Randolph County, Illinois tornadoes

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45confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1950). Most recent: May 19, 2025, 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 Randolph County

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The record

At a glance

Total451950 to 2025
Per year0.6average since 1950
Peak monthApril11 of 45
StrongestEF4Feb 28, 2017
Deaths2whole paths, see note
Injuries32whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

110 Jan: 0Feb: 1Mar: 8Apr: 11May: 9Jun: 3Jul: 0Aug: 1Sep: 0Oct: 3Nov: 3Dec: 6JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April is the peak month, with 11 of 45 tornadoes.

By time of day

60 12 AM: 0: 0: 43 AM: 0: 2: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 4: 312 PM: 3: 2: 53 PM: 5: 1: 16 PM: 4: 6: 19 PM: 2: 1: 112 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 7:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

50 1950: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 3: 2: 11960: 4: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 2: 5: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 1: 1: 2: 2: 0: 0: 0: 3: 32010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 02020: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 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: 1 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
19
EF1
14
EF2
7
EF3
4
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

EF4, February 28, 2017

1 deaths, 12 injuries Strongest

EF4, February 28, 2017

53.47 mile path Longest path

112.1 miles, F2

March 6, 1961, whole path Widest

1,100 yards, EF4

February 28, 2017
Every tornado

All 45 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 19, 2025EF10.45 mi25 yd00
Apr 20, 2025EF11.32 mi75 yd00
Mar 14, 2025EF233.11 mi800 yd00
Aug 30, 2024EF00.08 mi20 yd00
Oct 24, 2021EF216.47 mi400 yd00
Feb 28, 2017EF453.47 mi1,100 yd112
Oct 13, 2014EF00.29 mi50 yd00
Mar 8, 2009EF03.58 mi50 yd00
Mar 8, 2009EF12.35 mi100 yd01
Mar 8, 2009EF10.79 mi75 yd00
Jun 4, 2008EF00.7 mi25 yd00
Jun 4, 2008EF01.47 mi50 yd00
Jun 4, 2008EF00.6 mi50 yd00
Nov 1, 2004F00.2 mi50 yd00
Nov 1, 2004F00.3 mi40 yd00
May 6, 2003F00.1 mi25 yd00
May 6, 2003F10.5 mi60 yd00
May 12, 2002F00.1 mi30 yd00
Oct 24, 2001F12 mi70 yd00
Dec 23, 1996F12 mi70 yd00
Apr 19, 1996F02 mi50 yd00
Apr 19, 1996F03 mi70 yd00
Apr 19, 1996F02 mi70 yd00
Apr 19, 1996F01.5 mi60 yd00
May 18, 1995F03.5 mi50 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Mar 15, 20261 N PrairieNot 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.