National Weather Service in Wisconsin focuses on 10 areas where tornadoes may have occurred

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a day ago

The National Weather Service will assess at least 10 areas across central Wisconsin that presented a rotation on the radar on July 16, with at least two believed tornado touch downs in Sauk and Dodge counties.
A tornado watch for the Milwaukee area expired at 7 p.m. Milwaukee, Dane, Ozaukee, Waukesha, Kenosha and Racine were among more than 30 Wisconsin counties under a tornado watch Wednesday afternoon and evening. The areas under a watch extended as far north as Green Bay.
Meanwhile, some parts of central Wisconsin were under a more serious tornado warning. Western Fond du Lac County and southeastern Dodge County were under a tornado warning until 4 p.m. after a tornado was spotted 3 miles south of Waupun.
North central Columbia County and Marquette County was under a tornado warning until 3:45 p.m. Parts of Columbia, Sauk, Fond du Lac counties were under a tornado warning until 3:30 p.m., as a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was spotted near Lake Wisconsin.
So far, the only other tornado touch down was at 1:12 p.m. over Mazomanie in Dane County, or near Sauk City, according to NWS. That storm has since weakened, but Dane, Rock, Green and Jefferson counties were all under tornado warnings Wednesday afternoon as a result. The warning on Dane County lifted at 2:30 p.m.
The NWS will typically make an official determination on tornadoes and assess the damage the next day, but the Milwaukee office in Sullivan said it is focused on 10 areas of potential tornadic activity.
The storms didn't impact the Milwaukee area that strongly, although rain will linger. But the forecast resulted in some cancellations, including the Waukesha County Fair canceling truck and tractor pulls and the Milwaukee Night Market canceling festivities.
A watch does not mean a tornado has developed. It is issued when the environment is capable of producing tornadoes, so the NWS recommends having a plan in place in the event a tornado forms. Heavy rain and thunderstorms are forecast for the Milwaukee area Wednesday afternoon and evening.
In the case a tornado does develop, here are some safety tips from NWS:
How to stay safe during a tornado
During a tornado, the NWS recommends:
Get as low as possible. A basement below ground level or the lowest floor of a building offers the greatest safety.
Put as many walls between yourself and the outside as possible.
Avoid windows.
What should you do if you're driving during a tornado warning?
If you're driving, particularly on interstates or highways, do not try to outrun a tornado.
If you are driving in an area with a tornado warning, you should look for ways to safely get off the road and out of your vehicle, preferably by seeking refuge in a sturdy building.
As a last resort, lie flat in the nearest depression, ditch or culvert and cover your head with your arms.
Wisconsin weather radar
Wisconsin weather warnings
(This story was updated to add new information and a photo gallery.)
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Tornadoes spotted near Madison and Waupun in Wisconsin