Severe thunderstorms with damaging winds developed along and ahead of a slow moving cold front. Numerous reports of tree damage occurred along with some structural damage.
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 MKX wrote it up.
Severe thunderstorms with damaging winds developed along and ahead of a slow moving cold front. Numerous reports of tree damage occurred along with some structural damage.
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 Jun 2, 6:00 PM CST, 15 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI 700 PM CDT Tue Jun 2 2020 .UPDATE... Thunderstorms fired quickly near Winona along an effective frontal boundary and that is expanding east-southeastward. They currently stretch from La Crosse to just north of Wautoma. large hail and damaging winds are occurring with these storms. There is over 3000 j/kg of MLCAPE and 35-40 kt of effective shear in this area. Expect this cluster of storms to continue to slide southeast early this evening and organize into a line. The outflow is racing out ahead of it, and this could be a new trigger for storms to fire, so we are watching this closely. The arrival timing is earlier than previously anticipated. The meso models are running at least two hours too slow. As for storm mode, we should see several broken, multi-cell lines of thunderstorms track through southern WI during the evening hours. The Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until midnight. && .AVIATION(00Z TAFS)... Thunderstorms are expected across most of south central and southeast WI this evening. Additional showers and perhaps thunderstorms could roll through the area overnight, but there is less certainty on this occurring. Skies will gradually clear Wednesday morning. VFR is expected during this period, although ceilings and visibility may briefly drop to MVFR or lower during storms. && .PREV DISCUSSION... (Issued 308 PM CDT Tue Jun 2 2020) SHORT TERM... Tonight through Wednesday...Forecast Confidence: Medium to High. Mostly clear skies and warm, moist air for southern Wisconsin this afternoon. The clouds will return this evening ahead of the cold front tonight. As the cold front moves through the region this evening, there will be a complex of thunderstorms moving into southern Wisconsin from the northwest. There is plenty of CAPE available this evening, with the more conservative models suggesting 2000 J/kg of MLCAPE. Mid level lapse rates are around 7 C/km, with higher values toward central Wisconsin. However, the shear is not great. The bulk shear is parallel to the frontal boundary this evening which will limit the development of strong, long lasting rotating updrafts. Despite lacking in shear, there is enough instability for southern Wisconsin for severe storms this evening. The main hazard concern this evening will be strong winds and large hail. A tornado or two is not out of the question. The storms are expected to develop in or propagate into the northwest between 8 and 10 pm CDT, moving southeastward through the late evening hours. After the initial round of storms, another round of showers and storms is expected to linger through the early morning hours Wednesday. The second round of showers and storms will be weaker given the weaken instability. By late Wednesday morning, the clouds will begin to clear and mostly clear skies will return to southern Wisconsin. The bulk of the day will be dry and light winds will allow a lake breeze to develop. Temperatures are expected to climb back into the upper 70s to lower 80s. LONG TERM... Wednesday Night through Tuesday Morning...Forecast Confidence is Moderate... Relatively weak high pressure should keep us dry throughout much of the day on Thursday, before a weak cold front moves through Thursday night into Friday morning in association with a broad upper-level shortwave and sfc low pressure system over south-central Canada. With the front being fairly weak, rain appears light, with new QPF between 0.25 to 0.5 inches. Through Friday night, the shortwave will dive SE over the Great Lakes and drive the low pressure system away from Wisconsin. A longwave trough will then amplify over the eastern US during the weekend, leading to a pronounced ridge over the central plains. This, coupled with north winds on Saturday morning, will drive out murky dew points and lead to relatively sunny, pleasant, and dry weather for much of Saturday and Sunday with temps in the upper 70s to low 80s inland. Some pronounced lake breezes may happen on Saturday and Sunday, keeping temps lower along the lakeshore. The GFS does indicate some potential for a few showers in SW Wisconsin as a nebulous warm front rises northward Sunday afternoon. Right now uncertainty is too high to warrant raising pops, as the ECMWF keeps us dry through the end of the long term period. AVIATION(18Z TAFS)... VFR conditions will continue through the afternoon. Cloud cover returns this evening ahead of the thunderstorms expected late this evening through the overnight hours. There is a good chance that a few of the storms will be severe, with damaging winds and large hail being the main threats. A tornado or two will also be possible. The storms with the greatest severe potential will spread from the northwest through the southeast from 02Z - 05Z. After the initial round of storms, rain showers and weaker thunderstorms will continue to linger through early morning hours Wednesday. Lower ceilings and visibilites will be possible with the storms. MARINE... A low pressure system will be passing just to the north of Lake Superior today. The low pressure system will drag a cold front across Lake Michigan this evening into tonight. The front will bring showers and storms to the area this evening through the overnight hours, some of which may be severe. As moisture increases today, for will be a concern. The fog is expected to develop in the north this morning and spread southward tonight. The offshore winds should confine the fog that develops to the open waters. && .MKX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WI...None. LM...None. && Update...Cronce Tonight/Wednesday and Aviation/Marine...Patterson Wednesday Night through Tuesday...CMiller
