Brown County, Illinois tornadoes

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12confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1955). Most recent: October 13, 2023, EF1. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports 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.

Recent warnings

Recent warnings in Brown County

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The record

At a glance

Total121950 to 2025
Per year0.2average since 1950
Peak monthApril2 of 12
StrongestF2Apr 23, 1955
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries22whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

20 Jan: 0Feb: 1Mar: 1Apr: 2May: 1Jun: 2Jul: 0Aug: 1Sep: 1Oct: 2Nov: 0Dec: 1JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April is the peak month, with 2 of 12 tornadoes.

By time of day

20 12 AM: 0: 0: 23 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 0: 1: 03 PM: 2: 1: 16 PM: 1: 1: 19 PM: 1: 1: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 2:00 AM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

20 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 1: 0: 0: 21960: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12000: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 019501960197019801990200020102020

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
1
EF1
6
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.

The record

Notable tornadoes

Strongest

F2, April 23, 1955

14.8 mile path Longest path

30.8 miles, F2

May 10, 2003, whole path Widest

900 yards, F2

April 27, 1956
Every tornado

All 12 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Oct 13, 2023EF10.42 mi25 yd01
Feb 28, 2017EF10.66 mi50 yd01
Jun 2, 2009EF03.04 mi50 yd00
May 10, 2003F230.8 mi300 yd00
Aug 12, 1999F10.5 min/a00
Oct 14, 1966F21 mi100 yd020
Jun 23, 1960F122.6 mi10 yd00
Sep 26, 1959F118.8 mi10 yd00
Mar 26, 1959F23 mi200 yd00
Apr 27, 1956F24.9 mi900 yd00
Dec 3, 1955F112.5 mi100 yd00
Apr 23, 1955F214.8 mi10 yd00
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 13, 2026.