Justin Poublon is a meteorologist and storm chaser from Wisconsin who witnessed a meteotsunami on July 27, 2026. This rare video shows large waves piling up on shore of Lake Winnebago after the Wisconsin tornado struck.
Meteotsunami hits Lake Winnebago after Wisconsin tornado
On July 27, 2026, a tornado struck the Fox Valley area of Wisconsin, destroying a wide swath of the city of Menasha. The tornado-producing storm system also triggered a meteotsunami in neighboring Lake Winnebago. What’s a meteotsunami? A meteotsunami is when a meteorological event causes large waves in a body of water. The key difference is that ordinary waves mainly affect the surface of the water, while a meteotsunami involves the movement of the entire body of water. NOAA says:
Meteotsunamis have characteristics similar to earthquake-generated tsunamis, but they are caused by air-pressure disturbances often associated with fast-moving weather systems, such as squall lines. These disturbances can generate waves in the ocean that travel at the same speed as the overhead weather system.
Development of a meteotsunami depends on several factors, such as the intensity, direction and speed of the air pressure as it travels over a waterbody. Like an earthquake-generated tsunami, a meteotsunami affects the entire water column and may become dangerous when it hits shallow water, which causes it to slow down and increase in height and intensity. Semi-enclosed water bodies like harbors, inlets and bays can greatly intensify a meteotsunami.
The meteotsunami in the Fox Valley did not cause any destruction. It was a rare event caused by the combination of atmospheric pressure changes, storm dynamics and strong winds associated with the severe weather system.
A first-hand account
Justin Poublon, a meteorologist and storm chaser from Wisconsin, described his experience:
While the Appleton/Menasha tornado was occurring, Lake Winnebago appeared to drop by 1 to 2 feet [30 to 60 centimeters] at my location near Adella Beach/ Neenah, Wisconsin. At 12:29 – likely after the tornado had ended – I observed an unnaturally long wave approaching from the northeast as the water rushed back into the bay. I moved my vehicle multiple times to stay clear of the rising water, which spilled over the bank. I observed flying/falling debris such as shingles, small sticks and a projectile plastic kiddie pool as part of the broader event.
Bottom line: A meteotsunami occurs when a weather system causes the entire body of water to oscillate, creating sudden changes in water level along the shore.
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