McDonough County, Illinois tornadoes

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44confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1957). Most recent: April 20, 2025, EF1. 2026 so far: 2 preliminary reports 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 McDonough County

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The record

At a glance

Total441950 to 2025
Per year0.6average since 1950
Peak monthMay12 of 44
StrongestF3May 21, 1957
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries24whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

120 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 2Apr: 9May: 12Jun: 9Jul: 6Aug: 1Sep: 1Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 4JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 12 of 44 tornadoes.

By time of day

80 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 1: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 312 PM: 0: 3: 23 PM: 3: 8: 76 PM: 7: 6: 39 PM: 1: 0: 012 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

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 11960: 1: 2: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 1: 0: 3: 3: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 1: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 1: 12000: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 02010: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 2: 0: 2: 22020: 0: 0: 3: 1: 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: 2 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
14
EF1
16
EF2
6
EF3
3
Unknown
5

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

Strongest

F3, May 21, 1957

13.7 mile path Longest path

147.4 miles, F1

July 21, 1961, whole path Widest

1,000 yards, F0

July 25, 1992
Every tornado

All 44 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Apr 20, 2025EF12.96 mi100 yd00
Apr 20, 2025EF17.01 mi150 yd00
Jun 13, 2024EFU0.08 mi10 yd00
Jun 13, 2024EFU0.06 mi10 yd00
May 19, 2024EFU0.63 mi20 yd00
Apr 4, 2023EF18.31 mi350 yd00
Jul 8, 2022EFU0.79 mi20 yd00
May 31, 2022EF11.6 mi60 yd00
May 13, 2022EFU0.15 mi10 yd00
May 24, 2019EF11.85 mi30 yd00
May 24, 2019EF17.75 mi50 yd00
Dec 1, 2018EF00.1 mi15 yd00
Dec 1, 2018EF00.1 mi15 yd00
May 9, 2016EF00.1 mi15 yd00
Mar 15, 2016EF28.23 mi400 yd00
Dec 23, 2015EF110.7 mi50 yd00
Jun 21, 2010EF00.62 mi25 yd00
Dec 27, 2008EF00.3 mi50 yd00
Apr 2, 2006F112 mi233 yd00
May 10, 2003F269.2 mi300 yd04
Apr 5, 1999F29.4 mi100 yd00
May 12, 1998F00.1 mi30 yd00
Jul 19, 1997F00.1 mi10 yd00
Apr 30, 1997F01 mi10 yd00
Apr 30, 1997F12 mi20 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Jun 11, 20263 WNW MacombNot yet rated
Apr 17, 20264 NE IndustryNot 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.