Storm Record · Columbia, Dane Counties
June 22, 2013: Straight-line wind and a tornado in Columbia and Dane Counties
What the National Weather Service recorded
A complex of severe thunderstorms produced a tornado in Columbia County, as well damaging winds over South Central Wisconsin during the evening hours of June 22nd. The complex developed on the nose of a 30 knot low-level jet ahead of a short wave trough impinging on a stationary boundary over northern Illinois that began to lift north as a warm front. Effective shear of 30 knots to sustain updrafts, with mixed layer CAPE values reaching 2000 to 3000 J/kg with steep mid-level lapse rates contributed to sufficient instability for severe thunderstorms. Precipitable water values between 1.5 inch to 2 inches also contributed to heavy rain that caused flash flooding in eastern Sauk County.
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database · episode 74115
Every report, in the Weather Service's words
Where It Hit
| Location | County | Hazard | Size | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazomanie | Dane | Wind | 64 mph wind | Law enforcement officials reported trees down in Mazomanie due to thunderstorm wind gusts estimated up to 60 mph (56 knots). |
| Blue Mounds | Dane | Wind | 64 mph wind | County officials reported trees down due to thunderstorm wind gusts estimated up to 60 mph (56 knots) in a path from Blue Mound to Mount Horeb. County Highway JG near County Highway ID was blocked by fallen trees. |
| Arlington (2.17 NNE) | Columbia | Tornado | EF1 | A weak rain-wrapped tornado spun up 2.17 miles north-northeast of Arlington northwest of the intersection of Krier Rd. and Thiele Ed and moved northeast for about 3.5 miles before dissipating midway between King Road and Mud Lake just southwest of Mud Lake. The ending location would be 4 miles east of Poynette. This tornado crossed STH 22 at the intersection of Loveland Road and then curved more north-northeast and tracked about 300 yards just east of the intersection of STH 22 and CTH CS. Several outbuildings were damaged and a 3000 lb farm implement was tossed about 500 feet. Due to wet soils, two power-poles were partially tipped over. A couple vehicles were damaged and other farm equipment scattered around. One home sustained minor siding and roof shingle damage. Otherwise, the usual tree damage occurred and a couple trees were uprooted. The corn crop was only a few inches in height but some stalks were broken off at ground level. Tree damage was consistent with DI 27 Hardwood Trees (TH) and DOD3 which suggests wind speeds of 90 to 95 mph. The path length was about 3.7 miles and maximum width was 125 yards. The average width was about 50 yards. |