Macon County, Illinois tornadoes

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79confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1951). Most recent: December 28, 2025, EF2. 2026 so far: 1 preliminary report 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 Macon County

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The record

At a glance

Total791950 to 2025
Per year1.0average since 1950
Peak monthApril21 of 79
StrongestF4Mar 20, 1976
Deaths2whole paths, see note
Injuries134whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

210 Jan: 4Feb: 0Mar: 4Apr: 21May: 12Jun: 9Jul: 3Aug: 14Sep: 1Oct: 4Nov: 3Dec: 4JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April is the peak month, with 21 of 79 tornadoes.

By time of day

150 12 AM: 2: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 3: 0: 29 AM: 1: 0: 112 PM: 2: 6: 113 PM: 10: 12: 76 PM: 15: 2: 29 PM: 3: 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

150 1950: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01960: 1: 0: 0: 3: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 15: 1: 1: 0: 1: 01980: 1: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 2: 2: 1: 32000: 3: 1: 0: 1: 0: 2: 8: 1: 0: 02010: 0: 2: 0: 1: 3: 1: 0: 1: 3: 22020: 1: 1: 0: 5: 3: 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: 1 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
44
EF1
22
EF2
5
EF3
5
EF4
1
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

Deadliest

F3, April 22, 1963

1 deaths, 5 injuries Strongest

F4, March 20, 1976

63.7 mile path Longest path

63.7 miles, F4

March 20, 1976, whole path Widest

800 yards, F4

March 20, 1976
Every tornado

All 79 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Dec 28, 2025EF223.36 mi250 yd00
Apr 2, 2025EF012.7 mi30 yd00
Apr 18, 2024EF17.19 mi500 yd00
Apr 18, 2024EF13.71 mi200 yd00
Apr 18, 2024EF12.15 mi300 yd00
May 13, 2023EFU0.45 mi10 yd00
Jan 3, 2023EF01.12 mi20 yd00
Jan 3, 2023EF10.21 mi25 yd00
Jan 3, 2023EF10.88 mi75 yd00
Jan 3, 2023EF00.32 mi25 yd00
Jun 25, 2021EFU0.09 mi50 yd00
May 17, 2020EF04.04 mi75 yd00
Aug 21, 2019EF00.13 mi10 yd00
May 29, 2019EF00.46 mi20 yd00
Dec 1, 2018EF11.13 mi320 yd00
Dec 1, 2018EF00.41 mi50 yd00
Dec 1, 2018EF14.27 mi250 yd00
May 10, 2017EF00.1 mi20 yd00
Jul 11, 2015EF00.09 mi50 yd00
Oct 13, 2014EF02.75 mi50 yd00
Oct 13, 2014EF10.2 mi50 yd00
Oct 13, 2014EF210 mi200 yd00
May 31, 2013EF11.99 mi100 yd00
May 25, 2011EF11.48 mi75 yd00
May 25, 2011EF10.99 mi75 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Jun 10, 20262 WNW ArgentaNot 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.