Saline County, Illinois tornadoes

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19confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1957). Most recent: May 16, 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.

The record

At a glance

Total191950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthApril5 of 19
StrongestEF4Feb 29, 2012
Deaths8whole paths, see note
Injuries117whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

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

April is the peak month, with 5 of 19 tornadoes.

By time of day

40 12 AM: 1: 0: 03 AM: 2: 2: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 112 PM: 0: 0: 03 PM: 4: 1: 36 PM: 1: 1: 19 PM: 1: 1: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 3:00 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: 01960: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 1: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 02020: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 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.

By rating

EF0
4
EF1
6
EF2
8
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 29, 2012

8 deaths, 108 injuries Strongest

EF4, February 29, 2012

26.09 mile path Longest path

26.09 miles, EF4

February 29, 2012, whole path Widest

587 yards, F2

January 10, 1975
Every tornado

All 19 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 16, 2025EF29.93 mi250 yd00
May 16, 2025EF16.75 mi75 yd00
Apr 2, 2025EF15.01 mi300 yd00
May 8, 2024EF17.74 mi150 yd00
Apr 2, 2024EF21.14 mi100 yd02
Apr 2, 2024EF17.57 mi250 yd00
Apr 3, 2018EF212.35 mi350 yd00
Oct 31, 2013EF19.9 mi175 yd00
Jan 29, 2013EF20.97 mi125 yd02
Feb 29, 2012EF426.09 mi325 yd8108
Nov 15, 2005F00.2 mi50 yd00
Apr 28, 2002F27.5 mi200 yd03
Oct 3, 1990F13 mi50 yd00
May 29, 1982F00.1 mi10 yd00
May 29, 1982F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jan 10, 1975F22 mi587 yd00
Mar 9, 1974F00.1 mi10 yd00
Mar 6, 1961F24.7 mi100 yd02
Dec 19, 1957F20.5 mi100 yd00
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 12, 2026.