A severe weather outbreak unfolded across central and north-central Wisconsin during the afternoon and early evening of Friday (4/17). The event was triggered by a surface low-pressure system and cold front across the upper Midwest.
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 GRB wrote it up.
A severe weather outbreak unfolded across central and north-central Wisconsin during the afternoon and early evening of Friday (4/17). The event was triggered by a surface low-pressure system and cold front across the upper Midwest.
NWS storm surveys confirmed 2 tornadoes that resulted in structural damage. A tornado formed 3 miles northwest of Glandon around 4:44 PM CDT and tracked into southeast Lincoln County producing EF-1 damage before dissipating around 4:55 PM CDT. Another tornado formed 3 miles west-southwest of Ringle in Marathon County around 4:46 PM CDT and dissipated around 5:03 PM CDT 5 miles southwest of Hogarty. This tornado produced EF-3 damage and destroyed 13 homes, produced major damage to 25 homes, with 101 homes reporting minor damage or affected by the tornado. An estimated $8.2 million worth of damage was reported from the tornado.
Beyond the tornadic threat, the storms produced isolated large hail up to half dollar size and damaging winds. Heavy rainfall was another impact, with localized totals ranging from 1 to 4 inches. These torrential downpours caused flash flooding, particularly in Marshfield where 2.65 inches of rain fell and multiple vehicles were reported stranded in deep water.
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 Green Bay, WI wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 17, 12:34 PM CST, 2 hours 46 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Green Bay WI 134 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026 Forecast discussion for routine afternoon forecast issuance .KEY MESSAGES... -Severe storms with a risk of tornadoes (possibly strong), large hail and damaging winds are increasingly likely from 3 pm to 8 pm today, with the highest risk across central Wisconsin. -Thunderstorms this afternoon and evening will produce locally heavy rainfall. If this occurs over the flood sensitive areas of central and east central WI additional significant flooding may occur. -Minor to major flooding will continue into next week with the greatest impacts expected on the Menominee and Wolf Rivers where major or record breaking flooding has been observed. -No significant precipitation is expected from Saturday through Thursday, but widespread showers and storms may return next Thursday night into Friday. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 125 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026 Severe Thunderstorm and Flood Potential This Afternoon/Evening... Confidence is increasing in a significant, but fairly brief severe weather event. A narrow axis of SBCAPE (1500-2500 j/kg) was already developing ahead of a strong cold front over SE MN, NE IA and SW WI. This was coincident with 0-1km SRH of 200-250. Radar showed pre-frontal convection occurring in far SW WI and NE IA, with additional storms developing along the cold front in eastern MN. CAMs show intense convection, including supercells and line segments moving through the forecast area between 3 pm and 8 pm. Given the degree of shear, an all-hazard event, including tornadoes, is expected, with the tornado threat lessening for any storms nearing the lakeshore, where less instability will be present. A Tornado Watch has been issued along and south of Hwy 29 (away from Lake Michigan) through 8 pm. A lingering Severe Thunderstorm Watch is also still in effect for far NC WI until 5 pm. This will be a fairly short-lived event, as instability drops off rapidly after sunset. An additional band of light to moderate showers will accompany the cold front later this evening and overnight. Expect most locations to see between 0.50 and 1 inch of precipitation with event, which will exacerbate ongoing flooding. A Flood Watch remains in effect for all but the far northwest part of the CWA. The cold frontal passage will bring a period of cooler weather through the weekend into early next week. The best chance of precipitation during this period will be 20-40 percent chance of snow/rain showers over C/EC WI on Sunday, in association with a short-wave trough and cold frontal passage. Mainly dry and warmer weather is expected for the middle of next week, with high temperatures reaching into the 60s and 70s. An approaching cold front brings another potentially significant round of showers and storms Thursday night into Friday. && .AVIATION...for 12Z TAF Issuance Issued at 628 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026 Fog and very low stratus continues near Lake Michigan due to moist SSE flow off the cold waters. This will likely improve as low- level winds become southwest this evening, then northwest behind a cold front overnight. Thunderstorms storms were develop ahead of a cold front, and are