Tornadoes · United States · Illinois · 2025

EF1 tornado, DeWitt County, Illinois, June 18, 2025

This EF1 tornado ran 3.5 miles across DeWitt County on June 18, 2025, touching down at 1:50 PM CDT and reaching 100 yards wide. It killed nobody.

The rating scale

Tracks are drawn in the color of the rating. The Enhanced Fujita scale rates the damage rather than measuring the wind: the speeds are what that damage is taken to imply.

  1. EF065 to 85 mph

    Light damage. Surface peeled off some roofs, gutters and siding damaged, branches broken, shallow-rooted trees pushed over.

  2. EF186 to 110 mphthis tornado

    Moderate damage. Roofs badly stripped, mobile homes overturned or badly damaged, exterior doors lost, windows broken.

  3. EF2111 to 135 mph

    Considerable damage. Roofs torn off well-built houses, frame homes shifted on their foundations, mobile homes destroyed, large trees snapped or uprooted, cars lifted off the ground.

  4. EF3136 to 165 mph

    Severe damage. Whole stories of well-built houses destroyed, large buildings badly damaged, trains overturned, trees debarked, heavy cars lifted and thrown.

  5. EF4166 to 200 mph

    Devastating damage. Well-built houses leveled, structures with weak foundations moved some distance, cars thrown and large missiles generated.

  6. EF5over 200 mph

    Incredible damage. Strong frame houses swept off their foundations, car-sized missiles thrown more than 100 meters, steel-reinforced concrete badly damaged, high-rise buildings deformed.

  7. Unrated

    The survey recorded a tornado but could not put a number on it, most often because it crossed open country and damaged nothing a rating can be read from.

The record

Rating
EF1
Date
June 18, 2025
Touchdown
1:50 PM CDT (18:50 UTC)
Lifted
1:55 PM CDT (18:55 UTC)
On the ground
5 minutes
Path length
3.5 miles (5.7 km)
Path width
100 yards (91 m)
Deaths
0
Injuries
0
County
DeWitt County
Touchdown point
40.239, -88.765
Lift-off point
40.268, -88.710
Record number
2506181250-01

The damage survey

9 damage points were recorded along this path by NWS ILX, in the Damage Assessment Toolkit the survey teams carry. The strongest indicator was rated EFU. The highest wind the damage implies is 100 mph.

  • Damage began about half mile southwest in corn field
  • Corn flattened. Beginning point of tornado just to northeast in field.
  • Tornado dissipated just northeast of this location in field.
  • Video relayed by broadcast media shows a brief tornado touchdown in a field to the east of Route 54 near Bellflower. The McLean County Emergency Manager reported no damage in the area, so this tornado has been labeled EF-Unknown.

Survey points are preliminary and are the raw material the published rating was built from. Source: NWS Damage Assessment Toolkit.

The warnings

No tornado warning for this county appears in the archive as in force at the moment the tornado touched down. One was issued for the county at another hour that day.

The county was under a tornado watch, issued at 14:46 UTC and running to 20:18 UTC.

Issued (UTC)ExpiredProductOffice
14:46 UTC20:18 UTCTornado WatchILX
17:22 UTC17:45 UTCSevere Thunderstorm WarningILX
18:00 UTC00:00 UTCWind AdvisoryILX
18:05 UTC18:30 UTCTornado WarningILX
18:48 UTC19:15 UTCSevere Thunderstorm WarningILX
18:52 UTC19:16 UTCTornado WarningILX

Every warning and watch covering the touchdown point that day, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service products. Lead time is measured from the issue of the warning in force to the touchdown time in the database, both of which were recorded to the minute by different people.

The forecast that day

The Storm Prediction Center had this point in a Slight Risk, with a 0.05 chance of a tornado within 25 miles. The outlook in force was issued at 16:19 UTC.

SPC's Day 1 convective outlook as it stood when the tornado began, read at the touchdown point. The same archive is on the radar archive.

The air that afternoon

The radiosonde launches on either side of the tornado, from the nearest station that was launching then, drawn and analyzed the way Storm Lab does: the same diagram, the same parcel and shear definitions SPC's mesoanalysis uses.

Lincoln, IL (KILX), 12:00Z

6.8 hours before the tornado, 16 km from the path. June 18, 2025.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Lincoln, IL at 12:00Z on 2025-06-18Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel lifted from the surface. Mixed-layer CAPE 550 joules per kilogram, CIN -132, lifted condensation level 960 meters above ground. Wind barbs in knots down the right edge.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed. The warm shading is its CAPE, the cool shading the inhibition it has to break through.
HodographHodograph, Lincoln, IL at 12:00Z on 2025-06-18The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers as a curve, rings every 10 meters per second labeled in knots. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 124 square meters per square second, 0 to 6 km bulk shear 39 knots.193958Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km. RM and LM are the right and left moving storms Bunkers' method gives; the shaded area is the 0 to 1 km storm-relative helicity.
Mixed-layer CAPE
550 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-132 J/kg
Surface CAPE
333 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
960 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
39 kt
0-1 km bulk shear
27 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
124 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
110 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.5
0-3 km lapse rate
4.4 K/km

