For the second consecutive day, a line of powerful thunderstorms moved across portions of central and east-central Wisconsin. The worst damage occurred from Wood/Portage counties eastward into the Fox Valley and lakeshore.
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.
For the second consecutive day, a line of powerful thunderstorms moved across portions of central and east-central Wisconsin. The worst damage occurred from Wood/Portage counties eastward into the Fox Valley and lakeshore. Trees were uprooted or snapped and several structures were damaged as a result of straight-line winds and six weak, fast-moving tornadoes.
There was also a fatality due to drowning in Keshena (Menominee Co.) from abnormally fast flows on the Wolf River.
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 Jul 20, 5:58 AM CST, 3 hours 13 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Green Bay WI 658 AM CDT Sat Jul 20 2019 Updated aviation portion for 12Z TAF issuance .SHORT TERM...Today...Tonight...and Sunday Issued at 327 AM CDT Sat Jul 20 2019 The main forecast problem of the day will be the potential for strong to severe thunderstorms across central and east-central portions of the area this afternoon into this evening. Heavy rainfall with any storms will also be a concern, with the soils being saturated from the storms Friday night. IR imagery this morning shows widespread cloud cover shifting off into lower MI with additional cloud cover developing across southern MN into west-central WI. WV imagery shows the next shortwave/MCS over the Dakotas early this morning, drifting eastward. Radar imagery shows some isolated to scattered showers developing along the boundary in central to east-central WI. Temperatures are running in 60s north to the low and mid 70s central into east-central, while dewpoints continue to run in the 60s to low 70s respectively. Today: A weak surface trough/frontal boundary, draped across central into east-central WI, will drift slowly to the southeast this afternoon into this evening as a cold front sags southeastward from northwest WI. At the same time, a shortwave over the Dakotas this morning, is expected to slide eastward, reaching northeast Wisconsin around 18Z. Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms will be possible throughout the day along the aforementioned convergence zone across central into east-central Wisconsin. In addition, the shortwave passing through the area this afternoon will help to steepen lapse rates and increase the amount of instability (CAPE) in the atmosphere, mainly along and south of the southward sagging cold front. Models are depicting around 1500 to 2500 J/kg of MUCAPE in these areas during the afternoon. This, coupled with deep layer shear values in the 35 to 45 knot range, will lead to strong to severe thunderstorm potential near and just south of the front. The main threats will be hail and gusty thunderstorm winds. In fact, SPC has highlighted this area with a marginal to slight risk of severe storms in the Day 1 outlook. Heavy rainfall will be a concern as well with PWAT values running around 1.5 to 2 inches across central into east-central Wisconsin. These areas picked up 1 to 3 inches of rain from the Friday night storms, so conditions will be favorable for flash flooding in those area. Instability tapers off across the northern portions of the area, which may lead to mainly showers; however, the shortwave moving through during the afternoon may steepen lapse rates enough for some isolated to scattered thunderstorms. Temperatures will be kept a bit cooler with the more widespread cloud cover. High temperatures are expected to be in the upper 70s north to the low 80s south. Tonight into Sunday: The aforementioned shortwave will slide east of the area this evening as the cold front sags farther to the south. This will help to gradually decrease the chances for showers and especially thunderstorms (and severe threat) this evening. Most places will see precipitation end by the early overnight hours, especially the north half of the CWA, north of HWY29. Drier air and high pressure will build across the area late tonight and linger through the day Sunday, continuing the break in precipitation. It will feel much more comfortable as well with high temperatures in the upper 70s to around 80 and dewpoints falling into the 50s to around 60. Overnight lows will drop into the 50s to around 60, warmest east-central. .LONG TERM...Sunday Night Through Friday Issued at 327 AM CDT Sat Jul 20 2019 Forecast concerns mainly revolve around timing precip chances over the next week as the region transitions to northwest flow aloft, and more seasonable weather. Will continue to use a blend of the ecmwf and gfs. Sunday night through Monday night...Shortwave energy will be passing across the area on Sunday night marking the transition to northwest flow in the middle and upper levels. Some moisture above 700mb will accompany the wave and soundings look favorable for a few light high based showers, particularly over central to east-central WI. The chance for spotty showers should exit by early Monday morning as drier air pushes in from the northwest. High pressure will then move into the region for Monday and Monday night, which looks quiet and comfortable. No significant changes to temps. Rest of the forecast...Models continue to indicate that weak shortwave energy will be diving across the area during the Tuesday to Wednesday time period. These shortwave impulses could generate a few showers and storms, though some indications that precip chances will be tied to the diurnal cycle (higher chances in the afternoon and early evening). The flow eventually flattens on Thursday before turning to the southwest ahead of the next shortwave and cold front. This front will likely bring the next widespread chance of showers and storms around next Friday. && .AVIATION...for 12Z TAF Issuance Issued at 657 AM CDT Sat Jul 20 2019 Relatively benign conditions are expected this morning outside of some scattered showers and an isolated thunderstorms with MVFR ceilings. Heavier showers and thunderstorms are again possible on this afternoon, mainly across