likely to become severe as they move through the forecast area between 20z/Fri-01z/Sat. Flight conditions will quickly lower to MVFR/IFR during the storms, with MVFR and local IFR ceilings lingering into the late evening and overnight. A second band of showers will accompany the passage of the cold front tonight. Expect flight conditions to improve to VFR late tonight into early Saturday. South southeast surface winds will gust to 25 to 35 kts this afternoon, then become NW 15 to 25 kts after the cold front moves through this evening and overnight. Ahead of the front, periods of LLWS will continue. && .HYDROLOGY... Issued at 125 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026 A Flood Watch is in effect through tonight, due to an expected half inch to an inch of rain from thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. Locally higher amounts are possible. Flooding continues along multiple rivers due to the combination of snow melt and recent heavy rainfall, including major flooding along the Wolf and Menominee Rivers. If you live near a river or stream, continue to monitor the latest hydro forecasts and Flood Warnings from the National Weather Service in Green Bay. && .GRB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch through Saturday morning for WIZ011>013-019>022-030- 031-035>040-045-048>050-073-074. && DISCUSSION.....Kieckbusch AVIATION.......GK HYDROLOGY......Kieckbusch
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Green Bay WI 154 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026 WIZ005-010>013-018>022-030-031-035>040-045-048>050-073-074-181900- Vilas-Oneida-Forest-Florence-Northern Marinette County-Lincoln- Langlade-Menominee-Northern Oconto County-Door-Marathon-Shawano- Wood-Portage-Waupaca-Outagamie-Brown-Kewaunee-Waushara-Winnebago- Calumet-Manitowoc-Southern Marinette County- Southern Oconto County- 154 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north-central and northeast Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight Thunderstorms, some severe with locally heavy rain, will impact the area between 3 pm and 8 pm. Hazards include large hail, a few tornadoes, possibly strong, and damaging winds. The highest threat is across central Wisconsin. Flooding may occur with the storms, especially in urban areas, and locations already impacted by heavy rain earlier in the week. River flooding is expected to continue due to recent heavy rainfall, with major flooding on parts of the Wolf and Menominee Rivers. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday Flooding will continue on some area rivers and streams into next week. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are requested to report any severe weather or flooding to the National Weather Service in Green Bay. LMZ521-522-541>543-181900- The Bay of Green Bay south of a line from Cedar River MI to Rock Island Passage-Lake Michigan from Washington Island to Sheboygan- 154 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northwest Lake Michigan and the waters of Green Bay. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight Areas of dense fog are expected through late tonight. A Dense Fog Advisory is in effect for the Lake Michigan nearshore waters and the bay of Green Bay. Thunderstorms will occur later this afternoon and evening. Any thunderstorms could be hazardous to boaters. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. Kieckbusch
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Green Bay WI
335 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0324 PM Hail 1 NW Marshfield 44.67N 90.17W
04/17/2026 M0.38 Inch Wood WI Cocorahs
hail report from Cocorahs spotter of 0.375
with an average of 0.250.
&&
JFSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Green Bay WI
340 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
WIZ010-018-172145-
Oneida WI-Lincoln WI-
340 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT LINCOLN AND WESTERN ONEIDA
COUNTIES UNTIL 445 PM CDT...
At 340 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 15
miles southwest of Tripoli, or 40 miles northwest of Wausau, moving
northeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
The strong thunderstorm will be near...
Tripoli around 400 PM CDT. Willow Reservoir around 420 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this strong thunderstorm include Spirit
Falls, Mccord, Bradley, Gobler Lake Natural Area, Lower Tomahawk
River Natural Area, Harshaw, Goodnow and Hazelhurst.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
&&
LAT...LON 4556 9004 4572 9004 4590 8968 4545 8943
4512 9004 4525 9005 4534 9005 4538 9004
TIME...MOT...LOC 2040Z 228DEG 38KT 4538 9021
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
JGPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Green Bay WI
400 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0350 PM Hail 2 S Hewitt 44.60N 90.13W
04/17/2026 E0.70 Inch Wood WI Public
weather spotter called in saying 3 miles
south of marsfeild dime size hail.
