Hail in Wisconsin, June 29, 2023

Name: Hail in Wisconsin, June 29, 2023
Start: 2023-06-29T16:57
End: 2023-06-29T18:10
Location: Wisconsin

June 29, 2023 · NWS DLH · 3 events in 2 counties and zones

Thunderstorms developed ahead of a cold front moving across the Northland during the late afternoon and early evening hours of the 29th. Most of the storms remained below severe limits but a few were able to produce hail up to an inch in diameter across parts of Bayfield and Ashland counties during the event.

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: 3

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 Jun 29, 2:42 PM CST, 2 hours 15 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jun 29, 2:42 PM CST, 2 hours 15 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Duluth MN
342 PM CDT Thu Jun 29 2023

.DISCUSSION...(This evening through Wednesday)
Issued at 247 PM CDT Thu Jun 29 2023

Summary: Active weather continues with a break this weekend before
another front next week.

Several thunderstorms crossing the MN Arrowhead this afternoon as
a tongue of MLCAPE values of 1500 J/kg sneak north into the border
country as a weak low crosses west to east through Ontario with
about 30 kt of effective bulk shear. Even some decent hail growth
CAPE too. Overall, not expecting the storms to be severe; however,
there have been a few that have made the most of the environment
and may have produced some large hail. Today should have the
spunkiest storms of the next several days as the low departs the
kinematics and thermodynamics will weaken.

By Friday, only an isolated storm may be possible mainly in the MN
Arrowhead. Weak flow and high pressure builds from the west for a
few warm days with little in the way of weather hazards. Fog may
be the biggest threat. Speaking of fog, there has been a
persistent layer of marine fog stretching along the cooler waters
of the North Shore which has seeped a little into the adjacent
shoreline but not enough to warrant any headlines inland; however,
it sure has kept Grand Marais cool with its current temperature
sitting at 50F by the water.

Eventually, the next front is expected to arrive Tuesday followed
by an upper level trough for mid week which will again likely
create shower activity after the wave of thunderstorms crosses
with the Tuesday cold front. After the cold front, temperatures
will cool from the 80s inland to the low 70s.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Friday afternoon)
Issued at 1249 PM CDT Thu Jun 29 2023

Largely VFR though thunderstorm activity will move through the
Northland this afternoon causing some temporary IFR conditions.
Thunderstorm activity should decrease this evening with some
clearing overnight which will increase the threat for fog Friday
morning especially in areas where thunderstorm activity will be
greatest (in the MN Arrowhead). A passing low through Ontario will
cause winds to switch from the west to the northwest, but largely
gusts will remain below 20 kt except near tstorms.

&&

.MARINE...
Issued at 247 PM CDT Thu Jun 29 2023

An area of low pressure is crossing from west to east through
Ontario, causing shower and tstorm activity this afternoon. This
should wane this evening. A persistent layer of marine fog has
been plaguing the N. Shore where the cool waters are condensing
the moisture out of the warm, moist air mass. So extended the
dense fog through Friday morning and may need to expand it into
the Apostles as well. Otherwise, all is quiet on the marine front
with light winds and short waves.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
DLH  59  82  59  83 /  30   0   0  10
INL  56  79  56  83 /  40  40   0  10
BRD  58  83  59  85 /   0   0   0   0
HYR  56  84  57  85 /  30   0   0   0
ASX  59  84  58  82 /  40   0   0   0

&&

.DLH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WI...None.
MN...None.
LS...Dense Fog Advisory until 11 AM CDT Friday for LSZ140>143.

&&

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

Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 29, 11:15 AM CST, 5 hours 42 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Duluth MN
1215 PM CDT Thu Jun 29 2023

WIZ009-301715-
Price-
1215 PM CDT Thu Jun 29 2023

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northwest
Wisconsin.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and Tonight

An Air Quality Alert remains in effect this afternoon and tonight
for Price County. Further information can be found through the
Wisconsin DNR.

