Storm Events Database

Event Details:

Event Tornado
-- Scale EF2
-- Length 0.75 Miles
-- Width 230 Yards
State WISCONSIN
County/Area MARATHON
WFO GRB
Report Source NWS Storm Survey
NCEI Data Source CSV
Begin Date 2025-05-15 16:27 CST-6
Begin Location 2SSW COLBY
Begin Lat/Lon 44.898/-90.315
End Date 2025-05-15 16:28 CST-6
End Location 1S COLBY
End Lat/Lon 44.9053/-90.3038
Deaths Direct/Indirect 0/0 (fatality details below, when available...)
Injuries Direct/Indirect 0/0
Property Damage 0.00K
Crop Damage 0.00K
Episode Narrative Showers and thunderstorms developed ahead of an occluded front Thursday afternoon (5/15) across western Wisconsin. Storms tracked through the area during the late afternoon and early evening hours. The strongest storms produced 3 tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail up to golf ball size across central and north-central Wisconsin.
Event Narrative A tornado developed in fields west of Unity in Clark County (NWS La Crosse warning area) at 5:21 pm CDT before tracking northeast toward Colby. The tornado moved through rural areas of northeastern Clark County, damaging multiple farm outbuildings, trees, power poles, and a home before crossing Highway 13 into western Marathon County at 5:27 pm CDT. The tornado tracked through the southeastern edge of Colby damaging another home, multiple outbuildings, power poles, and a car dealership before dissipating at 5:28 pm CDT. Total path length is estimated to be 4.81 miles long, with a width of 230 yards. Peak wind estimated to be around 120 mph.


    

Event Map:

Note: The tornado track is approximate based on the beginning (B) and ending (E) locations. The actual tornado path may differ from a straight line.


All events for this episode:

Location County/Zone St. Date Time T.Z. Type Mag Dth Inj PrD CrD
Totals: 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
KELLNER PORTAGE CO. WI 05/15/2025 15:37 CST-6 Hail 1.00 in. 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
COLBY MARATHON CO. WI 05/15/2025 16:27 CST-6 Tornado EF2 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
RIB FALLS MARATHON CO. WI 05/15/2025 16:41 CST-6 Tornado EF0 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
BANCROFT PORTAGE CO. WI 05/15/2025 16:52 CST-6 Tornado EF0 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
CODDINGTON PORTAGE CO. WI 05/15/2025 17:06 CST-6 Hail 1.50 in. 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
ROTHSCHILD MARATHON CO. WI 05/15/2025 17:10 CST-6 Hail 1.75 in. 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
SCHOFIELD MARATHON CO. WI 05/15/2025 17:15 CST-6 Hail 1.00 in. 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
SCHOFIELD MARATHON CO. WI 05/15/2025 17:20 CST-6 Hail 1.25 in. 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
MERRILL MUNI ARPT LINCOLN CO. WI 05/15/2025 17:21 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 52 kts. EG 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
WAUSAU MARATHON CO. WI 05/15/2025 17:45 CST-6 Hail 1.00 in. 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
HARSHAW ONEIDA CO. WI 05/15/2025 17:49 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 52 kts. EG 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
LAKE EMILY PORTAGE CO. WI 05/15/2025 17:50 CST-6 Hail 1.50 in. 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
Totals: 0 0 0.00K 0.00K