Hail in Wisconsin, July 28, 2023

Name: Hail in Wisconsin, July 28, 2023
Start: 2023-07-28T17:41
End: 2023-07-28T17:43
Location: Wisconsin

July 28, 2023 · NWS DLH · 1 event in 1 county or zone

A cold front remained draped across the southern reaches of the Northland on the 28th. Most of the storms developed to the south of the region, but one storm did move across far southern Price County and produced lime-sized hail as it passed.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 1

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS DLH wrote it up.

What forecasters said that day

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 Duluth, MN wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 28, 2:20 PM CST, 3 hours 21 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 28, 2:20 PM CST, 3 hours 21 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Duluth MN
320 PM CDT Fri Jul 28 2023

.DISCUSSION...(This evening through Thursday)
Issued at 248 PM CDT Fri Jul 28 2023

Summary: Another round of storms, then dry for awhile.

Maybe another afternoon of fireworks as a short wave crosses into
a favorable mesoscale environment. While not nearly as good as
yesterday, the environment does show some promise for strong to
severe storms. There's plenty of shear (40 kt) with a high pool
of instability with MLCAPE peaking near 2000 J/kg seeping up into
NW WI. With showers and thunderstorms already expanding across the
west of our forecast area and a surface cold/stationary front
across NW WI, the thinking is strong to severe storms are possible
again this afternoon. The only inhibition is further to the north
where winds are fairly strong from the northeast off of Lake
Superior creating a more stable layer for anything, but from
Aitkin east to Price County with a northern border of southern
Douglas County, there could be fireworks. In coordination with the
SPC, will try to pull their marginal threat further north in the
next iteration of the CO. The threat for storms decreases late
this evening as the shortwave exits to the east.

Afterwards things get fairly quiet with seasonable temperatures,
light winds, and generally pleasant weather. There's always the
threat for smoke from Canada on this northwest flow, but that may
not be too impactful until early next week.

Dew points rise again by mid week bringing in a new round of
instability for more showers and thunderstorms, but fairly nice
until then.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Saturday afternoon)
Issued at 1228 PM CDT Fri Jul 28 2023

Generally VFR though some shower activity this afternoon and early
evening could bring MVFR or briefly IFR visbys. Places that get
showers may see fog form overnight, but we'll see how much rain
comes from this round of precipitation before confidence in fog
increases. Winds will be breezy from the NE near Lake Superior
today into this evening.

&&

.MARINE...
Issued at 248 PM CDT Fri Jul 28 2023

Elevated northeast winds gusting to close to 30 kts are building
waves in the fetch favorable portions of Lake Superior especially
near the Twin Ports where wave heights will be in the 3 to 5 foot
range this afternoon. The pressure gradient relaxes overnight
giving much weaker winds and smaller waves Saturday.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
DLH  54  75  53  76 /  20   0   0   0
INL  52  73  50  77 /  10   0   0   0
BRD  57  77  53  79 /  20   0   0   0
HYR  54  77  50  78 /  20   0   0   0
ASX  55  75  52  78 /  20  10   0   0

&&

.DLH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WI...Beach Hazards Statement until 7 PM CDT this evening for WIZ001.

MN...Beach Hazards Statement until 7 PM CDT this evening for MNZ037.

LS...Small Craft Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for LSZ144-145-
     148-150.

&&

DISCUSSION...Wolfe
AVIATION...Wolfe
MARINE...Wolfe

Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 28, 2:13 PM CST, 3 hours 28 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED
National Weather Service Duluth MN
313 PM CDT Fri Jul 28 2023

MNZ010>012-018>021-025-026-033>038-WIZ001>004-006>009-292015-
Koochiching-North St. Louis-Northern Cook/Northern Lake-
North Itasca-Central St. Louis-Southern Lake/North Shore-
Southern Cook/North Shore-North Cass-South Itasca-South Cass-
Crow Wing-Northern Aitkin-South Aitkin-Carlton/South St. Louis-
Pine-Douglas-Bayfield-Ashland-Iron-Burnett-Washburn-Sawyer-Price-
313 PM CDT Fri Jul 28 2023

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northeast
Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and Tonight

Strong northeast winds will create a threat of rip currents
through this evening for areas near the Twin Ports, including the
beaches of Duluth and Superior. A Beach Hazards Statement has been
issued for these areas.

