Tornado and thunderstorm warnings outnumbered winter weather advisories this winter in Wisconsin
This winter has been the warmest winter in Milwaukee's recorded history, according to the National Weather Service. Some record-high temperatures were recorded throughout February, and the unseasonably warm weather is expected to continue through March.
Warm weather created an environment for a confirmed tornado to touch down last month in Wisconsin just south of Madison near Evansville and Edgerton, marking the first time a tornado was seen in the state in February.
In fact, the weather has been so unusual this winter, the National Weather Service actually issued more severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings in Milwaukee than winter storm warnings and other winter weather advisories. Yes, you did read that correctly. Sam Kuffel, a meteorologist for CBS58, first pointed out the discrepancy Wednesday in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Here's what to know:
How many thunderstorm and tornado warning were issued this winter?
This winter, National Weather Service issued five tornado warnings in southeastern Wisconsin, all in February. There were eight severe thunderstorm warnings in February.
The National Weather Service did not issue any thunderstorm or tornado warnings last winter.
"It's unusual for us to be warm enough to get thunderstorms during this time of year," emphasized NWS meteorologist Taylor Patterson.
How many winter weather advisories were issued this winter?
The National Weather Service issued six winter weather advisories this winter between December and February. The first winter weather advisory was issued on Dec. 31 and then in January during a 9-day cold snap.
What were Milwaukee's warmest winters of all time?
Here are Milwaukee's top-10 warmest winters dating back to 1871, according to the National Weather Service:
2023-2024
1931-1932
2001-2002
1877-1878
1881-1882
2022-2023
2011-2012
2019-2020
1997-1998
1930-1931
Why has winter been so warm this year in Milwaukee?
The primary culprit behind the unseasonably warm winter is a weather phenomenon known as El Niño.
An El Niño event is caused when sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean warm to above average for several months. During an El Niño, the polar jet stream is shifted northward, which limits how far south cold air intrusions from Canada can travel into Wisconsin, Anderson explained.
In general, El Niño brings above-average temperatures to the northern United States, which often result in below-average snowfall in moderate-to-strong El Niño years. Last year, the Milwaukee-area NWS said this winter's El Niño was on track to be one of the strongest on record.
RELATED: What was the deadliest tornado to hit Wisconsin? Here are the biggest twisters since 1950.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: More tornado, thunderstorm warnings in 2023 than snow, cold advisories
