Wisconsin severe weather: Flood watch issued, risk of heavy rain, storms

Date:2025-08-17 02:46:03 Category:US Views:1 Comment:0

MILWAUKEE - 12:10 p.m. Update: A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for Sheboygan County, Fond du Lac County, Dodge County, Washington County, and Ozaukee County until 1 p.m.

A flood watch has also been issued for all of southeastern Wisconsin, starting at 4 p.m.

What to expect

What we know

Southern Wisconsin is spending the weekend and early next week on a bit of a weather roller coaster with one of the most frustrating and sometimes dangerous weather patterns in place - a quasi-stationary front.

This will mean periods of heavy rain and frequent lightning but also long stretches of hazy sunshine and hot humid conditions.

Timeline

This weekend through early Tuesday, (Aug. 16–19), southeastern Wisconsin will be along an atmospheric "highway" of storms.

The FOX6 Weather Experts are watching for multiple potential rounds of showers and thunderstorms, many of them forming overnight.

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Because the front won't move much, the same towns could see several inches of rain in a matter of days. That raises the risk of flash flooding, especially in areas where rivers are already high from last weekend’s storms.

There is a marginal risk for severe storms on Saturday with the major threat being heavy rain and flooding.

However, strong wind gusts could also occur with thunderstorms. If that happens, trees are more likely to come down due to the saturated soil from recent heavy rain. That could lead to power outages.

Storm photos

Submitted by viewersWhat you can do

Stay Weather Aware: Keep phones charged and enable weather alerts for storm updates.
Flood Safety: Don’t drive through flooded roads; keep sandbags ready if you live near rivers or low spots.
Outdoor Plans: Have backup indoor options for events, sports, or travel.
Emergency Kit: Stock flashlights, batteries, and basic supplies in case of power outages.

FOX6 Weather Extras

Local perspective

Meanwhile, FOX6Now.com offers a variety of extremely useful weather tools to help you navigate the stormy season. They include the following:

FOX6 Storm Center app

FOX LOCAL Mobile app

FOX Weather app

What is the FOX Model?

FOX Weather

Maps and radar

We have a host of maps and radars on the FOX6 Weather page that are updating regularly — to provide you the most accurate assessment of the weather. From a county-by-county view to the Midwest regional radar and a national view — it’s all there.

School and business closings

When the weather gets a little dicey, schools and businesses may shut down. Monitor the latest list of closings, cancellations, and delays reported in southeast Wisconsin.