&&
JFSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Green Bay WI
411 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
WIZ037-038-045-048-172145-
Waupaca WI-Outagamie WI-Winnebago WI-Waushara WI-
411 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WINNEBAGO...SOUTHEASTERN
WAUSHARA...SOUTHEASTERN WAUPACA AND SOUTHWESTERN OUTAGAMIE COUNTIES
THROUGH 445 PM CDT...
At 411 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Rush Lake, or near Berlin, moving northeast at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and penny 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 storm will remain over mainly rural areas of Winnebago,
southeastern Waushara, southeastern Waupaca and southwestern
Outagamie Counties, including the following locations... Pickett,
Butte Des Morts, Larsen, Lake Butte Des Morts, Orihula, Rivermoor,
Borth, Winneconne, Zittau, and Harbor Springs.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT for central,
northeastern and east central Wisconsin.
&&
LAT...LON 4390 8889 4398 8889 4398 8897 4444 8876
4429 8833 4424 8836 4424 8840 4416 8840
4389 8855
TIME...MOT...LOC 2111Z 204DEG 34KT 4393 8889
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
KieckbuschPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Green Bay WI
413 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0340 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 2 ENE Bakerville 44.64N 90.19W
04/17/2026 M51 MPH Wood WI ASOS
Apr 17, 3:40 pm 64 61 88 S 28G51 0.50 Hvy
rain, Fog.
&&
JFThe Green Bay radar (KGRB), 156 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:19 UTC.
3 tornado, 2 hail, 2 flash flood, 1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Penny size hail fell near Athens. The time of this report is an estimate based on radar data.
A tornado developed about 3 miles northwest of Glandon, at the end of Pine Haven Road, about 4:44 PM CDT in Marathon County. The tornado produced significant damage to a barn by collapsing the entire top floor of half of the barn, pushed a silo off its foundation, and damaged a metal outbuilding by tearing off most of the roof and some exterior walls. The tornado moved north-northeast, crossing the Lincoln County line around 4:46 PM CDT. Total path length is estimated to be 4.33 miles long, with a width of 100 yards. Peak wind estimated to be around 110 mph.
The tornado that developed about 3 miles northwest of Glandon in Marathon County around 4:44 PM CDT crossed the Lincoln County line around 4:46 PM CDT. The tornado tracked north-northeast and crossed County Road X and Highway 64, downing trees and producing significant damage to garages and outbuildings by tearing off most of the roof of a garage. The tornado dissipated 5 miles south of Doering at the end of Elm Ridge Road in Lincoln County around 4:55 PM CDT. Total path length is estimated to be 4.33 miles long, with a width of 100 yards. Peak wind estimated to be around 110 mph.
A tornado developed about 3 miles west-southwest of Ringle, east of Kronenwetter near Martin and Creek Road, at about 4:46 PM CDT. The tornado moved northeast, crossing highway 29 and downing hundreds of trees. It then moved through neighborhoods along and near River Road from Shady Lane to north of Clubhouse Road. In this area, dozens of homes suffered significant roof damage, with failures of attached garages common. At least three homes in this area had complete removal of their roofs with failure of all external walls and several interior walls, consistent with EF-3 damage. Hundreds more trees were downed in this area, with many snapped near the base. Multiple sheds and outbuildings were destroyed. The tornado continued northeast, closely following the Eau Claire River, and dissipated between Gold Dust Road and County Road Z, 5 miles southwest of Hogarty, at about 5:03 PM CDT. The tornado destroyed 13 homes, produced major damage to 25 homes, with 101 homes reporting minor damage or affected by the tornado. An estimated $8.2 million worth of damage was reported from the tornado. Total path length is estimated to be 13.53 miles long, with a width of 600 yards. Peak wind estimated to be around 145 mph.
Thunderstorm winds downed trees and power lines southwest of Phelps. The time of this report is an estimate based on radar data.
Rainfall amounts of 2 to 3 inches in a short time caused cars to get stuck in water on several streets in Marshfield due to flash flooding.
Rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches in a short time caused street flooding in Wausau and flooding near Moon where a culvert was washed out.
Half dollar size hail fell in Hazelhurst. The time of this report is an estimate based on radar data.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Wisconsin in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Wisconsin, 2026Warnings in Wisconsin, April 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: 1319329, 1319061, 1319062, 1319063, 1319841, 1319839, 1319840, 1319330.