Scattered non-severe thunderstorms will be possible this
afternoon and early evening.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday

An air quality alert remains in effect through Friday morning for
Price County.

There will be a chance for thunderstorms late Friday morning
through Friday afternoon in far northern Minnesota near the
International Border. Additional thunderstorm chances arrive on
Monday afternoon and persist on and off through Wednesday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Skywarn spotter activation is not anticipated this afternoon or
tonight.

MNZ010>012-018>021-025-026-033>038-WIZ001>004-006>008-301715-
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-
1215 PM CDT Thu Jun 29 2023

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

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and Tonight

Scattered non-severe thunderstorms will be possible this
afternoon and early evening, especially along and north of the
Iron Range.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday

There will be a chance for thunderstorms late Friday morning
through Friday afternoon in far northern Minnesota near the
International Border. Additional thunderstorm chances arrive on
Monday afternoon and persist on and off through Wednesday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Skywarn spotter activation is not anticipated this afternoon or
tonight.

LSZ121-140>148-150-301715-
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-
1215 PM CDT Thu Jun 29 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

Dense fog is producing visibilities below 1 nm along the North
Shore. A Marine Dense Fog Advisory remains in effect this
afternoon and tonight from Two Harbors to Grand Portage.

A few isolated thunderstorms will be possible this afternoon and
evening. Cloud-to-water lightning will be the primary threat.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday

A Marine Dense Fog Advisory remains in effect this
Friday morning from Two Harbors to Grand Portage.

There will be a chance for thunderstorms on Friday afternoon,
mainly along the North Shore. Additional periodic chances for
thunderstorms arrives Monday afternoon and persists through
Wednesday.

BJH

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

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jun 29, 3:35 PM CST, 1 hour 22 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Duluth MN
435 PM CDT Thu Jun 29 2023

MNZ012-020-021-292200-
Northern Cook/Northern Lake MN-Southern Cook/North Shore MN-
Southern Lake/North Shore MN-
435 PM CDT Thu Jun 29 2023

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF SOUTHWESTERN COOK
AND EAST CENTRAL LAKE COUNTIES THROUGH 500 PM CDT...

At 435 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Clear Lake, or 37 miles west of Grand Marais, moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Winds gusts up to 30 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow unsecured
         objects around. Minor hail damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Tofte and Taconite Harbor around 500 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this storm include Temperance River State
Park and Wilson Lake.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Anyone outdoors, including anyone on or in the water, should seek
shelter inside a sturdy building or hard topped vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 4758 9074 4749 9090 4760 9125 4773 9119
      4765 9058
TIME...MOT...LOC 2135Z 286DEG 26KT 4763 9113

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

PA

Special weather statement, Jun 29, 4:04 PM CST, 53 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Duluth MN
504 PM CDT Thu Jun 29 2023

MNZ012-020-021-292230-
Northern Cook/Northern Lake MN-Southern Cook/North Shore MN-
Southern Lake/North Shore MN-
504 PM CDT Thu Jun 29 2023

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF SOUTHWESTERN COOK AND
EAST CENTRAL LAKE COUNTIES THROUGH 530 PM CDT...

At 503 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from Taconite Harbor, to near Finland, to 6 miles
northwest of Silver Bay, moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Winds gusts up to 30 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow unsecured
         objects around. Minor hail damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Strong thunderstorms will be near...
  Taconite Harbor around 510 PM CDT.
  Sugar Loaf Cove around 530 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by these storms include Murphy City, George
Manitou State Park and Tettegouche State Park.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Anyone outdoors, including anyone on or in the water, should seek
shelter inside a sturdy building or hard topped vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 4745 9097 4728 9134 4747 9152 4763 9099
      4752 9085
TIME...MOT...LOC 2203Z 275DEG 26KT 4751 9096 4750 9125 4738 9134

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

PA

Special weather statement, Jun 29, 4:23 PM CST, 34 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Duluth MN
523 PM CDT Thu Jun 29 2023

MNZ011-292300-
North St. Louis MN-
523 PM CDT Thu Jun 29 2023

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF WEST CENTRAL ST.
LOUIS COUNTY THROUGH 600 PM CDT...

