Des Plaines, IL Tornado History — 124 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Des Plaines, IL had?
Des Plaines has had 124 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 8 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Des Plaines?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Des Plaines was an EF0 on March 14, 2025.
When is tornado season in Des Plaines?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Des Plaines, with 31 on record. April through June account for 51 of the 124 tornadoes on record near Des Plaines.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Des Plaines
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 56 total, averaging 2.8 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Des Plaines since December 29, 2025
These are 6 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.
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)
An NWS damage survey confirmed an EF-0 tornado with peak winds of 85 mph... path length of 2.1 miles... and maximum width of 100 yards impacted Downers Grove. (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)
*** 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 confirms a preliminary EF-0 tornado. Peak winds of 80 mph... width of 150 yards... and length of 1.3 miles. (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 Des Plaines. 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 Des Plaines
47 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Des Plaines since 1950, across 8 events. 1,017 injuries have been reported across all events. 1967 was the deadliest year on record near Des Plaines.
The deadliest single event was an F4 on April 21, 1967, which caused 33 fatalities along a 15.0-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Des Plaines
What the record shows near Des Plaines
The 2020s are the busiest decade on record so far near Des Plaines, with 44 of the 124 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles. The Des Plaines record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Des Plaines, 95 reached EF0 or EF1 and 29 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Des Plaines is rated EF4, of which 5 are logged.
Across the last 20 years Des Plaines has averaged 2.8 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 56 in total. 2024 was the busiest of them with 20, and 8 of those years passed with none at all.