St. Joseph County, Indiana tornadoes

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33confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1950). Most recent: September 24, 2024, EF0. 2026 so far: 2 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 St. Joseph County

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The record

At a glance

Total331950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthJune9 of 33
StrongestF4Apr 11, 1965
Deaths48whole paths, see note
Injuries457whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

90 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 4May: 2Jun: 9Jul: 4Aug: 3Sep: 2Oct: 8Nov: 1Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 9 of 33 tornadoes.

By time of day

60 12 AM: 1: 2: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 1: 09 AM: 0: 1: 012 PM: 1: 2: 43 PM: 4: 5: 26 PM: 6: 1: 39 PM: 0: 0: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 6:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

40 1950: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 1: 01960: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 3: 0: 1: 1: 11970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 11990: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 02000: 0: 4: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 22020: 1: 2: 0: 0: 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: 2 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
14
EF1
8
EF2
5
EF3
4
EF4
1
Unknown
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

F4, April 11, 1965

36 deaths, 321 injuries Strongest

F4, April 11, 1965

37 mile path Longest path

47 miles, F3

October 24, 2001, whole path Widest

1,760 yards, F2

October 24, 2001
Every tornado

All 33 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Sep 24, 2024EF00.29 mi125 yd00
Oct 3, 2021EFU0.01 mi1 yd00
Jun 21, 2021EF11.05 mi100 yd00
Aug 10, 2020EF12.41 mi100 yd00
Jun 23, 2019EF02.01 mi250 yd00
Jun 23, 2019EF00.48 mi10 yd00
Oct 12, 2016EF00.05 mi40 yd00
Oct 12, 2016EF01.25 mi30 yd00
May 15, 2007EF02.07 mi50 yd00
Jul 3, 2004F00.1 mi25 yd00
Aug 26, 2003F10.1 mi33 yd00
Oct 24, 2001F15.4 mi50 yd00
Oct 24, 2001F24.6 mi1,320 yd03
Oct 24, 2001F347 mi1,320 yd12
Oct 24, 2001F235 mi1,760 yd10
Jul 3, 1998F00.1 mi30 yd00
Aug 16, 1997F00.5 mi30 yd00
May 31, 1991F00.2 mi10 yd00
Jun 3, 1989F04 mi20 yd00
Sep 9, 1985F11.3 mi40 yd00
Jun 28, 1980F20.1 mi10 yd00
Apr 12, 1974F10.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 30, 1969F10.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 23, 1968F00.1 mi10 yd00
Oct 24, 1967F10.1 mi100 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Jun 11, 20262 NE ElkhartNot yet rated
Apr 17, 20264 NW RoselandNot 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.

Cities

Cities in St. Joseph County

Each city page counts every tornado path within 10 miles of the city, including paths just over the county line.

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.