Knox County, Illinois tornadoes

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33 confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1967). Most recent: April 20, 2025, EF1. 2026 so far: 6 preliminary reports preliminary

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Every tornado path in the county

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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.

At a glance

Total331950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthJune10 of 33
StrongestF3Jun 14, 1974
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries7whole paths, see note

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

When tornadoes hit here

By month

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

June is the peak month, with 10 of 33 tornadoes.

By time of day

70 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 1: 012 PM: 1: 0: 23 PM: 3: 5: 26 PM: 7: 7: 49 PM: 1: 0: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 6:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

50 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 1: 01970: 0: 0: 1: 0: 5: 1: 1: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 0: 3: 1: 12000: 1: 0: 0: 1: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 12020: 1: 1: 0: 0: 1: 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: 6 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
15
EF1
12
EF2
4
EF3
1
Unknown
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.

Notable tornadoes

Strongest

F3, June 14, 1974

48.6 mile path Longest path

48.6 miles, F3

June 14, 1974, whole path Widest

880 yards, F2

May 13, 1995

All 33 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Apr 20, 2025EF14.4 mi120 yd00
Apr 20, 2025EF116.5 mi150 yd00
Jul 15, 2024EF11.25 mi150 yd00
Jun 18, 2021EF110.26 mi250 yd00
Mar 28, 2020EFU0.12 mi10 yd00
May 27, 2019EF00.08 mi10 yd00
May 23, 2017EF00.15 mi10 yd00
Jun 5, 2010EF25.71 mi50 yd00
Jun 5, 2010EF00.09 mi10 yd00
Jun 8, 2005F00.1 mi10 yd00
Apr 20, 2004F02.8 mi30 yd00
Apr 30, 2003F01 mi10 yd00
Sep 11, 2000F00.5 mi70 yd00
Apr 22, 1999F00.2 mi10 yd00
Jun 29, 1998F13 mi200 yd01
Aug 3, 1997F00.2 mi50 yd00
May 18, 1997F00.1 mi50 yd00
Apr 30, 1997F07 mi50 yd00
Jul 27, 1995F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 27, 1995F00.1 mi10 yd00
May 13, 1995F214 mi880 yd02
Jul 6, 1987F10.1 mi20 yd00
Mar 4, 1976F20.1 mi440 yd00
Mar 23, 1975F21 mi80 yd02
Jun 20, 1974F00.1 mi10 yd00

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Apr 17, 20263 E VictoriaNot yet rated
Apr 2, 20264 N Yates CityNot yet rated
Apr 2, 20262 SE WilliamsfieldNot yet rated
Apr 2, 20263 W Yates CityNot yet rated
Apr 2, 20264 SW GalesburgNot yet rated
Mar 10, 20264 WNW West JerseyNot 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 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.