Hail and tornadoes in Cook County, IL
Since January 2021, radar estimated hail somewhere in Cook County, IL on 65 days. The biggest estimate: 3 in or larger (teacup), on Mon, Jul 27, 2026. Hail was reported to the National Weather Service inside the county on 24 days.
Still loading: radar estimates go back to Wed, Oct 14, 2020, and the earlier years are being added.
Radar estimates are NOAA's MESH: the largest hail the radar estimates aloft, on cells about 0.7 mile across, shown as the lower bound of a size band (“1.5+”). They often run larger than what reached the ground, and they aren't evidence of damage at any address.
Hail on record since 1955
NOAA's Storm Events database lists 539 hail reports in Cook County, IL on 153 days, 19 of them 2 inches or larger. The largest: 2.75 in, near Evanston, on Tue, Apr 7, 2020.
By decade: 2000s: 189 · 2010s: 206 · 2020s: 144
Tornadoes since 1950
49 tornadoes have touched Cook County, IL since 1950, 1 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger. They killed 0 and injured 9.
Strongest
- Sun, Jun 20, 2021 · EF3 · 2.8 mi long, 600 yd wide · near Burr Ridge
- Thu, Jun 11, 2026 · EF2 · 8.4 mi long, 350 yd wide · near Willow Springs · 6 injuries
- Mon, Jul 15, 2024 · EF2 · 3.1 mi long, 325 yd wide · near Matteson
- Sat, Jun 7, 2008 · EF2 · 4.1 mi long, 150 yd wide · near Park Forest South
- Mon, Jul 27, 2026 · EF1 · 3.1 mi long, 225 yd wide · near Glenwood · 2 injuries
Most recent
- Mon, Jul 27, 2026 · EF1 · 3.1 mi long, 225 yd wide · near Glenwood · 2 injuries
- Mon, Jul 27, 2026 · EF1 · 11.4 mi long, 200 yd wide · near Country Club Hills
- Mon, Jul 27, 2026 · EF0 · 2.9 mi long, 250 yd wide · near Orland Park
- Thu, Jun 11, 2026 · EF2 · 8.4 mi long, 350 yd wide · near Willow Springs · 6 injuries
- Wed, Jun 10, 2026 · EF0 · 1.48 mi long, 175 yd wide · near Crestwood
- Wed, Mar 19, 2025 · EF0 · 0.29 mi long, 50 yd wide · near Lynwood
- Mon, Jul 15, 2024 · EF0 · 1.4 mi long, 150 yd wide · near Ukrainian Village
- Mon, Jul 15, 2024 · EF1 · 3.2 mi long, 150 yd wide · near Ashburn
- Mon, Jul 15, 2024 · EF1 · 3.1 mi long, 400 yd wide · near East Garfield Park
- Mon, Jul 15, 2024 · EF0 · 0.4 mi long, 125 yd wide · near Markham
By decade: 2000s: 7 · 2010s: 7 · 2020s: 35
Still loading: NOAA's record goes back to 1950, and 2003 onward is in so far.
Every hail day since January 2021
- Tue, Aug 11, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
- Sun, Aug 9, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
- Mon, Jul 27, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 3 in or larger (teacup)
Reported in the county- 1.5 in (1 E La Grange Park, IL)
- 1 in (1 NW Oak Lawn, IL)
- 1.25 in (1 NW Countryside, IL)
- 1.25 in (1 NNE Indian Head Park, IL)
- 1.25 in (1 W Northerly Island, IL)
- and 12 more
- Thu, Jul 9, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
- Fri, Jul 3, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
- Thu, Jul 2, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
- Wed, Jun 24, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
- Sat, Jun 13, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
- Wed, Jun 10, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
- Tue, Apr 14, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
Reported in the county- 1 in (1 SW Prospect Heights, IL)
- 1 in (2 SW Schaumburg, IL)
- Tue, Mar 31, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
- Mon, Mar 30, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1.5 in or larger (ping-pong ball)
Reported in the county- 2 in (Berwyn, IL)
- Thu, Mar 26, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
Reported in the county- 1 in (3 W Palos Park, IL)
- 1 in (1 E Orland Park, IL)
- Mon, Mar 16, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1.5 in or larger (ping-pong ball)
No hail reported in the county.
