Tornadoes and Damaging Winds in Wisconsin, June 17, 2026

Name: Tornadoes and Damaging Winds in Wisconsin, June 17, 2026
Start: 2026-06-17T16:52
End: 2026-06-17T18:17
Location: Wisconsin

June 17, 2026 · NWS MKX · 8 events in 3 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: $981,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Events: 8

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.

A cluster of thunderstorms developed within the vicinity of a strong mid-upper level shortwave trough and a surface low. One supercell tracked from southeast Minnesota through northeast Iowa and into southwest Wisconsin while maintaining is strength during the late afternoon. The storm evolved into a line as it trtacked through south central Wisconsin during the early evening and produced a swath of damaging winds and three tornadoes.

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 Jun 17, 1:55 PM CST, 2 hours 57 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

Widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms expected today into tonight. Still monitoring an isolated risk for a few severe storms (hail/wind) late afternoon into the evening, though the greatest chances will be to the south of the area.
A Small Craft Advisory and High Swim Risk are both in effect for nearshore regions and beaches through late tonight. Gusty southeast winds will lead to high waves and dangerous currents.
The next substantial chance for thunderstorms arrives Sunday (45-65% chances), although on and off periods of isolated to scattered storms are possible through much of the week.

Area forecast discussion, Jun 17, 1:55 PM CST, 2 hours 57 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
255 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms expected today
  into tonight. Still monitoring an isolated risk for a few
  severe storms (hail/wind) late afternoon into the evening,
  though the greatest chances will be to the south of the area.

- A Small Craft Advisory and High Swim Risk are both in effect
  for nearshore regions and beaches through late tonight. Gusty
  southeast winds will lead to high waves and dangerous
  currents.

- The next substantial chance for thunderstorms arrives Sunday
  (45-65% chances), although on and off periods of isolated to
  scattered storms are possible through much of the week.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
Issued 255 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026

Tonight through Thursday:

Light rain continues across the WI/IL border into this evening,
with the line of expected thunderstorms along a cold front
progressing eastward from southern Minnesota. Expecting storms
to arrive in southwestern Wisconsin around 5 PM CDT, progressing
to southeastern Wisconsin by 7 PM CDT. With plenty of cloud
cover and very little instability building into the region
(MUCAPE 500-750 J/kg riding just ahead of the cold frontal
boundary), expecting the primary hazard with this activity to be
lightning. An isolated storm may become severe in primarily
southwestern Wisconsin, with wind and hail as the main threats.
Storms will exit into Lake Michigan by sunset, with only a few
showers in central and southeastern Wisconsin lingering after
dark.

Winds are also expected to build waves up along Lake Michigan
beaches, with a High Swim Risk expected throughout this
afternoon and tonight. Stay out of the water and away from
dangerous areas like piers and breakwalls!

Winds become northwesterly overnight as low pressure exits to
the east, with gusty conditions possible in southeastern
Wisconsin Thursday morning before becoming steady midday.
Thursday afternoon, isolated thunderstorms along a weak 500 mb
shortwave are possible. No severe weather is expected with these
storms, but lightning is anticipated.

MH

&&

.LONG TERM...
Issued 255 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026

Thursday night through Wednesday:

Drier conditions are expected Thursday night as a surface high
pressure system begins to move in from the Plains following a
surface low. There is a slight chance for isolated precipitation
Thursday night (10-20%). As the high pressure enters from the
west Friday morning behind a cold front, primarily stable and
drier conditions are expected. However, the development of a NW-
SE jet streak over the region could bring a chance for
precipitation (20-40%) due to the upward motion following the
pattern. Temperatures for both Thursday and Friday suggest highs
in the low to mid-70s.

Into Saturday, an upper-level trough propagates eastward, with
the geopotential height gradients tightening around the upper-
level jet streak. A shortwave ridge in this region decreases the
chance for precipitation Saturday (<10%) with temperatures
rising into the upper 70s. With the tropical jet and polar jet
enhancing the jet streak, conditions favor the intensification
of a low pressure system in the Plains Saturday night, which
could create showers and thunderstorms in our region (50-70%).
As low pressure moves through Sunday, temperatures are expected
to drop into the low 70s.

Conditions are expected to become dry and warmer Monday, as a
surface high pressure system and upper-level ridge favor these
conditions. Tuesday and Wednesday still pose uncertainty with the
position of an eastward-propogating trough and a surface low in
the Plains moving toward the Mississippi River Valley. There is a
potential for showers on both Tuesday and Wednesday (10-30%), but
likelihood depends on the location of these systems.

