Emergency management reported two separate instances of severe hail as storms moved through Winona on June 5th.
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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.
Emergency management reported two separate instances of severe hail as storms moved through Winona on June 5th.
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 Jun 5, 5:26 PM CST, 1 hour 37 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service La Crosse WI 626 PM CDT Fri Jun 5 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Isolated to scattered storms late this afternoon thru early overnight. Confidence has increased for severe storms later this evening near and north of I-90. Large hail and strong wind gusts would be the main hazards with any severe storms. - Dry start to the weekend gives away to another round of rain on Sunday through Monday. - Trending hot for the middle and end of next week with highs likely in the 90s and heat indices approaching the 100 degree mark. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 131 PM CDT Fri Jun 5 2026 This Afternoon - Early Overnight: Isolated to Scattered Storms, Some Strong to Severe A continued difficult forecast remains for this afternoon and into the evening hours for storm initiation. As has been stated in previous forecast discussions, the environment trends more favorable for organized convection later into the evening today, the key question is will there be enough lift to generate convective initiation as forcing mechanisms remain uncertain. But to take a step back, current satellite trends this morning have depicted a low-level cloud shield over the region which is generally expected to mix out to some extent this afternoon. As this occurs, surface destabilization will result in an increase in MLCAPE values to around 1000-1500 J/kg across the local area. With some degree of inconsistency where destabilization occurs, this will likely set up some differential heating boundaries during the afternoon which in turn may work as an axis to initiate convection. As a result, the CAMs generally agree on developing storms in the area later this afternoon and in the evening, with low confidence on exact location but the earliest timing likely being between 2-4pm. In this environment, storms may pose some hail and strong wind risk, however the weaker shear profiles initially would not make this a widespread concern. However, how convection evolves earlier in the afternoon will certainly impact how later storms may develop as they could work to both increase the amount of available outflow boundaries as well as work over the environment if convective initiation is more widespread. This will be important for later into the evening as a shortwave trough pushes into the area, working to cool our mid-levels slightly and increasing mid-level shear while elongating our hodographs. As a result, any storms that do develop in this environment (generally 6pm to 3am) would have a tendency to become more organized, possibly supercellular as shown in the HRRR. In this scenario, a hail threat would be on the table with supercell storms and 40-50 kts of 0-6km bulk shear to work with near and north of I-90 and mid-level lapse rates to around 6.5 C/km. Furthermore, with DCAPE values increasing during the late evening with some dry air entrainment would suggest some strong winds within these cells would be possible in addition to cold pool organization resulting in linear/bowing segments. So important to emphasize that there are a few scenarios here, much of the CAMs agree on some level of convection during the afternoon and evening in the local area but the severe threat is conditional on if storms can develop during the late evening period when shear profiles begin to become more favorable. However, it is becoming more likely that if storms do occur in the evening hours for areas north of I-90 where the shear profiles are more robust, they will become severe. As a result, SPC has upgraded these areas to a Slight Risk (Level 2 out of 5) for severe weather. Saturday - Monday: Dry Start to Weekend with Increasing Rain Chances As we head into Saturday, upper-level ridging will move into the area with subsidence underneath it keeping precipitation chances to a minimum. Additionally, with relatively clear skies underneath the ridge would expect temperatures to climb into the middle and upper 80s during this period. However, as we head later into Sunday and into Monday rain chances will begin to increase as a pronounced mid-level shortwave moves into the region in the southwesterly flow regime. As a result, precipitation chances increase fairly significantly during this period with the grand ensemble having fairly respectable probabilities (40-60%) for rainfall amounts of 0.5" into Monday. With fairly high dewpoints and moisture coming in, cannot rule out some heavier rainfall during this period as well. However, given the lack of strong flow aloft with this wave, organized severe convection seems unlikely with this system. Tuesday - Saturday: Trending Hotter As we head late into the week, an upper-level ridge will become situated over the local area resulting in southerly low-level flow across the local area. As this occurs, moisture advection will result in dewpoints increase fairly dramatically across the local area with the grand ensemble (GEFS/EC/Canadian ensemble) having high probabilities (70-90%) for dewpoints in the 70s. This coupled with highs approaching the 90s would suggest that we could see heat indices approaching the 100F mark. Some conflicting guidance between the bias-correction in the NBM and the raw models leads to some uncertainty in exactly how warm we will get. But given the EC Extreme Forecast Index has a fairly strong probability footprint (70-90%) for temperatures to exceed model climatology, thinking temperatures will be fairly above normal, just a matter of how much above normal and if any finer details such as precipitation potential would keep us cooler. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SUNDAY/... Issued at 626 PM CDT Fri Jun 5 2026 Main taf concern is the potential for thunder at both taf sites early in the taf period. Weak cold front slowly moves over the area this evening and has been the focus for showers and isolated storms over western Wisconsin/central Minnesota this evening. Instability is not great over the area this evening and weakens after 03z Saturday. Coverage of storms is expected to be isolated across the area. For now...have introduced showers into the taf sites between 02-04z Saturday and a tempo group for an isolated storm at both RST/LSE taf sites. After showers pass the taf sites...the next concern is potential for fog formation across the region. With residual cloud cover from the showers not sure if area will clear out. However...low level moisture and weak inversion could develop fog over the area after 06z Saturday. At this time will leave mention out of tafs based on confidence is low. After 14z Saturday...VFR conditions should prevail at both RST/LSE taf sites. && .ARX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WI...None. MN...None. IA...None. && DISCUSSION...Naylor AVIATION...DTJ
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service La Crosse WI 134 PM CDT Fri Jun 5 2026 IAZ008>011-018-019-029-030-MNZ079-086>088-094>096-WIZ017-029- 032>034-041>044-053>055-061-062245- 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- 134 PM CDT Fri Jun 5 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southeast Minnesota...northeast Iowa and southwest into central Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight Storms develop this afternoon with some potentially becoming severe this evening into the early overnight. The greatest risk for any severe storms this evening is near and north of Interstate 90. Large hail and damaging wind gusts would be the main hazards with any storms. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday Confidence is high for above average temperatures mid to late next week with afternoon heat indices likely exceeding 100 degrees. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Severe weather reports would be appreciated. .EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATION... No webinar is scheduled. Naylor
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
643 PM CDT Fri Jun 5 2026
WIZ033-034-060015-
Jackson WI-Trempealeau WI-
643 PM CDT Fri Jun 5 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WESTERN JACKSON AND NORTHEASTERN
TREMPEALEAU COUNTIES THROUGH 715 PM CDT...
