Tornado Warning Issued For Parts Of Wisconsin; 100 MPH Winds

MILWAUKEE, WI — Damaging winds, inch-sized hail and a burst of heavy rainfall are all in the forecast for Monday afternoon into the early evening.

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for Kenosha County, and parts of Racine and Walworth Counties until 4:15 p.m. in Wisconsin. They have also issued a tornado warning for northern Lake County in northeastern Illinois and northeastern McHenry County until 4:45 p.m.

"At 3:44 p.m., severe thunderstorms capable of producing both tornadoes and extensive straight line wind damage were located near Hebron, or 7 miles north of Woodstock, moving east at 35 miles per hour," according to a weather bulletin issued Monday afternoon.

Tornado Warning At A Glance

HAZARD: Tornado.

SOURCE: Radar-indicated rotation.

IMPACT: Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely.

TAKE COVER NOW: Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

Derecho Moves Into Area

The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Jefferson, Waukesha, Milwaukee, Walworth, Kenosha and Racine counties until 7 p.m. The NWS also said a derecho is approaching southeastern Wisconsin.

According to the NWS, here is how they describe a derecho.

A derecho is a widespread, long-lived wind storm that is associated with a band of rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms. Although a derecho can produce destruction similar to the strength of tornadoes, the damage typically is directed in one direction along a relatively straight swath. As a result, the term "straight-line wind damage" sometimes is used to describe derecho damage.

The thunderstorms are moving into the area from late Monday morning into early Monday evening, as a cold front moves southeast through the region, weather observers said. There remains uncertainty with the timing and coverage of storms across the area, according to the National Weather Service.

Here is an update regarding the potential for strong/severe storms today into early this evening.

Weather At A Glance

• Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are forecast to develop and move east/southeast across southern Wisconsin late this morning into early this evening.
• Strong to severe storms are possible with any storms that develop.
• Hail to one inch in diameter, wind gusts up to 100 miles per hour, locally heavy rainfall and frequent cloud-to-ground lightning are possible.
• Uncertainty remains with the exact timing and coverage of storms.

What has changed?

The threat and confidence that central and southern WI will see strong to severe storms has increased.

Forecast Information

Where: All of southern and central Wisconsin.

What: Strong to severe thunderstorms, damaging winds of up to 100 miles per hour and large hail.

When: Late this morning into early this evening.

Impacts: Damaging winds could knock down trees and result in power outages. Large hail could cause roof and car damage. These will also adversely affect tents, temporary shelters and any outdoor activities.

Monday Afternoon

A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85.

Monday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 11 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.