Williamson County, Illinois tornadoes

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23confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1957). Most recent: May 16, 2025, EF4. 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

Total231950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthApril9 of 23
StrongestF4Dec 18, 1957
Deaths21whole paths, see note
Injuries407whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

90 Jan: 0Feb: 2Mar: 0Apr: 9May: 5Jun: 3Jul: 0Aug: 0Sep: 0Oct: 2Nov: 1Dec: 1JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April is the peak month, with 9 of 23 tornadoes.

By time of day

50 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 2: 1: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 1: 1: 23 PM: 1: 5: 26 PM: 4: 1: 29 PM: 0: 1: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 4:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

40 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12010: 0: 0: 1: 1: 1: 0: 0: 2: 4: 02020: 0: 0: 0: 0: 4: 219501960197019801990200020102020

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
12
EF2
5
EF3
1
EF4
3

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

F4, December 18, 1957

11 deaths, 200 injuries Strongest

F4, December 18, 1957

28.3 mile path Longest path

28.3 miles, F4

December 18, 1957, whole path Widest

900 yards, EF4

May 16, 2025
Every tornado

All 23 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 16, 2025EF416.28 mi900 yd07
Apr 2, 2025EF13.33 mi75 yd00
May 8, 2024EF06.57 mi25 yd00
May 8, 2024EF14.56 mi75 yd00
Apr 2, 2024EF17.57 mi250 yd00
Apr 2, 2024EF26.66 mi250 yd00
Jun 28, 2018EF00.3 mi75 yd00
Apr 3, 2018EF212.35 mi350 yd00
Apr 3, 2018EF11.93 mi150 yd00
Apr 3, 2018EF19.98 mi125 yd00
Apr 5, 2017EF10.1 mi25 yd00
Feb 28, 2017EF17.36 mi25 yd00
Apr 3, 2014EF10.77 mi50 yd00
Oct 31, 2013EF19.9 mi175 yd00
Feb 29, 2012EF214.91 mi300 yd00
May 8, 2009EF15.51 mi150 yd00
Oct 18, 2004F28.8 mi250 yd03
Jun 12, 1998F12 mi100 yd00
Nov 19, 1991F31.5 mi70 yd016
May 29, 1982F417 mi400 yd10181
Jun 2, 1973F20.1 mi10 yd00
Apr 3, 1968F10.5 mi100 yd00
Dec 18, 1957F428.3 mi300 yd11200
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.