Green Lake County

Every recorded tornado

1. Injuries and deaths are for the tornado’s whole path, which may extend beyond the county. Deaths recorded within Green Lake County: 8.
2. Weak tornadoes were under-recorded before Doppler radar coverage became national in the early 1990s, so earlier decades read low. Ratings use the Fujita scale before February 2007 and the Enhanced Fujita scale after.

Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025.

Every large fire

1. Large fires mapped by the Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity program since 1984: 1,000 acres or more in the West, 500 or more in the East. Prescribed burns are excluded. Acres here are the part of each perimeter inside this place.

Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity (USGS and U.S. Forest Service), 1984 to 2026.

Smoke overhead

1. A smoke day is a date on which a smoke plume traced by NOAA Hazard Mapping System analysts from satellite imagery covered this place's point (the county's population centre or the city centre). Counts here are of medium or heavy smoke. Since 2018 analysts have often drawn light smoke as one area over most of the continent, so light-smoke counts are not comparable from year to year. The plumes show smoke anywhere in the air above, not air quality at the ground, and smoke hidden by cloud is missed.

NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, 2011 to 2026, retrieved October 30, 2026.

Claims by ZIP code

This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).

OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims v3, refreshed August 4, 2026. NOAA Storm Events through 2026.

River crests

River gauges

1. Crests are the highest and the recent crests the National Weather Service lists for each river gauge in the county that has a flood stage, not every flood. Flood categories use each gauge's current flood stages; crests from before levees, dams or channel changes may not be comparable. Crests measured on an old datum are left out of the rankings.

NOAA National Water Prediction Service gauge records, retrieved October 30, 2026.

1. The Palmer Drought Severity Index is computed by NOAA each month from the county's average temperature and precipitation, relative to the county's own climate. Zero is normal; -3 or lower is severe drought and -4 or lower extreme drought. It describes the long-term balance of moisture, not water supply or crop losses.

NOAA NCEI nClimDiv county Palmer Drought Severity Index, 1895 to September 2026, issued October 6, 2026.

More event types since 1996

Costliest events since 1996

1. Jun 1, 2004Flood, Green Lake$2.7 million
   National Weather Service narrative

   Scattered to widespread heavy rains across south-central and southeast Wisconsin during the period of June 9-12, 2004 kept many rivers and streams at or above flood stage for a good part, or most of the month. Monthly rainfall totals generally ranged from 4 to 7 inches across south-central and southeast Wisconsin, with some scattered spots in Sauk, Columbia, Dodge, Walworth, Racine, and Kenosha Counties picking up 7 to 9.5 inches, or 50 to 100% above normal. In some cases, stretches of some rivers actually went above flood stage in May, 2004. Refer to flood and flash flood events in May, 2004, for additional information. During June, 2004, the high water levels kept much of the…

2. May 12, 2000Hail$1.5 million
   National Weather Service narrative

   Probably the costliest southern Wisconsin hailstorm in the past 100 years struck the northern parts of Marquette and Green Lake Counties during the mid to late morning hours. This was the third round of severe thunderstorms to strike southern Wisconsin due to the same basic weather pattern. Hailstones the size of baseballs (up to 3 inches in diameter) pounded the northern 3 mile stretch of these two counties, resulting in substantial damage to hundreds of homes (roofs and siding) and hundreds of vehicles. Two people in Marquette County and 4 people in Green Lake County were injured by the large hailstones and needed medical treatment. The hailstones left impact marks on sidewalks…

3. Jun 23, 2004Tornado$1.4 million
   National Weather Service narrative

   A strong tornado spun up near the intersection of STH 73 and CTH H, about 2 miles north of the village of Manchester. It increased its strength to F3 (estimated 175-200 mph) as it moved southeast across the southern part of the city of Markesan. Numerous trees were uprooted. At least 18 homes or ag-buildings had minor damage, at least 9 homes or ag-buildings had major damage, and at least 21 homes or ag-buildings were destroyed. This tornado exited Green Lake County at a point 6.4 miles southeast of Markesan, just south of Lake Maria Rd., and continued southeast through Fond du Lac County. The responsible supercell also spun up different tornadoes earlier in Adams and Marquette…

4. Aug 3, 1997Thunderstorm Wind$1.0 million
   National Weather Service narrative

   Two rounds of severe thunderstorms struck southeast and south-central Wisconsin during the evening hours. The first round, consisting of short lines of storms moving southeast, produced scattered reports of damaging, powerful winds uprooting large trees, and large hail up to 3 inches in diameter. Northwest to northeast of Lebanon (Dodge Co.), a wet microburst blanketed the ground like snow with hail up to 1.75 inches in diameter. The accompanying powerful winds twisted and pushed over a cattle trailer, tipped over a corn crib, and shoved a hay wagon into the side of a home which damaged an exterior wall and window. In addition, a hay elevator was damaged and many local trees were…

5. Jun 23, 2004Tornado$675,000
   National Weather Service narrative

   A strong tornado spun up about a mile directly east of Lake Maria in southeastern Green Lake County, or about 4.2 miles SSE of Markesan, moved east along Sunny Drive with F3 strength (estimated 175-200), and exited Green Lake County along Mielke Rd., or about 6.8 miles SE of Markesan. Numerous trees were uprooted. At least 8 homes or ag-buildings had minor damage, at least 5 homes or ag-buildings had major damage, and at least 5 homes or ag-buildings were destroyed. Near the intersection of Sunny Drive and Pleasant Drive, two people and most basement items were "sucked" out of their home's basement while the home was being destroyed. The husband was found dead and his wife was…