Zawlocki

&&

.AVIATION...
Issued 255 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026

Southeasterly winds remain gusty at 25 to 30 kt outside of a
band of rain slowly moving across the I-94 corridor. Inside of
rain showers, gusty winds up to 20 kt are expected. Expecting
ceilings to continue to fall to become IFR by this evening and
through the overnight. Lightning chances have diminished
greatly for the afternoon, with the better chances for
thunderstorms now looking to arrive between 21Z and 00Z. A few
of these storms earlier in the evening may become capable of
producing damaging wind and hail. These storms will exit into
Lake Michigan by sunset, with showers lingering into the
overnight hours in southeast and central Wisconsin. Winds will
shift to become northwesterly overnight as well. Northwest winds
will continue into Thursday, with steady winds between 12 and 15
kt expected through much of the day. Thursday afternoon,
isolated (~15% coverage) thunderstorms are possible.

MH

&&

.MARINE...
Issued 255 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026

Southeasterly winds gusting consistently around 30 kt will build
waves in the southern half of Lake Michigan into this evening
as low pressure around 29.2 inches approaches. Winds will become
northeasterly in the northern half and westerly in the southern
half as low pressure crosses central portions of the open waters
late tonight. Winds in the southern half will continue to gust
near 30 kt. For both periods, a few gales are expected. Isolated
thunderstorms are also expected across the southern half this
evening.

As low pressure exits into Michigan early Thursday morning,
expect all winds to shift to become northwesterly and diminish
gradually into Thursday. Winds remain light and northwesterly
through the remainder of Thursday and through Friday as high
pressure around 30.0 inches progresses southeastward into the
Lower Mississippi Valley. Winds may briefly turn southwesterly
Friday night as weak low pressure moves through the region, but
high pressure will rapidly regain dominance by Saturday,
keeping winds light and variable. Stronger low pressure will
approach from the central Plains on Sunday, bringing more
widespread rain and thunderstorms and turning winds to
northeasterly. Northeast winds will continue into early next
week.

MH

&&

.MKX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WI...Beach Hazards Statement...WIZ052-WIZ060-WIZ066-WIZ071-WIZ072
     until 4 AM Thursday.

LM...Small Craft Advisory...LMZ643-LMZ644-LMZ645-LMZ646 until 4 AM
     Thursday.

&&

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Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 17, 1:10 PM CST, 3 hours 42 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
210 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026

WIZ046-047-051-052-056>060-062>072-181915-
Marquette-Green Lake-Fond du Lac-Sheboygan-Sauk-Columbia-Dodge-
Washington-Ozaukee-Iowa-Dane-Jefferson-Waukesha-Milwaukee-
Lafayette-Green-Rock-Walworth-Racine-Kenosha-
210 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026

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

.DAY ONE...Tonight

Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected this afternoon
into this evening, with a few gaining the potential to produce
damaging winds and hail.

A High Swim Risk is in effect for Lake Michigan beaches through
late tonight. Gusty southeast winds will lead to life threatening
waves of 5 to 7 ft and dangerous currents. Stay out of the water
and away from dangerous areas like piers and breakwalls!

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Wednesday

Isolated to scattered thunderstorms possible Thursday and Friday.

Next noteworthy chance for widespread thunderstorm development is
Sunday.

Thunderstorm chances also develop Tuesday and Wednesday of next
week.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed this afternoon and evening.

LMZ643>646-181915-
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-
210 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026

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

.DAY ONE...Tonight

Thunderstorms are possible this evening. A few storms may become
strong to severe, particularly further south towards Winthrop
Harbor.

A Small Craft Advisory is in effect this afternoon through late
tonight. Gusty southeast winds and high waves are expected. Winds
turn west to northwest late tonight, but waves remain elevated
into the early morning hours.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Wednesday

Next noteworthy chance for widespread thunderstorm development is
Sunday.

LMZ080-261-362-364-366-563-565-567-669-671-673-675-777-779-868-
870-872-874-876-878-181915-
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-
210 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026

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

.DAY ONE...Tonight

Thunderstorms are possible this evening. A few may become strong
to severe, especially across southern portions of the Lake.