Isolated thunderstorms are likely south of a line from Walker MN
to Cloquet to Solon Springs WI to to Park Falls. A few storms may
be strong to marginally severe. The main risks are hail of pea to
quarter size, wind gusts of 30 to 60 mph, and occasional cloud-
to-ground lightning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday

There is a slight chance of thunderstorms for most of the next
work week. At this time a few strong storms are possible, but
widespread severe weather is not expected.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Skywarn spotters are encouraged to report hail of any size and
rainfall amounts to the National Weather Service.

LSZ121-140>148-150-292015-
Bayfield to Oak Point WI-Grand Portage to Grand Marais MN-
Grand Marais to Taconite Harbor MN-
Taconite Harbor to Silver Bay Harbor MN-
Silver Bay Harbor to Two Harbors MN-Two Harbors to Duluth MN-
Duluth MN to Port Wing WI-Port Wing to Sand Island WI-
Sand Island to Bayfield WI-Oak Point to Saxon Harbor WI-
Outer Apostle Islands Beyond 5 NM from Mainland-
313 PM CDT Fri Jul 28 2023

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Lake Superior
and the Nearshore waters of western Lake Superior.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and Tonight

Strong northeast winds may gust up to 30 knots at times from the
Twin Ports and through the Apostle Islands to Saxon Harbor. Waves
of 1 to 4 feet are expected through this afternoon and will
diminish this evening. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through
early evening for areas near the Twin Ports, the Outer Apostle
Islands and Oak Point to Saxon Harbor.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday

There will be several chances of thunderstorms next week.

Levens/Huyck

More information may be obtained at the following web address:
http://www.weather.gov/duluth

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 28, 1:17 PM CST, 4 hours 24 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report...Summary
National Weather Service Duluth MN
217 PM CDT Fri Jul 28 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0700 PM     Flash Flood      3 ENE Seeley            46.14N 91.31W
07/27/2023                   Sawyer             WI   Cocorahs

            Several medium to large washouts running
            across Boedecker road.

0700 PM     Flash Flood      2 ESE Cable             46.19N 91.25W
07/27/2023                   Bayfield           WI   Public

            Heavy rain in excess of 4 inches lead to
            several inches of gravel and dirt washed
            over Birkie rollerski track, and washouts
            along the side of the path up to a foot deep
            in the dirt with smaller chunks of pavement
            removed as well. Photos via social media.
            Time estimated via radar precipitation
            estimates.

0700 PM     Flash Flood      3 ESE Seeley            46.11N 91.30W
07/27/2023                   Sawyer             WI   Cocorahs

            Running water from July 27 evening led to
            gravel washed across pavement on Highway OO
            and ditch became eroded. Time estimated from
            observer estimates.

0800 PM     Flash Flood      Siren                   45.79N 92.38W
07/27/2023                   Burnett            WI   Public

            Reports up to a quarter mile of Highway 35
            covered with 6 to 10 inches of water.

0315 PM     Hail             1 NW Island Lake        47.03N 92.22W
07/27/2023  E1.50 inch       St. Louis          MN   Cocorahs

            CoCoRaHS station MN-SL-232.

0325 PM     Hail             4 NE Rice Lake          46.93N 92.05W
07/27/2023  M1.50 inch       St. Louis          MN   Public

            Corrects previous hail report from 4 NE Rice
            Lake.

0330 PM     Hail             5 SE Arthyde            46.30N 93.03W
07/27/2023  E1.00 inch       Pine               MN   Public

0330 PM     Hail             3 N Lester Park         46.88N 92.02W
07/27/2023  E2.00 inch       St. Louis          MN   Public

0335 PM     Hail             3 W French River        46.90N 91.96W
07/27/2023  E2.00 inch       St. Louis          MN   Public

0335 PM     Hail             1 SE Lester Park        46.84N 92.02W
07/27/2023  M1.00 inch       St. Louis          MN   Public

0336 PM     Hail             2 W French River        46.89N 91.94W
07/27/2023  E1.50 inch       St. Louis          MN   Public

            Report from mPING: Ping Pong Ball (1.50
            in.).

0337 PM     Hail             2 N Lester Park         46.88N 92.03W
07/27/2023  M1.00 inch       St. Louis          MN   Cocorahs

            Also had trees down in the area.

