Storm Record · Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Jefferson, Sauk, Walworth, Waukesha Counties

July 13, 2015: Straight-line wind across seven counties

1″
Largest hail
100mph
Strongest gust
18
NWS reports

What the National Weather Service recorded

The approach of a warm front and shortwave trough triggered a long line of severe thunderstorms in the form of a bow echo that moved across southern WI. Significant wind damage occurred in some areas.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database · episode 98950

Every report, in the Weather Service's words

Where It Hit

Location County Hazard Size Report
Columbus (.65 WNW) Columbia Wind 100 mph wind Widespread tree damage in the city of Columbus with many of the roads blocked by debris. A State of Emergency was declared in the city. Numerous large tree branches and trunks snapped. Some large trees uprooted. A few trees downed on homes. Some power poles knocked down or leaning. The Red Cross opened a shelter at Columbus Middle School for those without power in order to seek relief from the heat and humidity.
Danville (2.83 W) Dodge Wind 100 mph wind Straight line wind damage collapsed the roofs of three old barns and partially collapsed the roof of a pole barn. Many large tree branches snapped and some whole trees downed. Many power lines down. Some fields of corn were laid over on an angle.
Eagle (3.85 N) Waukesha Wind 75 mph wind Numerous branches and trees down across the county, most concentrated from Genesee to Mukwonago. In addition, a few 2 foot diameter trees downed and shingles blown off a home on North Island on Eagle Spring Lake. Power lines downed in Eagle, Ottawa, and Sussex. A tree fell on a van.
Belleville (.86 NW) Dane Wind 74 mph wind Straight line winds measured on a home weather station.
Mt Horeb (.86 NW) Dane Wind 69 mph wind Many trees knocked down with one landing on a house and another on a powerline.
Hustisford Dodge Wind 69 mph wind A large tree fell on a home.
Juneau Dodge Wind 69 mph wind High winds and one inch hail. A 50 foot tall tree down.
Waterloo (.59 WNW) Jefferson Wind 69 mph wind Trees down throughout the county, including a couple large trees down just southwest of Palmyra. Wires down in Aztalan and Lake Mills.
Loretta (2.35 SSE) Sauk Wind 69 mph wind Trees down across much of the southern portion of the county.
Lone Rock Airport Sauk Wind 68 mph wind Straight line winds from a line of thunderstorms.
Sun Prairie (1.51 W) Dane Wind 64 mph wind Straight line winds measured by a home weather station.
South Beaver Dam (3.73 NW) Dodge Wind 64 mph wind Measured with a home weather station.
Whtwtr Clover Vly Ar (1.78 SE) Walworth Wind 63 mph wind Widespread branches and trees down across the county. A few power lines down.
Beaver Dam (.85 SW) Dodge Wind 60 mph wind Straight line winds with line of thunderstorms.
Sun Prairie (2.57 NW) Dane Wind 60 mph wind Straight line winds estimated.
Cross Plains (1.22 SW) Dane Wind 58 mph wind Branches and power lines down.
Maple Bluff (1.47 SSW) Dane Wind 58 mph wind Ten to fifteen inch tree branches down.
Juneau (.69 N) Dodge Hail 1" hail
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, Wisconsin