Northbrook, IL Tornado History — 103 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Northbrook, IL had?
Northbrook has had 103 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 4 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Northbrook?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Northbrook was an EF0 on March 14, 2025.
When is tornado season in Northbrook?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Northbrook, with 26 on record. April through June account for 43 of the 103 tornadoes on record near Northbrook.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Northbrook
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 45 total, averaging 2.3 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Northbrook since December 29, 2025
These are 4 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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)
Photo passed along of a tornado in Glen Ellyn... close to location of radar-indicated TDS. (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)
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 Northbrook. 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 Northbrook
12 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Northbrook since 1950, across 6 events. 470 injuries have been reported across all events. 1965 was the deadliest year on record near Northbrook.
The deadliest single event was an F4 on April 11, 1965, which caused 6 fatalities along a 9.1-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Northbrook
What the record shows near Northbrook
The 2020s are the busiest decade on record so far near Northbrook, with 34 of the 103 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles. The Northbrook record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Northbrook, 80 reached EF0 or EF1 and 23 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Northbrook is rated EF4, of which 3 are logged.
Across the last 20 years Northbrook has averaged 2.3 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 45 in total. 2024 was the busiest of them with 15, and 7 of those years passed with none at all.