Madison County, Illinois tornadoes

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

65confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1950). Most recent: May 16, 2025, EF2. 2026 so far: 3 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 Madison County

Loading warnings...

The record

At a glance

Total651950 to 2025
Per year0.9average since 1950
Peak monthApril16 of 65
StrongestF4Feb 10, 1959
Deaths34whole paths, see note
Injuries485whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

160 Jan: 1Feb: 8Mar: 3Apr: 16May: 11Jun: 10Jul: 6Aug: 3Sep: 0Oct: 2Nov: 1Dec: 4JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April is the peak month, with 16 of 65 tornadoes.

By time of day

130 12 AM: 2: 2: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 2: 112 PM: 1: 5: 23 PM: 6: 13: 96 PM: 4: 5: 49 PM: 2: 3: 412 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 4:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

60 1950: 3: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 3: 21960: 4: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 01970: 1: 0: 0: 2: 1: 0: 1: 0: 1: 01980: 0: 2: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01990: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 22000: 0: 2: 0: 0: 3: 0: 6: 1: 0: 02010: 0: 6: 1: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 2: 0: 1: 4: 319501960197019801990200020102020

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: 3 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
22
EF1
21
EF2
11
EF3
7
EF4
3
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.

The record

Notable tornadoes

Deadliest

F4, February 10, 1959

21 deaths, 345 injuries Strongest

F4, February 10, 1959

23.9 mile path Longest path

48.7 miles, F2

October 10, 1959, whole path Widest

1,750 yards, EF2

May 16, 2025
Every tornado

All 65 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 16, 2025EF223.22 mi1,750 yd438
Mar 14, 2025EF16.81 mi450 yd00
Mar 14, 2025EF211.04 mi1,320 yd00
Apr 18, 2024EF04.37 mi100 yd00
Apr 18, 2024EF00.33 mi75 yd00
Apr 18, 2024EF13.14 mi75 yd00
Apr 18, 2024EF00.91 mi100 yd00
Apr 15, 2023EFU0.16 mi25 yd00
Dec 10, 2021EF34.22 mi300 yd61
Mar 27, 2021EF15.29 mi700 yd00
Feb 20, 2014EF112.31 mi50 yd00
May 31, 2013EF310.64 mi150 yd00
Aug 31, 2012EF00.2 mi50 yd00
Apr 22, 2011EF218.19 mi700 yd00
Apr 22, 2011EF421.3 mi880 yd05
Feb 27, 2011EF22.7 mi200 yd01
Feb 27, 2011EF11.96 mi50 yd00
Feb 27, 2011EF12.41 mi150 yd00
Feb 27, 2011EF13.26 mi100 yd00
May 4, 2007EF00.02 mi40 yd00
Jul 21, 2006F05.5 mi50 yd00
Jul 21, 2006F04 mi50 yd00
Jul 19, 2006F00.2 mi20 yd00
May 24, 2006F00.2 mi50 yd00
Apr 2, 2006F12 mi100 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Apr 27, 20262 SSW MarineNot yet rated
Mar 10, 20261 ENE WilliamsonNot yet rated
Mar 10, 20263 ENE BethaltoNot 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 Madison 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.