Rockford, IL Tornado History — 87 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Rockford, IL had?
Rockford has had 87 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 3 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Rockford?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Rockford was an EF0 on June 3, 2025.
When is tornado season in Rockford?
May is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Rockford, with 17 on record. April through June account for 44 of the 87 tornadoes on record near Rockford.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Rockford
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 50 total, averaging 2.5 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Rockford 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.
Tornado on the ground visible from IL-173 and Belvidere Road looking north. Relayed by amateur radio. (LOT)
Multiple photos and videos shared via social media show tornado on the ground between Harrison and Rockton. (LOT)
Video shows possible brief tornado north of Pecatonica. No known damage. Relayed via social media. (LOT)
An NWS damage survey confirmed that an EF-0 tornado with estimated peak winds of 85 mph and a path length of 2.71 miles tracked through the community of Holcomb in nort (LOT)
Within 25 miles of Rockford. 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 Rockford
28 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Rockford since 1950, across 4 events. 516 injuries have been reported across all events. 1967 was the deadliest year on record near Rockford.
The deadliest single event was an F4 on April 21, 1967, which caused 24 fatalities along a 25.5-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Rockford
What the record shows near Rockford
The 2020s are the busiest decade on record so far near Rockford, with 31 of the 87 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles. The Rockford record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Rockford, 74 reached EF0 or EF1 and 10 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Rockford is rated EF4, of which 2 are logged. A further 3 near Rockford are unrated — events NOAA logged before a damage survey assigned a scale.
Across the last 20 years Rockford has averaged 2.5 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 50 in total. 2024 was the busiest of them with 9, and 8 of those years passed with none at all.