Jefferson County, Illinois tornadoes

Checking live National Weather Service warnings for Jefferson County...

33confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1953). Most recent: March 14, 2024, EF1. 2026 so far: 2 preliminary reports preliminary

Join the free alerts waiting list
Map

Every tornado path in the county

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
Use two fingers to move the map
(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 Jefferson County

Loading warnings...

The record

At a glance

Total331950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthMarch8 of 33
StrongestF4Dec 18, 1957
Deaths4whole paths, see note
Injuries99whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

80 Jan: 0Feb: 1Mar: 8Apr: 7May: 6Jun: 2Jul: 0Aug: 2Sep: 0Oct: 2Nov: 1Dec: 4JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

March is the peak month, with 8 of 33 tornadoes.

By time of day

60 12 AM: 0: 0: 13 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 212 PM: 2: 1: 13 PM: 5: 2: 66 PM: 5: 0: 69 PM: 1: 1: 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

40 1950: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 4: 0: 11960: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 1: 02000: 0: 1: 1: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 1: 22010: 1: 3: 1: 1: 2: 0: 0: 1: 0: 02020: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 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. This year so far: 2 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
8
EF1
12
EF2
10
EF3
2
EF4
1

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

1 deaths, 45 injuries Strongest

F4, December 18, 1957

16.8 mile path Longest path

112.1 miles, F2

March 6, 1961, whole path Widest

500 yards, F3

April 21, 2002
Every tornado

All 33 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Mar 14, 2024EF10.5 mi150 yd00
Mar 19, 2020EF12.9 mi300 yd00
Aug 2, 2017EF00.5 mi40 yd00
Oct 13, 2014EF10.66 mi50 yd00
Oct 13, 2014EF13.52 mi100 yd00
Nov 17, 2013EF10.15 mi25 yd00
Mar 23, 2012EF22.58 mi100 yd12
May 25, 2011EF213.48 mi250 yd00
Apr 19, 2011EF11.43 mi100 yd00
Apr 19, 2011EF14.27 mi100 yd00
Jun 27, 2010EF00.27 mi50 yd00
Mar 8, 2009EF04.24 mi100 yd00
Mar 8, 2009EF12.27 mi150 yd00
Jun 27, 2008EF00.2 mi30 yd00
Apr 12, 2005F04.4 mi50 yd00
May 30, 2004F118.5 mi75 yd00
Apr 21, 2002F331.5 mi500 yd142
Aug 18, 2001F00.1 mi30 yd00
Apr 15, 1998F25.5 mi250 yd01
Apr 19, 1996F317 mi400 yd00
May 18, 1995F00.3 mi40 yd00
May 1, 1983F10.2 mi30 yd00
Mar 30, 1982F20.8 mi100 yd13
May 7, 1973F10.1 mi10 yd03
Apr 20, 1966F04.3 mi77 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Jun 21, 20263 E DixNot yet rated
Jun 21, 20262 SSE DixNot 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

Coming soon

Free tornado alerts for Jefferson County

We are building free email alerts for tornado warnings. Join the waiting list and we will email you once when they are ready. Until then, please rely on the National Weather Service and your phone's emergency alerts.

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025, and SPC preliminary reports for 2026. Page built October 13, 2026.