Blog Article
April 15, 2026 Severe Weather Recap: Tornadoes & Giant Hail
A complete recap of the April 15, 2026 severe weather event. We break down the confirmed tornadoes, 80 mph winds in Michigan, and 4-inch hail in Kansas.
The Atmosphere Delivered Exactly What It Promised
Alright folks, yesterday was one of those days where the weather models got it right. We talked about the threat for giant hail in the Plains and severe winds up in the Great Lakes. The atmosphere did exactly what it said it was going to do.
Let's look at how April 15 unfolded.
The Timeline of Impacts
The day started rough in the Great Lakes and just kept escalating.
- Morning Winds: We saw an 80 mph wind gust measured right at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
- Wisconsin Flooding and Tornadoes: Up in Shawano, Wisconsin, a Flash Flood Watch went up for the potential imminent failure of the Balsam Row Road Dam. Later in the afternoon, an EF1 tornado touched down near Endeavor, Wisconsin. It had a 50-yard path and took out a barn and some outbuildings.
- Giant Hail in Kansas: By the late afternoon, the Central Plains lit up. A storm dropped 4.0-inch hail in Paola, Kansas. That is grapefruit-sized ice falling from the sky.
- Missouri Tornado: Just before sunset, a storm chaser confirmed a tornado on the ground east-northeast of Clinton, Missouri.
- Rockies Snow: While the severe weather fired up east of the mountains, the Colorado Rockies quietly picked up 9.0 inches of late-season snow.
The Forecast vs. Reality
Here is the thing about yesterday. We told y'all to expect grapefruit-sized hail in Kansas and 80 mph winds in Michigan. That is exactly what we got. The data was clear, and the storms followed the script.
We also saw the severe threat transition into a high-speed linear wind event as it moved east. When a day verifies this closely to the forecast, it builds confidence in the models for the next system.
What Comes Next
Today is giving most of the country a quick breather. We do have a Slight Risk for severe storms up in New York and southern Vermont, plus another pocket down in northern Arkansas. But for the most part, today is a transition day.
Use this time wisely. The Storm Prediction Center has an Enhanced Risk up for Friday across Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. We are looking at a potent setup for tornadoes, very large hail, and damaging winds. The Weather Prediction Center also has a Slight Risk for excessive rainfall in the Mid-Mississippi Valley.
Bottom Line
Yesterday proved that when the ingredients are there, the atmosphere does not hold back. We saw verified tornadoes, 80 mph winds, and 4-inch hail. Today is your day to rest, check your weather radio, and review your severe weather plan. Friday is going to be a busy one.