St. Joseph County, Michigan tornadoes

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17confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1953). Most recent: March 30, 2025, EF0. 2026 so far: 3 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

Total171950 to 2025
Per year0.2average since 1950
Peak monthMay4 of 17
StrongestF3Oct 24, 2001
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 St. Joseph County.

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

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

May is the peak month, with 4 of 17 tornadoes.

By time of day

60 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 1: 0: 09 AM: 1: 0: 012 PM: 0: 0: 33 PM: 6: 2: 06 PM: 0: 0: 19 PM: 1: 1: 112 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 3:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

40 1950: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 4: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 0: 1: 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: 3 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
2
EF1
7
EF2
7
EF3
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

F3, October 24, 2001

1 deaths, 2 injuries Strongest

F3, October 24, 2001

47 mile path Longest path

47 miles, F3

October 24, 2001, whole path Widest

1,320 yards, F3

October 24, 2001
Every tornado

All 17 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Mar 30, 2025EF03.57 mi300 yd00
Aug 6, 2024EF28.46 mi700 yd00
May 7, 2024EF219.53 mi950 yd01
Jul 12, 2023EF12.9 mi50 yd00
Feb 28, 2017EF12.04 mi50 yd00
May 29, 2011EF12.85 mi100 yd00
Jun 5, 2010EF210.65 mi200 yd00
Oct 24, 2001F15 mi400 yd00
Oct 24, 2001F14 mi400 yd01
Oct 24, 2001F347 mi1,320 yd12
May 25, 2001F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 15, 1988F10.4 mi50 yd00
Mar 12, 1976F213.4 mi127 yd08
Aug 19, 1973F10.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 9, 1966F20.5 mi10 yd00
Jul 6, 1955F20.1 mi27 yd00
May 17, 1953F26.4 mi10 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Mar 6, 20261 SW Three RiversNot yet rated
Mar 6, 20262 SW Three RiversNot yet rated
Mar 6, 20261 ESE Clear LakeNot 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.