Tornadoes and Flood in Wisconsin, May 21, 2024

Name: Tornadoes and Flood in Wisconsin, May 21, 2024
Start: 2024-05-21T11:43
End: 2024-05-21T23:05
Location: Wisconsin

May 21, 2024 · NWS MKX · 68 events in 13 counties and zones

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: $1.5 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 68

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 MKX wrote it up.

Lines and clusters of severe thunderstorms moved across southern WI from the late morning through the late evening as the passage of a warm front was quickly followed by a cold front. Straight-line winds accounted for fairly widespread tree limb damage especially over south central WI. Several reports of large hail were received while street flooding was reported in Madison. A couple brief EF1 tornadoes also occurred.

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 Milwaukee, WI wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 21, 3:48 AM CST, 7 hours 55 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

Dense fog will persist across south central and eastern Wisconsin through sunrise this morning.
Marine Dense Fog early this morning across the southern half of Lake Michigan is expected to continue through this evening.
A complex severe weather event is expected today, with multiple rounds of thunderstorms expected. The greatest severe weather threat continues to be this evening.
All severe weather hazards will be possible this evening, including strong winds, large to very large hail, and tornadoes.

Area forecast discussion, May 21, 3:48 AM CST, 7 hours 55 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
448 AM CDT Tue May 21 2024

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Dense fog will persist across south central and eastern
  Wisconsin through sunrise this morning.

- Marine Dense Fog early this morning across the southern half
  of Lake Michigan is expected to continue through this evening.

- A complex severe weather event is expected today, with
  multiple rounds of thunderstorms expected. The greatest severe
  weather threat continues to be this evening.

- All severe weather hazards will be possible this evening,
  including strong winds, large to very large hail, and
  tornadoes.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
Issued 448 AM CDT Tue May 21 2024

Today and Tonight:

A busy, rain and stormy, day is in store for Wisconsin today.
The Storm Predictions Center's Severe weather outlook does a
good job of reflecting this busy day with a Moderate Rick (4 out
of 5 risk) covering portions of southwestern Wisconsin.

With high dewpoints this morning and cooling temperatures, fog
has developed across the forecast area with many locations
experiencing dense fog. As southerly winds increase and diurnal
heating kicks in after sunrise this fog should burn off rather
quickly.

Kicking the rain/storm discussion off early this morning there
is ongoing convection across northeast Iowa and far western
Wisconsin. This ongoing convection is on the leading edge of the
Low level jet. Much of this early morning convection is well
ahead of these features and is slowly moving northeast.
Southwestern and western Wisconsin will have the best chances
the ongoing and slightly developing blob of showers/storms this
morning. Much of eastern and southeastern Wisconsin will remain
dry with this morning "round".

This afternoon and evening will be the main concerns for any
severe weather to develop. The afternoon round of storms will
likely be along the leading edge of the warm front. As warm
moist air surges northward a few showers and storms are likely
to develop. The exact location that storms could fire is a bit
muddled due to many models have a very shallow cap in place
which limits the location and coverage of any convection during
the afternoon. This cap does look to be pretty weak, which
means anything that does break it could grow quickly. Strong to
severe storms during this afternoon would mostly pose a wind and
hail threat. A brief lull between this afternoon and evening
rounds will prep the stage for the severe weather potential this
evening.

As the cold front passes later this evening the next round of
rain and storms will move through. Timing with this has the cold
front beginning to move through as early as 6 PM with it
exiting the region as late as midnight. While the exact outcome
will depend on the duration of the lull between the passage of
the warm front and cold front. The air mass in place and the
dynamics within this strengthening low pressure system are
fantastic. This means that supercells and squall line storm
modes are on the table. Lapse rates are steep, CAPE is high, and
low level shear/helicity is also very good. Hodographs continue
to show the nice curved features you would be looking for on
days with good tornado potential. Overall the threat with this
evening round is strong winds, large hail and tornadoes.

