East Lansing, MI Tornado History — 93 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has East Lansing, MI had?
East Lansing has had 93 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 4 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near East Lansing?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of East Lansing was an EF1 on May 15, 2025.
When is tornado season in East Lansing?
May is historically the peak month for tornadoes near East Lansing, with 18 on record. April through June account for 48 of the 93 tornadoes on record near East Lansing.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near East Lansing
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 21 total, averaging 1.1 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near East Lansing since December 29, 2025
This is a preliminary report, not confirmed tornadoes. It has not yet been through an NWS damage survey, and is 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.
This EF-0 tornado had maximum estimated winds of 75 mph and a path length of around 3.2 miles. One outbuilding was destroyed. Otherwise mostly tree damage or minor prop (GRR)
Within 25 miles of East Lansing. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.
What storm spotters reported near East Lansing
2 local storm reports have been filed within 25 miles of East Lansing and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on May 15, 2025 and the most recent on May 15, 2025. They are already counted in the East Lansing totals above; quoted below is the narrative each reporting office filed at the time.
Spotter reports power flashes near the Meijer distribution center off Creyts Rd. Tornado debris signature on radar. (GRR)
Tree and structure damage occurred along the path of this EF1 tornado. A number of homes had roofing material ripped away and several outbuildings were heavily damaged. (GRR)
Source: National Weather Service and trained-spotter local storm reports, relayed by the NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
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 East Lansing
8 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of East Lansing since 1950, across 6 events. 118 injuries have been reported across all events. 2023 was the deadliest year on record near East Lansing.
The deadliest single event was an EF2 on August 24, 2023, which caused 2 fatalities along a 12.0-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near East Lansing
What the record shows near East Lansing
The 1970s were the busiest decade near East Lansing, with 20 of the 93 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 5 so far. The East Lansing record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near East Lansing, 60 reached EF0 or EF1 and 33 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near East Lansing is rated EF4, of which 3 are logged.
Across the last 20 years East Lansing has averaged 1.1 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 21 in total. 2007 was the busiest of them with 4, and 10 of those years passed with none at all.