MONROE - Wild weather stormed through southern Wisconsin Thursday, with a funnel cloud reported in Janesville. But despite bouts of heavy rain and frequent lightning electrifying the skies, there were no reports of damage in Green County or Lafayette County as of 10 p.m.
The National Weather Service first issued a weather alert for a strong line of thunderstorms heading toward Green and Lafayette counties at about 3 p.m.
At about 8 p.m., a tornado warning alerted area residents, including those in Monroe, to seek shelter immediately. At the same time, WKOW Channel 27's weather team in Madison were reporting two strong weather cells with winds up to 60 mph threatening to strike the Wiota, South Wayne and Argyle area.
More thunderstorms were reported heading toward the Juda and Brodhead area later in the evening.
But the region seemed to escape relatively unscathed: Both the Lafayette County and Green County sheriff's departments said there were no reports of damage.
A Janesville man said he saw a funnel cloud just before high winds and heavy rain hit a stretch of Milton Avenue shortly before 3 p.m. Thursday, the Janesville Gazette reported.
Austin Wright of Janesville said he drove down Milton Avenue with a friend during the storm and saw damage roughly from the Janesville Mall south to Memorial Drive.
Wright was at the KFC, near Black Bridge Bowl, as the storm approached. He saw a funnel cloud drop down.
"The funnel made it halfway down then shot back up. And that's when everything hit," he told the Gazette.
He said he didn't report the funnel cloud to authorities because it dissipated and did not seem threatening.
A tornado, by definition, must touch the ground.
- Times staff
The National Weather Service first issued a weather alert for a strong line of thunderstorms heading toward Green and Lafayette counties at about 3 p.m.
At about 8 p.m., a tornado warning alerted area residents, including those in Monroe, to seek shelter immediately. At the same time, WKOW Channel 27's weather team in Madison were reporting two strong weather cells with winds up to 60 mph threatening to strike the Wiota, South Wayne and Argyle area.
More thunderstorms were reported heading toward the Juda and Brodhead area later in the evening.
But the region seemed to escape relatively unscathed: Both the Lafayette County and Green County sheriff's departments said there were no reports of damage.
A Janesville man said he saw a funnel cloud just before high winds and heavy rain hit a stretch of Milton Avenue shortly before 3 p.m. Thursday, the Janesville Gazette reported.
Austin Wright of Janesville said he drove down Milton Avenue with a friend during the storm and saw damage roughly from the Janesville Mall south to Memorial Drive.
Wright was at the KFC, near Black Bridge Bowl, as the storm approached. He saw a funnel cloud drop down.
"The funnel made it halfway down then shot back up. And that's when everything hit," he told the Gazette.
He said he didn't report the funnel cloud to authorities because it dissipated and did not seem threatening.
A tornado, by definition, must touch the ground.
- Times staff