Chicago, IL Tornado History — 100 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Chicago, IL had?
Chicago has had 100 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 6 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Chicago?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Chicago was an EF0 on March 19, 2025.
When is tornado season in Chicago?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Chicago, with 24 on record. April through June account for 38 of the 100 tornadoes on record near Chicago.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Chicago
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 49 total, averaging 2.5 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Chicago since December 29, 2025
These are 8 preliminary reports, not confirmed tornadoes. They have not yet been through an NWS damage survey, and are not counted in the confirmed totals above.
Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete. Ratings are omitted until a survey assigns one.
Confirmed records above are complete through December 29, 2025. NOAA publishes the confirmed archive annually, so tornadoes after that date appear here first and move into the totals above once finalized.
An EF-1 tornado began west of Halsted between 183rd and 187th... crossing Halsted and causing structural damage to a strip mall and several buildings in an apartment co (LOT)
NWS survey confirms a brief EF-0 tornado started just south of Wheaton College. Tornado was on the ground for 2 minutes or less. Peak width of 100 yards and winds of 75 (LOT)
Likely portion of tornado path in/near Markham. Concentrated area of tree damage along westbound I-80/I-294 at the Dixie Highway exit directly east and west of the exit (LOT)
An NWS damage survey confirmed an EF-0 tornado with peak winds of 85 mph... path length of 2.9 miles... and max width of 250 yards impacted Orland Park. (LOT)
Photo passed along of a tornado in Glen Ellyn... close to location of radar-indicated TDS. (LOT)
Corrects previous tornado report from 2 E Glenwood. An NWS storm survey confirmed an EF-1 tornado with peak winds of 110 mph... peak width of 225 yards... and path leng (LOT)
*** 6 INJ *** NWS survey confirms a preliminary EF-2 tornado. Peak winds of 120 mph... width of 350 yards... and length of 8.4 miles. (LOT)
NWS survey confirmed a preliminary EF-0 tornado. Path length of 2.5 miles... max width of 175 yards... and peak winds of 80 mph. (LOT)
Within 25 miles of Chicago. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.
Tornadoes by Decade
Tornadoes by Enhanced Fujita Rating
F0–F5 ratings (pre-2007) are grouped with their EF equivalents. The Enhanced Fujita scale replaced the original Fujita scale in February 2007.
Tornadoes by Month
Casualties on Record Near Chicago
41 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Chicago since 1950, across 6 events. 915 injuries have been reported across all events. 1967 was the deadliest year on record near Chicago.
The deadliest single event was an F4 on April 21, 1967, which caused 33 fatalities along a 15.0-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Chicago
What the record shows near Chicago
The 2020s are the busiest decade on record so far near Chicago, with 37 of the 100 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles. The Chicago record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Chicago, 79 reached EF0 or EF1 and 21 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Chicago is rated EF4, of which 2 are logged.
Across the last 20 years Chicago has averaged 2.5 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 49 in total. 2024 was the busiest of them with 19, and 9 of those years passed with none at all.