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Tornado History

Illinois Tornado History

This page summarizes tornado history for Illinois. The local dataset contains 3,340 tornado records from 1950 through 2026, with a strongest listed rating of F5 (Incredible damage) and at least $3.1B in reported property damage. The latest tornado record in this group is February 19, 2026. Across these records, NOAA lists 230 deaths and 4,436 injuries.

Key Tornado Statistics

Total Tornadoes3,340
Total Deaths230
Total Injuries4,436
Property Damage$3.1B
Avg Length3.9 mi
Avg Width116 yd

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Key Tornado Facts for Illinois

Top local patterns from the historical tornado records in this group.

Average 43.4 tornadoes per year (88.5/yr in last decade)
May is the peak tornado month with 686 recorded events
Deadliest tornado: F4 in Illinois with 33 deaths
2024 was the most active year with 174 tornadoes
The 2020s had the most tornado activity (665 events)
Longest tornado: 110.2 miles in Illinois
Widest tornado: 2,630.0 yards in Illinois
Most tornadoes in one day: 61 on Jul 15, 2024

Monthly Distribution

Shows tornado frequency across months of the year, highlighting seasonal patterns and peak tornado periods.

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Summary: In Illinois, May is the most active month with 686 tornadoes.

Annual Tornado Trend

Shows year-by-year tornado counts, making active years and quiet stretches easier to spot.

174116580

Summary: 2024 was the most active year with 174 recorded tornadoes.

Tornado Intensity Distribution

Shows the breakdown of tornadoes by EF/F rating.

F0
EF0
F1
EF1
F2
EF2
F3
EF3
F4
EF4
F5
Unknown
EFU

Summary: F0 tornadoes are the most common in this group, with 804 recorded events.

Property Damage Trends

Visualizes reported property damage over time. Bars use a log-like scale so very large damage years do not flatten the rest of the chart.

$1.1B$107.9M$10.8M$0

Summary: The highest reported property damage year in this group is 2013 with at least $1.1B in NOAA-listed property damage.

Tornado Count By County

Compares the counties with the most tornado records in this state dataset.

McLean
Will
Sangamon
Cook
Champaign
Macon
Logan
Henry
Tazewell
Vermilion
Madison
Kankakee
La Salle
Christian
Iroquois
St. Clair
Livingston
Woodford
Montgomery
Fulton

Summary: McLean County has the highest count in this state group with 112 tornado records.

Historical Track Sketch

F5 August 28, 19901990F5 December 18, 19571957F5 August 28, 19901990EF4 November 17, 20132013F4 May 29, 19821982F4 April 21, 19671967F4 April 21, 19671967F4 April 3, 19811981F4 January 7, 19891989EF4 May 16, 20252025F4 May 6, 20032003EF4 April 9, 20152015F4 May 13, 19951995F4 May 6, 20032003F4 February 25, 1956F4 February 25, 1956F4 June 14, 1957F4 December 18, 1957F4 December 18, 1957F4 December 18, 1957F4 December 18, 1957F4 April 17, 1963F4 April 21, 1967F4 April 21, 1967F4 June 13, 1976F4 March 20, 1976F4 March 20, 1976F4 March 20, 1976F4 March 20, 1976F4 May 5, 1977F4 May 5, 1977F4 March 29, 1981F4 June 2, 1990F4 June 2, 1990F4 June 2, 1990F4 June 2, 1990EF4 February 29, 2012EF4 February 29, 2012F4 February 10, 1959F4 April 21, 1967F4 June 13, 1976F4 June 29, 1976F4 June 2, 1990F4 June 2, 1990F4 June 2, 1990F4 June 2, 1990F4 April 11, 1965F4 April 11, 1965F4 July 13, 2004EF4 November 17, 2013EF3 December 1, 2018EF3 November 17, 2013F3 April 9, 1953F3 April 9, 1953F3 July 23, 1975F3 April 2, 1982F3 December 2, 1982F3 May 1, 1983F3 November 19, 1991F3 March 27, 1991F3 March 27, 1991F3 March 27, 1991EF3 November 17, 2013EF3 June 22, 2015F3 April 8, 1999EF3 December 31, 2010EF3 August 19, 2009F3 May 9, 1995F3 April 19, 1996F3 May 10, 2003F3 April 19, 1996F3 April 19, 1996EF3 April 9, 2015EF3 August 19, 2009EF3 February 28, 2017EF3 November 17, 2013F3 April 28, 2002EF3 December 10, 2021F3 May 13, 1995F3 April 21, 2002© OpenStreetMap contributors

Notable Tornado Records

The table highlights the strongest and most damaging records in this page's local dataset. Damage totals are NOAA-reported minimum estimates where available.

DateRatingAreaLengthWidthDeathsInjuriesMin. property damage
August 28, 1990F5Will, Illinois11.2 mi600 yd29350$250.0M
December 18, 1957F5Perry, Illinois5.4 mi200 yd16$250K
August 28, 1990F5Kendall, Illinois5.2 mi600 yd00$250K
November 17, 2013EF4Tazewell, Illinois14.16 mi880 yd3121$910.0M
May 29, 1982F4Williamson, Illinois17 mi400 yd10181$250.0M
April 21, 1967F4Cook, Illinois15 mi200 yd33500$25.0M
April 21, 1967F4McHenry, Illinois14 mi1200 yd040$25.0M
April 3, 1981F4Madison, Illinois11.9 mi567 yd032$25.0M
January 7, 1989F4Wabash, Illinois7 mi200 yd050$25.0M
May 16, 2025EF4Williamson, Illinois16.28 mi900 yd07$25.0M
May 6, 2003F4Massac, Illinois14 mi1000 yd120$10.0M
April 9, 2015EF4Ogle, Illinois20.94 mi700 yd00$10.0M

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Top County Pages

Top Location Pages

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Source And Limits

Data source: NOAA/NCEI. TornadoTrace summarizes historical records for screening and research. Coordinates, damage estimates, narratives, and event details can be approximate, incomplete, revised, or missing. Do not use this page as legal, insurance, engineering, real estate, emergency management, or safety advice.