Galesburg, IL Tornado History — 122 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Galesburg, IL had?
Galesburg has had 122 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 4 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Galesburg?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Galesburg was an EF1 on June 3, 2025.
When is tornado season in Galesburg?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Galesburg, with 37 on record. April through June account for 86 of the 122 tornadoes on record near Galesburg.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Galesburg
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 35 total, averaging 1.8 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Galesburg 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.
A short-lived EF-1 tornado developed in Monmouth Illinois and tracked southeast through town for 1.3 miles... with estimated maximum winds of 100 mph. Along the tornado (DVN)
EF1... peak wind speed 90 mph... path length 10.3 miles... path width 200 yds. The tornado began approximately three miles east of Victoria... starting its path in a fi (ILX)
A brief EF0 tornado passed through Viola... IL... with maximum winds around 85 mph. Damage along the short path was done to trees... both uprooting and snapping... with (DVN)
The tornado touched down about 2 miles east of Elba Center where it did some tree damage just south of Knox Road 900 N. It progressed across I-74 near E Knox Rd where i (ILX)
The tornado touched down about 4 miles southwest of Galesburg where it damaged a few trees before heading northeast toward Galesburg. The tornado did primarily tree dam (ILX)
The tornado developed about 4 miles west of West Jersey where it toppled a shipping container and caused tree damage. It intensified as it reached 100 E Rd and snapped (ILX)
Within 25 miles of Galesburg. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.
What storm spotters reported near Galesburg
4 local storm reports have been filed within 25 miles of Galesburg and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on April 20, 2025 and the most recent on June 3, 2025. They are already counted in the Galesburg totals above; quoted below is the narrative each reporting office filed at the time.
An EF1 tornado with maximum wind speeds of 100 mph touched down on the south side of Monmouth... and move northeast through town... damaging trees... sheds... and a gar (DVN)
EFU with at least a 1/4 mile path was depicted by radar and a scour mark in a freshly plowed field. Corn debris was also found in the fence at this location. (DVN)
The tornado touched down west of Victoria and tracked 16.48 miles north-northeast before dissipating north of Galva. It was on the ground for 18 minutes and rated EF-1. (ILX)
Sheriff deputies reporting visual sighting of a tornado near Greenbush... IL. (DVN)
Source: National Weather Service and trained-spotter local storm reports, relayed by the NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
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 Galesburg
1 fatality has been recorded within 25 miles of Galesburg since 1950, across 1 event. 36 injuries have been reported across all events. 1959 was the deadliest year on record near Galesburg.
The deadliest single event was an F2 on September 26, 1959, which caused 1 fatality along a 4.9-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Galesburg
What the record shows near Galesburg
The 1990s were the busiest decade near Galesburg, with 38 of the 122 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 18 so far. The Galesburg record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Galesburg, 94 reached EF0 or EF1 and 23 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Galesburg is rated EF4, of which 1 is logged. A further 5 near Galesburg are unrated — events NOAA logged before a damage survey assigned a scale.
Across the last 20 years Galesburg has averaged 1.8 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 35 in total. 2025 was the busiest of them with 6, and 7 of those years passed with none at all.