Thunderstorm Wind — Barron, Wisconsin

2016-05-25 · near Cameron, Barron, Wisconsin

Event narrative

A storm survey was conducted and estimated the winds of 80 to 90 mph. Numerous large trees, up to 4 feet in diameter, were uprooted, snapped, or blown down on the west side of Prairie Lake.

The damage was concentrated in a one mile swath from near 10th 1/2 Ave and 23rd street, north-northwest to 22nd 1/2 Street and 23rd near Lakewood Park. Almost all of the trees were blown to the north-northwest with some indication of a divergence signature on the west side of the storm damage. One of worst area of damage was at the Sandy Grove Resort where significant structural damage occurred to residences and cabins.

There were also several lake homes that were severely damage from the fallen trees. No injuries were reported during this event that only lasted 30 seconds to a minute based on eyewitness accounts.

Wider weather episode

A line of thunderstorms that formed across southeast Minnesota, tracked to the north across west central Wisconsin during the afternoon of Wednesday, May 25th.

The majority of thunderstorms were non-severe, producing occasional hail, gusty winds and heavy rainfall. However, one storm moved near the town of Chetek and produced a severe microburst wind gust.

A storm survey was conducted and estimated the winds of 80 to 90 mph. Numerous large trees, up to 4 feet in diameter, were uprooted, snapped, or blown down on the west side of Prairie Lake. The damage was concentrated in a one mile swath from near 10 1/2 Ave and 23rd Street, north-northwest to 22 1/2 Street near Lakewood Park. Almost all of the trees were blown to the north-northwest with some indication of a divergence signature on the west side of the storm damage. One of the worst areas of damage was at the Sandy Grove Resort where significant structural damage occurred to residences and cabins. There were also several lake homes that were severely damaged from the fallen trees. No injuries were reported during this event that only lasted 30 seconds to a minute based on eyewitness accounts.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (45.3571, -91.6863)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 626308. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.