0340 PM     Hail             2 WSW French River      46.89N 91.94W
07/27/2023  E1.50 inch       St. Louis          MN   Public

            Via Social Media.

0344 PM     Hail             3 NNE Lester Park       46.89N 92.01W
07/27/2023  M1.75 inch       St. Louis          MN   Public

0347 PM     Hail             2 S Cozy Corner         46.14N 92.24W
07/27/2023  M1.50 inch       Burnett            WI   Trained Spotter

0352 PM     Hail             2 SW French River       46.88N 91.92W
07/27/2023  M2.00 inch       St. Louis          MN   Public

            Corrects previous hail report from 2 SW
            French River.

0359 PM     Hail             3 NNW Gordon            46.29N 91.82W
07/27/2023  E1.75 inch       Douglas            WI   Public

0420 PM     Hail             7 W Finlayson           46.20N 93.07W
07/27/2023  E1.00 inch       Aitkin             MN   Public

            Half to one inch hail.

0430 PM     Hail             7 E Solon Springs       46.36N 91.68W
07/27/2023  E1.00 inch       Douglas            WI   Public

0445 PM     Hail             4 ENE Willow River      46.34N 92.76W
07/27/2023  M1.75 inch       Pine               MN   Trained Spotter

            Heavy rain causing surface runoff and minor
            flooding.

0501 PM     Hail             3 W Hinckley            46.01N 93.00W
07/27/2023  M1.00 inch       Pine               MN   Trained Spotter

            Corrects previous hail report from 3 W
            Hinckley.

0520 PM     Hail             4 E Rutledge            46.26N 92.79W
07/27/2023  M1.00 inch       Pine               MN   Storm Chaser

            Mix of hail from pea sized to one inch
            diameter lasted for several minutes.

0700 PM     Hail             4 W Hinckley            46.01N 93.01W
07/27/2023  E1.00 inch       Pine               MN   Trained Spotter

            Estimated 4 inches of rainfall.

0335 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 SW French River       46.89N 91.92W
07/27/2023                   St. Louis          MN   NWS Employee

            Corrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from 1
            SW French River. Several trees were bent or
            snapped halfway up near the railroad tracks
            at McQuade Road. Time estimated by radar.

0335 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 E Lester Park         46.84N 92.01W
07/27/2023                   St. Louis          MN   Public

            Several medium trees snapped at base and
            fell over powerlines. Time estimated from
            radar.

0410 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 WNW Drummond          46.34N 91.30W
07/27/2023                   Bayfield           WI   Law Enforcement

            Trees over powerlines along County N near
            Drummond. Time estimated from radar.

0430 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 W Namekagon           46.21N 91.06W
07/27/2023                   Bayfield           WI   Law Enforcement

            Trees across roadway.

0430 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Seeley                  46.12N 91.36W
07/27/2023                   Sawyer             WI   Public

            Video of winds ripping roof partially off.
            Time estimated from radar.

0430 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Benoit                  46.50N 91.07W
07/27/2023                   Bayfield           WI   Public

            Reports multiple trees down uprooted and
            snapped at base. Time estimated from radar.

0434 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     9 ESE Seeley            46.08N 91.18W
07/27/2023                   Sawyer             WI   Trained Spotter

            Many trees down Brandt Rd making the road
            impassible. Time estimated from radar.

0444 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     3 WNW Washburn          46.69N 90.96W
07/27/2023                   Bayfield           WI   Law Enforcement

            Several trees down over roadway. Time
            estimated from radar.

0450 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     9 SW Clam Lake          46.07N 91.07W
07/27/2023                   Sawyer             WI   Public

            Reports of multiple trees around or less
            than 1 foot in diameter down along Highway
            77 between intersection with Cty. Hwy OO and
            Forest Road 204. Time estimated from radar.

0455 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Washburn                46.67N 90.90W
07/27/2023                   Bayfield           WI   Law Enforcement

            Trees down over Lakeshore Dr.

0455 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     5 SW Clam Lake          46.10N 90.99W
07/27/2023                   Sawyer             WI   Storm Chaser

            8 inch diameter 40 foot tall spruce tree
            snapped at base. Time estimated from radar.

0501 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 NW Hayward            46.02N 91.50W
07/27/2023                   Sawyer             WI   Trained Spotter

            Aspen tree snapped halfway up. Time
            estimated from radar.

