(WBBM NEWSRADIO) – Illinois had more tornadoes last year than any other state.
That’s not a distinction to be proud of, says Duane Friend, a climate change specialist with the University of Illinois Extension.
Illinois had 120 confirmed tornadoes in 2023, he said.
The Land of Lincoln actually had more tornadoes in 2006 – 124 that year -- Friend noted.
“On average, typically Illinois gets around anywhere from 50 to 55 tornadoes" each year, he said.
Most tornadoes that hit Illinois usually are in the lower-strength categories of EF0 and EF1, with speeds of between 65 and 110 miles per hour.
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