Wheeling, IL Tornado History — 113 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Wheeling, IL had?
Wheeling has had 113 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 4 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Wheeling?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Wheeling was an EF0 on March 14, 2025.
When is tornado season in Wheeling?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Wheeling, with 27 on record. April through June account for 49 of the 113 tornadoes on record near Wheeling.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Wheeling
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 48 total, averaging 2.4 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Wheeling 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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)
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)
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 Wheeling. 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 Wheeling
12 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Wheeling since 1950, across 6 events. 475 injuries have been reported across all events. 1965 was the deadliest year on record near Wheeling.
The deadliest single event was an F4 on April 11, 1965, which caused 6 fatalities along a 9.1-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Wheeling
What the record shows near Wheeling
The 2020s are the busiest decade on record so far near Wheeling, with 37 of the 113 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles. The Wheeling record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Wheeling, 85 reached EF0 or EF1 and 28 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Wheeling is rated EF4, of which 3 are logged.
Across the last 20 years Wheeling has averaged 2.4 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 48 in total. 2023 was the busiest of them with 14, and 7 of those years passed with none at all.