Patterson

&&

.LONG TERM...
Issued 448 AM CDT Tue May 21 2024

Wednesday through Monday:

As the low pressure system bringing all of our rain and storms
today moves northeast across Lake Superior and into Canada, high
pressure will be on its heals for Wednesday and Thursday. The
upper level ridging will be building into the Midwest Wednesday
afternoon and will continue to influence the region through
Thursday. The pressure gradient will remain tight between the
exiting low and incoming high pressure resulting in some gusty
west winds, and decent cold air advection. Cloud cover should be
decreasing throughout the day Wednesday. Considering the warmer
temperatures over the previous few days, Wednesday is likely to
feel much cooler with the 70 degree high temperatures feeling
slight deceiving for some.

Dry weather will continue through Friday morning. Precipitation
chances will increase as the next approaching shortwave moves
toward the state. Showers and thunderstorms will be possible
Friday afternoon through Saturday morning. There is still quiet
a bit of uncertainty with this system especially with timing
and strength. The GFS is still pretty rambunctious in
comparisonsto other long range models. Its likely that timing
of rain will tighten up a bit and that some of the finer details
such as QPF and exact location as this system gets closer in
time.

Another shortwave looks to be on the horizon as well for
Saturdaywhich could be yet another round of showers and
storms. Almost like a round two if you will. Showers and storms
Friday into Saturday and again Saturday will be supported by
two separate shortwave troughs. Still a lot of details to be
hashed out here. Thankfully Sunday continues to show promise for
being dry as a weak ridge quickly moves through the Great Lakes
Region.

Patterson

&&

.AVIATION...
Issued 448 AM CDT Tue May 21 2024

VFR to LIFR conditions are expected through the period. Early
this morning for south central and eastern Wisconsin there is
dense fog that dropping visibilites down to a mile or less.
Many terminals will see quarter mile visibilities with ceilings
around 200 to 500 feet until after sunrise this morning.
Multiple rounds of showers and storms are expected to move
through southern Wisconsin today. The first of these round
moving through this morning. Ongoing convection to our west is
gradually moving northeast this morning. Areas of west central
and south central Wisconsin will have the best chance for
showers and storms with this morning round, while the rest of
southern Wisconsin remains dry. MVFR fusillades and ceilings
will be possible during this round of showers/storms.

There is a small chance for an afternoon round of showers and
storms as the warm front moves through. MVFR to IFR visibilities
will be possible any of the moderate to heavy rainfall. Then the
last round would be this evening along the cold front. Again
MVFR to IFR visiblies will be possible. For both of these rounds
ceilings are expected to be around 3-6 kft. Severe storms will
be possible for both the afternoon and evening rounds with large
hail, strong winds and tornadoes all being possible.

Southwest to southeast winds are expected today. These southerly
winds will increase becoming breezy this afternoon. The breezy
south winds will persist through Wednesday morning with gusts
of 20 to 25 kts likely. Stronger gusts will be possible with
any convection.

Patterson

&&

.MARINE...
Issued 448 AM CDT Tue May 21 2024

With dewpoints near the air and water temperatures across the
southern half of the Lake this morning dense fog has developed.
As dewpoints increase with the passage of the warm front later
today, its likely that the dense fog will persist until the
cold front moves across the open waters, bringing with it rain
and thunderstorms.

South to southeast winds this morning will become breezy as a
deepening low pressure system advance from the central plains
northeastward toward the upper Great Lakes Region. There will be
periods of thunderstorms over the lake, especially the southern
portions through Wednesday morning. A Small Craft Advisory is in
effect tonight through Wednesday morning due to the gusty
southerly winds.

High pressure will build into the Midwest Wednesday and Thursday
bringing quieter winds and waves through midweek.

Patterson

&&

.MKX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WI...Dense Fog Advisory...WIZ046-WIZ047-WIZ051-WIZ052-WIZ057-WIZ058-
     WIZ059-WIZ060-WIZ063-WIZ064-WIZ065-WIZ066-WIZ069-WIZ070-
     WIZ071-WIZ072 until 10 AM Tuesday.

