Macoupin County, Illinois tornadoes

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49confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1950). Most recent: April 18, 2024, EF1. 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 Macoupin County

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The record

At a glance

Total491950 to 2025
Per year0.6average since 1950
Peak monthMay13 of 49
StrongestEF3Apr 19, 2011
Deaths1whole paths, see note
Injuries10whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

130 Jan: 1Feb: 0Mar: 8Apr: 9May: 13Jun: 7Jul: 4Aug: 3Sep: 0Oct: 1Nov: 1Dec: 2JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 13 of 49 tornadoes.

By time of day

100 12 AM: 1: 2: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 5: 0: 09 AM: 0: 1: 112 PM: 0: 2: 23 PM: 6: 7: 106 PM: 3: 5: 09 PM: 3: 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

50 1950: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 21960: 2: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 2: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 12000: 3: 0: 1: 1: 0: 4: 5: 2: 0: 22010: 0: 1: 0: 3: 0: 0: 0: 2: 1: 12020: 1: 1: 0: 1: 5: 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
23
EF1
13
EF2
9
EF3
1
Unknown
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

F2, December 2, 1950

1 deaths, 3 injuries Strongest

EF3, April 19, 2011

4.32 mile path Longest path

117.9 miles, F1

March 6, 1961, whole path Widest

700 yards, F2

May 12, 1978
Every tornado

All 49 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Apr 18, 2024EF10.23 mi75 yd00
Apr 18, 2024EFU4.31 mi10 yd00
Mar 14, 2024EF02.13 mi100 yd00
Mar 14, 2024EF02.75 mi200 yd00
Mar 14, 2024EF03.9 mi75 yd00
Mar 31, 2023EF06.33 mi150 yd00
Jun 24, 2021EFU0.23 mi10 yd00
Jul 15, 2020EFU0.15 mi15 yd00
Jun 15, 2019EF01.82 mi30 yd00
Dec 1, 2018EF11.39 mi50 yd00
Apr 29, 2017EF12.36 mi50 yd00
Mar 7, 2017EF112.92 mi100 yd00
Nov 17, 2013EF03.98 mi50 yd00
May 31, 2013EF21.47 mi150 yd00
May 20, 2013EF20.2 mi75 yd03
Apr 19, 2011EF34.32 mi200 yd02
May 13, 2009EF01.65 mi40 yd00
Mar 8, 2009EF14.21 mi75 yd00
May 4, 2007EF00.01 mi40 yd00
May 4, 2007EF00.01 mi40 yd00
Jul 19, 2006F00.2 mi20 yd00
Apr 2, 2006F00.1 mi20 yd00
Apr 2, 2006F016 mi50 yd00
Apr 2, 2006F02 mi30 yd00
Apr 2, 2006F00.5 mi30 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Mar 15, 20262 SW White CityNot 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.