An unprecedented weather event unfolded as multiple tornado warnings were issued in southern Wisconsin, with a confirmed EF-3 tornado touching down near Evansville, marking the first recorded tornado in the state during the month of February. The Storm Prediction Center had placed northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin, including the Chicago metro area, under a marginal (1 out of 5) risk of severe weather, with damaging gusty winds, hail, and the possibility of tornadoes. The storms also brought over 60 MPH wind gusts and hail up to 1 inch in diameter along the I-39 corridor, affecting everyone in the yellow-designated area. This historic event coincided with temperatures being 30 degrees above normal for the region.
1st February tornado on record for the state of Wisconsin last night. Here's the interactive damage survey map. https://t.co/TYuw9HOnhv #wiwx
1st tornado on record for the state of Wisconsin last night. Here's the interactive damage survey map. https://t.co/TYuw9HOnhv #wiwx
A rare winter tornado churned through southern Wisconsin on Thursday, snapping power poles, downing large trees and damaging homes. It was the state’s first recorded tornado in the month of February, a NWS meteorologist says. https://t.co/P6p1ErdKPI
Rare February tornado in Wisconsin https://t.co/v4rESxbz3T
EF-2 tornado yesterday in Wisconsin. The first recorded in the month of February in the state! #wiwx https://t.co/lOKDKU8F3p
Just in...@NWSMilwaukee rated the #tornado near Evansville, WI Thursday a "high end EF2". Along with a Feb. first in the Badger State in 180 years of records, it's only the 12th "strong" (EF2+) #winter month tornado dating to 1950 in Wisconsin, per NCEI's database. #wiwx https://t.co/eXZaqcIjqQ
The first tornado to hit Wisconsin in February was spotted https://t.co/HUy5SRRzGZ https://t.co/yWVJHPmuS7
Not only was yesterday's tornado in Evansville, WI (south of Madison) the first ever in February for the state, it has just been rated an EF-3! #WIwx https://t.co/mN1uS1YkZW
NEW: Wisconsin had its first-recorded February tornado last night. It likely was a significant one too, potentially EF2+ and on the ground for 15-20 miles. Temperatures were 30 degrees warmer than average. https://t.co/2yrza4FtM9
First February tornado in Wisconsin on record yesterday. It was rated an EF-3 #wiwx https://t.co/lOKDKU8F3p
Wisconsin had its first-ever February tornado Thursday. Temperatures were 30 degrees above normal. That's not a coincidence. Read more ⬇️ https://t.co/9UPZJSsdeQ
Rare tornado rips across Wisconsin as "dangerous" storm hits state https://t.co/HgRmTYYs86 https://t.co/PLWHirVedP
Detailed records for tornadoes go back to 1950. This is the first time the state of Wisconsin has had a tornado in the month of February since those records began! Video: Evansville, Wisconsin by Kathy Thomas https://t.co/zUOy9YETf9
The first February tornado ever recorded in Wisconsin weather history touched down Thursday evening. Plus 1 inch hail. Read more about this rare winter-season severe weather event on the CIMSS Satellite Blog https://t.co/406YK4awVq @NWSMilwaukee #WIwx
The first February tornado ever recorded touched down in southern Wisconsin Thursday evening. Plus 1 inch hail. Read more about this rare winter-season severe weather event on the CIMSS Satellite Blog https://t.co/406YK4awVq @NWSMilwaukee #WIwx
This is Wisconsin’s first confirmed tornado in the month of February. The scary scene was captured in Evansville Thursday evening. #WIwx https://t.co/0aQDNpTE48
Yesterday marked the first time in recorded history that in the month of February, a #tornado touched down in the state of Wisconsin! Check out this lightning-infused view of the storms! #WIwx https://t.co/9JuU33rDuC
A confirmed tornado touched down near Evansville, Wisconsin, yesterday evening. At least five homes were confirmed damaged by the storm. #WIwx https://t.co/dtFBoiiJsx
