Weak Tornado Saturday Evening East of Madison, WI

The threat for severe weather was extremely low Saturday, but an approaching cold front and strong wind shear in the atmosphere allowed some of the rain showers that moved through to rotate.  And one of those stronger, rotating rain showers produced an EF 0 tornado east of Madison Saturday evening shortly before 5pm.


The National Weather Service conducted a damage survey Sunday and concluded the tornado had winds between 70-80 mph.  It was on the ground for a little over four miles and had a maximum width between 50 and 100 yards.


There were no injuries or fatalities, but the tornado did damage some trees, homes and businesses.  You can find more information on the late season tornado on the Milwaukee National Weather Service website.


A similar situation occurred west of Freeport back on August, 16th.  Heavy rain showers moved through northwest Illinois at the same time a warm front was approaching.  Instability was very weak and marginal, but a heavy rain shower west of Freeport began to rotate as it moved over the warm front.  Two tornadoes occurred that evening, an EF 0 and EF 1.  Read more about those tornadoes here.