Morton, IL Tornado History — 172 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Morton, IL had?
Morton has had 172 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 12 violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Morton?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Morton was an EF1 on December 28, 2025.
When is tornado season in Morton?
May is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Morton, with 48 on record. Spring through early summer (April–June) generally sees the highest activity across most of the central and southern United States.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Morton
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 54 total, averaging 2.7 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Morton since December 29, 2025
These are 9 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.
Within 25 miles of Morton. 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 Morton
6 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Morton since 1950, across 3 events. 348 injuries have been reported across all events. 2013 was the deadliest year on record.
The deadliest single event was an EF4 on November 17, 2013, which caused 3 fatalities along a 46.4-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Morton
About Tornadoes in Morton
This overview was written April 23, 2026. The tornado counts and notable-event figures elsewhere on this page reflect the latest data and may differ from this summary.
Morton, Illinois, sits in a region of central Illinois that has experienced substantial tornado activity over the past seven decades. According to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, 161 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of the city since 1950, with the highest concentration occurring during the 1990s and 2000s when 30 and 35 tornadoes were documented respectively. The 2020s have already seen 23 tornadoes through early 2026, continuing the pattern of frequent severe weather events in this area.
The majority of tornadoes near Morton have been relatively weak, with 73 rated EF0 and 45 rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage. However, the region has also experienced stronger storms: 23 tornadoes reached EF2 intensity, six reached EF3, and three reached EF4 status. May is by far the most active month for tornado activity, accounting for 43 of the recorded events, though tornadoes have occurred throughout the year in this area.
The most significant tornado in the area's recorded history struck on November 17, 2013, when an EF4 tornado carved a 46.4-mile path with a maximum width of 880 yards. This event claimed three lives and caused an estimated $935.2 million in property damage, making it simultaneously the deadliest, costliest, and widest tornado on record for the Morton vicinity. The longest-tracked tornado occurred on June 5, 1960, when an F2 tornado traveled 56.2 miles, though it remained relatively narrow at just 20 yards wide and caused no fatalities.
Tornado activity has remained consistent in recent years, with the most recent event occurring on December 28, 2025, when an EF1 tornado with a path length of 1.7 miles and maximum width of 200 yards touched down, causing no injuries or reported property damage. The persistent frequency of tornadoes in this region underscores the importance of year-round weather awareness for residents.