Lake County, Indiana tornadoes

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48confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1951). Most recent: March 19, 2025, EF0. 2026 so far: 5 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.

Recent warnings

Recent warnings in Lake County

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The record

At a glance

Total481950 to 2025
Per year0.6average since 1950
Peak monthJune18 of 48
StrongestF3Apr 23, 1961
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries28whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

180 Jan: 0Feb: 1Mar: 11Apr: 2May: 2Jun: 18Jul: 6Aug: 2Sep: 0Oct: 3Nov: 2Dec: 1JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 18 of 48 tornadoes.

By time of day

120 12 AM: 2: 0: 13 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 1: 0: 012 PM: 2: 0: 33 PM: 5: 8: 26 PM: 2: 3: 69 PM: 12: 1: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 9:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

90 1950: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 2: 0: 01960: 1: 2: 1: 0: 0: 1: 1: 1: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 3: 2: 0: 01980: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 9: 0: 0: 0: 0: 22020: 0: 3: 0: 1: 4: 619501960197019801990200020102020

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: 5 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
13
EF1
22
EF2
9
EF3
4

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

F3, April 23, 1961

51.7 mile path Longest path

51.7 miles, F3

April 23, 1961, whole path Widest

415 yards, EF1

June 30, 2014
Every tornado

All 48 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Mar 19, 2025EF01.83 mi50 yd00
Mar 19, 2025EF10.71 mi50 yd01
Mar 19, 2025EF00.44 mi50 yd00
Mar 19, 2025EF01.85 mi50 yd00
Mar 15, 2025EF04.94 mi200 yd00
Mar 15, 2025EF10.93 mi200 yd00
Jul 15, 2024EF016.4 mi100 yd00
Jul 15, 2024EF02.4 mi100 yd00
Jul 15, 2024EF129.1 mi300 yd00
Feb 27, 2024EF12.17 mi75 yd00
Mar 31, 2023EF13.22 mi325 yd00
Dec 10, 2021EF04.8 mi100 yd00
Oct 11, 2021EF01.56 mi70 yd00
Jun 26, 2021EF03.3 mi250 yd00
May 27, 2019EF01.05 mi100 yd00
Mar 14, 2019EF01.46 mi75 yd00
Jun 30, 2014EF12.1 mi185 yd00
Jun 30, 2014EF23.2 mi295 yd00
Jun 30, 2014EF12.2 mi315 yd00
Jun 30, 2014EF113.2 mi395 yd00
Jun 30, 2014EF13.2 mi370 yd00
Jun 30, 2014EF13.8 mi260 yd00
Jun 30, 2014EF11.6 mi175 yd00
Jun 30, 2014EF18.7 mi415 yd00
Jun 30, 2014EF115.8 mi175 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Jun 11, 20265 NE ShelbyNot yet rated
Jun 11, 20263 NE SchneiderNot yet rated
Jun 11, 20262 SSW Cedar LakeNot yet rated
Jun 11, 20263 SE GriffithNot yet rated
Jun 11, 20263 WSW St. JohnNot 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.