Bureau County, Illinois tornadoes

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47confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1951). Most recent: April 20, 2025, EF1. 2026 so far: 2 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.

The record

At a glance

Total471950 to 2025
Per year0.6average since 1950
Peak monthMay11 of 47
StrongestF3Dec 6, 1951
Deaths1whole paths, see note
Injuries1whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

110 Jan: 0Feb: 2Mar: 4Apr: 9May: 11Jun: 10Jul: 4Aug: 3Sep: 1Oct: 0Nov: 1Dec: 2JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 11 of 47 tornadoes.

By time of day

80 12 AM: 1: 0: 13 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 19 AM: 1: 0: 212 PM: 0: 1: 33 PM: 3: 6: 86 PM: 7: 6: 39 PM: 2: 2: 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

50 1950: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 11960: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 1: 2: 1: 2: 1: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 1: 2: 1: 02000: 2: 0: 0: 2: 5: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12010: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 3: 3: 0: 02020: 0: 3: 0: 3: 1: 119501960197019801990200020102020

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: 2 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
16
EF1
21
EF2
3
EF3
3
Unknown
4

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

Deadliest

F3, December 6, 1951

1 deaths, 1 injuries Strongest

F3, December 6, 1951

21.9 mile path Longest path

29.6 miles, F1

July 17, 1972, whole path Widest

525 yards, EF1

August 9, 2021
Every tornado

All 47 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Apr 20, 2025EF11.03 mi50 yd00
May 24, 2024EFU0.53 mi10 yd00
May 7, 2023EFU0.1 mi20 yd00
Mar 31, 2023EF113.88 mi150 yd00
Mar 31, 2023EF29.32 mi440 yd00
Aug 9, 2021EFU1.11 mi100 yd00
Aug 9, 2021EF13 mi525 yd00
Aug 9, 2021EFU0.01 mi5 yd00
Mar 7, 2017EF00.29 mi25 yd00
Feb 28, 2017EF12.33 mi50 yd00
Feb 28, 2017EF15.53 mi100 yd00
Jun 22, 2016EF10.48 mi50 yd00
Jun 22, 2016EF00.28 mi10 yd00
Jun 22, 2016EF00.58 mi25 yd00
May 26, 2015EF12.4 mi50 yd00
Jun 24, 2013EF00.63 mi75 yd00
Jul 24, 2009EF11.21 mi50 yd00
Jul 13, 2004F01 mi70 yd00
Jul 13, 2004F01 mi70 yd00
Jun 10, 2004F10.3 mi125 yd00
Jun 10, 2004F10.3 mi125 yd00
Apr 20, 2004F110.8 mi440 yd00
May 10, 2003F04.1 mi50 yd00
May 10, 2003F025.5 mi100 yd00
May 18, 2000F00.1 mi10 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Jun 11, 20263 SW WalnutNot yet rated
Apr 17, 20262 ESE ArlingtonNot 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.