While southeast Wisconsin saw severe thunderstorms move through the area on Tuesday night, and a confirmed tornado touched down near the Village of Sussex, more severe weather is on the way.
WTMJ Meteorologist Craig Koplein explained why we’re seeing severe storms.
“It’s sort of a typical spring set up where winter and summer are sort of battling it out… and right now that battle has set up right over southern Wisconsin. The ingredients, the conditions, the atmosphere … That sort of severe set up for this afternoon isn’t quite as high as it was last night, but it isn’t ‘zero’ with hail and strong winds.”
This also means that we’re going to get more rain, which could be dangerous in already water-soaked areas.
According to Warning Coordination Meteorologist for the Milwaukee National Weather Service, Tim Halbach, the recent stretch of rain combined with an active weather pattern is raising concerns beyond just strong storms.
“Just the amount of rainfall that we’ve had the last week or so, and with the active pattern that we’re still into, there’s going to be concern for that, especially if any storms sit over the same area,” Halbach said. ”So we’re kind of taking it day by day to see how much rain falls and then what the next day looks like. “
Halbach says if additional storms move over the same areas, the risk for localized flooding could increase as the week goes on. Crews will be monitoring conditions day by day, depending on how much rain falls and how quickly the ground can absorb it.
He adds that while a damage assessments are underway in Sussex following the confirmed tornado, it’s encouraging that there have been no reports of injures tied to Tuesday night’s storms.
With more rounds of storms expected, forecasters urge people to remain aware of changing conditions and be prepared to act if warnings are issued.
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