Wednesday night activities at AirVenture 2021 canceled

The National Weather Service in Green Bay has informed EAA of a significant storm threat beginning at approximately 8 p.m. Central Time tonight. As a result, EAA AirVenture Oshkosh will be closing most operations for the day at 5 p.m.

Among the operations affected:
- The afternoon air show will end at 5 p.m. today.
- There is no evening programming tonight, including the night air show, Theater in the Woods, and Fly-In Theater.
- Transportation systems will continue to operate as long as weather conditions allow.
- Exhibit buildings, restaurants and other services will close at 5 p.m.

The airport will reopen for departures at 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. or as long as practical. Pilots who have aircraft remaining at Wittman Regional Airport are reminded to check their tiedowns so they are secure.

The National Weather Service predicts that the storm front should arrive between 8-10 p.m. and continue until after midnight. EAA will continue to monitor conditions and alert those camping on the grounds as to any additional details as necessary.

Because of the cancellation of evening activities on Wednesday, July 28, AirVenture wristbands will be honored for admission on Thursday, July 29. Those Wednesday wristbands will be exchanged for Thursday wristbands at all admission gates. The night air show has been rescheduled for Thursday evening, July 29.

These are the METARs from last night during the storm. Looks like peak wind was 34 kts. I don't see any GR or GS (hail) in these reports, although these are automated , so I don't know how well the machine reports that. I haven't seen any reports of damage, but hopefully is was only a few things blown around. Too bad so many planes had to leave early yesterday.

Kosh 290441z auto 02023g30kt 1 1/4sm r36/3500vp6000ft tsra br bkn038 ovc07523/23 a2998 rmk ao2 pk wnd 03030/0440 ltg dsnt alqds p0055 t02330228

kosh 290453z auto 17008g32kt 1sm r36/3500vp6000ft tsra br ovc029 21/21 a2989 rmkao2 pk wnd 01032/0443 ltg dsnt alqds slp109 p0097 t02110206

kosh 290502z auto 20012kt 3sm tsra br bkn027 bkn075 ovc090 21/19 a2987 rmk ao2ltg dsnt alqds p0005 t02110194

kosh 290508z auto 17023g33kt 6sm -tsra sct025 bkn075 ovc110 22/19 a2984 rmk ao2pk wnd 17033/0508 wshft 0454 ltg dsnt alqds presfr p0005 t02220189

kosh 290553z auto 20012kt 10sm vcts -ra few070 few090 sct110 22/19 a2983 rmk ao2pk wnd 18034/0516 wshft 0454 ltg dsnt alqds tse48 slp087 p0011 60108 t0217019410267 20211 402940183 58017

kosh 290633z auto 21008kt 10sm -ra few090 sct110 22/19 a2987 rmk ao2 ltg dsnt eand se p0002 t02170194

kosh 290653z auto 20010g18kt 10sm -ra sct110 22/19 a2983 rmk ao2 ltg dsnt e ands slp088 p0003 t02170194

I took EAA up on the offer to shelter at the museum during the storm this year. Turns out the storms weren't too horrible, but I'd rather be on the ground wishing I was flying and all of that. Museum had the Olympics going on the screens at the various theatres, let guest wander around or sack out, whichever they chose. They had the Eagle hangar blocked off though, looks like they had it set up for a banquet, which is odd because I was under the impression that those gatherings were off this year.
Busses came by to take everyone home as soon as the worst of the storm had passed. All in all a good experience. I did have to go to town for dinner though, since the food vendors all shut down early.

I left our ops building around 5 looking for dinner. Figured if I was going to weather the storm in my tent, at least I would be well fed. Of course, I found NOTHING was open. Popped over the line to the SOS brothers which was going great guns and had a brisket sandwich and a couple of beers. By the time I got back to the campsite, the others were going to Fond du Lac for Mexican. Went along for more beers. We got back right about the time it started raining.

The powers that be let us park our vehicles at the campsite in case we had to make a hasty retreat. I spent two hours watching the radar display but it wasn't too bad.

We lucked out. From the Weather Service Severe Storm Summary (https://www.weather.gov/grb/072821_severe_event)

Widespread 80 to 90 mph straight-line wind damage was analyzed in Omro and surrounding locations to the southwest of Omro. Hundreds of large trees were snapped or uprooted. Multiple power poles were snapped and sporadic shingles were ripped off of roofs. This damage was only about 8 miles to the southwest of EAA AirVenture event center!