Illinois surpasses 160 tornadoes in 2026

It's been an incredibly active tornado season across the Illinois this year, with more than 160 preliminary tornado reports as of June 18th.

And given recent severe weather events, that number is likely still climbing. That total is 37 higher than all of last year and puts Illinois well ahead of the rest of the country, more than doubling Mississippi, which ranks second with 83 tornadoes. 

From early-season setups to multiple rounds of severe weather, the atmosphere has consistently favored storm development, fueling a prolonged stretch of frequent tornadic activity in recent years. And with the summer months still ahead, Illinois's tornado count will likely climb as we transition into M.C.S (mesoscale convective system) and Derecho season.