Severe Weather Report: Past 24 Hours, Ending 1200 UTC May 16, 2025.
- Bob Cox
- May 16
- 8 min read
This report summarizes severe weather events, including tornadoes, hail, and high winds, reported across multiple states in the United States over the past 24 hours, based on the provided data from the National Weather Service (NWS) Storm Prediction Center. The data includes detailed accounts of tornado sightings, hail sizes, and wind-related damage, with timestamps, locations, and comments from NWS offices. The report is organized by weather event type, with geographic and temporal analysis, and includes key observations and impacts.
1. Overview
Severe weather impacted several states, primarily in the Midwest and Upper Midwest, with additional reports from the Southeast, Mid-South, and Great Lakes regions. The events occurred between approximately 12:10 PM CDT on May 15, 2025, and 05:35 AM EDT on May 16, 2025. The primary phenomena included:
Tornadoes: 14 confirmed or suspected tornado reports across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan.
Hail: 155 reports of hail ranging from 1.00 inch (quarter-sized) to 4.00 inches (softball-sized), with significant concentrations in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota.
High Winds: 99 reports of damaging winds, with gusts up to 79 mph, causing widespread tree and structural damage across multiple states.
The most affected states were Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, and Michigan, with additional impacts in Oklahoma, Arkansas, North Carolina, Virginia, Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky, and North Dakota.
2. Tornado Reports
Summary
Fourteen tornado reports were documented, primarily in Minnesota and Wisconsin, with additional reports in Illinois and Michigan. These events occurred between 6:16 PM CDT on May 15 and 3:40 AM EDT on May 16. Tornadoes were confirmed via spotter reports, law enforcement, radar debris signatures, and photographic evidence.
Key Tornado Events
Swift County, MN (6:16–6:40 PM CDT):
Locations: Danvers (2 E), Benson (1 W, 2 N).
Details: Three tornadoes reported with debris visible. A photo was provided for the Danvers event, and radar estimated the timing. No specific damage details were noted, but debris suggests impact to structures or vegetation.
NWS Office: MPX (Minneapolis).
Stearns County, MN (7:47 PM CDT):
Location: 2 ENE Spring Hill.
Details: Debris reported, specifically trees, indicating a tornado with likely EF0–EF1 intensity based on tree damage.
NWS Office: MPX.
St. Croix County, WI (8:30–8:34 PM CDT):
Locations: 3 NW Hammond, 3 N Roberts, 7 S Deer Park.
Details: Multiple reports of tornadoes on the ground, including a deputy’s observation and a photo of an ongoing tornado. The tornadoes moved NNE, suggesting a supercell storm. No specific structural damage was reported, but the photo evidence confirms tornadic activity.
NWS Office: MPX.
Clark County, WI (10:04 PM CDT):
Location: 4 SSW Loyal.
Details: Law enforcement reported a tornado on the ground. No damage details provided, but the report suggests a brief touchdown.
NWS Office: ARX (La Crosse).
Polk County, MN (10:09 PM CDT):
Location: 4 NE Crookston.
Details: Sheriff’s office relayed a deputy’s report of a tornado. Time and location were radar-estimated, indicating a possible brief touchdown.
NWS Office: FGF (Grand Forks).
Portage County, WI (10:57–11:01 PM CDT):
Locations: 2 WSW Bancroft, 2 N Keene.
Details: A brief tornado was reported in Bancroft via law enforcement, and a funnel cloud with a small ground-reaching column was observed in Keene. These suggest weak, short-lived tornadoes (likely EF0).
NWS Office: GRB (Green Bay).
Grundy County, IL (12:46 AM CDT):
Location: Braceville.
Details: Public report of possible tree branch and building siding damage. Radar-estimated timing suggests a weak tornado or downburst.
NWS Office: LOT (Chicago).
Eaton County, MI (3:36–3:40 AM EDT):
Location: 3 SSW Waverly.
Details: A semi-truck overturned, and power flashes were reported near a Meijer distribution center. Radar showed a tornado debris signature, strongly indicating a tornado. Damage suggests EF1 or higher intensity.
NWS Office: GRR (Grand Rapids).
Analysis
Geographic Distribution: Tornadoes were concentrated in Minnesota (Swift, Stearns, Polk counties), Wisconsin (St. Croix, Clark, Portage counties), and extended to Illinois and Michigan. This pattern aligns with a frontal system moving through the Upper Midwest, fostering supercell thunderstorms.
Temporal Distribution: Most tornadoes occurred between 6:16 PM and 11:01 PM CDT, with a late-night event in Michigan around 3:36 AM EDT. This suggests a nocturnal tornado risk, likely driven by a warm, unstable airmass ahead of a cold front.
Impact: Damage was primarily to trees and vegetation, with some structural impacts (e.g., siding in Braceville, IL, and a semi-truck in Waverly, MI). The Eaton County, MI, event stands out due to the radar-confirmed debris signature and significant vehicle damage.
