White County, Illinois tornadoes

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27confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1957). Most recent: April 2, 2025, EF1. 2026 so far: 2 preliminary reports preliminary

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Recent warnings in White County

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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

Total271950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthApril7 of 27
StrongestEF3Feb 28, 2017
Deaths1whole paths, see note
Injuries12whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

70 Jan: 3Feb: 2Mar: 2Apr: 7May: 5Jun: 4Jul: 0Aug: 0Sep: 0Oct: 1Nov: 1Dec: 2JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April is the peak month, with 7 of 27 tornadoes.

By time of day

40 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 1: 06 AM: 0: 1: 19 AM: 0: 0: 112 PM: 2: 1: 23 PM: 3: 2: 46 PM: 1: 3: 39 PM: 1: 1: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 5:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

20 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 21990: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 2: 2: 0: 1: 2: 0: 1: 2: 02020: 0: 0: 1: 0: 2: 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. This year so far: 2 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
8
EF1
11
EF2
6
EF3
2

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

EF3, February 28, 2017

1 deaths, 2 injuries Strongest

EF3, February 28, 2017

44.13 mile path Longest path

44.13 miles, EF3

February 28, 2017, whole path Widest

500 yards, EF1

May 26, 2024
Every tornado

All 27 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Apr 2, 2025EF19.15 mi100 yd00
May 26, 2024EF134.07 mi500 yd00
Apr 2, 2024EF211.95 mi250 yd00
Mar 30, 2022EF16.62 mi400 yd00
Jun 26, 2018EF00.71 mi100 yd00
Apr 3, 2018EF12.25 mi225 yd00
Feb 28, 2017EF344.13 mi440 yd12
Dec 23, 2015EF11.58 mi100 yd00
Jun 19, 2015EF04.92 mi200 yd00
Apr 3, 2014EF10.99 mi90 yd00
Mar 2, 2012EF02.6 mi100 yd00
Jan 22, 2012EF218.03 mi100 yd00
Apr 19, 2011EF11.44 mi100 yd00
Apr 19, 2011EF21.8 mi125 yd00
May 10, 2006F02.5 mi50 yd00
Nov 15, 2005F00.2 mi50 yd00
Oct 24, 2001F00.5 mi50 yd00
Apr 19, 1996F11 mi100 yd00
May 16, 1990F110 mi50 yd00
Jan 7, 1989F10.5 mi50 yd00
Jan 7, 1989F227 mi100 yd06
May 2, 1983F10.2 mi30 yd00
Jun 1, 1981F00.1 mi10 yd00
May 30, 1976F20.3 mi10 yd00
Jun 8, 1974F00.1 mi10 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Jun 21, 20265 NE EnfieldNot yet rated
Jun 21, 20264 NE EnfieldNot 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 12, 2026.