Grand Haven to Whitehall MI 5NM offshore to Mid Lake- Lake Michigan from Holland to Grand Haven MI 5NM offshore to Mid Lake- Lake Michigan from South Haven to Holland MI 5NM offshore to Mid lake- Lake Michigan from St Joseph to South Haven MI 5NM offshore to Mid Lake- 751 AM CST Sun Feb 24 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the open waters of Lake Michigan. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight A storm warning is in effect today in to early this evening. West to northwest storm force wind gusts to 55 knots are expected. Waves will increase to between 12 and 18 feet across eastern portions of the lake on Sunday, with occasional waves up to 30 feet possible over the southeast portion of the lake. Waves will slowly subside tonight and Monday. A heavy freezing spray warning is in effect beginning this evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday West to northwest winds will continue to gradually diminish Monday morning. A heavy freezing spray warning is in effect until noon Monday. www.weather.gov/mkx
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
17 strong wind, 3 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Westerly wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph resulted in isolated tree damage.
Westerly wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph resulted in isolated tree damage.
Westerly wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph resulted in isolated tree damage.
Westerly wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph resulted in isolated tree damage.
Westerly wind gusts of 40 to 55 mph resulted in isolated tree damage.
Westerly wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph resulted in isolated tree damage.
Westerly wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph resulted in isolated tree damage.
Westerly wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph resulted in isolated tree damage.
Westerly wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph resulted in isolated tree damage.
Westerly wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph resulted in isolated tree damage.
Westerly wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph resulted in isolated tree damage.
Westerly wind gusts of 40 to 55 mph resulted in isolated tree damage.
Westerly wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph resulted in isolated tree damage.
Westerly wind gusts of 40 to 55 mph resulted in isolated tree damage.
Westerly wind gusts of 40 to 55 mph resulted in isolated tree damage.
Westerly wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph resulted in isolated tree damage.
Westerly wind gusts of 40 to 55 mph resulted in isolated tree damage.
Westerly wind gusts up to 60 mph causing isolated tree damage.
Westerly wind gusts of 45 to 63 mph causing isolated tree damage.
Westerly wind gusts up to 60 mph causing isolated tree damage.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Wisconsin in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in Wisconsin, February 2019
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: 824167, 824181, 824169, 824171, 824172, 824173, 824174, 824175, 824176, 824178, 824179, 824180, 824184, 824185, 824186, 824189, 824190, 824196, 824200, 824201.