Tornado outbreak sequence of December 18–20, 1957
| Type | Tornado outbreak sequence |
|---|---|
| Duration | December 18–20, 1957 |
| Highest gust | 53 kn (61 mph; 98 km/h) (estimated) in Hannibal, Missouri, on December 18 |
| Tornadoes confirmed | 37 confirmed |
| Max. rating1 | F5 tornado |
| Duration of tornado outbreak2 | 1 day and 141⁄2 hours |
| Largest hail | 1+1⁄4 in (3.2 cm) in diameter in Missouri on December 18 |
| Fatalities | 19 fatalities, 291 injuries |
| Damage | $15,855,000 (1957 USD) $178 million (2025 USD) |
| Areas affected | Midwestern and Southern United States, especially eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois |
Part of the tornado outbreaks of 1957 1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale 2Time from first tornado to last tornado | |
On December 18–20, 1957, a significant tornado outbreak sequence affected the southern Midwest and the South of the contiguous United States. The outbreak sequence began on the afternoon of December 18, when a low-pressure area approached the southern portions of Missouri and Illinois. Supercells developed and proceeded eastward at horizontal speeds of 40 to 45 miles per hour (64 to 72 km/h), yielding what was considered the most severe tornado outbreak in Illinois on record so late in the calendar year. Total losses in the state were estimated to fall within the range of $8–$10 million.