McHenry, IL Tornado History — 103 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has McHenry, IL had?
McHenry has had 103 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 7 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near McHenry?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of McHenry was an EF0 on March 14, 2025.
When is tornado season in McHenry?
June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near McHenry, with 21 on record. April through June account for 46 of the 103 tornadoes on record near McHenry.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near McHenry
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 51 total, averaging 2.5 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near McHenry 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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)
Touchdown near the intersection of US HWY 45 and WI HWY 142. (MKX)
Within 25 miles of McHenry. 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 McHenry
34 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of McHenry since 1950, across 6 events. 765 injuries have been reported across all events. 1967 was the deadliest year on record near McHenry.
The deadliest single event was an F4 on April 21, 1967, which caused 24 fatalities along a 25.5-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near McHenry
What the record shows near McHenry
The 2020s are the busiest decade on record so far near McHenry, with 33 of the 103 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles. The McHenry record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near McHenry, 78 reached EF0 or EF1 and 24 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near McHenry is rated EF4, of which 4 are logged. A further 1 near McHenry is unrated — events NOAA logged before a damage survey assigned a scale.
Across the last 20 years McHenry has averaged 2.5 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 51 in total. 2023 was the busiest of them with 14, and 6 of those years passed with none at all.