3. Hail Reports
Summary
A total of 155 hail reports were recorded, with hail sizes ranging from 1.00 inch (quarter-sized) to 4.00 inches (softball-sized). The most significant hail occurred in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where 4.00-inch hail was reported. Hail was widespread across Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, and parts of the Southeast and Mid-South.
Key Hail Events
Eau Claire County, WI (9:05–9:19 PM CDT):
Locations: Altoona, 3 SSW Altoona, 5 S Altoona, 2 WSW Altoona.
Sizes: 1.50 inches (ping pong ball) to 4.00 inches (softball).
Details: Multiple reports of large hail, with 3.50-inch and 4.00-inch hail relayed by WQOW with photos. Damage to siding was reported, and hail up to 3.00 inches was measured at WEAU studios. This event caused significant property damage, including to vehicles and buildings.
NWS Office: MPX.
Dane County, WI (9:03–9:51 PM CDT):
Locations: Fitchburg, Madison, Oregon, Shorewood Hills, Maple Bluff, Cottage Grove, Sun Prairie.
Sizes: 1.00 inch (quarter) to 2.25 inches (hen egg+).
Details: Widespread hail reports, with 2.00-inch (hen egg) hail in Madison and 2.25-inch hail west of Cottage Grove. Damage included shredded tree canopies and minor structural impacts. Photos and mPING reports confirmed sizes.
NWS Office: MKX (Milwaukee).
Livingston County, IL (12:39–12:41 AM CDT):
Locations: Saunemin, 3 N Saunemin, 1 SE Emington.
Sizes: 2.50 inches (tennis ball) to 3.00 inches (tea cup).
Details: Photos shared via social media showed 3.00-inch hail north of Saunemin and 2.75-inch (baseball-sized) hail near Emington. Significant damage to vehicles and structures was likely.
NWS Office: LOT.
Racine County, WI (11:13–11:20 PM CDT):
Locations: 4 W Waterford, East Troy.
Sizes: 2.00 inches (hen egg) to 2.50 inches (tennis ball).
Details: Tennis ball to baseball-sized hail caused significant vehicle damage in western Waterford. East Troy reported 2.00-inch hail with shredded leaves.
NWS Office: MKX.
McLean County, IL (12:00–12:27 AM CDT):
Locations: Bloomington, Normal, Chenoa, Mount Auburn.
Sizes: 1.00 inch (quarter) to 2.00 inches (hen egg).
Details: Multiple reports of 1.75-inch (golf ball) and 2.00-inch hail, with photos measuring hail in Normal. Hail fell for about two minutes in Chenoa, causing minor damage.
NWS Office: ILX (Lincoln).
Analysis
Geographic Distribution: Wisconsin (Dane, Eau Claire, Racine, Waukesha counties) and Illinois (Livingston, McLean, DuPage counties) were the epicenters of large hail. Other states like North Carolina, Virginia, and Arkansas reported smaller hail (1.00–1.75 inches).
Size and Impact: The largest hail (3.50–4.00 inches) in Eau Claire, WI, caused significant property damage, including to siding and vehicles. Hail of 2.50–3.00 inches in Livingston County, IL, likely damaged crops, vehicles, and structures. Smaller hail (1.00–1.50 inches) was more widespread but caused less severe damage.
Temporal Distribution: Hail reports peaked between 9:00 PM and 11:30 PM CDT, with a secondary cluster around midnight to 1:00 AM CDT in Illinois. Early morning reports (8:15–10:27 AM CDT) were sparse and limited to Kentucky, Arkansas, and Missouri.
4. Wind Reports
Summary
Ninety-nine wind reports documented gusts up to 79 mph, with widespread tree and structural damage. The most significant impacts occurred in Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota, with additional reports in North Dakota, North Carolina, and Indiana.
Key Wind Events
Grundy County, IL (12:44–12:46 AM CDT):
Locations: Gardner, Braceville, Braidwood.
Details: A peak gust of 78.7 mph was recorded in Gardner. Photos showed trees 1–2 feet in diameter downed on power lines in Gardner and Braidwood. Braidwood reported a demolished brick chimney, 5–6 homes with trees on roofs, and shingle damage.
NWS Office: LOT.
Cook County, IL (12:45–1:20 AM CDT):
Locations: Chicago (Dunning, Norwood Park, Portage Park, Edgewater), Oak Lawn, Tinley Park, Oak Forest.
Details: Gusts up to 72 mph in Burbank. Widespread tree damage, including a 2-foot diameter tree uprooted in Dunning and a 10-inch tree snapped in Oak Lawn. Photos showed roof trim and gutter damage in Tinley Park and a collapsed porch roof in Palos Heights.
NWS Office: LOT.
Will County, IL (12:47–1:25 AM CDT):
Locations: Wilmington, Manhattan, Steger, Peotone.
