Dashcam captures 140-mph EF3 tornado tearing through Wisconsin
A dashcam capture from July 2026 shows an EF3 tornado ripping through Appleton, Wisconsin, uprooting trees and knocking down power lines as debris swirls around a driver. The National Weather Service confirmed damage consistent with winds up to 140 mph, while two observers documented the event from nearby highways. The vivid video highlights the green-tinted sky that some storms produce, a phenomenon not fully understood but potentially linked to sunlight interacting with heavy rain or hail. The incident underscores the severity of the outbreak and points to ongoing weather coverage and analysis for future threats.
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Autumn Willette recorded noon-time footage in Appleton, capturing trees snapping and utility poles collapsing as the tornado passed.
The event is classified as EF3 with winds reaching up to 140 mph, according to preliminary surveys by the National Weather Service.
Reed Timmer, an AccuWeather extreme meteorologist, also filmed the tornado near Appleton and described the sky as green, attributing it to sun angle.
Green skies in thunderstorms are not guaranteed indicators of tornado development, and scientists cite multiple possible explanations for the color.
The footage and official assessments document the immediate damage footprint, including downed power infrastructure and damaged homes, contributing to ongoing severe weather coverage.