Lake County, Illinois tornadoes

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22 confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1957). Most recent: February 27, 2024, EF1. 2026 so far: 1 preliminary report 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

Total221950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthApril7 of 22
StrongestF4Apr 11, 1965
Deaths7whole paths, see note
Injuries215whole paths, see note

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

When tornadoes hit here

By month

70 Jan: 0Feb: 1Mar: 1Apr: 7May: 1Jun: 2Jul: 3Aug: 3Sep: 3Oct: 0Nov: 1Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April is the peak month, with 7 of 22 tornadoes.

By time of day

60 12 AM: 1: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 16 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 0: 0: 13 PM: 2: 1: 56 PM: 6: 3: 09 PM: 0: 2: 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

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 11960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 0: 1: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 1: 1: 0: 0: 11980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01990: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 12020: 1: 0: 0: 2: 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: 1 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
5
EF1
10
EF2
4
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.

Notable tornadoes

Deadliest

F4, April 11, 1965

6 deaths, 75 injuries Strongest

F4, April 11, 1965

9.1 mile path Longest path

12.1 miles, F1

September 26, 1959, whole path Widest

400 yards, F4

April 11, 1965

All 22 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Feb 27, 2024EF10.11 mi40 yd01
Jul 12, 2023EF02.1 mi125 yd00
Jul 12, 2023EF03.38 mi125 yd00
Aug 10, 2020EF16.25 mi150 yd00
Sep 3, 2019EF13.1 mi200 yd01
Aug 2, 2015EF17.51 mi300 yd00
Apr 18, 2002F00.1 mi20 yd00
May 18, 1997F26 mi73 yd00
Apr 19, 1996F22 mi100 yd02
Jun 29, 1990F10.5 mi100 yd00
Jul 6, 1986F012 mi10 yd00
Aug 9, 1979F10.3 mi30 yd00
Apr 20, 1976F20.8 mi50 yd02
Nov 10, 1975F10.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 20, 1974F00.1 mi10 yd00
Sep 28, 1972F45.2 mi220 yd020
Apr 21, 1967F48.8 mi150 yd1100
Apr 11, 1965F10.5 mi250 yd00
Apr 11, 1965F24.5 mi200 yd00
Apr 11, 1965F49.1 mi400 yd675
Sep 26, 1959F112.1 mi10 yd014
Mar 14, 1957F12 mi33 yd00

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Jun 17, 20262 SSW GrayslakeNot 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.