Crystal Lake, IL Tornado History — 126 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Crystal Lake, IL had?
Crystal Lake has had 126 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 7 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Crystal Lake?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Crystal Lake was an EF0 on March 14, 2025.
When is tornado season in Crystal Lake?
June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Crystal Lake, with 27 on record. April through June account for 58 of the 126 tornadoes on record near Crystal Lake.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Crystal Lake
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 63 total, averaging 3.1 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Crystal Lake since December 29, 2025
These are 3 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.
McHenry County EMA reports roof damage to barn along Harmony Road near Brier Hill Road. Video shared to social media shows likely tornado with lofted debris in the vici (LOT)
A NWS storm survey determined that a brief EF0 tornado produced tree damage and sporadic roofing damage across the far northern portion of the Saddlebrook Farms subdivi (LOT)
An NWS damage survey confirmed an EF-1 tornado with estimated peak winds of 100 MPH... path length of 3.0 miles... and maximum width of 400 yards impacted Bartlett... c (LOT)
Within 25 miles of Crystal Lake. 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 Crystal Lake
34 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Crystal Lake since 1950, across 6 events. 781 injuries have been reported across all events. 1967 was the deadliest year on record near Crystal Lake.
The deadliest single event was an F4 on April 21, 1967, which caused 24 fatalities along a 25.5-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Crystal Lake
What the record shows near Crystal Lake
The 2020s are the busiest decade on record so far near Crystal Lake, with 41 of the 126 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles. The Crystal Lake record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Crystal Lake, 102 reached EF0 or EF1 and 22 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Crystal Lake is rated EF4, of which 4 are logged. A further 2 near Crystal Lake are unrated — events NOAA logged before a damage survey assigned a scale.
Across the last 20 years Crystal Lake has averaged 3.1 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 63 in total. 2023 was the busiest of them with 14, and 7 of those years passed with none at all.