LM...Small Craft Advisory...LMZ643-LMZ644...10 PM Tuesday to 4 PM
     Wednesday.

     Small Craft Advisory...LMZ645-LMZ646...10 PM Tuesday to 10 AM
     Wednesday.

&&

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Hazardous weather outlook, May 21, 3:47 AM CST, 7 hours 56 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
447 AM CDT Tue May 21 2024

WIZ046-047-051-052-056>060-062>072-221000-
Marquette-Green Lake-Fond du Lac-Sheboygan-Sauk-Columbia-Dodge-
Washington-Ozaukee-Iowa-Dane-Jefferson-Waukesha-Milwaukee-
Lafayette-Green-Rock-Walworth-Racine-Kenosha-
447 AM CDT Tue May 21 2024

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of east central
Wisconsin, south central Wisconsin and southeast Wisconsin.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

Dense fog is expected south central and eastern Wisconsin through
sunrise this morning.

Several rounds of thunderstorms are expected today. There will be
a risk for severe weather this afternoon and evening, including
the potential for strong winds, large to very large hail, and
tornadoes.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday

Additional thunderstorms are possible late in the week into next
weekend.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will likely be needed on Tuesday.

LMZ643>646-221000-
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-
447 AM CDT Tue May 21 2024

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the nearshore waters from
Sheboygan Wisconsin to Winthrop Harbor Illinois.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

Areas of dense fog will be possible across the southern half of
the Lake today.

Several rounds of thunderstorms are expected today. Severe storms
will be possible at times, especially during the evening.

A Small Craft Advisory is in effect tonight through Wednesday
morning for gusty south winds.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday

The Small Craft Advisory remains in effect through Wednesday
morning.

LMZ080-261-362-364-366-563-565-567-669-671-673-675-777-779-868-
870-872-874-876-878-221000-
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-
447 AM CDT Tue May 21 2024

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the open waters of Lake Michigan.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

Areas of dense fog will be possible across the southern half of
the Lake today.

Several rounds of thunderstorms are expected today. Severe storms
will be possible at times, especially during the evening.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

www.weather.gov/mkx

The radar

The Milwaukee radar (KMKX), 55 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 17:42 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

55 thunderstorm wind, 9 hail, 3 tornado, 1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Dane

When: May 21, 11:43 AM CST
Where: Dane County, 0.86 mi NW of Stoughton
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 42.930, -89.230

Picture of 1.5 inch diameter hail.

Hail, Dane

When: May 21, 11:48 AM CST
Where: Dane County, 0.86 mi SW of Kegonsa
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 42.960, -89.210

Video of 1 inch diameter hail falling.

Hail, Iowa

When: May 21, 3:50 PM CST
Where: Iowa County, 0.69 mi S of Dodgeville
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 42.960, -90.130

Hail, Iowa

When: May 21, 5:21 PM CST
Where: Iowa County, Cobb
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 42.970, -90.330

Picture of hail provided.

Thunderstorm Wind, Iowa

When: May 21, 5:48 PM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Iowa County, 1.38 mi S of Dodgeville
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 42.950, -90.130

Multiple trees and branches down in the Dodgeville area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sauk

When: May 21, 5:51 PM CST to 5:55 PM CST
Where: Sauk County, Spring Green
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $4,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 43.180, -90.070

Scattered tree branches down, some large, in Spring Green.

Thunderstorm Wind, Iowa

When: May 21, 5:51 PM CST
Where: Iowa County, 1.67 mi WSW of Dodgeville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 42.960, -90.160

Shed roof blown off.

Hail, Iowa

When: May 21, 5:55 PM CST
Where: Iowa County, 1.38 mi N of Dodgeville
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.990, -90.130

Thunderstorm Wind, Iowa

When: May 21, 5:55 PM CST to 6:08 PM CST
Where: Iowa County, 0.86 mi SW of Waldwick to 4 mi WNW of Hollandale
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.820, -90.040

A swath of numerous large trees snapped, some were rotted.

