Hail in Rusk County, Wisconsin

A line of thunderstorms that were associated with a southward advancing cold front proceeded across Central and Southern MN and Western WI. The meteorological setup was considered a High CAPE/Low Shear environment. Or in other words, plenty of available energy for storms to develop, but lack of turning winds with height to support rotating updrafts. Therefore, large hail was the primary threat with the line of storms that developed from Cumberland, WI down to Redwood Falls, MN and farther south.

These strong storms produced 50 kt wind gusts which snapped a 10-inch diameter tree 8 miles NNE of Menomonie, WI (Dunn) and large hail. Measured hail sizes from these storms ranged from nickel size to golf ball size hail with most falling as quarter size. A few of the highest hailstones measured:

1.75 inches - Golf Ball - 4 miles N of Holcombe, WI (Chippewa)

1.50 inches - Ping Pong Ball - 5 miles E of Hudson, WI (St. Croix)

1.25 inches - Half-Dollar - 7 miles SW of Ladysmith, WI (Rusk).