At 522 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Orr, or 20 miles northwest of Lake Vermilion, moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow unsecured
         objects around. Minor hail damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Lake Vermilion around 545 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Anyone outdoors, including anyone on or in the water, should seek
shelter inside a sturdy building or hard topped vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 4810 9235 4786 9253 4786 9257 4797 9299
      4815 9289
TIME...MOT...LOC 2222Z 288DEG 27KT 4803 9279

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

PA

Special weather statement, Jun 29, 4:26 PM CST, 31 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Duluth MN
526 PM CDT Thu Jun 29 2023

WIZ006-007-292300-
Washburn WI-Burnett WI-
526 PM CDT Thu Jun 29 2023

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF NORTHWESTERN
WASHBURN AND EAST CENTRAL BURNETT COUNTIES THROUGH 600 PM CDT...

At 525 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Webb Lake Wisconsin, or 14 miles northwest of Spooner, moving east at
20 mph.

HAZARD...Winds gusts up to 30 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow unsecured
         objects around. Minor hail damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Minong around 555 PM CDT.
  Trego around 600 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this storm include Lampson.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Anyone outdoors, including anyone on or in the water, should seek
shelter inside a sturdy building or hard topped vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 4598 9217 4607 9215 4611 9175 4590 9179
TIME...MOT...LOC 2225Z 277DEG 18KT 4601 9204

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

PA

Special weather statement, Jun 29, 4:30 PM CST, 27 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Duluth MN
530 PM CDT Thu Jun 29 2023

WIZ001-002-292300-
Douglas WI-Bayfield WI-
530 PM CDT Thu Jun 29 2023

...THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF NORTHWESTERN BAYFIELD AND
NORTHEASTERN DOUGLAS COUNTIES THROUGH 600 PM CDT...

At 529 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking thunderstorms along a line
extending from 9 miles northwest of Port Wing, to 8 miles north of
Poplar, moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Winds gusts up to 30 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow unsecured
         objects around. Minor hail damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Strong thunderstorms will be near...
  Port Wing around 545 PM CDT.

Other locations in the path of these storms include Oulu, Herbster
and Cornucopia.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Anyone outdoors, including anyone on or in the water, should seek
shelter inside a sturdy building or hard topped vehicle.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms. If
you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.
Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 4660 9142 4668 9189 4673 9181 4679 9159
      4683 9139 4689 9126 4689 9095
TIME...MOT...LOC 2229Z 271DEG 27KT 4685 9156 4671 9180

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

PA

Local storm report, Jun 29, 4:37 PM CST, 20 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Duluth MN
537 PM CDT Thu Jun 29 2023

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

0409 PM     Hail             1 SW Robinson           47.85N 92.06W
06/29/2023  E0.50 inch       St. Louis          MN   Public

            Report from mPING: Half-inch (0.50 in.).

0528 PM     Hail             3 S Orr                 48.02N 92.81W
06/29/2023  E0.50 inch       St. Louis          MN   Public

            Mostly pea size hail. Report via social
            media.

&&

The radar

The Duluth radar (KDLH), 99 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:59 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

3 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Washburn

When: June 29, 4:57 PM CST to 4:59 PM CST
Where: Washburn County, 0.69 mi N of Lampson
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.990, -91.820

Hail, Washburn

When: June 29, 5:23 PM CST to 5:25 PM CST
Where: Washburn County, Spring Brook
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 45.950, -91.680

Hail, Ashland

When: June 29, 6:07 PM CST to 6:10 PM CST
Where: Ashland County, 0.84 mi SE of Odanah
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 46.610, -90.690

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, June 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: 1106172, 1106173, 1106174.