central and east-central Wisconsin. Hi-res models are in better agreement on developing this activity during the afternoon hours, generally in the 18-21Z time frame. Therefore kept a TEMPO group in the southern TAF sites during this time frame. The convection could reduce conditions to MVFR or even IFR in the heaviest rainfall. Although there is a marginal risk for severe weather, the best chance looks to be to the south. .KOSH...Intermittent showers and isolated thunderstorms will linger through most of the morning hours. Heavier showers and thunderstorms will likely move through Oshkosh site later this afternoon. Some of these could be strong to severe with gusty winds being the main threat. The most favorable timing for thunderstorm activity this afternoon is between 18-21Z. Quieter weather is then expected for Sunday into next week. && .GRB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NONE. && SHORT TERM.....Cooley LONG TERM......MPC AVIATION.......Cooley
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Green Bay WI 339 AM CDT Sat Jul 20 2019 WIZ005-010>013-018>022-030-031-035>040-045-048>050-073-074-210845- 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- 339 AM CDT Sat Jul 20 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north-central and northeast Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight The chance of thunderstorms will continue at times today through this evening. Some thunderstorms may become strong to severe and produce large hail, damaging winds and torrential rainfall. The greatest risk of severe weather and flash flooding will be south of WI-29. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday Thunderstorms are possible Friday into Friday night. It is too early to determine if these storms will pose a severe weather threat. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed this afternoon into this evening. LMZ521-522-541>543-210845- The Bay of Green Bay south of a line from Cedar River MI to Rock Island Passage-Lake Michigan from Washington Island to Sheboygan- 339 AM CDT Sat Jul 20 2019 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 strong to severe thunderstorms this afternoon into this evening. The storm may produce hail and gusty winds that will pose a threat to boaters. Boaters should be alert for rapidly changing weather conditions. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday Thunderstorms are possible Friday into Friday night that may pose a hazard for boaters. Cooley/MPC
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Green Bay WI 430 AM CDT Sat Jul 20 2019 WIZ005-010-011-018-019-201300- Vilas-Oneida-Forest-Lincoln-Langlade- 430 AM CDT Sat Jul 20 2019 ...AREAS OF DENSE FOG WILL LINGER ACROSS THE NORTHWOODS THIS MORNING... Areas of dense fog, with visibilities of a quarter of a mile or less, will linger across the area early this morning. The dense fog is expected to linger through at least daybreak before slowly lifting. Motorists traveling across the region early this morning can expect rapidly changing and poor visibilities at times. Remember to turn on your low-beam headlights and allow extra distance between you and the car in front of you. Cooley
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Green Bay WI
857 AM CDT Sat Jul 20 2019
WIZ040-201430-
Kewaunee WI-
857 AM CDT Sat Jul 20 2019
...SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...
At 856 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Luxemburg to near Kewaunee to 8 miles
north of Two Creeks. Movement was east at 45 mph.
Winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with these storms.
Strong thunderstorms will be near...
Kewaunee around 900 AM CDT.
Algoma around 905 AM CDT.
Other locations impacted by these storms include Krok, Norman,
Kewaunee Power Station, Rostok, Slovan, Gregorville, Rankin, Euren,
Scarboro and East Krok.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4454 8741 4433 8748 4434 8770 4449 8763
4461 8777 4463 8776 4465 8734
TIME...MOT...LOC 1356Z 269DEG 46KT 4458 8763 4449 8754 4441 8757
RDMThe La Crosse radar (KARX), 121 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 15:08 UTC.
42 thunderstorm wind, 7 tornado, 1 flash flood, 1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 64 mph was measured at Marshfield Municipal Airport.
Thunderstorm winds downed trees, large branches, and power lines in Wisconsin Rapids. Downed branches, as big as 5 inches in diameter and 10 feet long, blocked at least one road.
Thunderstorm winds downed trees and power lines along Highway 54 in Port Edwards.
Thunderstorm winds downed many trees at an apartment complex. The downed trees were about 1 foot in diameter.
Thunderstorm winds downed trees in Babcock.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 86 mph was measured in Plover. Winds from the storm knocked the doors out of a Menards store.
Thunderstorm winds downed numerous tree limbs and one tree, larger than a foot in diameter, in Almond.
Thunderstorm winds downed trees in Stevens Point. The time of this event is an estimate based on radar data.
Thunderstorm winds downed trees in Plainfield. The time of this event is an estimate based on radar data.
Thunderstorm winds tore the siding from some trailers, uprooted trees, and caused tree damage at a trailer park on Hayes Avenue.
Thunderstorm winds downed numerous trees at Lake Dubay Park, near Dancy.
Thunderstorm winds downed trees and tore shingles from a couple of buildings around Arnott.
Thunderstorm winds downed trees around Knowlton.
Thunderstorm winds downed trees, about 5 inches in diameter, near Amherst.
Thunderstorm winds downed trees in Wild Rose. The time of this event is an estimate based on radar data.
A tornado formed south of Waupaca and moved east-northeast to near White Lake. The tornado damaged siding and shingles on six homes (DI 2, DOD 2) and an apartment in a new subdivision near the Waupaca Airport. The garage door of a newer home was blown completely in, causing damage to the roof of the house (DI 2, DOD 4). Another house had a small part of its roof heavily damaged. Numerous trees were also damaged along the path. Peak winds were estimated around 90 mph.
