Wisconsin tornado warnings issued
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The gist
National Weather Service issued tornado warnings for Dodge, Waukesha, and Washington Counties until 6:30-7:15 p.m. Severe storms threaten damaging winds, hail, and heavy rain across Southeast Wisconsin.
Background
A cold front moving through Wisconsin on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, brought strong to severe thunderstorms to the region. The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for most of Southeast Wisconsin, with a marginal risk (Level 1 out of 5) for severe weather. The main threats were damaging winds, small hail, and heavy rain, with a low but non-zero tornado threat.
How it unfolded
- Aug 18, 2026 20:03Severe thunderstorm watch issued for Dodge, Fond du Lac, Jefferson, Ozaukee, Sheboygan, Walworth, Washington, and Waukesha counties until 10 p.m.
- Aug 18, 2026 22:47Tornado Warning issued for Dodge County until 6:30 p.m. (note: time discrepancy in source).
- Aug 18, 2026 23:30Severe thunderstorm warning issued for large portion of Southeast Wisconsin until 7:30 p.m.; tornado warning issued for Waukesha and Washington Counties until 7:15 p.m.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- National Weather Service issued warnings and watches, urging residents to take precautions as storms could produce damaging winds and hail.
- Expert
- Meteorologists noted the tornado threat was not expected but never zero, with main threats being gusty winds, small hail, and heavy rain.
Still unverified
The exact expiration times for tornado warnings vary between sources; some reports list 6:30 p.m. for Dodge County while others list 7:15 p.m. for Waukesha and Washington Counties, and the timeline may have inconsistencies.