Wasco, IL Tornado History — 162 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Wasco, IL had?
Wasco has had 162 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 6 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Wasco?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Wasco was an EF0 on March 14, 2025.
When is tornado season in Wasco?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Wasco, with 33 on record. April through June account for 68 of the 162 tornadoes on record near Wasco.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Wasco
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 83 total, averaging 4.2 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Wasco 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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 an EF-0 tornado with peak winds near 75 mph... peak width of 150 yards... and path length of 5.2 miles. (LOT)
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)
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 Wasco. 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 Wasco
39 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Wasco since 1950, across 5 events. 649 injuries have been reported across all events. 1990 was the deadliest year on record near Wasco.
The deadliest single event was an F5 on August 28, 1990, which caused 29 fatalities along a 16.4-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Wasco
What the record shows near Wasco
The 2020s are the busiest decade on record so far near Wasco, with 65 of the 162 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles. The Wasco record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Wasco, 133 reached EF0 or EF1 and 25 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Wasco is rated EF5, of which 1 is logged. A further 4 near Wasco are unrated — events NOAA logged before a damage survey assigned a scale.
Across the last 20 years Wasco has averaged 4.2 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 83 in total. 2024 was the busiest of them with 21, and 6 of those years passed with none at all.