A period of strong winds behind an area of rain resulted in downed trees and power lines. A few gusts of 50 mph or greater downed several hundred trees, many uprooted in the saturated soil, across north-central and northeast Wisconsin.
Every event with a place to put it; 8 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 GRB wrote it up.
A period of strong winds behind an area of rain resulted in downed trees and power lines. A few gusts of 50 mph or greater downed several hundred trees, many uprooted in the saturated soil, across north-central and northeast Wisconsin.
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 May 21, 9:32 PM CST, 2 hours 28 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Green Bay WI 1032 PM CDT Tue May 21 2019 Updated aviation portion for 06Z TAF issuance .UPDATE... Issued at 715 PM CDT Tue May 21 2019 The primary push of the rain band around the mature cyclone over the Plains is to the north. That combined with a feed of dry air from the east at low-levels should limit far eastern WI to just some sprinkles until at least midnight. Despite the delay, the band will eventually overspread the entire area overnight, then exit off to the northeast tomorrow morning. There are some indications that strong and possibly even severe convection could develop tomorrow afternoon in the wake of the main band. By early to mid-afternoon, a strong mid-upper level speed max will be pushing into the area from the southwest. The LFQ of the speed max is likely to cut across central Wisconsin during the late afternoon, providing organized large-scale lift. The models indicate steep mid-level lapse rates (7-8K/km) across the area, and deep layer shear around 50 knots. The main uncertainty will be the amount of destabilization that occurs. There would likely need to be a period of at least partial sunshine in the wake of the primary rain band for a severe threat to materialize. Computed MUCAPES off the models (for central Wisconsin) were generally from 800-2000 J/kg, though the higher end values are likely overdone and a result of an overestimate of surface dew points. In any case, the situation tomorrow afternoon will need to be monitored closely. The position of central Wisconsin relative to the upper low center tomorrow afternoon will be similar to where northeast Kansas was located this afternoon when a band of low-topped supercells developed. Will tweak the HWO for tomorrow to introduce the possibility of strong storms. The forecast itself already contains a chance of thunderstorms, and PoPs are probably okay since coverage of the storms would likely be scattered. && .SHORT TERM...Tonight and Wednesday Issued at 236 PM CDT Tue May 21 2019 The main forecast concerns to be timing of rain showers to overspread the area tonight and extent of thunderstorms Wednesday afternoon. The 19Z MSAS surface analysis showed the center of high pressure situated over northeast sections of Lake Superior with low pressure located over southwest KS. Gusty east winds between these two weather systems with some gusts greater than 30 mph over parts of central WI. A warm front also extended eastward from the low pressure into the Ohio Valley. The nearly vertically-stacked, strong system is forecast to lift north-northeast across the central Plains tonight as the warm front moves north toward southern sections of the Great Lakes. An initial band of WAA-induced light rain showers this evening to be replaced by lift from the approaching front with a more widespread light to moderate rain showers after midnight. Instability looks too weak to carry any thunder. However, heavier rainfall could transport stronger winds aloft to the surface, thus a few gusts later tonight could reach the 30-40 mph range. Min temperatures to be in the lower to middle 40s north, middle to upper 40s south. The weakening system is forecast to move northeast into the Upper MS Valley, while the warm front shifts into the Great Lakes on Wednesday. Shower activity will come to an end across central/ east-central WI during the morning with a continued chance of rain showers across the north. A concern for Wednesday afternoon is the chance for additional showers and some thunderstorms to redevelop over the area as a 140 knot upper jet to be overhead and mid-level lapse rates steepen. Do not see any of these storms turning strong or severe, but small hail and gusty winds will be possible. High temperatures to range from the upper 50s to lower 60s near Lake MI, around 60 degrees north and lower to middle 70s far south. .LONG TERM...Wednesday Night Through Tuesday Issued at 236 PM CDT Tue May 21 2019 Main concern in the extended forecast will be the potential for additional rainfall and continued elevated flows on area rivers. In addition, temperatures are expected to warm to above average levels for the last half of the work week with increasing chances of strong to conditionally severe thunderstorms. Wednesday night into Thursday: A surface low and vertically stacked upper-level low center will shift eastward, crossing northwest WI and much of Upper MI. The better/deeper moisture and better forcing will lift north of much of the CWA, keeping most of the showers and thunderstorms across northern MN/Upper MI/Lake Superior for this time period. The best chance of seeing continued showers and a few thunderstorms would be across mainly the north half of the area, and especially close to the WI/UP border during the evening hours. High pressure will then quickly build across the area late Thursday into Thursday evening as upper ridging builds into the area. This will allow for a break in the precipitation overnight through the day Thursday. Overnight lows will be in the upper 40s to low 50s with high temperatures warming into 60s north-central and the 70s elsewhere on Thursday. Thursday night into Friday: The next low pressure system is expected to lift northward through the Plains once again, lifting a warm front toward southern WI late Thursday night through