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

Lincoln, IL (KILX), 00:00Z

5.2 hours after it, 16 km from the path. June 19, 2025.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Lincoln, IL at 00:00Z on 2025-06-19Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel lifted from the surface. Mixed-layer CAPE 44 joules per kilogram, CIN -78, lifted condensation level 960 meters above ground. Wind barbs in knots down the right edge.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed. The warm shading is its CAPE, the cool shading the inhibition it has to break through.
HodographHodograph, Lincoln, IL at 00:00Z on 2025-06-19The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers as a curve, rings every 10 meters per second labeled in knots. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 30 square meters per square second, 0 to 6 km bulk shear 39 knots.19395878Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km. RM and LM are the right and left moving storms Bunkers' method gives; the shaded area is the 0 to 1 km storm-relative helicity.
Mixed-layer CAPE
44 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-78 J/kg
Surface CAPE
687 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
960 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
39 kt
0-1 km bulk shear
22 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
30 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
34 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.1
0-3 km lapse rate
5.9 K/km

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The surface observations

Bloomington/Norm (BMI), 29 km from the path, in the two hours either side.

Time (UTC)Temp (°F)Dew point (°F)WindGust (kt)Pressure (mb)Weather
16:50 UTC 1007.5
16:55 UTC 1007.1-RA
16:56 UTC787290° 11 kt1007.1VCTS -RA
17:00 UTC90° 7 kt1007.1+RA
17:05 UTC330° 4 kt1007.8+RA BR
17:10 UTC230° 5 kt1008.5+RA BR
17:13 UTC73.473.4260° 12 kt181008.8+TSRA BR
17:15 UTC250° 10 kt1008.8+RA BR
17:20 UTC280° 8 kt1008.5-RA BR
17:23 UTC73.473.4250° 6 kt1008.5VCTS
17:25 UTC240° 5 kt1008.5
17:29 UTC75.275.2240° 7 kt1008.5
17:30 UTC240° 4 kt1008.5
17:35 UTC200° 5 kt1008.5
17:40 UTC240° 7 kt1008.1
17:45 UTC250° 5 kt1007.8
17:50 UTC330° 5 kt1007.5-RA
17:55 UTC330° 5 kt1007.1-RA
17:56 UTC7776340° 5 kt1007.1VCTS -RA
18:00 UTC340° 2 kt1006.8-RA
18:04 UTC7775.20° 0 kt1006.8-RA
18:05 UTC0° 0 kt1006.8-RA
18:10 UTC10° 5 kt1006.8-RA
18:15 UTC20° 5 kt1007.1
18:20 UTC50° 4 kt1006.8
18:25 UTC0° 0 kt1006.8
18:30 UTC50° 2 kt1006.4
18:35 UTC40° 4 kt1006.1
18:40 UTC50° 4 kt1006.1-RA
18:45 UTC20° 5 kt1005.8-RA
18:50 UTC 1005.4RA
18:55 UTC50° 8 kt1005.4RA BR
18:56 UTC757570° 8 kt1005.4RA BR
19:00 UTC 1005.8+RA BR
19:03 UTC71.671.6200° 11 kt271005.8-RA
19:05 UTC190° 11 kt1005.4-RA
19:10 UTC190° 11 kt1005.4-RA
19:15 UTC200° 11 kt1005.1-RA
19:17 UTC75.275.2210° 13 kt1005.1-RA
19:20 UTC200° 13 kt1005.1-RA
19:25 UTC190° 14 kt1004.7-RA
19:30 UTC190° 14 kt1004.7-RA
19:35 UTC 1004.7-RA
19:40 UTC 271004.7-RA
19:45 UTC 1004.7-RA
19:50 UTC 1004.7-RA
19:55 UTC 311004.4
19:56 UTC7569220° 27 kt341004.4
20:00 UTC 1004.4
20:05 UTC 311004.4
20:10 UTC 301004.4
20:15 UTC 1004.7
20:20 UTC 1004.4
20:25 UTC 1004.1BR
20:30 UTC 301004.1-RA BR
20:35 UTC 1004.4-RA
20:40 UTC 1004.4-RA
20:45 UTC250° 17 kt1004.7-RA

From the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of airport observations.

The radar

The Lincoln radar (KILX), 52 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the touchdown began at 18:48 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment, over the track

Reflectivity and velocity, decoded from the Level II archive in the browser. Volumes take a few seconds to open the first time.

What was reported nearby

Local storm reports within 60 km of the path, in the three hours either side.