A few gales are possible this afternoon into tonight over the
southern half of the lake.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Wednesday

Next noteworthy chance for thunderstorm development is Sunday.

www.weather.gov/mkx

The radar

The La Crosse radar (KARX), 106 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:51 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

4 thunderstorm wind, 4 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Iowa

When: June 17, 4:52 PM CST to 5:07 PM CST
Where: Iowa County, 1.12 mi NW of Highland to 1.71 mi SE of Pine Knob
Measured: 105 kt (121 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $80,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 43.061, -90.396

A swath of wind damage of around 9 miles long and 1.5 miles wide occurred with the rear-flank downdraft of a supercell thunderstorm that had a history of producing a tornado. Two farm properties sustained heavy outbuilding damage, with a barn wall blown out and roof pulled upward, a lean-to destroyed with sheet metal lofted into a nearby field, and a metal barn destroyed with sheet metal lofted and placed in trees by the church across the road. There were numerous hardwood trees snapped and uprooted along the path, and power poles were leaning in one location.

Tornado, Iowa

When: June 17, 5:00 PM CST to 5:14 PM CST
Where: Iowa County, 2.8 mi WNW of Highland to 1.79 mi SE of Pine Knob
Rating: EF1
Path length: 8.94 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Property damage: $446,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 43.069, -90.429

This tornado developed out of the same storm that produced a long track tornado west of Boscobel. This tornado developed about 4 miles southeast of Boscobel, continuing east-southeast through Grant County and into northwest Iowa County before dissipating about 6 miles east of Highland. Damage was up to EF-1 magnitude along it's path, consisting of significant tree damage and some heavily damaged farm outbuildings. The tornado intensified slightly as it crossed into Iowa County and impacted the Highland area, with strong rear flank downdraft winds noted along its southern periphery. No injuries were reported.

Thunderstorm Wind, Iowa

When: June 17, 5:03 PM CST
Where: Iowa County, 0.86 mi NE of Highland
Measured: 95 kt (109 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $11,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 43.060, -90.370

Report of multiple trees down with at least one tree snapped at the base, along with several other split or large branches down. There were powerlines down around a property off of State Highway 80 North, and a home satellite dish was ripped off the roof.

Tornado, Iowa

When: June 17, 5:32 PM CST to 5:42 PM CST
Where: Iowa County, 1.74 mi WSW of Ridgeway to 4.18 mi S of Barneveld
Rating: EF1
Path length: 6.6 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Property damage: $277,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 42.992, -90.013

Tornado appears to have started southwest of Ridgeway, hitting the Town of Ridgeway salt shed near Highway 18/151. It then tracked to the southeast and destroyed a metal shed along County Road H. Otherwise, sporadic tree damage was noted along the end of the path with rear flank downdraft winds occurring to the south-southeast of the path. Some tree damage was noted east of the end of the path but appeared to fan out and not be a path near County Rd K and Mounds View Rd.

Thunderstorm Wind, Iowa

When: June 17, 5:39 PM CST
Where: Iowa County, 1.47 mi NNE of Jonesdale
Measured: 59 kt (68 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.920, -90.010

Thunderstorm Wind, Dane

When: June 17, 6:04 PM CST
Where: Dane County, 0.51 mi W of Basco
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.920, -89.530

Tornado, Dane

When: June 17, 6:10 PM CST to 6:15 PM CST
Where: Dane County, 1.82 mi E of Montrose to 2.59 mi NE of Belleville
Rating: EF1
Path length: 2.73 mi
Path width: 300 yd
Property damage: $167,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 42.879, -89.544

Tornado began west of a farm in an open field and moved east southeast through the northern portion of Belleville. Numerous trees were snapped and uprooted. Peeled shingles and siding as well as damage to soffit and guttering on several homes. A garage on one home fell in after its roof was lifted. A garage on another home was breached at the garage door and the structure failed, peeling downwind and taking a large portion of the dwelling's roof decking. The tornado continued east southeast over a farm field damaging corn and a long water sprinkler. The end of the path east of County Road D featured additional trees snapped and uprooted before lifting in the Brooklyn Wildlife Area.

Tornado, Lafayette

When: June 17, 6:16 PM CST to 6:17 PM CST
Where: Lafayette County, 1.2 mi N of Woodford to 1.83 mi NE of Woodford
Rating: EF0
Path length: 1.23 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Crop damage: $5,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 42.667, -89.871

Video of a brief tornado shared with Lafayette County Emergency Management shows a narrow tornado occurring near the East Branch of the Pecatonica River south of Argyle. In the video, some tree branches and limbs are hit or downed. Storm survey wasn't able to yield any additional damage points.

What these are

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.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Wisconsin in 2026 Every state in 2026 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Wisconsin, 2026 Warnings in Wisconsin, June 2026

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: 1350255, 1353787, 1350261, 1353801, 1350258, 1350260, 1353815, 1353820.