Brief tornado damaged several trees (DI 27,28, DOD 2,3) on the south side of Weyauwega. Peak wind estimated at 75 mph.
Thunderstorm winds downed several trees at Hartman Creek State Park. A woman taking shelter in a truck was injured by a fallen tree.
Thunderstorm winds downed trees on homes, roads, and wires across Scandinavia. The time of this event is an estimate based on radar data.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 74 mph was measured at Wausau Municipal Airport.
Thunderstorm winds downed a large tree, about a foot in diameter, in Iola.
Thunderstorm winds downed trees in Wittenberg. The time of this event is an estimate based on radar data.
A tornado formed at 11:09 AM CDT and damaged a few trees before entering Outagamie County at 11:10 AM CDT about 1.4 miles south of New London.
The tornado that formed at 11:09 AM CDT in eastern Waupaca County crossed the county line 1.4 miles south of New London at 11:10 AM CDT. The tornado continued northeast and destroyed a storage shed (DI 1, DOD 4,5), heavily damaged trees (DI 28, DOD 3,4), ripped shingles and siding off a house (DI 2, DOD 2), and destroyed part of a wooden deck. A power pole also fell onto a car. Peak wind speeds were estimated around 90 mph.
A tornado damaged three power poles (DI 24, DOD 3,4), destroyed a car port of an outbuilding (DI 1, DOD 5), partially damaged two outbuildings (DI 1, DOD 3), removed siding off a couple houses (DI 2, DOD 2), and damaged trees along its path. Estimated peak winds around 90 mph.
A brief tornado damaged a few tree limbs (DI 27,28, DOD 2) and took some shingles and siding off a house (DI 2, DOD 2) northeast of Greenville. A power pole was also damaged. Peak winds were estimated near 85 mph.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 60 mph was measured at Appleton International Airport.
Thunderstorm winds uprooted 2 trees and damaged a house in Appleton.
Thunderstorm winds downed trees in Neenah. The time of this event is an estimate based on radar data.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 67 mph was measured on the west side of Appleton at Perkins Street and College Avenue.
Thunderstorm winds downed some road signs along Highway 441 and a couple of other locations, bent a power pole near I-41 and Ballard Road, and caused tree damage in the northeast part of Appleton.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 59 mph was measured in Sherwood.
Thunderstorm winds downed trees across Shawano County. The time of this event is an estimate based on radar data.
Another brief tornado damaged the roof of a barn (DI 1, DOD 2) and silo top northeast of Kaukauna. Peak winds were estimated at 80 mph.
Thunderstorm winds downed multiple large trees in the middle of Wrightstown. The storms produced a gust to 67 mph, as measured by a spotter.
Thunderstorm winds downed large tree branches on Garvey Avenue in Freedom. The time of this event is an estimate based on radar data.
Thunderstorm winds downed trees in Angelica. The time of this event is an estimate based on radar data.
Thunderstorm winds downed trees and wires all across Wrightstown. The time of this event is an estimate based on radar data.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 59 mph was measured at Austin Straubel International Airport.
Thunderstorm winds downed trees on County Road Q, between Lorenz Road and Beagle Lane. One tree, about 13 inches in diameter, landed on a power line. The time of this event is an estimate based on radar data.
Thunderstorm winds downed trees in Denmark. The time of this event is an estimate based on radar data.
Thunderstorm winds downed numerous trees across Manitowoc County. The time of this event is an estimate based on radar data.
Thunderstorms winds downed trees on County Road Q, north of Manitowoc.
Thunderstorm winds downed trees in Two Rivers. The time of this event is an estimate based on radar data.
Thunderstorm winds downed trees in Stangelville. The time of this event is an estimate based on radar data.
Thunderstorm winds downed a tree that moved a house from its foundation. The time of this event is an estimate based on radar data.
Thunderstorm winds downed trees in Norman. The time of this event is an estimate based on radar data.
Thunderstorm winds downed trees near Kewaunee. The time of this event is an estimate based on radar data.
Heavy rainfall caused street flooding at Circle Drive and Allied Street in Ashwaubenon, where the water was up to the headlights of a full size pickup truck. Flash flooding also impacted a nearby bowling alley.
Thunderstorm winds downed trees across Door County. The time of this event is an estimate based on radar data.
Fast flows and flooding on the Wolf River caused a fatality as someone drowned from the abnormally fast current. The victim went into the river in Keshena that is frequently used for swimming.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flood, Menominee (C) | 2019-07-20 | 32 | Male | In Water | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Wisconsin in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Wisconsin, 2019Warnings in Wisconsin, July 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: 842367, 842414, 842415, 842233, 842235, 842369, 842237, 842239, 842241, 842250, 842254, 842256, 842259, 842261, 842263, 841439, 841443, 842266, 842268, 842371, 842272, 842274, 841450, 841753, 841754, 841755, 842374, 842278, 842280, 842376, 842285, 842378, 842301, 841756, 842380, 842309, 842313, 842319, 842385, 842330, and more.