Severe weather can pack quite a punch, and some of the strongest blows are typically dealt by tornadoes. Between 1991 and 2024, Wisconsin averaged 25 tornadoes per year, with June being the month when tornadoes are the most common (about 8 per year).
Let’s take a look back at some of the more memorable tornadoes and tornado outbreaks in Wisconsin over the past few decades.
June 7-8, 1984
On the evening of June 7, a low pressure system was bringing in warm and humid air into southern Wisconsin, priming the atmosphere for thunderstorms. A few hours later, around 1:00 AM, the village of Barneveld (Iowa County) would take a direct hit from a violent tornado. The maximum wind speeds with this tornado were estimated to be over 300 mph, which rated the tornado as an F5. Damage costs were estimated to be around $40 million in 1984, ranking as the second-costliest tornado in state history. Sadly, nine people were killed by this tornado. This was the first time Wisconsin had been hit by an F5 tornado since 1958. Six other tornadoes touched down on the morning of June 8 in south-central Wisconsin.
Read more: The Barneveld Tornado
July 18, 1996
This year will mark the 30th anniversary of the Oakfield tornado, named after the small village in Fond du Lac County that took the brunt of the damage from this tornado. The tornado touched down a few miles to the west of Oakfield and hit the village at around 7:15 PM, leaving behind F4-level damage in the community. The tornado intensified to F5 strength just to the east of Oakfield and would continue eastward before lifting near the village of Eden. The tornado caused around $40.4 million in damage in 1996, making it Wisconsin’s costliest tornado to date. Miraculously, no one was killed by this tornado. In addition to the Oakfield tornado, 11 other tornadoes were confirmed in Wisconsin on the evening of July 16, 1996.
Read more: NWS Milwaukee – Oakfield Tornado
June 23, 2004
One of Wisconsin’s largest tornado outbreaks occurred on this date, with 17 confirmed tornadoes impacting the state. During the early evening hours, a storm complex moved across the state, leaving a wide path of damage in its wake. In total, property damage totals approached $29 million in the state. Waupun (Dodge County) was one of the hardest-impacted communities, taking a hit from an F3 tornado. Just to the northwest in Markesan, one person was killed when their home was hit. There was notable damage from several F1 and F2-rated tornadoes in parts of western and northeast Wisconsin, including a campground near Warrens (Monroe County) that suffered a great deal of damage. Madison was also impacted as an F1 tornado hit the western side of the city.
Read more: Western Wisconsin Tornadoes of June 23, 2004; June 23, 2004 Tornadoes in Central and East-Central Wisconsin
August 18, 2005
Wisconsin’s record for the most tornadoes in a single day was set on August 18, 2005. A total of 27 tornadoes touched down in the state on this day, surpassing the old record of 24 set on May 8, 1988. The atmosphere was primed for thunderstorms on August 18 with warm temperatures and high humidity (dew points near 70°F). The tornadoes spanned from Vernon County in the southwest to Dane County in south-central Wisconsin, and up to Brown County in the northeast. Three of the tornadoes ranked as F2 or higher, with the strongest tornado (F3) hitting the city of Stoughton (Dane County). This F3 tornado hit Stoughton between 6:30 and 7:00 PM, leaving behind 200 severely damaged or destroyed homes and one fatality. Damage costs, adjusted to current-day values, were $42 million. An F2 tornado that hit Viola in Richland County caused another $3 million in damage.
Read more: Looking Back: 20 Years Since Wisconsin’s Largest Tornado Outbreak
April 10 & May 22, 2011
The year 2011 was a particularly active year for tornadoes in Wisconsin, with 38 confirmed tornadoes in the state. On April 10, fifteen tornadoes were confirmed in Wisconsin, primarily in central and northeast counties. The strongest tornado from this event was an EF3 tornado that struck the north side of Merrill (Lincoln County) around 6:20 PM. Considerable damage to homes was reported in Merrill, along with damage to airplanes at the Merrill airport, totaling just over $11 million. Damage costs from an EF2 tornado that hit Kaukauna (Outagamie County) were around $6.7 million.
Just a few weeks later, on May 22, another storm system produced 11 confirmed tornadoes in the state. One of the more notable tornadoes from this day was an EF2 tornado that hit the city of La Crosse. This tornado began in Minnesota and crossed the Mississippi River into La Crosse around 4:20 PM. Damage costs from the La Crosse tornado were nearly $15 million in the city and the surrounding area. Nearby, the city of Sparta was hit by an EF1 tornado, and an EF2 tornado moved through parts of rural Monroe and Juneau Counties.
Read more: April 10, 2011 Tornado Outbreak; Tornadoes of May 22, 2011
May 15, 2025
One of Wisconsin’s more recent tornado events, a total of 15 tornadoes were confirmed in the state on this day. Four of the tornadoes that touched down on May 15 were EF2 strength, with winds estimated at 120 miles per hour. Two EF2 tornadoes touched down in northwest Wisconsin: one near New Richmond (St. Croix County) and another near Colby (Clark County). Two more in Dodge County impacted the area around Juneau, Horicon, and Mayville. These tornadoes primarily impacted rural areas, but there was significant damage in the communities of Mayville and Juneau.
Read more: NWS Milwaukee – May 15, 2025 Severe Storms
Tornado & Severe Weather Preparedness Resources
- Severe Thunderstorms and Tornadoes Toolkit
- Everyday Readiness: Build Your Go Bag, Car Kit, and Stay Bin
- Tornado and Severe Weather Preparedness for Wisconsin Schools
- Insurance considerations for homeowners and renters
- 52 Ways to Hazard Proof Your Finances
This is a product of the Wisconsin State Climatology Office. For questions and comments, please contact us by email (stclim@aos.wisc.edu) or phone (608-263-2374).