0505 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     3 N New Post            45.94N 91.19W
07/27/2023                   Sawyer             WI   Law Enforcement

            Multiple trees and large branches down on
            County Road CC. Some trees down over
            powerlines causing fires. Time estimated
            from radar.

0505 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 SW Clam Lake          46.14N 90.93W
07/27/2023                   Sawyer             WI   Trained Spotter

            10 inch diameter aspen tree snaped off 6ft
            off ground. Time estimated by radar.

0506 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 ESE Odanah            46.59N 90.65W
07/27/2023                   Ashland            WI   Fire Dept/Rescue

            Trees down on powerlines between Casino and
            Lake Road. Time estimated from radar.

0520 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     8 NNW Loretta           45.98N 90.94W
07/27/2023                   Sawyer             WI   Park/Forest Srvc

            Fallen medium to large trees blocking an
            entrance to Black Lake Campground. Time
            estimated from radar.

0525 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 S Radisson            45.74N 91.22W
07/27/2023                   Sawyer             WI   Law Enforcement

            Tree down on powerline causing fire. Time
            estimated via radar.

0530 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Loretta                 45.89N 90.84W
07/27/2023                   Sawyer             WI   Public

            Medium to large poplar trees snapped about
            10 feet from the ground. Observe reports
            gusting swirling trees and 1.4 inches of
            rain. Time estimated from radar.

0534 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     3 SW Butternut          45.98N 90.54W
07/27/2023                   Price              WI   CO-OP Observer

            Storms resulted in trees down and a barn
            window blown in. Time estimated from radar.

0623 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 S Catawba             45.51N 90.53W
07/27/2023                   Price              WI   Law Enforcement

            Trees down across roadway. Time estimated
            from radar.

0625 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Shell Lake              45.74N 91.93W
07/27/2023                   Washburn           WI   Law Enforcement

            Several areas in Shell Lake with trees down
            across the roadway. Time estimated from
            radar.

0355 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     4 NE Hermantown         46.85N 92.20W
07/27/2023  M46 MPH          St. Louis          MN   ASOS

            ASOS station KDLH Duluth International
            Airport.

0355 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     3 S Solon Springs       46.30N 91.82W
07/27/2023  M49 MPH          Douglas            WI   AWOS

            AWOS station KOLG Solon Springs Airport.

0415 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     2 NNE Siren             45.82N 92.37W
07/27/2023  M44 MPH          Burnett            WI   AWOS

            AWOS station KRZN Siren Airport.

0500 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     3 SW Ashland            46.55N 90.92W
07/27/2023  M55 MPH          Ashland            WI   ASOS

            ASOS station KASX Ashland Airport.

0503 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     4 W Ashland             46.59N 90.95W
07/27/2023  M49 MPH          Bayfield           WI   Mesonet

            WIDOT station at Highway 2 and Highway 13
            roundabout. Marine thunderstorm wind gust.

0515 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     5 ENE Washburn          46.70N 90.80W
07/27/2023  M53 MPH          LSZ121             WI   Mesonet

            Mesonet station DW6222 La Pointe.

&&

Local storm report, Jul 28, 3:38 PM CST, 2 hours 3 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Duluth MN
438 PM CDT Fri Jul 28 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0330 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     3 WSW Lester Park       46.82N 92.08W
07/27/2023                   St. Louis          MN   Public

            Mature maple tree of around a 10 radius down
            on northeast corner of UMD. Time estimated
            by radar.

&&

KML

Local storm report, Jul 28, 3:55 PM CST, 1 hour 46 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Duluth MN
455 PM CDT Fri Jul 28 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0330 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     3 WSW Lester Park       46.82N 92.08W
07/27/2023                   St. Louis          MN   Public

            Mature maple tree of around a 10 inch
            diameter down on northeast corner of UMD.
            Time estimated by radar. This corrects an
            earlier report that relayed a 10 inch radius
            maple tree down.

&&

KML

The radar

The La Crosse radar (KARX), 187 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:40 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Price

When: July 28, 5:41 PM CST to 5:43 PM CST
Where: Price County, 4.39 mi SSW of Ogema
Measured: 2 in hail
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 45.390, -90.330

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Wisconsin in 2023 Every state in 2023 This day in weather history Warnings in Wisconsin, July 2023

Sources

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: 1120446.