Kalamazoo, MI Tornado History — 76 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Kalamazoo, MI had?
Kalamazoo has had 76 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 6 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Kalamazoo?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Kalamazoo was an EF1 on May 15, 2025.
When is tornado season in Kalamazoo?
May is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Kalamazoo, with 27 on record. April through June account for 44 of the 76 tornadoes on record near Kalamazoo.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Kalamazoo
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 20 total, averaging 1.0 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Kalamazoo since December 29, 2025
These are 2 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.
This EF-1 tornado had maximum estimated winds of 100 mph and a path of around 16 miles. It touched down north of Otsego and traveled east until Hickory Corners. This to (GRR)
Numerous videos from storm chasers... trained spotters... broadcast media... and the public confirm a tornado in Three Rivers Michigan. Time estimated via radar. (IWX)
Within 25 miles of Kalamazoo. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.
What storm spotters reported near Kalamazoo
3 local storm reports have been filed within 25 miles of Kalamazoo 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 Kalamazoo totals above; quoted below is the narrative each reporting office filed at the time.
The EF0 tornado resulted in mostly tree damage along its 8.5 mile path. It began just west of Saint Marys Lake and traveled just south of the lake and remained very clo (GRR)
The EF0 tornado resulted in mainly tree damage along its 10 mile path. More concentrated tree damage occurred near the beginning and the end of the path with intermitte (GRR)
An EF-1 tornado with top winds of 100 mph crossed the most southern part of Gun Lake traveling to the northeast before ending northeast of the Otis Sanctuary. Mostly tr (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 Kalamazoo
6 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Kalamazoo since 1950, across 2 events. 164 injuries have been reported across all events. 1980 was the deadliest year on record near Kalamazoo.
The deadliest single event was an F3 on May 13, 1980, which caused 5 fatalities along a 10.6-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Kalamazoo
What the record shows near Kalamazoo
The 1980s were the busiest decade near Kalamazoo, with 15 of the 76 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 8 so far. The Kalamazoo record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Kalamazoo, 56 reached EF0 or EF1 and 20 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Kalamazoo is rated EF4, of which 1 is logged.
Across the last 20 years Kalamazoo has averaged 1.0 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 20 in total. 2008 was the busiest of them with 4, and 13 of those years passed with none at all.