Coles County, Illinois tornadoes

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39confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1958). Most recent: May 20, 2025, EF0. 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.

Recent warnings

Recent warnings in Coles County

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The record

At a glance

Total391950 to 2025
Per year0.5average since 1950
Peak monthApril10 of 39
StrongestF3Jul 11, 1958
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries34whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

100 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 5Apr: 10May: 7Jun: 4Jul: 2Aug: 6Sep: 1Oct: 0Nov: 1Dec: 3JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April is the peak month, with 10 of 39 tornadoes.

By time of day

110 12 AM: 1: 0: 13 AM: 0: 0: 26 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 212 PM: 0: 2: 13 PM: 11: 6: 16 PM: 2: 2: 29 PM: 1: 3: 212 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 3:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

90 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01960: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 1: 1: 0: 9: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 11990: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 2: 1: 2: 12000: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 3: 0: 1: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 3: 0: 0: 0: 519501960197019801990200020102020

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
15
EF1
14
EF2
6
EF3
2
Unknown
2

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, July 11, 1958

4.7 mile path Longest path

20.9 miles, F2

May 6, 1960, whole path Widest

450 yards, F1

April 3, 1982
Every tornado

All 39 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 20, 2025EF02.85 mi20 yd00
Apr 30, 2025EFU0.48 mi30 yd00
Mar 19, 2025EF10.72 mi50 yd00
Mar 14, 2025EF10.6 mi75 yd00
Mar 14, 2025EF212.88 mi300 yd02
Dec 10, 2021EF16.33 mi100 yd00
Dec 10, 2021EF215.86 mi200 yd00
Apr 28, 2021EFU0.11 mi25 yd00
Jun 29, 2013EF00.14 mi20 yd00
Jun 6, 2008EF15 mi200 yd00
May 24, 2006F00.2 mi50 yd00
Apr 16, 2006F01 mi50 yd00
Apr 16, 2006F15 mi150 yd00
Sep 26, 2003F11.5 mi250 yd01
Apr 8, 1999F00.3 min/a00
May 19, 1998F00.5 mi30 yd00
Mar 28, 1998F21.5 mi220 yd03
May 25, 1997F00.1 mi10 yd00
Apr 19, 1996F00.1 mi100 yd00
Apr 19, 1996F00.1 mi100 yd00
Apr 26, 1994F13 mi130 yd00
Jul 30, 1992F00.1 mi100 yd00
May 25, 1989F10.8 mi30 yd00
Nov 15, 1988F10.1 mi50 yd00
May 15, 1986F18 mi10 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Jun 17, 20263 NNE MattoonNot yet rated
Jun 17, 20263 NE MattoonNot 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 13, 2026.