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Wisconsin Tornado & Severe Weather Awareness Week April 8-12
Tornado

MADISON — The week of April 8-12 is the 2024 Tornado & Severe Weather Awareness Week in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Emergency Management team and the five National Weather Service Forecast Offices that service Wisconsin are asking that everyone take time to go over their safety plans so that they will be ready when severe weather strikes.

Wisconsin averages 23 tornadoes per year, with most tornadoes occurring in the 3 to 9 p.m. time-frame. The busiest spin-up hour is 6 to 7 p.m. The peak tornado season in Wisconsin is May through August, with June having the greatest number of tornadoes. A record-setting 62 tornadoes occurred in 2005, followed by 46 in 2010. In 2023, Wisconsin had 21 tornadoes, including 2 EF-Us, 11 EF-0s, and 8 EF-1s. The “average” Wisconsin tornado has a 7 to 8 minute duration, a path length of about 4 to 5 miles, and a damage width of about 120 yards.

Another hazard of the warm-season is powerful, straight-line thunderstorm winds that can peak at 75 to 150 mph. Every year Wisconsin will get a few storms that generate hurricane-force winds of at least 75 to 100 mph. Severe Thunderstorm Warnings are issued for these wind events, rather than Tornado Warnings. The bottom line: If you don’t feel safe, head for a sturdy shelter, go the lowest level of the building, and get away from windows and exterior walls.

Other warm-season hazards include large hail stones that can result in damage in the millions of dollars, localized flash floods or widespread river and lowland flooding, lightning, and excessive heat. In fact, excessive heat is the biggest weather-related killer in Wisconsin.

The statewide tornado drill for this year is scheduled for 1:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. on Thursday, April 11. 

What to expect:

●  The NOAA will run its weekly weather radio test

●  Some municipalities will sound sirens

●  Some TV and radio stations will briefly cut into programming

●  Social media posts

What will not happen:

●  Wireless Emergency Alerts

●  Push notifications on phones

●  Test Watch/Warnings

The NOAA and Wisconsin Emergency Management advise citizens to discuss and practice tornado and severe weather safety and sheltering plans with coworkers and family.

Tornado & Severe Weather Awareness Week partnerships will give information on social media on weather resources and impact-based warnings on Monday. Tuesday will be for situational awareness and preparedness. Wednesday’s topic will be about flooding. Thursday will focus on tornadoes, and Friday about hail.