Terrance PoggeIllinois Severe Weather Preparedness Week for 2026 will take place from March 2nd through March 6th.
According to Dr. Trent Ford, Illinois State Climatologist :
-Tornadoes can and do occur during any month of the year in Illinois, with the highest frequency occurring between April and June.
-Between 1950 and 2020, there have been 96 tornadoes recorded in Illinois in December, 39 recorded in January, and 80 recorded in February!
The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center reports between 2003 and 2022, Illinois averaged 57 tornadoes per year, placing it at 6th place for highest state average number of tornadoes per year during that time period.
The Illinois Emergency Management Agency Office of Homeland Security also states:
–20% of tornadoes in Illinois occur after dark.
-Illinois ranks fourth in the United States for the most tornadoes per square mile!
For more information on preparing for Illinois severe weather, please check out Ready Illinois.