At 643 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles west of Alma Center, or 11 miles east of Whitehall, moving
southeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
This strong thunderstorm will be near...
Black River Falls around 700 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this storm include Hixton, Taylor, Hixton
Alma Center K O A, Disco, York, Northfield, North Branch, and Pigeon
Falls.
This includes Interstate 94 between mile markers 92 and 115.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for
central and west central Wisconsin.
&&
LAT...LON 4441 9076 4419 9092 4441 9133 4455 9117
TIME...MOT...LOC 2343Z 296DEG 26KT 4439 9108
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
FergusonPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
659 PM CDT Fri Jun 5 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0652 PM Hail Waumandee 44.30N 91.71W
06/05/2026 M0.70 Inch Buffalo WI Public
&&Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
659 PM CDT Fri Jun 5 2026
WIZ034-060030-
Jackson WI-
659 PM CDT Fri Jun 5 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN JACKSON COUNTY
THROUGH 730 PM CDT...
At 659 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Black River Falls, moving southeast at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and pea size 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...
Black River Falls around 705 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this storm include Hixton, Sand Pillow,
Shamrock, The Black River Correctional Center, The Black River Falls
Airport, Taylor, Castle Mound, Vaudreuil, Perry Creek Recreation
Area, and The Majestic Pines Casino.
This includes Interstate 94 between mile markers 103 and 127.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Persons in campgrounds should consider seeking sturdy shelter until
this storm passes.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for
west central Wisconsin.
&&
LAT...LON 4416 9070 4416 9089 4428 9117 4431 9117
4445 9101 4433 9053
TIME...MOT...LOC 2359Z 295DEG 31KT 4432 9097
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
FergusonPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
750 PM CDT Fri Jun 5 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0708 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 2 N Waumandee 44.33N 91.71W
06/05/2026 M60 MPH Buffalo WI Public
Also nickel size hail.
&&Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
758 PM CDT Fri Jun 5 2026
WIZ034-041-042-060130-
Jackson WI-La Crosse WI-Monroe WI-
758 PM CDT Fri Jun 5 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN LA CROSSE...
SOUTHWESTERN JACKSON AND NORTHWESTERN MONROE COUNTIES THROUGH 830 PM
CDT...
At 758 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
West Salem, or 11 miles west of Sparta, moving southeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
This strong thunderstorm will be near...
Bangor around 805 PM CDT.
Sparta around 815 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this storm include Melrose, County Roads
I And I I, Stevenstown, Highway 162 And County T, Burr Oak, Highway
162 And County E E, Rockland, County Roads D E And E, Highway 33 And
County Y, and Mindoro Cut.
This includes Interstate 90 in Wisconsin between mile markers 14 and
30.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for
west central Wisconsin.
&&
LAT...LON 4403 9122 4418 9101 4403 9064 4379 9090
TIME...MOT...LOC 0058Z 304DEG 27KT 4397 9104
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
FergusonSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
802 PM CDT Fri Jun 5 2026
MNZ079-WIZ032-060130-
Wabasha MN-Buffalo WI-
802 PM CDT Fri Jun 5 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN WABASHA AND WEST
CENTRAL BUFFALO COUNTIES THROUGH 830 PM CDT...
At 802 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Stockholm, or 13 miles northwest of Wabasha, moving east at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and nickel size 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...
Wabasha around 815 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this storm include Nelson, Dumfries,
Zumbro Bottoms Campground, Maple Springs, Gilbert Valley, Kruger
Campground, Highway 63 And County 2, and County Roads 33 And 4.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for
southeastern Minnesota...and west central Wisconsin.
&&
LAT...LON 4445 9224 4444 9221 4442 9212 4441 9211
4441 9208 4449 9205 4446 9191 4426 9213
4444 9243 4445 9243
TIME...MOT...LOC 0102Z 289DEG 30KT 4445 9230
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
FergusonThe La Crosse radar (KARX), 48 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 01:00 UTC.
2 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
The public reported golf ball sized hail 1 mile east of Winona Municipal Airport.
Emergency management reported ping pong ball sized hail 1 mile northwest of Winona.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Minnesota in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Minnesota, June 2026
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: 1353935, 1353936.