Jackson County, Illinois tornadoes

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40confirmed 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

Total401950 to 2025
Per year0.5average since 1950
Peak monthMay9 of 40
StrongestF4Dec 18, 1957
Deaths12whole paths, see note
Injuries249whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

90 Jan: 0Feb: 3Mar: 5Apr: 7May: 9Jun: 4Jul: 0Aug: 3Sep: 1Oct: 0Nov: 4Dec: 4JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 9 of 40 tornadoes.

By time of day

60 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 1: 1: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 3: 412 PM: 1: 2: 23 PM: 4: 6: 56 PM: 3: 2: 29 PM: 3: 0: 112 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 4:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

40 1950: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 4: 1: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 2: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01990: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 2: 02000: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 1: 32010: 1: 1: 3: 0: 2: 2: 0: 2: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 0: 1: 2: 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. This year so far: 2 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
16
EF1
12
EF2
7
EF3
2
EF4
3

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

F4, December 18, 1957

11 deaths, 200 injuries Strongest

F4, December 18, 1957

28.3 mile path Longest path

53.47 miles, EF4

February 28, 2017, whole path Widest

1,100 yards, EF4

February 28, 2017
Every tornado

All 40 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Apr 20, 2025EF11.73 mi25 yd00
Mar 14, 2025EF215.16 mi250 yd00
May 8, 2024EF14.56 mi75 yd00
May 8, 2024EF11.26 mi100 yd01
Aug 5, 2023EF00.5 mi25 yd00
Mar 1, 2017EF04.11 mi25 yd00
Feb 28, 2017EF453.47 mi1,100 yd112
Dec 23, 2015EF06 mi50 yd00
Jun 19, 2015EF10.2 mi75 yd00
Apr 24, 2014EF12.21 mi100 yd00
Feb 20, 2014EF10.39 mi50 yd00
Mar 23, 2012EF17.45 mi125 yd00
Mar 23, 2012EF01.82 mi50 yd00
Feb 29, 2012EF231.87 mi300 yd01
Apr 19, 2011EF03.94 mi100 yd00
Apr 7, 2010EF01.88 mi50 yd00
May 8, 2009EF00.14 mi40 yd00
May 8, 2009EF00.36 mi30 yd00
May 8, 2009EF13.11 mi100 yd00
May 25, 2008EF00.21 mi20 yd00
Sep 22, 2006F427.5 mi225 yd06
May 30, 2004F00.5 mi50 yd00
Nov 10, 2002F09 mi100 yd00
Apr 15, 1998F00.4 mi30 yd00
Apr 15, 1998F00.3 mi30 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Mar 15, 20263 W CambriaNot yet rated
Mar 15, 20261 S Grand TowerNot 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.