The first-ever tornado in February was spotted Thursday just south of Madison, the National Weather Service confirmed. https://t.co/xeWBwTpedL
75 years of February U.S. #tornadoes, per @NWSSPC, including Thursday's first Wisconsin February #tornado in records since 1844 (before statehood). Note some northern IL and even southern MI Feb. tornadoes in recent years (2023, 2017), but not the Badger State. #wiwx https://t.co/mgSQZE58z9
75 years of February U.S. #tornadoes, per @NWSSPC, including Thursday's first Wisconsin February #tornado in records since 1844 (before statehood). Note some northern IL and even southern MI Feb. tornadoes in recent years (2023, 2017), but not the Badger State. https://t.co/QmqEmVE9Iq
Today's tornado marks Wisconsin's first February tornado since record keeping began, and it was our 3rd earliest tornado in state history. We've had two tornado events in Jan. Whether it was one long tracked tornado or more than one will be determined by NWS in the coming days. https://t.co/1M3RPMZcyM
Pea size #hail, one amazing lightning show, on FEBRUARY 8 in southeast Wisconsin. (By the way, the state’s first February #tornado dating to 1844 also happened tonight!) 🙃 #wiwx https://t.co/SjPPAro92a
Incredible view from Evansville, WI as a tornado warned storm produced views like this! #wiwx https://t.co/lh8HPrScbf
The first recorded February tornado in Wisconsin history right here. Be weather aware tonight! https://t.co/7M0ksJAnhf
Early February tornadoes in Wisconsin. Okay. https://t.co/wXW0T4gmb5
There is no record of a #tornado occurring in Wisconsin in February before. The tornadoes this evening are historic for the Badger State. It's a reminder that #severe weather can strike when you least expect it... #WIwx https://t.co/qGAHUvzES9
Tornado. In Wisconsin. In early February. #GlobalWeirding https://t.co/6q4340cjQ7
There has never been a tornado documented in the state of Wisconsin during the month of February before today https://t.co/DFYsIu0nHB https://t.co/e1eIB77CY6
Wisconsin. February 8th. NOT NORMAL! (For reference - Wisconsin has *never* had a recorded tornado in February.) #wiwx https://t.co/TzHyG6DUok
Video screenshot of large cone tornado and power flash outside Albany Wisconsin a few minutes ago. #wiwx @NWSMilwaukee https://t.co/dcBlCf43lN
Tornado warnings south of Madison WISCONSIN right now. February 8th. 🥴🥴🌪️🌪️ https://t.co/N6vBYBHk5Q
Tornado warned storms in southern WI. https://t.co/2I2KjBKuIZ
6:11 pm ET: 2 Tornado warnings in Southern Wisconsin right now; there are no known documented tornadoes in the state in the month of February. #wiwx https://t.co/wHXJPdk9pU
SPC Watching northern IL and southern WI for a SEVERE weather threat. https://t.co/Xzh3Pxdf83
🌪️A level 1 out of 5 marginal risk of severe weather has been drawn for northern Illinois, southern Wisconsin, and the Chicago metro area. There’s a low risk of a storm forming, but if it does, it could become a tornadic supercell. Meteorologist @MatthewCappucci has an update. https://t.co/GzIbF15pYG
The Storm Prediction Center has placed most of our area under a marginal (1 out of 5) risk for severe storms (everyone in yellow) this evening. Main threats look to be damaging gusty winds and hail. A brief, spin up tornado is also possible. #Chicago #ilwx https://t.co/MCxFZRAImF
The Storm Prediction Center has placed most of our area under a marginal risk for severe storms (everyone in yellow) this evening. Main threats look to be damaging gusty winds and hail. A brief, spin up tornado is also possible. #Chicago #ilwx https://t.co/Y1XvB9gFn2
Watch for a couple of intense, low-topped storms to develop near the Iowa/Illinois this afternoon with the risk for a tornado or two, wind gusts over 60 MPH, and hail to 1" in diameter possible along the I-39 corridor toward the Chicago metro through the evening hours. #ilwx https://t.co/bOtnZR8pug