Alexander County, Illinois tornadoes

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18 confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1957). Most recent: April 2, 2025, EF1. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

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Every tornado path in the county

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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.

At a glance

Total181950 to 2025
Per year0.2average since 1950
Peak monthApril7 of 18
StrongestF2Apr 3, 1957
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries14whole paths, see note

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

When tornadoes hit here

By month

70 Jan: 2Feb: 0Mar: 3Apr: 7May: 2Jun: 0Jul: 2Aug: 0Sep: 0Oct: 2Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April is the peak month, with 7 of 18 tornadoes.

By time of day

30 12 AM: 1: 0: 03 AM: 1: 0: 06 AM: 1: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 0: 2: 23 PM: 0: 1: 36 PM: 3: 3: 09 PM: 1: 0: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 5:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01960: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 2: 1: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12000: 0: 0: 0: 3: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 1: 0: 2: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 219501960197019801990200020102020

The line is the five-year average. Tornadoes before about 1953 were under-reported, and better radar since the 1990s finds more weak ones.

By rating

EF0
4
EF1
9
EF2
5

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.

Notable tornadoes

Strongest

F2, April 3, 1957

6.8 mile path Longest path

95.9 miles, F1

January 18, 1973, whole path Widest

400 yards, F2

May 6, 2003

All 18 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Apr 2, 2025EF17.99 mi150 yd00
Mar 30, 2025EF123.87 mi150 yd00
Jul 8, 2015EF16.26 mi125 yd00
Oct 31, 2013EF16.51 mi50 yd00
Oct 31, 2013EF01.24 mi200 yd00
Apr 23, 2011EF22.9 mi175 yd00
May 6, 2003F225 mi400 yd01
May 6, 2003F00.3 mi30 yd00
Apr 25, 2003F00.3 mi30 yd00
Jan 21, 1999F28 mi300 yd00
Mar 19, 1984F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jan 18, 1973F195.9 mi10 yd00
Apr 21, 1972F26.9 mi10 yd03
Mar 15, 1971F12.4 mi200 yd00
Jul 8, 1970F10.5 mi20 yd01
Apr 19, 1970F10.1 mi10 yd00
Apr 17, 1960F11 mi60 yd04
Apr 3, 1957F26.8 mi10 yd05

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.