On July 15th, a powerful line of destructive storms moved through portions of the Upper Midwest bringing widespread wind damage to portions of Iowa, Illinois and southern Wisconsin. This storm complex was later classified as a derecho by the Storm Prediction Center.
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 ARX wrote it up.
On July 15th, a powerful line of destructive storms moved through portions of the Upper Midwest bringing widespread wind damage to portions of Iowa, Illinois and southern Wisconsin. This storm complex was later classified as a derecho by the Storm Prediction Center. In southern Grant County, the line of storms produced an EF-1 tornado in the town of Kieler in addition to the severe winds.
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 La Crosse, WI wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 15, 1:00 PM CST, 4 hours 14 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service La Crosse WI 200 PM AM CDT Mon Jul 15 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - Scattered to areas of storms from late afternoon into early evening. Some will be strong to severe with a damaging wind and hail threat. - Turning cooler and less humid for the rest of the week while also trending dry. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 200 PM CDT Mon Jul 15 2024 * STORM CHANCES THIS AFTERNOON/TONIGHT - some strong to severe possible from late afternoon into early evening CLouds and showers persisting for the early afternoon, tracking west to east across southern MN through central WI - working to keep the local environment relatively stable. Just south of there more sun has been working on the juicy airmass over IA with the RAP suggesting 3500+ SBCAPE possible over northeast IA by 21z. Bit of shortwave energy coupled with approaching sfc low and left over outflow boundary will look to fire convection by mid/late afternoon - but stout low level cap (per RAP/HRRR bufkit soundings) will keep a lid on activity before those move in. This could hold off initiation until after 4 pm. Mostly straight line hodograph in the RAP/HRRR with 0-6km shear around 40 kts supporting convective updrafts and some supercellular potential at outset. System could quickly morph into a convective complex capable of swaths of damaging winds - but more likely southeast of the local area. Ongoing clouds/showers provide uncertainty as to northward extent of this particular area of convection, and this region could change by the hour based on how the afternoon unfolds. Some HRRR runs keep any significant convection south/east of the local area. Currently, local severe threat looks highest for northeast IA and southwest WI in the 4 to 7 pm time frame. To the north, a cold front with another piece of upper level energy will be slide cross northern portions of WI. Some clearing there will increase instability and CAMS models trigger a broken line of convection (tied to the front) that would drop southeast across the forecast area. More multicellular with a mixed big of strong/severe potential outcomes (hail, strong winds). Severe threat is lower with these storms compared to the anticipated convection over IA. All the storms would have the potential for locally heavy rain, but all look to be moving at a good clip with no training of note via the CAMS. Localized flooding issues could arise, but don't see a widespread heavy rain/flooding threat that would warrant a Flood Watch at this time. * TUESDAY INTO THE WEEKEND - cooler and less humid, trending dry Another lobe of upper level energy slated to rotate across the upper mississippi river valley Tue afternoon/evening. Cold air advection a loft will promote a ribbon of increased low level lapse rates with perhaps 250-500 J/Kg of MUCAPE. Questions on whether there will be enough saturation to play with results in mixed signals in the various short term models (some produce spotty to scattered late afternoon shower/storms...others don't). With a bit more support for at least a smattering of light showers, will paint in some low pops (20%) for the afternoon in a west-east running band, sliding southward across the region and mostly south of the area by 00z. Upper level blocking pattern then taking shape for the rest of the week as ridge continues to amplify/hold firm across the rockies/west coast while a trough holds over the new england states. Much cooler and less humid air will flow in from Canada and set up shop through the upcoming weekend, and could linger well into the following week. EPS and GEFS members only show a few degree spread between their 25-75% for highs - mostly topping out in the 70s through Fri. Probabilities in the LREF start to push to 40-50% to climb back into the 80s moving into the weekend, but certainly nothing trending hot & humid. Meanwhile, the current upper level layout would generally keep most of the shortwave activity either into Canada or off to the west. While can't completely rule out some small rain chances here and there, it's looking like a dry spate of days for most of the region through the weekend. A welcome break from the recent soggy conditions. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z TUESDAY/... Issued at 1236 PM CDT Mon Jul 15 2024 A cold front will approach the area from the NW this afternoon bringing shower and thunderstorm chances across the area. Due to the cloud cover this morning, uncertainty continues on if we will see thunderstorm chances impact LSE or RST directly. Will plan on amending TAFs as needed for thunderstorms. Tonight, there is another chance for fog to impact the river valleys and LSE, but chances for dense fog are around 10 to 20% at this time. Boundary layer winds look to be strong enough to stave off widespread fog issues, but fog chances would increase considerably if skies clear and winds go light until cold front swings through and brings in drier air. && .ARX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WI...None. MN...None. IA...None. && DISCUSSION...Rieck AVIATION.....JAW
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service La Crosse WI 400 AM CDT Mon Jul 15 2024 IAZ008>011-018-019-029-030-MNZ079-086>088-094>096-WIZ017-029- 032>034-041>044-053>055-061-161300- Mitchell-Howard-Winneshiek-Allamakee-Floyd-Chickasaw-Fayette- Clayton-Wabasha-Dodge-Olmsted-Winona-Mower-Fillmore-Houston- Taylor-Clark-Buffalo-Trempealeau-Jackson-La Crosse-Monroe-Juneau- Adams-Vernon-Crawford-Richland-Grant- 400 AM CDT Mon Jul 15 2024 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southeast Minnesota...northeast Iowa and southwest into central Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Thunderstorms are possible today into this evening. A few storms may become severe, especially late this afternoon or early evening with damaging winds, locally heavy rain, and hail possible. Heat indices of 90 to 100 are expected near and south of Interstate 94 this afternoon. River rises or flooding continues along some area rivers. Please see the latest flood statements for additional details. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter groups could be requested later this afternoon. .EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATION... No webinar is scheduled.
