Main GHWO Page
Skywarn Activation Tornado Threat Hail Threat Severe Wind Threat Lightning Threat Flash Flood Threat River Flooding Threat High Wind Threat Dense Fog Threat Excessive Heat Threat Fire Weather Threat Excessive Cold Threat Winter Storm Threat Frost and Freeze Threat Air Quality Waterspout Threat Thunderstorm Wind Threat Wind and Seas Rip Current Threat
Scale of threat levels

for South Central and Southeast Wisconsin
Severe Thunderstorm Wind Threat
Hazard Map Threat Levels Safety & Impact

Severe Wind Threat Level

Threat Level Descriptions

Extreme

"An Extreme Threat to Life and Property from Severe Wind Gusts Associated with Thunderstorms."

Within 12 miles of a location, an extreme likelihood (36% or greater) of severe wind, with storms capable of damaging wind gusts (greater than or equal to 58 mph) causing minor damage to major damage in the worst situations. 

High

"A High Threat to Life and Property from Severe Wind Gusts Associated with Thunderstorms."

Within 12 miles of a location, a high likelihood (26% to 35% probability) of severe wind, with storms capable of damaging wind gusts (greater than or equal to 58 mph) causing minor damage to major damage in the worst situations.  

Moderate

"A Moderate Threat to Life and Property from Severe Wind Gusts Associated with Thunderstorms."

Within 12 miles of a location, a moderate likelihood (16% to 25% probability) of severe wind, with storms capable of damaging wind gusts (greater than or equal to 58 mph) causing minor damage to major damage in the worst situations.   

Low

"A Low Threat to Life and Property from Severe Wind Gusts Associated with Thunderstorms."

Within 12 miles of a location, a low likelihood (6% to 15% probability) of severe wind, with storms capable of damaging wind gusts (greater than or equal to 58 mph) causing minor damage to major damage in the worst situations.    

Very Low
"A Very Low Threat to Life and Property from Severe Wind Gusts Associated with Thunderstorms."

Within 12 miles of a location, a very low likelihood (2% to 5%) of strong wind gusts (greater than or equal to 58 mph) causing minor damage to major damage in the worst situations.

Non-Threatening
"No Discernable Threat to Life and Property from Severe Wind Gusts Associated with Thunderstorms."

Within 12 miles of a location, environmental conditions do not support the occurrence of severe wind gusts from thunderstorms.     

Note: To be considered severe, associated wind gusts must be 58 mph or greater (50 knots or greater).

Damaging Wind Gusts - Severe thunderstorm wind gusts between 58 mph and 74 mph (between 50 knots and 64 knots) causing minor damage, to severe damage with wind gusts of 90 to 150 mph (78 to 130 knots). 

Determining Likelihood

  • NOAA's National Weather Service
  • Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI Weather Forecast Office
  • N3533 Hardscrabble Road
  • Dousman, WI 53118
  • 414-744-8000
  • Page Author: MKX Webmaster
  • Web Master's E-mail: w-mkx.webmaster@noaa.gov
  • Page last modified: 2-Nov-2005 10:23 PM UTC
NOAA is celebrating 200 years of science, service, and stewardship. Visit the NOAA 200th celebration Web site to learn more. USA.gov is the U.S. government's official web portal to all federal, state and local government web resources and services.