Palatine, IL Tornado History — 128 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Palatine, IL had?
Palatine has had 128 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 4 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Palatine?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Palatine was an EF0 on March 14, 2025.
When is tornado season in Palatine?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Palatine, with 30 on record. April through June account for 50 of the 128 tornadoes on record near Palatine.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Palatine
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 58 total, averaging 2.9 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Palatine 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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 Palatine. 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 Palatine
12 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Palatine since 1950, across 6 events. 476 injuries have been reported across all events. 1965 was the deadliest year on record near Palatine.
The deadliest single event was an F4 on April 11, 1965, which caused 6 fatalities along a 9.1-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Palatine
What the record shows near Palatine
The 2020s are the busiest decade on record so far near Palatine, with 45 of the 128 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles. The Palatine record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Palatine, 100 reached EF0 or EF1 and 28 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Palatine is rated EF4, of which 3 are logged.
Across the last 20 years Palatine has averaged 2.9 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 58 in total. 2024 was the busiest of them with 20, and 6 of those years passed with none at all.