Downers Grove, IL Tornado History — 194 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Downers Grove, IL had?
Downers Grove has had 194 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 9 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Downers Grove?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Downers Grove was an EF0 on March 19, 2025.
When is tornado season in Downers Grove?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Downers Grove, with 49 on record. April through June account for 80 of the 194 tornadoes on record near Downers Grove.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Downers Grove
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 92 total, averaging 4.6 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Downers Grove since December 29, 2025
These are 10 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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 an EF-1 tornado with peak winds near 105 mph... peak width of 300 yards... and path length of 22.4 miles. (LOT)
NWS survey confirms an EF-0 tornado with peak winds near 75 mph... peak width of 150 yards... and path length of 5.2 miles. (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)
*** 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)
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 Downers Grove. 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 Downers Grove
72 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Downers Grove since 1950, across 9 events. 1,313 injuries have been reported across all events. 1967 was the deadliest year on record near Downers Grove.
The deadliest single event was an F4 on April 21, 1967, which caused 33 fatalities along a 15.0-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Downers Grove
What the record shows near Downers Grove
The 2020s are the busiest decade on record so far near Downers Grove, with 73 of the 194 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles. The Downers Grove record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Downers Grove, 156 reached EF0 or EF1 and 38 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Downers Grove is rated EF5, of which 1 is logged.
Across the last 20 years Downers Grove has averaged 4.6 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 92 in total. 2024 was the busiest of them with 34, and 4 of those years passed with none at all.