Adams County, Illinois tornadoes

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36confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1955). Most recent: July 6, 2025, EF0. 2026 so far: 1 preliminary report preliminary

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Map

Every tornado path in the county

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
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(E)F0(E)F1(E)F2(E)F3(E)F4(E)F5Unrated

Each path is a straight line from where the tornado started to where it ended, which is all most NOAA records hold. Tap a path for its details.

The record

At a glance

Total361950 to 2025
Per year0.5average since 1950
Peak monthApril8 of 36
StrongestF3May 14, 1961
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries28whole paths, see note

Deaths and injuries are NOAA's totals for each tornado's whole path, which can extend beyond Adams County.

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

80 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 8May: 8Jun: 7Jul: 5Aug: 1Sep: 3Oct: 2Nov: 0Dec: 2JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April is the peak month, with 8 of 36 tornadoes.

By time of day

50 12 AM: 0: 1: 23 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 2: 212 PM: 4: 5: 33 PM: 2: 4: 56 PM: 3: 1: 09 PM: 1: 1: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 1:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

40 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 1: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 1: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01980: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01990: 0: 1: 4: 0: 0: 0: 1: 4: 1: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 2: 0: 1: 3: 12010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 319501960197019801990200020102020

The line is the five-year average. Tornadoes before about 1953 were under-reported, and better radar since the 1990s finds more weak ones. This year so far: 1 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
20
EF1
9
EF2
6
EF3
1

Ratings before February 2007 use the original F scale; the numbers line up with today's EF scale. Unknown means NOAA could not assign a rating.

The record

Notable tornadoes

Strongest

F3, May 14, 1961

127.1 mile path Longest path

147.4 miles, F1

July 21, 1961, whole path Widest

500 yards, F2

May 26, 1955
Every tornado

All 36 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jul 6, 2025EF00.12 mi50 yd00
Apr 20, 2025EF08.17 mi100 yd00
Apr 20, 2025EF04.18 mi25 yd00
Oct 30, 2024EF00.35 mi100 yd00
Aug 5, 2023EF12.87 mi200 yd00
Jun 2, 2009EF03.04 mi50 yd00
Dec 27, 2008EF00.73 mi30 yd00
Dec 27, 2008EF10.93 mi50 yd00
Apr 10, 2008EF09.13 mi50 yd00
Oct 2, 2007EF00.04 mi40 yd00
Sep 19, 2005F11 mi50 yd00
May 11, 2005F00.2 mi50 yd00
May 10, 2003F230.8 mi300 yd00
May 10, 2003F269.2 mi300 yd04
Jun 14, 1998F13 mi80 yd01
Apr 30, 1997F013 mi50 yd00
Apr 30, 1997F08 mi50 yd00
Apr 30, 1997F01 mi50 yd00
Apr 5, 1997F01.5 mi50 yd00
May 27, 1996F00.5 mi50 yd00
Jul 2, 1992F00.2 mi350 yd00
Jul 2, 1992F00.8 mi300 yd00
Jul 2, 1992F00.1 mi250 yd00
Jun 17, 1992F00.5 mi40 yd00
May 18, 1991F00.7 mi33 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Apr 15, 20263 WSW ChattonNot yet rated

Preliminary reports from the Storm Prediction Center. One tornado can be reported more than once, and NOAA confirms the final record months later.

Nearby

Nearby counties

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Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025, and SPC preliminary reports for 2026. Page built October 12, 2026.