Thunderstorm Wind, Iowa

When: May 21, 6:04 PM CST to 6:10 PM CST
Where: Iowa County, 1.47 mi SSE of Hollandale
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 42.850, -89.920

Two power poles snapped at the base.

Hail, Iowa

When: May 21, 6:05 PM CST
Where: Iowa County, 0.86 mi SE of Dodgeville
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.960, -90.120

Thunderstorm Wind, Iowa

When: May 21, 6:07 PM CST to 6:10 PM CST
Where: Iowa County, 1.47 mi SSE of Hollandale
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.850, -89.920

Two utility poles snapped at base.

Thunderstorm Wind, Iowa

When: May 21, 6:07 PM CST to 6:15 PM CST
Where: Iowa County, 5.25 mi NNE of Hollandale to 3.67 mi S of Blue Mound State Park
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $70,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 42.937, -89.882

A swath of scattered tree damage including snapped trees. Multiple large and empty grain bins were heavily damaged at one location. One of the large poles associated with the grain bins fell onto a small car. At a different location a small portion of a roof was removed from a farm building.

Thunderstorm Wind, Iowa

When: May 21, 6:15 PM CST to 6:22 PM CST
Where: Iowa County, 0.86 mi SE of Blue Mound State Park
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $4,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 43.020, -89.840

Several large tree branches snapped off in the vicinity of Blue Mounds and Blue Mound State Park.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dodge

When: May 21, 6:16 PM CST to 6:18 PM CST
Where: Dodge County, 2.94 mi NNW of Danville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 43.370, -88.970

A tree snapped in half.

Hail, Green

When: May 21, 6:20 PM CST
Where: Green County, 0.51 mi W of New Glarus
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.820, -89.640

Thunderstorm Wind, Dane

When: May 21, 6:20 PM CST to 6:28 PM CST
Where: Dane County, 0.86 mi NW of Mt Horeb
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 43.010, -89.740

A piece of steel facia was blown off a home.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dane

When: May 21, 6:20 PM CST to 7:30 PM CST
Where: Dane County, 0.93 mi SSE of Mazomanie to 2.01 mi SSW of Madison Morey Arpt
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 43.158, -89.772

Scattered tree limbs down, some large, along highway 14 from just east of Mazomanie to just west of Middleton after a series of lines and clusters of thunderstorms.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sauk

When: May 21, 6:26 PM CST to 6:32 PM CST
Where: Sauk County, Sauk City to 1.07 mi E of Prairie du Sac Arpt
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 43.270, -89.730

Scattered tree limbs down in Sauk City and Prairie Du Sac.

Thunderstorm Wind, Columbia

When: May 21, 6:28 PM CST to 6:34 PM CST
Where: Columbia County, 7.56 mi WSW of Okee to 6.07 mi WSW of Okee
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 43.310, -89.720

A swath of significant tree damage from the golf course to a nearby subdivision. About a dozen large trees uprooted. Some trees snapped at various heights from the trunk. Many branches snapped off.

Hail, Dane

When: May 21, 6:37 PM CST
Where: Dane County, 2.88 mi WSW of Shorewood Hills
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 43.060, -89.520

Thunderstorm Wind, Dane

When: May 21, 6:45 PM CST to 6:50 PM CST
Where: Dane County, 3.42 mi NW of Dane
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 43.290, -89.540

Multiple tree limbs and trees down near Lodi Marsh.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dane

When: May 21, 6:48 PM CST to 6:55 PM CST
Where: Dane County, 0.69 mi N of Waunakee
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 43.190, -89.450

Top of a tree snapped and another tree snapped at its base.

