Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 20
Storm System Threatens Midwest, Northeast With 39-Tornado Wisconsin at Risk
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 20

Storm System Threatens Midwest, Northeast With 39-Tornado Wisconsin at Risk

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 20

Summary

  • Monday and Tuesday could bring damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes from the Upper Midwest into the Northeast, replacing the wildfire smoke that has blanketed the region since midweek.
  • Wisconsin faces one of the sharper threats Monday afternoon and evening, with the Storm Prediction Center flagging a corridor from Iowa through Wisconsin for strong tornadoes as well as severe hail and wind.
  • 39 tornadoes have already been recorded in Wisconsin this year, tying the state for its sixth-highest annual total; the record is 62, set in 2005.
  • After the storms pass, forecasters are also watching for near-critical fire conditions to redevelop across the Upper Midwest as the weather pattern swings back.

Insights

With Wisconsin's tornado count already far above average this year, is this severe weather the new normal for Midwestern summers?
Beyond surviving the storm, what are the hidden costs of this weather pattern on public health, agriculture, and the local economy?
As extreme heat and storm alerts become more common, how are communities adapting their infrastructure and emergency plans for the future?