Updated: Risk of severe weather arrives today
EAU CLAIRE — Forecasters are watching Wisconsin today as strong to severe storms are expected across most of the state.
As has been the trend over the past several days, the area of concern shifted slightly to the north overnight.Southwestern Wisconsin has a moderate risk of severe weather, according to the National Weather Service. Despite the mild-sounding name, moderate is actually the second highest level of concern, indicating widespread severe storms that are long-lived.
The southern half of the Chippewa Valley is at a moderate risk, suggesting numerous severe storms, with some persistent. It’s in the middle of the five-category ratings. That level of concern exists in a line running approximately from just north of Eau Claire to just south of Wausau, and continuing to the southern half of the Door Peninsula.
The Storm Prediction Center was clear in its concerns, saying Tuesday morning that an “outbreak of severe thunderstorms, including the potential for strong tornadoes, is probable today.” The peak risk is expected in the afternoon and early evening hours.
Timing for storms
Locally, the risk is expected to pick up after 5 p.m., though scattered showers and thunderstorms could pass through before then. The storms are expected to continue into the overnight hours, dissipating after 1 a.m.
Straight line winds are the biggest concern in the immediate area, though forecasters are not ruling out the possibility of tornadoes. the highest risk for hail is in Iowa.
Some flooding could also occur. The NWS says the forecast for Tuesday includes one to two inches of rain, with another half to three-quarters of an inch overnight.
People should be sure to have multiple means of getting severe weather alerts as they’re issued and be prepared to take action should approaching storms warrant it.
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Original story
EAU CLAIRE — The best chance for severe weather in the Chippewa Valley so far this spring arrives Tuesday, with much of Wisconsin at an enhanced risk according to the Storm Prediction Center.
Enhanced risk, the third of five levels of concern, runs in an arc from approximately Eau Claire to Wausau to Sheboygan, with areas south and west of that line included. Most of the rest of the state is at a slight risk.
An enhanced risk indicates “numerous” severe storms are possible and they are expected for be “more persistent and/or widespread” with a few intense storms. While many people think of tornadoes when it comes to severe weather, the concern for Tuesday is focused more on straight line winds. The Chippewa Valley has a 30%-44% probability for winds exceeding 50-60 mph.
Probabilities for severe hail or tornadoes in this area are significantly lower.
There is a temptation to dismiss the possibility of wind being dangerous with thunderstorms. People know winds pick up when a storm hits, but it’s worth remembering severe winds account for about half of all severe weather reports and are considerably more common than damage from tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service.
Forecasters from the Twin Cities office of the NWS say Eau Claire has a 90% chance of thunderstorms Tuesday, with some reaching severe thresholds.
Taken as a whole, the forecasts mean area residents would be well advised to keep an eye on changing conditions and be ready to react if developments warrant. People should make sure they know where they can take shelter from storms and have multiple ways of getting warnings if they’re issued.