Tornado, Dane

When: May 21, 6:49 PM CST to 6:54 PM CST
Where: Dane County, 1.75 mi ESE of Mt Horeb to 1.66 mi S of Pine Bluff
Rating: EF1
Path length: 4.63 mi
Path width: 75 yd
Property damage: $1.1 million
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 42.991, -89.698

Tornado began near Springdale where it hit a farm. Two sheds were lofted into a nearby woods where numerous trees were damaged and placed in a crisscross manner. The tornado then crossed Highway 18-151 while tracking to the northeast. It hit an outbuilding on County Rd P which caused it to shift off its foundation. Further north, it uprooted or snapped about 20 mature trees at a farmstead on County Rd P. The tornado then went across Cty P and ended near Valley Spring Rd and County Rd J.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lafayette

When: May 21, 6:53 PM CST to 7:02 PM CST
Where: Lafayette County, 1.68 mi ESE of Gratiot
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $7,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 42.570, -89.990

Straight-line winds caused damage to a farmstead. There were large tree limbs down and some roofing material to an old farm outbuilding removed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lafayette

When: May 21, 6:53 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Lafayette County, 1.52 mi ENE of Dunbarton to 2.89 mi ESE of Darlington Arpt
Measured: 78 kt (90 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 42.580, -90.103

Straight-line winds of approximately 90 mph snapped numerous trees greater than half way up the trees. Also multiple farm outbuildings and sheds were damaged including one calf barn that was completely destroyed. Debris was lying from southwest to northeast.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dane

When: May 21, 6:54 PM CST to 6:55 PM CST
Where: Dane County, 2.57 mi SE of Riley
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 42.990, -89.590

Two large highway distance signs bent downward at a large angle.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lafayette

When: May 21, 6:56 PM CST
Where: Lafayette County, 1.68 mi ENE of Dunbarton
Measured: 87 kt (100 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 42.580, -90.100

Estimated winds of 90-100 mph which blew the roof of a barn.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dane

When: May 21, 6:56 PM CST to 7:03 PM CST
Where: Dane County, 0.86 mi SW of Verona to 0.31 mi ESE of Verona Arpt
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $7,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.970, -89.540

Extensive tree damage on the south side of Verona.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dane

When: May 21, 6:58 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Dane County, 4 mi SSW of Madison Morey Arpt
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 43.070, -89.570

Several trees down including a large, old 4 foot diameter Oak Tree down on Old Sauk Road, and a 12 inch pine snapped in half. Many 3-6 inch branches also down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dane

When: May 21, 6:58 PM CST to 7:01 PM CST
Where: Dane County, 1.22 mi NW of Verona to 0.9 mi NNW of Verona
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.992, -89.548

A swath of tree damage near the center of Verona.

Tornado, Marquette

When: May 21, 6:59 PM CST to 7:07 PM CST
Where: Marquette County, 2.68 mi SSE of Budsin to 2.57 mi WSW of Neshkoro
Rating: EF0
Path length: 5.27 mi
Path width: 60 yd
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 43.884, -89.311

Intermittent damage path with numerous branches downed along with upwards of 40 trees snapped, topped or uprooted. One house sustained substantial roof damage from a fallen tree. Minor garage damage was all noted from falling tree debris.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lafayette

When: May 21, 6:59 PM CST to 7:02 PM CST
Where: Lafayette County, 0.51 mi E of Darlington
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.680, -90.110

Scattered tree damage.

Tornado, Marquette

When: May 21, 6:59 PM CST to 7:07 PM CST
Where: Marquette County, 2.68 mi SSE of Budsin to 2.57 mi WSW of Neshkoro
Rating: EF1
Path length: 5.27 mi
Path width: 60 yd
Property damage: $60,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 43.884, -89.311

Intermittent damage path with numerous branches downed along with 30 to 40 trees snapped, topped or uprooted.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dane

When: May 21, 6:59 PM CST to 7:11 PM CST
Where: Dane County, 0.5 mi E of Mendota
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $7,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 43.130, -89.370

Numerous trees down on the north side of Madison along Sherman Ave. and Northport Dr., and Warner Park.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dane

