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Strong to Severe Storms in the Upper Midwest; Bering Sea Low Continues to Impact Southwest Alaska

Scattered severe thunderstorms are possible Thursday across central and eastern Minnesota, Iowa, and western Wisconsin. A few tornadoes, isolated very large hail, and damaging winds may occur. In southwest Alaska, a Bering Sea low continues to cause strong winds, significant rainfall, and high seas, with further impacts expected Friday into the weekend from a North Pacific storm. Read More >

 

Showers and thunderstorms tracked through Southern Wisconsin during the morning of Saturday, July 18th and again during the afternoon.  

Saturday Morning Line of Thunderstorms 

Radar Reflectivity

4:00 am - 7:30 am

Saturday Morning Line of Thunderstorms

Radar Velocity (bright colors associated with strongest wind speeds)

5:03 am - 7:32 am

 

Saturday Afternoon Line of Thunderstorms 

Radar Reflectivity

12:33 pm - 3:59 pm

Saturday Afternoon Line of Thunderstorms

Radar Velocity (bright colors associated with strongest wind speeds)

1:06 pm - 3:33 pm

 

 

There were many reports of straight-lined wind damage.  However, NWS storm survey results indicate a tornado caused some damage in East Central Rock County into West Central Walworth County from 2:40 to 2:50 pm. This is between Janesville and Elkhorn. It was determined to be an EF-1 tornado with winds up to 100 mph. It was about 50 yards wide with a path of about 5 miles. There were two main areas of EF-1 damage with farm field damage in between.

 

Damaged Barn
Barn Damaged in the Avalon/Johnstown area in Rock County
A shed collapsed in far western Walworth County, just north of Darien

 

Storm Relative Reflectivity
Storm Relative Velocity- The bright red (outbound) and green (inbound) within the black circle identify rotation.  This area coincides with reports of tornado damage.

 

Storm Relative Reflectivity
Brian Kerkman sent this picture along indicating he captured the tornado as it touched down.  It's a little tough to see the condensation funnel against the dark backdrop, but it's there!

 

Tornado Path

 

This tornado brings the statewide tornado count for 2015 up to 12 tornadoes; 3 EF-1s and 9 EF-0s. Since 2001, Wisconsin averages approximately 26 tornadoes statewide annually.

 


National Weather Service

Milwaukee/Sullivan

-Cronce