the day Friday. This will lead to another round of showers and Thunderstorms from Friday morning through late Friday afternoon. If the clouds clear from early day showers and thunderstorms, then stronger afternoon thunderstorms will become increasingly likely as instability increases and shear values increase. This will be largely dependent upon how far north the warm front lifts. In addition, there will also be some upper-level jet support during the late afternoon hours. Models have trended a bit slower and a bit farther to the south with the warm front positioning. This would place the better chance of seeing some stronger thunderstorms/possibly severe over portions of central and east- central WI, with the best chances over southern WI. This would be near the warm front and ahead of the cold front as it passes through during the afternoon/early evening hours. Overall details will need to be fine- tuned as we get closer to the end of the week, but it will be worth keeping an eye on over the next few days. These details will make all the difference in the severe potential. Temps will continue to be above normal with afternoon highs running into the 70s (warmest central/east-central) with overnight lows only dropping into the upper 40s and low 50s. Friday night through Saturday night: High pressure is expected to pass across the area through this time period, allowing for another break in the precipitation. Highs will be in the 70s with overnight lows in the 40s and 50s. The rest of the extended: A weak system/cold front is expected to pass through the area Sunday night into Monday morning. This may give a small chance of showers and possibly a thunderstorm during this time period, but not expecting a widespread wash out. Perhaps a more widespread precip event may occur for Tuesday into the middle of the week. Generally went with a consensus of the models during this time period, giving highs in the 60s and overnight lows in the 40s. && .AVIATION...for 06Z TAF Issuance Issued at 1028 PM CDT Tue May 21 2019 A large rain band wrapping around a mature cyclone lifting NNE from the central Plains will continue to overspread the area overnight. A feed of dry air from the east at low levels will allow ceilings to hold up initially, but expect they will eventually trend down sharply. There is uncertainty in exactly when that will occur, but expect widespread low-end MVFR and IFR ceilings by a few hours after daybreak. The primary rain band will shift off to the northeast tomorrow, but scattered thunderstorms will develop during the afternoon. LLWS is expected tonight. && .HYDROLOGY... Issued at 236 PM CDT Tue May 21 2019 Even through most rivers and streams have crested and started to slowly fall, additional rainfall tonight and again later this week will keep the rivers elevated. In addition, the release of water from dams along the Wisconsin and Menominee rivers will generate fast flows downstream. Anyone living near rivers and streams should keep aware of the latest weather information and be prepared to seek higher ground should any flooding occur. && .GRB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NONE. && UPDATE.........Skowronski SHORT TERM.....Kallas LONG TERM......Cooley AVIATION.......Skowronski HYDROLOGY......Kallas
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Green Bay WI 750 PM CDT Tue May 21 2019 WIZ005-010>013-018>022-030-031-035>040-045-048>050-073-074-221100- 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- 750 PM CDT Tue May 21 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north-central and northeast Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...Tonight Isolated wind gusts to 40 mph are possible with some of the rain showers that will overspread the area tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Tuesday Scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop Wednesday afternoon and evening. A few of the storms could produce strong wind gusts and hail. Thunderstorms are also possible late Thursday night into Friday. Some of the storms may be strong Friday afternoon and evening over central and east-central Wisconsin. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will not be needed tonight, but may become necessary Wednesday afternoon and evening. LMZ521-522-541>543-221100- The Bay of Green Bay south of a line from Cedar River MI to Rock Island Passage-Lake Michigan from Washington Island to Sheboygan- 750 PM CDT Tue May 21 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northwest Lake Michigan and the waters of Green Bay. .DAY ONE...Tonight Waves hazardous to small craft are expected to develop on Lake Michigan south of Sturgeon Bay late tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Tuesday Waves hazardous to small craft are expected to continue on portions of Lake Michigan south of Sturgeon Bay into Wednesday evening. Scattered thunderstorms could also pose a hazard to boaters on the bay and lake Wednesday afternoon and evening. Thunderstorms are possible on Friday. Some of the storms may be strong Friday afternoon and evening and pose a hazard to mariners. Skowronski
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
7 strong wind, 1 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Strong winds downed trees and power lines across Oneida County.
Strong winds downed trees and power lines across Lincoln County.
Strong winds downed trees and power lines across Marathon County.
Strong winds tore metal siding from the side of a barn in Auburndale.
Strong winds tore metal roofing from a building near Plainfield.
Strong winds downed trees and knocked out power in Brown County. One tree landed on a car on the east side of Green Bay.
Strong winds downed some trees between Oshkosh and Neenah.
High winds downed hundreds of trees and power lines in Marathon County.
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, May 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: 827462, 827470, 827474, 827476, 827480, 827481, 827485, 827488.