Weather tracker: Wisconsin battered by rare tornado and meteotsunami
Wisconsin experienced a rare EF3 tornado and a meteotsunami on Lake Winnebago, causing significant property damage. Meanwhile, extreme weather events are intensifying globally, including major hurricanes and typhoons in the Pacific.
Why it matters
The increasing frequency of rare atmospheric phenomena highlights the growing impact of climate instability on infrastructure and public safety.
Volunteers in Menasha, Wisconsin, clear debris from tornado-damaged businesses. Volunteers in Menasha, Wisconsin, clear debris from tornado-damaged businesses. Weather tracker Environment Analysis Weather tracker: Wisconsin battered by rare tornado and meteotsunami Morgan Thomas for the MetDesk Unusual atmospheric phenomena causes widespread damage in US state, while heat continues to grip Europe
A rare and powerful tornado developed over north-east Wisconsin on Monday, lasting 26 minutes and carving a 12-mile path of destruction in western parts of Appleton and Menasha before dissipating over Lake Winnebago.
The US National Weather Service classified the tornado as an EF3, making it the fourth of that strength to strike Wisconsin in 2026. EF3 tornadoes are relatively rare in north-east Wisconsin, and this year’s total is already the state’s highest since 1984.
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