Wisconsin at yearly average tornado numbers only into mid April

Some Wisconsin residents are still picking up the pieces after a week of severe weather last week.

While the National Weather Service in southeast Wisconsin is still doing damage surveys of tornadoes in southern Wisconsin, six tornadoes were documented in northwest and north central Wisconsin April 17th, including two, EF3 rated tornadoes in Marathon and Buffalo Counties, adding to the EF3 that happened in Vernon County on April 14th. Significant as Wisconsin averages less than one EF3 tornado per year. It’s possible a tornado in Rock County also on the 17th will come back with an EF3 rating as well.

While we’re comparing 2026 numbers against Wisconsin averages, the state averages 23 tornadoes per year, with that number already being reported through April. The state also averages 85 tornado warnings per year, with 2026 already having 82 tornado warnings issued. The state doesn’t reach it’s peak tornado activity until June.

No deaths were reported during the week of severe weather, though hundreds of homes needed to be evacuated in several counties as flood waters inundated towns along area rivers.

With a change in the weather pattern this week to more quiet and dry, residents can finally get a chance to clean up after the storms.