Zion, IL Tornado History — 50 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Zion, IL had?
Zion has had 50 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 5 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Zion?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Zion was an EF0 on June 22, 2024.
When is tornado season in Zion?
June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Zion, with 10 on record. April through June account for 19 of the 50 tornadoes on record near Zion.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Zion
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 19 total, averaging 0.9 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Zion 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.
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)
National Weather Service Storm Survey confirms a tornado rated EF-1 near Somers. Brief tornado began on the south side of 18th street west of 72nd Ave. Two barn outbuil (MKX)
Corrects previous tornado report from 4 SSW Sturtevant. EF1 tornado in the Somers area beginning near the intersection of 7th St. and 100th Ave. and ending approximatel (MKX)
EF1 tornado in the Somers area beginning near the intersection of 7th St. and 100th Ave. and ending approximately 4 miles to the southeast near the north end of 47th Av (MKX)
Within 25 miles of Zion. 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 Zion
11 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Zion since 1950, across 5 events. 336 injuries have been reported across all events. 1965 was the deadliest year on record near Zion.
The deadliest single event was an F4 on April 11, 1965, which caused 6 fatalities along a 9.1-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Zion
What the record shows near Zion
The 1970s were the busiest decade near Zion, with 9 of the 50 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 7 so far. The Zion record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Zion, 35 reached EF0 or EF1 and 15 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Zion is rated EF4, of which 3 are logged.
Across the last 20 years Zion has averaged 0.9 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 19 in total. 2010 was the busiest of them with 5, and 9 of those years passed with none at all.