When: May 21, 6:59 PM CST to 7:06 PM CST
Where: Dane County, 2.89 mi SW of Henry Vilas Park Zoo
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 43.030, -89.450

Several large trees uprooted.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dane

When: May 21, 7:05 PM CST to 7:10 PM CST
Where: Dane County, 1.01 mi W of De Forest
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 43.250, -89.350

A large tree snapped at its base.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dane

When: May 21, 7:05 PM CST to 7:11 PM CST
Where: Dane County, 0.5 mi W of Windsor
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 43.220, -89.340

Three large trees uprooted.

Thunderstorm Wind, Green

When: May 21, 7:14 PM CST to 7:22 PM CST
Where: Green County, 0.69 mi S of New Glarus
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 42.810, -89.630

Scattered tree damage in New Glarus and a portion of an apartment roof was blown off.

Thunderstorm Wind, Green Lake

When: May 21, 7:18 PM CST to 7:21 PM CST
Where: Green Lake County, 0.5 mi W of Berlin
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 43.970, -88.940

Tree damage across Berlin.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dodge

When: May 21, 7:18 PM CST to 7:59 PM CST
Where: Dodge County, 0.85 mi SW of Fox Lake to 0.97 mi SW of Lomira
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 43.560, -88.910

Scattered tree damage across the northern half of Dodge County. This included tree damage in the Fox Lake area and a reported measured wind gust of 62 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dane

When: May 21, 7:18 PM CST to 7:23 PM CST
Where: Dane County, 1.47 mi NNW of Belleville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.870, -89.540

Tree damage in Belleville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Green

When: May 21, 7:20 PM CST to 7:22 PM CST
Where: Green County, 0.86 mi NW of Monticello
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.740, -89.590

Tree damage including flying debris.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dodge

When: May 21, 7:21 PM CST to 7:25 PM CST
Where: Dodge County, 0.85 mi SW of Beaver Dam
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $7,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 43.460, -88.840

Multiple trees and limbs down in Beaver Dam.

Thunderstorm Wind, Fond du Lac

When: May 21, 7:22 PM CST to 7:25 PM CST
Where: Fond du Lac County, 0.85 mi NW of Ripon
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 43.840, -88.840

Multiple trees and power lines down. Trees down on a few homes.

Thunderstorm Wind, Green Lake

When: May 21, 7:22 PM CST to 7:26 PM CST
Where: Green Lake County, 4.08 mi SE of Markesan
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 43.680, -88.920

Multiple large tree limbs snapped off, landing onto a road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dane

When: May 21, 7:25 PM CST to 7:30 PM CST
Where: Dane County, 3.59 mi W of Martinsville
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 43.170, -89.650

Numerous Black Cherry, Hickory, and Elm Trees with split tops and large limbs down. Two prominent wind gusts during its duration.

Thunderstorm Wind, Green

When: May 21, 7:28 PM CST to 7:40 PM CST
Where: Green County, 0.86 mi NW of Albany
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.710, -89.440

Scattered tree damage in Albany.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dane

When: May 21, 7:29 PM CST to 7:34 PM CST
Where: Dane County, 2.02 mi W of Seminary Spgs
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 43.100, -89.290

A large tree, 1-1.5 feet in diameter, snapped clean approximately 4-5 feet above the ground.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dane

When: May 21, 7:30 PM CST
Where: Dane County, 0.52 mi SSW of Madison Morey Arpt
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 43.113, -89.532

Measured wind gust of 59 mph at Middleton Municipal Airport.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dane

When: May 21, 7:34 PM CST
Where: Dane County, 0.51 mi W of Mc Farland
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 43.020, -89.290

High winds leading to broken tree limbs in McFarland.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dane

When: May 21, 7:35 PM CST
Where: Dane County, 0.5 mi W of Madison Truax Airport
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 43.140, -89.340

Measured wind gust of 62 mph at Dane County Regional Airport.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dane

When: May 21, 7:38 PM CST
Where: Dane County, 0.69 mi N of Cottage Grove
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 43.090, -89.200

Tree damage in Cottage Grove.

