Southeast Wisconsin severe weather threat; what you need to know

Strong to severe storms pushed through southeast Wisconsin Wednesday morning, with a risk for large hail. 

A cold front will pass in the early afternoon, so storms will be watched closely for severe weather potential. Gradually clearing skies later this afternoon. Decreasing temperatures behind the front and windy. A long dry stretch of weather coming up. Warming back into the 60s next week.

Tuesday Threat

Wednesday Morning Threat

These outlooks are put together by the Storm Prediction Center and give a good idea as to who has the greatest threat for scattered to numerous severe thunderstorms.

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The first round of strong to severe storms rolled through southern Milwaukee into Waukesha, Walworth, Racine and Kenosha counties earlier today. These storms produced hail, gusty winds and heavy rain.

The second round is expected late Tuesday evening, after 8pm.  The placement of the warm front will be an important dictating what type of severe weather we will see. Those along and south of the front will have the greatest threat for tornadoes. This will likely be across southern counties again, especially near the WI/IL border. Areas north of the warm front will have a higher risk for hail and wind. However, there is ia possibility tonight that the warm front makes it into southeast Wisconsin too late, meaning there wouldn't be a tornado threat at all. We will be monitoring this closely. 

The third and final round of storms will move in during the early morning hours of Wednesday as the cold front passes. This would be after 4am. There is better agreement that if supercells form on Wednesday morning, the atmosphere will be more conducive for hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes. 


Here is an overview of the three rounds and impacts below. Please make sure you are weather aware Tuesday and Wednesday. Have an action plan in place of what to do and where to go if severe weather is near and turn on emergency alerts on your cell phones as well as having devices charged if the power goes out. 

The FOX6 weather experts will be here to give you the latest on what you need to know as these storms move through. 

FOX6 Weather Extras

FOX6Now.com offers a variety of extremely useful weather tools to help you navigate the stormy season. They include the following:

FOX6 Storm Center app

FOX6 News app

FOX Weather app

MAPS AND RADAR

We have a host of maps and radars on the FOX6 Weather page that are updating regularly — to provide you the most accurate assessment of the weather. From a county-by-county view to the Midwest regional radar and a national view — it’s all there.

SCHOOL AND BUSINESS CLOSINGS

When the weather gets a little dicey, schools and businesses may shut down. Monitor the latest list of closings, cancellations, and delays reported in southeast Wisconsin.

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