Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week in Wisconsin will take place April 8-12 this year. This annual campaign encourages everyone to prepare for the tornadoes and severe storms the state frequently experiences during the spring and summer months. It is also an opportunity for all of Wisconsin to participate in statewide tornado drills at 1:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. on April 11.
Wisconsin averages 23 tornadoes annually. The National Weather Service (NWS) has confirmed 21 tornadoes touched down in Wisconsin during 2023. You can see a list of tornadoes in the state last year at https://www.weather.gov/mkx/wisconsintornadoes.
During the drill times, Wisconsin’s National Weather Service offices will conduct NOAA Weather Radio tests that can be heard only if you are actively listening to those devices or have one programmed to activate on test alerts. Many communities may choose to test their outdoor warning sirens during the drill times and local media may also put out messages to encourage people to participate.
Schools, businesses, and people at home are encouraged to practice going to their nearest tornado shelter during the drills, as if there were an actual tornado warning in effect.
If there is a threat of severe weather in Wisconsin on April 11, the statewide drills will be postponed until Friday, April 12. The drill will go on in all other conditions, including non-severe weather (clouds, rain, dark sky, scattered thunderstorms, etc.). If severe weather is also expected on Friday, the drill will be cancelled.
Notification of the drill status will be posted at https://readywisconsin.wi.gov by 10:00 a.m. on April 11.
