Severe Weather Set to Strike in Wisconsin’s Winter Season

MADISON, Wis. (CIVIC MEDIA) – The threat of strong to severe storms takes aim as a big storm system bringing strong winds, rain and snow enters the state.

We’ve seen it before, tornadoes in the winter season. The first tornadoes ever recorded in Wisconsin, in the month of February. It happened on a day that broke records for warmth… setting up the perfect scenario for the type of severe weather normally seen in the late spring and summer. That area was only in a marginal risk for severe weather that day, too.

The storms left a swath of destruction that included dead and missing cows, roofs blown off of homes, destroyed storage sheds and barns, trashed vehicles and shattered windows.

Now mother nature might be back for more, but the worst of it should hopefully stay south into Illinois.

With the heat building and added moisture on the way for Friday, thunderstorms will fire up.

The day will be warm. Hitting highs in the upper 60s to mid 70s, you’ll notice it feel a little muggy too. Strong south winds around 30 mph will usher in the heat and instability, all are ingredients needed for bad storms.

NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center has issued a Slight Risk (yellow area) for severe storms in southwestern parts of Wisconsin. This includes La Crosse, Richland Center, Wisc. Dells, Madison, Janesville and over to Milwaukee.

Areas highlighted in the darker green mark a marginal risk for severe thunderstorms. While the lighter green means a general risk for t-storms.

The hazards that may present themselves Friday night, will arrive along a line of strong storms racing into the state. It’ll hit hard at first, then begin to weaken as it moves northeastward into the rest of Wisconsin.

The line should arrive around 9 p.m. west and south, packing the potential punch of damaging wind gusts. A few brief tornadoes may spin up as well.

The line will quickly move towards the Milwaukee area by 11 p.m. Strong winds, heavy rain and hail is possible.

As it weakens it’ll lift northward into the Fox Valley and central areas of the state. Expect claps of thunder and rainfall, washing the salt off of the streets. It’ll also create a muddy mess in the woods.

Rivers are already swollen and the added rainfall will rise them even more. A few are already in action stages. Including the Wolf River at Shiocton and New London. As well as the Wisconsin River below the Wausau dam.