Flood, Dane

When: May 21, 7:40 PM CST to 9:40 PM CST
Where: Dane County, 0.22 mi NW of Shorewood Hills to 2.54 mi E of Madison Truax Airport
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 43.083, -89.473

Multiple roads closed due to flooding.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dane

When: May 21, 7:40 PM CST to 7:43 PM CST
Where: Dane County, 1.66 mi WNW of Sun Prairie
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $4,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 43.190, -89.230

Numerous branches down in Sun Prairie.

Thunderstorm Wind, Columbia

When: May 21, 7:54 PM CST
Where: Columbia County, 0.72 mi NNE of Columbus
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 43.339, -89.013

Several trees uprooted in Columbus.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rock

When: May 21, 7:57 PM CST to 7:59 PM CST
Where: Rock County, 2.13 mi W of Downtown Janesville to 3.46 mi NE of Downtown Janesville
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 42.680, -89.062

Numerous trees and power lines down across Janesville. Some trees falling on vehicles.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rock

When: May 21, 8:01 PM CST to 8:05 PM CST
Where: Rock County, 3.04 mi W of Milton Jct
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.770, -89.030

Large tree uprooted and lying on road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Walworth

When: May 21, 8:07 PM CST
Where: Walworth County, 2.13 mi SSE of Wanoawega
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.700, -88.540

Fascia torn off a home in Elkhorn.

Thunderstorm Wind, Waukesha

When: May 21, 8:25 PM CST
Where: Waukesha County, 0.51 mi W of Wales
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 43.000, -88.380

Many tree limbs down in Wales on multiple properties.

Thunderstorm Wind, Waukesha

When: May 21, 8:28 PM CST
Where: Waukesha County, 2.13 mi NNW of Bethesda
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 43.010, -88.290

A tree limb fell onto a fence.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dane

When: May 21, 8:36 PM CST
Where: Dane County, 0.69 mi N of Belleville
Measured: 64 kt (74 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 42.860, -89.530

Measured wind gust.

Hail, Columbia

When: May 21, 8:49 PM CST
Where: Columbia County, 0.5 mi W of Fall River
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 43.380, -89.060

Thunderstorm Wind, Dane

When: May 21, 9:04 PM CST
Where: Dane County, 0.86 mi NW of Sun Prairie
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 43.190, -89.210

Large branches down on a roof.

Thunderstorm Wind, Waukesha

When: May 21, 10:48 PM CST
Where: Waukesha County, 0.86 mi SW of North Prairie
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.920, -88.410

A large tree snapped at the base.

Thunderstorm Wind, Waukesha

When: May 21, 10:50 PM CST
Where: Waukesha County, 1.22 mi NW of Wales
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 43.010, -88.390

Several trees down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Walworth

When: May 21, 11:00 PM CST
Where: Walworth County, 2.03 mi E of Elkhorn Arpt
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 42.650, -88.490

A large tree down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Waukesha

When: May 21, 11:05 PM CST
Where: Waukesha County, 1.67 mi ENE of Bethesda
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.990, -88.250

Eighteen inch diameter tree snapped.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.
Flood: Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Wisconsin in 2024 Every state in 2024 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Wisconsin, 2024 Warnings in Wisconsin, May 2024

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: 1169966, 1169965, 1169968, 1169970, 1172708, 1172664, 1172686, 1169971, 1172713, 1172719, 1169972, 1172692, 1172734, 1172723, 1179126, 1169974, 1180026, 1180071, 1172672, 1179131, 1169973, 1180029, 1180031, 1179281, 1172746, 1172750, 1180073, 1172742, 1180066, 1180059, 1180350, 1170039, 1172751, 1179282, 1180061, 1180067, 1180068, 1180069, 1172774, 1179123, and more.