Southern Wisconsin is under a First Alert Day as severe storms are expected Thursday from early afternoon into early evening, with isolated tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail all possible.
By mid-afternoon Thursday, southern Wisconsin could be facing storms that don’t just threaten property—they threaten safety.
The region is under a First Alert Day as multiple rounds of severe weather are expected from early afternoon into the early evening, with the first round possibly firing late morning into early afternoon. Large hail is possible with those initial storms as they move through.
The main threat window tightens as the day goes on. A strong weather system will track from Kansas this morning into northeast Iowa by early afternoon. then into east central Wisconsin by this evening. As it approaches. warm and humid air surges north across the region. and conditions grow more favorable for dangerous storms across southern Wisconsin.
During the afternoon and early evening hours, isolated tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail are all possible. Some storms could produce significant damage. The atmosphere will be primed for severe weather, with strong winds at multiple levels supporting rotating storms. Computer models show the potential for both individual supercell thunderstorms and organized line segments moving through the region.
Heavy rainfall is part of the threat, too. Moisture levels will run high as these storms roll in, and flash flooding is possible—especially in urban areas where water can’t soak into the ground quickly.
Once the storms move out Thursday evening, the pattern starts to loosen. Winds shift from the west, and cooler air moves in. Temperatures will drop into the 50s by Friday morning.
Friday brings a return to dry weather with light winds from the west and temperatures near normal for mid-June, as high pressure briefly moves in. The active setup takes a break.
That break doesn’t last long. Saturday brings another chance for showers and thunderstorms as a weak system approaches from the west during the afternoon and moves through Saturday night, with scattered showers and storms possible throughout the day.
Looking ahead to early next week, below-normal temperatures and periodic chances for showers stay in the forecast as a larger weather system becomes established over Ontario. Shower chances remain through Wednesday, with cooler conditions continuing.
For people in the path of today’s storms, the message is simple: the dangerous hours are coming from mid-afternoon into early evening, and the hazards are multiple—hail, wind, tornadoes, and flash flooding all on the table.
First Alert Day severe storms southern Wisconsin tornadoes damaging winds large hail flash flooding Madison WMTV First Alert weather
So tornadoes at like 3pm now? Great. Love Wisconsin weather surprises.
Not gonna lie I saw “First Alert Day” and thought it was like… school being canceled or something. Are they sure it’s not just hail and wind? Tornado seems like overkill.
My cousin in Iowa said it’s already “moving through” so I’m confused why they’re still saying mid-afternoon into early evening. Like does it skip counties or what. Also if it’s a line of storms, wouldn’t tornadoes be less likely? I’m just trying to figure out if I should bring my plants inside or if that’s pointless.
The part about warm humid air surging north makes it sound like it’s basically gonna steam the whole area and then boom. Flash flooding in urban areas is my biggest worry, not even the tornado stuff. Idk why they keep saying “isolated tornadoes” like that helps anybody. Last time I heard that it still wrecked someone’s yard. Madison better be ready.