Details: Gusts up to 64 mph south of Manhattan. Wilmington reported numerous trees and power lines down, with roof material blown into streets. Manhattan had power outages and possible roof damage. Steger reported residential damage.
NWS Office: LOT.
Dodge County, WI (10:33–11:01 PM CDT):
Locations: Lowell, Horicon, Mayville, Juneau.
Details: Multiple uprooted trees in Lowell, a roof blown off a house in Juneau, and tree and outbuilding damage in Mayville. Minnesota Junction reported 4–12-inch limbs and power lines down.
NWS Office: MKX.
Calhoun County, MI (2:09–2:32 AM EDT):
Locations: Battle Creek, Springfield.
Details: A 76-mph gust at Battle Creek ASOS. Multiple trees down, including at Hubbard St and Waubascon Rd. Radar indicated a tornado debris signature, suggesting possible tornadic winds.
NWS Office: GRR.
Analysis
Geographic Distribution: Illinois (Cook, Will, Grundy counties), Wisconsin (Dodge, Racine), and Michigan (Calhoun, Ottawa) saw the most severe wind damage. Minnesota and North Dakota reported tree and power line damage, while North Carolina had isolated reports.
Wind Speeds: Gusts ranged from 58 mph (Sauk Centre, MN) to 79 mph (Harrison Dever Crib, IL). The highest gusts (70–79 mph) were associated with significant structural damage in Illinois and Michigan.
Impact: Tree damage was ubiquitous, with large trees (1–2 feet in diameter) uprooted or snapped. Structural damage included roofs, siding, and outbuildings, with power outages reported due to downed lines. Semi-trucks were overturned in Michigan and Illinois, indicating strong straight-line winds or possible tornadoes.
5. Regional Impacts
Midwest (IL, WI, MN, MI)
Tornadoes: Concentrated in Minnesota and Wisconsin, with a significant event in Eaton County, MI. Damage was primarily to trees and vegetation, with some structural impacts.
Hail: Largest hail (up to 4.00 inches) in Eau Claire, WI, and 3.00 inches in Livingston, IL. Widespread property and vehicle damage in Wisconsin and Illinois.
Winds: Severe gusts (up to 79 mph) caused extensive tree and power line damage, with structural impacts in Illinois (Grundy, Will, Cook counties) and Michigan (Calhoun County).
Southeast (NC, VA)
Hail: Reports of 1.00–2.50-inch hail in North Carolina (Pitt, Tyrrell counties) and Virginia (Rockingham, Albemarle counties). Damage was minor, primarily to vegetation.
Winds: Isolated reports in North Carolina (Fremont, Wanchese) included downed trees, power lines, and a flipped RV, possibly tornadic.
Mid-South (OK, AR, KY, MO)
Hail: Reports of 1.00–1.75-inch hail in Oklahoma (McCurtain County), Arkansas (Sebastian, Clay, Greene, Dunklin counties), Kentucky (Grayson County), and Missouri (Dunklin County). No significant damage reported.
Winds: No significant wind reports in this region.
Great Lakes (IN, ND)
Hail: No significant hail reports.
Winds: Indiana (Lake, Porter counties) reported tree and minor structural damage. North Dakota (Grand Forks County) had tree damage and power outages.
6. Meteorological Context
The severe weather was driven by a potent frontal system interacting with a warm, moist, and unstable airmass. Key factors include:
Synoptic Setup: A cold front moving through the Midwest and Upper Midwest triggered supercell thunderstorms, conducive to tornadoes and large hail.
Instability: High CAPE (Convective Available Potential Energy) and low-level moisture supported strong updrafts, producing large hail and tornadoes.
Wind Shear: Strong low-level and deep-layer shear enhanced storm rotation, leading to tornadoes and severe straight-line winds.
Nocturnal Activity: Late-night tornadoes and wind events in Michigan and Illinois suggest sustained instability into the early morning hours.
Radar data, including debris signatures (e.g., Eaton County, MI), and mesonet/ASOS observations (e.g., 79-mph gust in Chicago) corroborate the severity of the storms.
7. Summary
The past 24 hours saw significant severe weather across the Midwest, Upper Midwest, and parts of the Southeast and Mid-South. Tornadoes, primarily in Minnesota and Wisconsin, caused tree and minor structural damage, with a notable event in Eaton County, MI, overturning a semi-truck. Hail up to 4.00 inches in Wisconsin and 3.00 inches in Illinois led to widespread property and vehicle damage. Damaging winds, with gusts up to 79 mph, caused extensive tree damage, power outages, and structural impacts, particularly in Illinois and Michigan.
The NWS offices (MPX, ARX, FGF, GRB, LOT, MKX, ILX, GRR, and others) provided critical real-time reporting, supported by spotters, law enforcement, and social media. This event underscores the importance of timely warnings and public awareness in mitigating the impacts of severe weather.
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