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
1240 PM CDT Mon Jul 15 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0703 PM Funnel Cloud 2 WNW Fillmore 43.76N 92.30W
07/13/2024 Fillmore MN Emergency Mngr
Delayed report. Video of a funnel cloud
northeast of Spring Valley.
&&Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
310 PM CDT Mon Jul 15 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0552 PM Hail Goodview 44.07N 91.71W
07/13/2024 M2.00 Inch Winona MN Public
0548 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 5 E New Rome 44.20N 89.80W
07/13/2024 Adams WI Public
Numerous trees down in the Lake Arrowhead
and Lake Sherwood subdivisions.
&&Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
434 PM CDT Mon Jul 15 2024
IAZ029-152230-
Fayette IA-
434 PM CDT Mon Jul 15 2024
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN FAYETTE COUNTY THROUGH
530 PM CDT...
At 433 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms near Fairbank, or near Oelwein, moving east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 30 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
This strong thunderstorm will be near...
Oelwein and Maynard around 440 PM CDT.
Arlington around 500 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this storm include Highway 93 And County
W 14, Highway 93 And County V 68, Volga River State Park, Wadena,
Randalia, Westgate, County Road W 33 And 187, and County Roads 3 And
W 13.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for
northeastern Iowa.
&&
LAT...LON 4264 9208 4290 9208 4289 9161 4265 9161
TIME...MOT...LOC 2133Z 273DEG 26KT 4272 9201
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
RieckSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
507 PM CDT Mon Jul 15 2024
IAZ029-030-152315-
Clayton IA-Fayette IA-
507 PM CDT Mon Jul 15 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN CLAYTON AND
SOUTHEASTERN FAYETTE COUNTIES THROUGH 615 PM CDT...
At 506 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Lamont, or 13 miles east of Oelwein, moving east at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
This strong thunderstorm will be near...
Strawberry Point around 510 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this storm include Camp C.S. Klaus,
Mederville, Highways 3 And 187, Turkey River, Bixby State Park,
Highway 13 And County C 24, Fairview, Osborne, and Millville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for
northeastern Iowa...and southwestern Wisconsin.
&&
LAT...LON 4264 9185 4278 9186 4282 9108 4274 9105
4269 9095 4268 9090 4265 9090
TIME...MOT...LOC 2206Z 266DEG 32KT 4266 9165
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
RieckSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
526 PM CDT Mon Jul 15 2024
WIZ061-152330-
Grant WI-
526 PM CDT Mon Jul 15 2024
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN GRANT COUNTY THROUGH 630
PM CDT...
At 525 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms near Colesburg, or near Guttenberg, moving east at 35
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 around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
This strong thunderstorm will be near...
Cassville around 530 PM CDT.
Platteville around 615 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this storm include Kieler, Lock And Dam
11, Big H Campground, Sandy Hook, Potosi, Beetown, Cornelia,
Rockville, Burton, and Nelson Dewey State Park.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for
northeastern Iowa...and southwestern Wisconsin.
&&
LAT...LON 4254 9064 4258 9068 4263 9070 4264 9073
4269 9097 4274 9104 4274 9105 4281 9108
4282 9043 4251 9043 4251 9064
TIME...MOT...LOC 2225Z 269DEG 29KT 4269 9111
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
RieckThe Quad Cities radar (KDVN), 103 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:16 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Trained spotters reported damage to a flag pole as well as several large tree branches broken.
This brief EF-1 tornado touched down in Kieler producing tree damage and roof damage to two structures. The tornado crossed County Road H and dissipated after damaging an outbuilding near the road. The tornado path was determined using drone footage provided by emergency management.
Emergency management measured a 72 mph wind gust in Hazel Green.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Wisconsin in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Wisconsin, 2024Warnings in Wisconsin, July 2024
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: 1201526, 1201528, 1201524.