Elgin, IL Tornado History — 154 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Elgin, IL had?
Elgin has had 154 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 6 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Elgin?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Elgin was an EF0 on March 14, 2025.
When is tornado season in Elgin?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Elgin, with 33 on record. April through June account for 60 of the 154 tornadoes on record near Elgin.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Elgin
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 76 total, averaging 3.8 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Elgin 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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)
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)
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 Elgin. 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 Elgin
64 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Elgin since 1950, across 7 events. 1,138 injuries have been reported across all events. 1990 was the deadliest year on record near Elgin.
The deadliest single event was an F5 on August 28, 1990, which caused 29 fatalities along a 16.4-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Elgin
What the record shows near Elgin
The 2020s are the busiest decade on record so far near Elgin, with 61 of the 154 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles. The Elgin record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Elgin, 121 reached EF0 or EF1 and 30 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Elgin is rated EF5, of which 1 is logged. A further 3 near Elgin are unrated — events NOAA logged before a damage survey assigned a scale.
Across the last 20 years Elgin has averaged 3.8 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 76 in total. 2024 was the busiest of them with 22, and 7 of those years passed with none at all.