6. May 25, 2004Flood, Green Lake$300,000
   National Weather Service narrative

   The Fox River at Berlin rose above its flood stage of 13 feet on May 25th at 2115 CST. The river crested on June 18th at 16.24 feet, 3.24 feet above flood stage. Water damage to road systems, parks, treatment plants, and basements was noted along most rivers and streams. In addition, crop damage and erosion was moderate to severe in low lands. For more information, please refer to the June 2004 edition of StormData.Several all-time monthly record precipitation totals (for any month) were recorded during May across south-central and southeast Wisconsin. Official totals that broke these records include: 13.85" in Union Grove (Racine Co.), 13.55" in Racine (Racine Co.), 13.47" in…

7. Aug 28, 2018Thunderstorm Wind$295,000
   National Weather Service narrative

   A swath of widespread tree and crop damage across the southern portion of the county. Some structural damage from fallen trees or due to the strong downburst winds. Various roads closed due to fallen trees. Several reports of estimated winds of 70 to 75 mph but NWS storm survey reveals maximum winds around 100 mph in some areas.

8. Jul 10, 2008Tornado$150,000
   National Weather Service narrative

   A weak tornado spun up about 1/2 mile southwest of Downtown Dalton near a creek and proceeded to track east across STH 44 just northeast of the intersection of STH 44 and South Main Steet, and ultimately dissipated about 1/2 mile east-southeast of Downtown Dalton just southeast of the intersection of Fountain Lane and Belle Fountain Creek. It took the roof off of a lumberyard pole shed, took part of a roof off an office building, uprooted trees, and brought down some power-lines. The starting and ending lat/long pairs of numbers are 43.65243/-89.21794 and 43.65347/-89.19503. DI#1 (SBO), DOD 5. The winds were estimated at 93 mph. The average path width was about 50 yards.

9. Apr 30, 2010Tornado$130,000
   National Weather Service narrative

   A weak tornado spun up southeast of Berlin near the intersection of CTH AA and Forest Ridge Rd. The tornado moved northeast and disappated near the intersection of CTH V and White Ridge Rd. The average path width was 60 yards. A damage survey noted seven high tension wood power poles were snapped. A few trees were uprooted including one that fell on and damaged a car. There was minor roof damage to a barn. Several small barrels were thrown over 100 yards into a nearby field. A portable toilet was moved about 50 feet. Near the end of the track, a TV antenna was snapped and there was damage to the facia of a home. A small shed was destroyed and a couch that was outdoors was thrown…

10. Jun 11, 2001Thunderstorm Wind$100,000
    National Weather Service narrative

    A powerful squall line plowed through most of south-central and southeast Wisconsin during the late evening hours of June 11, 2001, resulting in widespread damage to trees, power lines, and power poles. There were many reports of damage to residential homes, businesses, and motor vehicles, caused by falling trees/branches. Maximum wind gusts were in the 64 to 78 knot range (74 to 90 mph) in parts of Sheboygan, Dodge, and Washington counties, and 50 to 63 knots (58 to 73 mph) elsewhere. In addition, three (3) tornadoes formed in a meso low-pressure on the left side of a pronounced down-burst located on the leading edge of the squall line. One of the tornadoes, rated F0, briefly…

1. Storm Events records before 1996 cover only tornadoes, thunderstorm wind and hail. Damage figures are as reported by the National Weather Service at the time, not adjusted for inflation.

NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1950 to 2026, issued October 26, 2026.

All-time high

104°F2 times, most recently Jul 6, 2012

All-time low

−35°F2 times, most recently Jan 9, 1977

Warmest night

79°FJun 22, 1988

Coldest day

−15°FJan 19, 1994

Wettest day

5.89 inAug 28, 2018

Snowiest day

14.0 inJan 27, 1996

Hottest year

2024mean 49.5°F

Coldest year

2008mean 41.7°F

Wettest year

201855.10 in

Driest year

195814.38 in

Snowiest season

76.4 in2007-08

Station Montello Wwtp (USC00475581), 803 ft elevation, 15.7 miles from the population centre. Daily records from 1954 to October 23, 2026; 98.8% of days in the last 30 years are complete. Records at a single station can differ from a city’s official threaded record, which may combine several stations.

NOAA NCEI Global Historical Climatology Network Daily.

This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).

OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, retrieved October 30, 2026. Statewide declarations are not listed.

Neighbouring counties

• Tornadoes NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, through 2025.
• Tropical cyclones NOAA National Hurricane Center HURDAT2 (Atlantic; Northeast and Central Pacific), through 2025.
• Wildfire USGS/USFS Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity, through 2026.
• Storm events NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, through 2026.
• Flood insurance OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims v3, refreshed August 4, 2026.
• Declarations OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2, retrieved October 30, 2026.
• Weather records NOAA NCEI Global Historical Climatology Network Daily, station USC00475581.
• River crests NOAA National Weather Service, National Water Prediction Service river gauges, retrieved October 30, 2026.
• Drought NOAA NCEI nClimDiv county Palmer Drought Severity Index, through September 2026.
• Smoke NOAA NESDIS Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, retrieved October 30, 2026.
• Earthquakes USGS ANSS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat), retrieved October 30, 2026.

Joins, thresholds and known limits are set out in the methodology. Found an error? Report it. Page built October 30, 2026.