Time (UTC)ReportWhereCountyRemark
17:30 UTCRAIN 1.022 E BloomingtonMclean, IL
17:34 UTCTSTM WND DMGPesotumChampaign, ILCorned flattened from Tolono south to nearly Tuscola. Time estimated from radar.
17:44 UTCTSTM WND GST 59Willard AirportChampaign, ILPeak wind at KCMI ASOS.
17:47 UTCTSTM WND DMGPhiloChampaign, ILLarge tree blown down onto a chain link fence, causing damage to the fence. Photo shared via social media. Time estimated from radar.
17:50 UTCTSTM WND DMG1 Wsw RantoulChampaign, ILSnapped power poles near the sports complex, plus several trees damaged in town.
17:50 UTCTORNADORantoulChampaign, ILPower lines down in Rantoul...near the Family Sports Complex.
17:59 UTCTSTM WND GST 59PaxtonFord, IL
18:01 UTCTSTM WND DMG1 Wnw LodaIroquois, ILCorrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from 1 WNW Loda. A 50 foot tree fell and impacted a house along Bayles Lake. The window to the living room was shattered due to the impact of the tree. Time estimated by radar.
18:50 UTCTORNADO4 Nne De WittDe Witt, ILEF-1 tornado with max winds of 100 mph. It tracked about 3.5 miles flattening corn, damaging trees, and a farmstead.
18:53 UTCTORNADO2 N MinierTazewell, ILTornado reported on the ground between Mackinaw and Minier...relayed by Emergency Management.
18:56 UTCNON-TSTM WND GST 49Decatur AirportMacon, ILPeak gradient wind at KDEC ASOS.
18:56 UTCNON-TSTM WND GST 51Decatur AirportMacon, ILCorrects magnitude of previous report of peak gradient wind at KDEC ASOS.
18:56 UTCTORNADO2 Nne HopedaleTazewell, ILEF-U tornado. A video shows a brief touchdown for about 45 seconds. No damage was observed or reported.
18:56 UTCTORNADO2 S MackinawTazewell, ILTornado reported on ground.
19:01 UTCTORNADO3 Nw Farmer CityDe Witt, ILRain-wrapped tornado with tree debris in the air. No structural damage.
19:13 UTCTORNADO1 Ssw BellflowerMclean, IL[Delayed Report] - Video relayed by broadcast media shows a tornado touchdown in a field to the east of Route 54. Time estimated by radar.
19:13 UTCTORNADO1 Ssw BellflowerMclean, ILEF-U tornado relayed via video shows a rope-shaped tornado occurring in a field. There have been no reports of damage.
19:25 UTCFUNNEL CLOUDBellflowerMclean, IL
19:34 UTCFUNNEL CLOUD1 N FisherChampaign, IL
19:34 UTCNON-TSTM WND GST 49Willard AirportChampaign, ILPeak gradient wind at KCMI ASOS.
20:00 UTCRAIN 1.552 S CooksvilleMclean, ILMesonet station EW0890 Cooksville.
20:05 UTCRAIN 1.243 Wnw TowandaMclean, ILMesonet station FW2710 Towanda.

From the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service local storm reports.

This ground now

The live radar over the trackEvery 2025 tornado in IllinoisEvery tornado in Illinois since 1950Warnings in force in Illinois nowThe forecast where you are

The other tornadoes of June 18, 2025

29 more were confirmed in the United States that day.

DateTimeRatingWherePath (mi)Width (yd)DeathsInjuriesDamage
June 181:04 AM CDTEF1Cherokee, OK7.71,000$50,000
June 181:14 AM CDTEF1Adair, OK8.8750$100,000
June 181:20 AM CDTEF1Benton, AR3.2800
June 181:29 AM CDTEF1Benton, AR1.7300$500,000
June 181:54 AM CDTEF1Washington, AR2.3300$25,000
June 1810:55 AM CDTEF1Calhoun, MO to IL3.6100
June 1811:30 AM CDTUnratedScott, IL1.510
June 1811:53 AM CDTEF0Morgan, IL4.780
June 1811:54 AM CDTEF1Scott, IL1.050
June 1812:02 PM CDTEF1Morgan, IL3.975
June 1812:07 PM CDTEF2Morgan, IL6.9300
June 1812:15 PM CDTEF1Morgan, IL7.6501
June 1812:25 PM CDTEF1Sangamon, IL7.4200
June 1812:29 PM CDTUnratedCass, IL1.410
June 1812:37 PM CDTUnratedMenard, IL3.010
June 1812:41 PM CDTEF1Menard, IL1.4200
June 182:15 PM EDTEF0Anne Arundel, MD0.175$250,000
June 181:18 PM CDTEF0Mason, IL0.1100
June 181:56 PM CDTUnratedTazewell, IL0.250
June 183:02 PM EDTEF0Tippecanoe, IN0.630$20,000
June 183:10 PM EDTEF0Tippecanoe, IN0.320$25,000
June 182:13 PM CDTUnratedMcLean, IL0.130
June 185:02 PM EDTEF0Macomb, MI2.4400
June 186:10 PM CDTUnratedJackson, OK1.020
June 187:44 PM EDTEF0Ottawa, OH0.510$85,000
June 187:50 PM EDTEF0Ottawa, OH2.910$49,000
June 188:26 PM EDTEF1Huron, OH9.3200$40,000
June 188:37 PM CDTEF0Hickman, TN6.9175$250,000
June 188:37 PM CDTEF0Macon, TN4.3300$250,000

What this means

Ratings are the survey's, read off the damage rather than measured; the rating scale is above. Tornado counts rise through the record as reporting improved, so a year in the 1950s is not comparable with one today except for the strongest tornadoes, which were always noticed.

Sources

NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database, 1950-2025, the official record kept by NOAA's Storm Prediction Center.