The March 20, 1976 tornado

F4Macon, Piatt, Champaign and Vermilion counties, Illinois

An F4 tornado on a 63.7-mile path that injured 18. It was one of 48 tornadoes recorded in the U.S. that day, 9 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.

Watch how it happened Part of the outbreak of March 20, 1976: 48 tornadoes in 10 states

F4 tornado · March 20, 1976

How it happened

Follow the tornado’s path, minute by minute.

About this replay

Local time (CST)—Historical replay — logged times

Distance—of 63.7 miles

Now in—

RatingF4

Path milestones

Damage pathWidened for visibility; recorded maximum width 800 yards

TownsSized by population today; those within 3 miles flash as it passes

Counties on the pathLit as the tornado enters them

Source: Storm Prediction Center path, drawn through NOAA Storm Events county segments. Times as logged by the National Weather Service. Towns are today’s Census places.

The tornado

Rating: F4; Fujita scale
Path length: 63.7 mi; Width up to 800 yards
Killed: 0; Along the whole path
Injured: 18; Along the whole path
Date and time: Saturday, March 20, 1976; 1:15 PM CST
That day: 48; tornadoes in the U.S.; every one, with a replay of the day

Counties on its path

Other notable tornadoes that day

F4, Tippecanoe County16.7 mi
F4, Oakland County1 killed

Storm Prediction Center severe weather database. Path drawn as a straight line from the recorded start to end point.