Meteorologists Confirm a Powerful EF-4 Tornado Struck Illinois on Friday with Winds of 190 mph

As the central U.S. braces for another major severe weather outbreak today and tonight, meteorologists confirm that one of the strongest tornadoes of 2025 struck during an outbreak that hit the middle of the country on Friday.

Friday's severe weather outbreak produced one of the strongest tornadoes of 2025 so far.
Friday's severe weather outbreak produced one of the strongest tornadoes of 2025 so far.

Last week ended up going out with a severe weather bang in the central U.S. In anticipation of a major severe weather outbreak, the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) placed more than 141 million people at risk of experiencing severe thunderstorms Friday into early Saturday.

The severe weather outbreak was as bad as predicted, producing 32 preliminary reports of tornadoes across six states. At least 24 people died during the severe weather event.

May Continues to be an Active Month for Tornadoes

May has been the most deadly month for tornadoes since 47 people lost their lives from twisters in March of 2023. Through Sunday, there have been 860 preliminary reports of tornadoes, 239 more than average through this point of the year. Since 2010, the only year that had more was 2011, a year that went on to finish with 2,240 preliminary tornado reports.

Mississippi tops the list for most tornado reports so far this year with 96. Illinois ranks second with 89. Six of those reports came on Friday. A National Weather Service survey crew confirmed one of those tornadoes was an EF-4, among the strongest tornadoes reported this year.

Illinois Tornado Had Winds of Nearly 200 mph

Meteorologists with the Paducah National Weather Service Office say the tornado that tore through southern Illinois, just south of the town of Marion, had estimated peak winds of 190 mph. It had a track length of 16.6 miles and a maximum width of 575 yards. Fortunately, there were no deaths reported with this tornado, but seven people received non-life-threatening injuries.

“‘Extreme’ damage: Well constructed homes are leveled, cars are thrown significant distances, top story exterior walls of masonry buildings would likely collapse”, is the expected damage from an EF-4 tornado, according to the National Weather Service’s EF-Scale ratings. The only thing worse would be an EF-5 with “‘massive/incredible’ damage” expected.

“The tornado reached peak intensity after crossing Market Road and into a subdivision just east of Andrew Road and north of Quarter Horse Road,” per the Marion tornado damage assessment. “ Four homes on Kyler Court and Leslie Court sustained EF-3 damage. In addition, a newer two-story home with standard construction was completely swept off its foundation at the end of Kyler Court, which supported a rating of EF-4 with peak winds of 190 mph.”

The Marion tornado had incredible strength. An early analysis of the tornado based on radar data estimated the Marion tornado had EF-3 strength. A meteorologist noted that debris from the tornado was lofted up to 30,000 feet high.

Another Round of Severe Weather for the Central U.S.

The central U.S. is bracing for another major severe weather outbreak today and tonight. More than 53 million people across at least 20 states are in a marginal, slight, enhanced, or moderate risk area, levels one, two, three, and four, respectively, for severe thunderstorms today and tonight, according to the SPC.

In Marion and across Williamson County, Illinois, where they are still picking up the pieces from Friday’s violent tornado, there is a slight risk for severe thunderstorms during the period.

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