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI 136 PM CDT Tue Jun 2 2020 WIZ046-047-051-052-056>060-062>072-031845- Marquette-Green Lake-Fond du Lac-Sheboygan-Sauk-Columbia-Dodge- Washington-Ozaukee-Iowa-Dane-Jefferson-Waukesha-Milwaukee- Lafayette-Green-Rock-Walworth-Racine-Kenosha- 136 PM CDT Tue Jun 2 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of east central Wisconsin, south central Wisconsin and southeast Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight Near record or record high temperatures in the low 90s are expected this afternoon, resulting in heat index values in the mid to upper 90s. Thunderstorms are expected to move into central and southern Wisconsin this evening. Along with frequent lightning, strong winds and large hail will be possible, with a few wind gusts to 70 MPH. The primary period of concern for southern Wisconsin will be between 8 PM and Midnight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday There are additional chances for thunderstorms Thursday night into Friday, and small chances again on Sunday and Monday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed this evening. LMZ643>646-031845- 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- 136 PM CDT Tue Jun 2 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the nearshore waters from Sheboygan Wisconsin to Winthrop Harbor Illinois. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight Thunderstorms are expected to impact the nearshore waters late this evening into the overnight hours. Frequent lightning, hail, and winds in excess of 50 knots are possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday Thunderstorm chances return Thursday night into Friday, with small chances again Sunday and Monday. LMZ080-261-362-364-366-563-565-567-669-671-673-675-777-779-868- 870-872-874-876-878-031845- 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- 136 PM CDT Tue Jun 2 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the open waters of Lake Michigan. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight Thunderstorms are expected to move across Lake Michigan late this evening into the overnight hours. Frequent lightning, hail, and winds in excess of 50 knots are possible. Patchy fog is possible across the central and northern portions of the lake through tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday The threat for dense fog will continue into Wednesday morning. Thunderstorm chances return Thursday night into Friday, with small chances again Sunday and Monday. www.weather.gov/mkx
The Milwaukee radar (KMKX), 128 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:17 UTC.
29 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Many trees and tree limbs down in the western portion of the county. A small shed was rolled down a driveway near Westfield. A significant amount of trees down in the Endeavor area with a reported wind gust of 60 mph.
Several large trees down in WI Dells.
A swath of scattered large trees, tree limbs, and power lines down across the county.
Mesonet observation.
Numerous trees and branches down from the Portage area toward Pardeeville, some landing on homes, sheds, and vehicles. Some shingle and shutter damage to homes. Damage to street signs, billboards and other large signs. A large 5th wheel camper tipped over near the Swan Lake State Wildlife area.
Two foot diameter trees knocked down. A downed branch shattered the rear window of a mini-van.
Tri-County Regional Airport observation.
Estimated wind gust of 60 mph.
Some tree damage.
Tree limbs of 4 to 6 inch diameter down.
Scattered trees and power lines down in Fond du Lac. Penny size hail reported with the high winds. A tree down on a fence.
Numerous trees and power lines down in Beaver Dam.
Reported wind gust from law enforcement.
Numerous shingles blown off the roof of a home.
Scattered trees and power lines down on the north and east sides of Madison.
A portion of a roof blown off a house and barn. Doors blown off a barn and an ATV rolled 30 feet.
Some tree damage.
A storage shed was destroyed.
Tree and power line damage with a tree on fire.
Significant roof damage to a bar on the shore of Kettle Moraine Lake. Several boat docks were destroyed.
Some trees down.
Several large trees uprooted or snapped with the gust front of the thunderstorm line.
Several large trees down in the Town of Hartford.
Measured wind gust.
A barn was toppled by strong winds.
A power pole knocked down.
A large tree uprooted.
A large american flag at 400 feet above ground was shredded by strong winds. A measured wind gust of 90 mph was recorded at the top of the flag pole.
Sheboygan Airport measurment.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Wisconsin in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyWarnings in Wisconsin, June 2020
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: 886080, 886090, 886065, 886098, 886097, 886083, 886067, 886084, 886104, 886075, 886125, 886154, 886164, 886157, 886076, 886131, 886159, 886132, 886161, 886134, 886169, 886173, 886177, 886133, 886138, 886178, 886179, 886145, 886146.