Janesville, WI Tornado History — 116 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Janesville, WI had?
Janesville has had 116 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 4 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Janesville?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Janesville was an EF0 on July 15, 2024.
When is tornado season in Janesville?
June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Janesville, with 28 on record. April through June account for 56 of the 116 tornadoes on record near Janesville.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Janesville
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 49 total, averaging 2.5 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Janesville 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.
Tornado on the ground visible from IL-173 and Belvidere Road looking north. Relayed by amateur radio. (LOT)
NWS Damage Survey concludes an EF-1 tornado occurred with estimated peak winds of 100 mph. The tornado started near Turtle Creek by Klug Road... lifting northeastward t (MKX)
Snapped and uprooted trees... damage to houses... and sheet metal wrapped around trees near Emerald Grove. Time estimated from radar. (MKX)
Multiple photos and videos shared via social media show tornado on the ground between Harrison and Rockton. (LOT)
EF1 tornado west of Elkhorn. Metal roof and wall panels ripped off buildings and lofted. Tree damage. Maximum estimated wind speed of 100 mph. Path of approximately 2 m (MKX)
NWS Storm Survey: EF-1 tornado... estimated peak winds of 105 mph. 75 yards wide. Tornado appears to have started west of I-39 along Church Rd where it tracked to the n (MKX)
Within 25 miles of Janesville. 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 Janesville
6 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Janesville since 1950, across 4 events. 117 injuries have been reported across all events. 1965 was the deadliest year on record near Janesville.
The deadliest single event was an F2 on April 11, 1965, which caused 3 fatalities along a 14.5-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Janesville
What the record shows near Janesville
The 2020s are the busiest decade on record so far near Janesville, with 28 of the 116 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles. The Janesville record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Janesville, 91 reached EF0 or EF1 and 23 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Janesville is rated EF3, of which 4 are logged. A further 2 near Janesville are unrated — events NOAA logged before a damage survey assigned a scale.
Across the last 20 years Janesville has averaged 2.5 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 49 in total. 2023 was the busiest of them with 12, and 6 of those years passed with none at all.