Illinois State Water Survey - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Introduction

Illinois is ranked high in terms of the number of tornadoes and tornado impacts (damages, deaths, and injuries). In fact, Illinois has experienced one of the worst tornadoes in U.S. history. The infamous Tri-State tornado occurred on March 18, 1925, passing through southern Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana, leaving 695 dead and 2000 injured. This page provides a variety of information on tornadoes including maps, graphs, and significant events. Click here for more background information.

Recent Conditions

2017

• In 2017, there were 59 tornado reports, 1 deaths, and 2 injuries in Illinois. Here is the list of 2017 reports.

2016

• In 2016, there were 48 tornado reports, 0 deaths, and 16 injuries in Illinois. Here is the list of 2016 reports.

2015

• In 2015, there were 83 tornado reports, 2 deaths, and 27 injuries in Illinois. Here is the list of 2015 events.

2014

• In 2014, there were 34 tornado reports, 0 deaths, and 2 injuries in Illinois. Here is the list of 2014 events
• NWS Report on the February 20, 2014, outbreak

2013

• In 2013, there were 71 tornado reports, 8 deaths, and 189 injuries in Illinois. Here is the list of 2013 events.
• Here are blog posts on the November 17, 2013, tornado outbreak in Illinois.

Maps and Graphs

Click on the icons below to get the maps or graphs

First Radar-Detected Tornado

The first documented case of a tornado being detected by radar occurred near Champaign, Illinois. On April 9, 1953, while running tests on a research radar unit after hours, Don Staggs of the Illinois State Water Survey discovered an interesting radar return and began recording it using a 35mm camera. As a result, he was able to document the development, growth, and movement of a tornado, as identified by the distinctive "hook echo." This was later correlated with damage reports from the area. This discovery helped in push for a nationwide network of radar sites in the 1950s to spot and track tornadoes.

Other Significant Illinois Tornadoes

• The record setting 2006 tornado season
• National Weather Service account of the March 18, 1925 Tri-State Tornado
• Wikipedia account of the March 18, 1925 Tri-State Tornado
• National Weather Service account of the May 26, 1917, Mattoon Tornado
• Wikipedia account of the May 26, 1917, Mattoon Tornado
• National Weather Service list of significant Chicago-area tornadoes

Illinois State Water Survey publications

• Angel, J.R., 2002:Temporal Aspects of Illinois Tornadoes: 1950-1998, Vol. 95, #3, pp. 163-174, Transactions of the Illinois Academy of Science.
• Wendland and Hoffman, 1993:Illinois Tornadoes Prior to 1916, Vol 86, pp. 1-10, Transactions of the Illinois Academy of Science.
• Wendland and Guinan, 1988:A Tornado and Severe Windstorm Climatology for Illinois: 1955-1986, Vol. 81, pp. 131-146, Transactions of the Illinois Academy of Science.
• Wilson and Changnon, 1971:Illinois Tornadoes, Circular 103, Illinois State Water Survey.

Other Links

• NOAA Storm Prediction Center: Tornado FAQ | Storm Data
• NWS, Lincoln IL -
  • Illinois Severe Weather Facts (pdf)
• FEMA - Tornado Information
• NCDC - Individual Events
• NCAR - Extreme Weather Sourcebook
• Tom Grazulis The Tornado Project

Table 1. Illinois tornado events, deaths, and injuries since 1981.

Year	Number of Events	Deaths	Injuries
2017	59	1	2
2016	48	0	16
2015	83	2	17
2014	34	0	2
2013	45	8	189
2012	39	8	111
2011	76	0	8
2010	52	1	40
2009	59	0	27
2008	47	0	11
2007	23	0	3
2006	124**	1	49
2005	19	0	0
2004	80	9	23
2003	120	2	82
2002	35	4	64
2001	21	0	3
2000	55	0	8
1999	64	3	29
1998	99	0	27
1997	29	0	3
1996	62	1	80
1995	76	0	80
1994	20	0	0
1993	34	0	0
1992	23	0	2
1991	32	0	23
1990	50	30	365
1989	15	0	56
1988	20	0	6
1987	22	0	2
1986	22	0	12
1985	15	1	11
1984	34	1	20
1983	14	2	43
1982	35	13	287
1981	33	1	48
1980	14	0	7

**new record for Illinois