Severe thunderstorms swept across Southeast Wisconsin on Thursday evening, prompting multiple weather warnings, widespread power outages, and concerns over the potential for tornadoes before conditions gradually improved.
As of 7:40 p.m. on July 2, 2026, the National Weather Service (NWS) canceled all active severe weather warnings for Southeast Wisconsin. However, officials cautioned residents to remain weather-aware as storms continued moving through portions of the region and warm, humid conditions were expected to persist into the weekend.
Earlier in the evening, the NWS warned that several storms were capable of producing damaging wind gusts, large hail, and isolated tornadoes. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remained in effect for much of Southeast Wisconsin until 10:00 p.m., though it was canceled early for Dodge and Jefferson counties as conditions improved.
Among the hardest-hit areas was Hartland, where a Severe Thunderstorm Warning covered northern Waukesha County until 7:30 p.m. Forecasters warned of wind gusts reaching 60 mph, capable of damaging roofs, siding, and trees. Communities including Waukesha, Brookfield, Menomonee Falls, Pewaukee, Sussex, Delafield, and Hartland were advised to seek shelter immediately.
Additional Severe Thunderstorm Warnings were issued for parts of Fond du Lac, Dodge, Washington, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, and Sheboygan counties. A trained storm spotter also reported one-inch diameter hail near Jackson in Washington County.
The storms caused widespread power disruptions across the region. At one point, more than 25,600 We Energies customers were without electricity, including over 19,000 customers in the City of Milwaukee. Significant outages were also reported in Brookfield, Colgate, Germantown, and several surrounding communities as strong winds moved through.
The severe weather also brought one welcome development, as the National Weather Service canceled the Extreme Heat Warning that had been in effect for Southeast Wisconsin. Despite the temporary relief, forecasters noted that hot and humid weather is expected to continue through the holiday weekend, with additional heat advisories possible.
Residents were urged throughout the evening to move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building whenever warnings were issued. Boaters on area lakes and attendees at outdoor events, including the New Berlin Fourth of July Festival and visitors at the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, were also advised to seek immediate shelter.
Although the severe weather threat has diminished with the cancellation of active warnings, officials encourage residents to remain alert for changing conditions and to monitor forecasts as additional rounds of storms remain possible in the coming days.