Illinois Ranks 2nd in Nation for Tornadoes in 2025

Illinois just wrapped up one of its most active tornado years on record in 2025, and this one really stands out.

According to national storm data, Illinois recorded the second-most tornadoes of any state (146 of them) in 2025, trailing only Texas (162 tornadoes in the Lone Star state). That’s a big deal for a state that already lives with severe weather as a regular part of life. On average, Illinois sees about 50 tornadoes a year. In 2025, that number nearly tripled.

By the way, if you think that Illinois is safe from tornadoes during the winter...it's not. At one time or another Illinois has experienced tornadoes during every single month of the year, not just in the spring and summer. Winter tornadoes are somewhat rare, but they do happen here in the Land of Lincoln.

You May Have Noticed Last Year That We Got A Lot More Tornado Watches And Warnings That We Usually Do

If it felt like warnings were popping up nonstop last spring and early summer, you weren’t imagining it. Several outbreak days brought long-track tornadoes that crossed county lines and, in some cases, carved paths across large portions of the state.

Meteorologists point out that tornadoes in the state generally happen this way: warm, humid air pushing north from the Gulf colliding with cooler, drier air from Canada, combined with strong winds aloft. When all of that comes together, Illinois becomes prime real estate for tornadoes.

Illinois has a long and sad tornado history. In fact, the deadliest tornado in American history happened right here. The Tri-State Tornado of 1925 tore through southern Illinois, eastern Missouri and southern Indiana, killing nearly 700 people. Towns like Murphysboro and Gorham were devastated, and the storm remains a benchmark for just how destructive tornadoes can be.

Despite What You May Have Heard Or Read, No Part Of The State Of Illinois Is Immune From Tornadoes

Rivers don’t stop tornadoes, hills don’t block them, and big cities aren’t magically protected. Chicago itself has been hit multiple times, including damaging tornadoes in 1967 and again in 2020. As I pointed out, tornadoes have occurred in every month of the year in Illinois, even though peak season usually runs from April through June.

One reason tornadoes can be especially dangerous here is speed. Some Illinois tornadoes have raced along at 60 to 70 miles per hour, cutting down reaction time. Others are rain-wrapped and hard to see until they’re dangerously close. Nighttime tornadoes, which are more common in the Midwest than many people realize, add another layer of risk.

Illinois finishing second in the nation for tornadoes in 2025 isn’t just a statistic. It’s a reminder. Tornadoes are part of life for all of us in Illinois, and staying aware, prepared, and weather-savvy still matters when the skies start looking questionable.

Here's more on the 1925 Tri-State Tornado: