Pope County, Illinois tornadoes

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15confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1972). Most recent: April 2, 2025, EF2. 2026 so far: 0 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 Pope County

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The record

At a glance

Total151950 to 2025
Per year0.2average since 1950
Peak monthMay5 of 15
StrongestF4May 6, 2003
Deaths8whole paths, see note
Injuries70whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

50 Jan: 1Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 4May: 5Jun: 1Jul: 0Aug: 0Sep: 1Oct: 2Nov: 1Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 5 of 15 tornadoes.

By time of day

30 12 AM: 1: 1: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 0: 0: 13 PM: 1: 2: 16 PM: 2: 2: 19 PM: 3: 0: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 9:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01990: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12000: 0: 0: 1: 3: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 12020: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 119501960197019801990200020102020

The line is the five-year average. Tornadoes before about 1953 were under-reported, and better radar since the 1990s finds more weak ones.

By rating

EF0
2
EF1
5
EF2
4
EF3
3
EF4
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

F3, April 21, 1972

3 deaths, 0 injuries Strongest

F4, May 6, 2003

33 mile path Longest path

42.5 miles, EF3

November 17, 2013, whole path Widest

1,000 yards, F4

May 6, 2003
Every tornado

All 15 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Apr 2, 2025EF211.97 mi150 yd00
Jun 23, 2019EF12.8 mi120 yd00
May 10, 2016EF00.05 mi20 yd00
Nov 17, 2013EF342.5 mi500 yd334
Sep 22, 2006F19.3 mi500 yd00
Oct 18, 2004F214 mi300 yd00
May 6, 2003F433 mi1,000 yd233
May 4, 2003F19.8 mi60 yd00
May 4, 2003F12.2 mi50 yd00
Apr 28, 2002F322 mi200 yd01
Jan 22, 1999F21.5 mi150 yd00
Oct 3, 1990F21 mi100 yd00
May 15, 1986F00.2 mi10 yd00
Apr 21, 1972F10.1 mi10 yd02
Apr 21, 1972F30.3 mi60 yd30
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.