Whiteside County, Illinois tornadoes

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44confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1961). Most recent: May 24, 2024, EFU. 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 Whiteside County

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The record

At a glance

Total441950 to 2025
Per year0.6average since 1950
Peak monthMay11 of 44
StrongestF4Mar 29, 1981
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries5whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

110 Jan: 0Feb: 1Mar: 8Apr: 4May: 11Jun: 8Jul: 7Aug: 0Sep: 2Oct: 0Nov: 3Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 11 of 44 tornadoes.

By time of day

60 12 AM: 0: 1: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 19 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 1: 3: 53 PM: 4: 5: 66 PM: 5: 5: 59 PM: 1: 2: 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

60 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 1: 2: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01990: 1: 0: 2: 1: 0: 3: 2: 0: 0: 22000: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 6: 1: 4: 0: 02020: 6: 0: 1: 3: 1: 019501960197019801990200020102020

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
16
EF1
20
EF2
4
EF3
1
EF4
1
Unknown
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

Strongest

F4, March 29, 1981

5.1 mile path Longest path

20 miles, F2

July 27, 1995, whole path Widest

400 yards, F2

July 27, 1995
Every tornado

All 44 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 24, 2024EFU1 mi10 yd00
Jul 28, 2023EF01.04 mi20 yd00
Apr 20, 2023EF15.89 mi300 yd00
Mar 31, 2023EF113.88 mi150 yd00
Mar 5, 2022EF13.98 mi50 yd00
Nov 10, 2020EF14.28 mi100 yd00
Nov 10, 2020EF13.47 mi100 yd00
Nov 10, 2020EF10.26 mi100 yd00
Jul 8, 2020EFU0.31 mi10 yd00
May 23, 2020EF112.25 mi30 yd00
Mar 28, 2020EF12.17 mi20 yd00
Jul 21, 2017EF13.72 mi150 yd00
May 23, 2017EF00.26 mi15 yd00
Mar 6, 2017EF11.54 mi10 yd00
Feb 28, 2017EF12.62 mi75 yd00
Mar 15, 2016EF01.76 mi50 yd00
Jul 16, 2015EF00.55 mi10 yd00
Jun 22, 2015EF02.58 mi50 yd00
Jun 22, 2015EF11.74 mi50 yd00
Jun 22, 2015EF12.18 mi75 yd00
Apr 9, 2015EF18.3 mi50 yd00
Apr 9, 2015EF112.47 mi75 yd00
May 30, 2013EF00.57 mi25 yd00
Jul 5, 2004F10.3 mi30 yd00
Sep 12, 2003F00.2 mi35 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Apr 2, 20262 WSW SterlingNot 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.