- Tue, Mar 10, 2026
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
Reported in the county- 2 in (La Grange Park, IL)
- 1.25 in (1 N Douglas - Chicago, IL)
- Sun, Sep 21, 2025Reported in the county
- 1.25 in (Matteson, IL)
- Sat, Aug 16, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 2 in or larger (hen egg)
Reported in the county- 1.25 in (Des Plaines, IL)
- 1.25 in (1 E Palatine, IL)
- Tue, Aug 12, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
- Sun, Aug 10, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
- Mon, Jul 28, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
- Thu, Jul 24, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
- Wed, Jul 16, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
- Sun, Jun 29, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
- Thu, Jun 26, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
- Thu, May 15, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1.5 in or larger (ping-pong ball)
Reported in the county- 1.25 in (1 E Franklin Park, IL)
- 1 in (1 W Uptown - Chicago, IL)
- 1.25 in (2 E Homer Glen, IL)
- Wed, Mar 19, 2025Reported in the county
- 1.25 in (1 W Oak Lawn, IL)
- Tue, Jan 7, 2025
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
- Tue, Aug 27, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
Reported in the county- 1 in (1 SE Mount Prospect, IL)
- Thu, Aug 15, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
- Mon, Aug 5, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
Reported in the county- 1 in (Edgewater - Chicago, IL)
- Sun, Aug 4, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
- Tue, Jul 23, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
- Wed, Jul 10, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
- Mon, Jun 24, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
- Tue, May 28, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
- Fri, May 24, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
- Mon, May 20, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
Reported in the county- 1 in (3 W Palos Park, IL)
- Tue, May 7, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1.5 in or larger (ping-pong ball)
Reported in the county- 1 in (1 SW Auburn-Gresham, IL)
- 1 in (Merrionette Park, IL)
- 2 in (2 N Tinley Park, IL)
- Thu, May 2, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
Reported in the county- 1 in (Bridgeview, IL)
- Mon, Mar 4, 2024Reported in the county
- 1 in (1 SE La Grange, IL)
- Tue, Feb 27, 2024
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
Reported in the county- 1 in (La Grange Park, IL)
- 2 in (1 NNW Oak Forest, IL)
- 1 in (3 ESE Lemont, IL)
- 1.75 in (Hegeswisch - Chicago, IL)
- 1 in (3 SSE East Dundee, IL)
- Thu, Feb 8, 2024Reported in the county
- 1 in (1 NE Norwood Park - Chi, IL)
- Fri, Jul 28, 2023
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
- Thu, Jul 27, 2023
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
- Tue, Jul 11, 2023
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
- Wed, Jul 5, 2023
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
- Sun, Jun 25, 2023
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
- Thu, Apr 20, 2023
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
Reported in the county- 1.5 in (GLENVIEW, IL)
- 1 in (1 NE PALATINE, IL)
- 1.75 in (1 NW HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL)
- Tue, Apr 4, 2023
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1.5 in or larger (ping-pong ball)
Reported in the county- 1.25 in (PORTAGE PARK - CHICAGO, IL)
- 1.75 in (2 SE NILES, IL)
- 1 in (1 NW GLENCOE, IL)
- 1.75 in (1 ENE PALATINE, IL)
- 1.75 in (2 WNW BARTLETT, IL)
- Fri, Mar 31, 2023
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
Reported in the county- 1 in (MATTESON, IL)
- Thu, Jan 12, 2023
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 2 in or larger (hen egg)
No hail reported in the county.
- Tue, Sep 20, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
- Sun, Sep 18, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
- Mon, Aug 29, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
- Sun, Aug 28, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
- Wed, Aug 3, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
- Fri, Jul 22, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
Reported in the county- 1 in (1 W IRVING PARK - CHICA, IL)
- Mon, Jul 4, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1.5 in or larger (ping-pong ball)
No hail reported in the county.
- Mon, Jun 13, 2022
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1.5 in or larger (ping-pong ball)
Reported in the county- 1 in (PARK RIDGE, IL)
- 1 in (MOUNT PROSPECT, IL)
- Wed, Sep 29, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
- Tue, Sep 7, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
- Wed, Aug 25, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
- Tue, Aug 24, 2021Reported in the county
- 1 in (ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL)
- Tue, Aug 10, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
- Mon, Aug 9, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
- Mon, Aug 2, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 0.75 in or larger (penny)
No hail reported in the county.
- Sat, Jul 24, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
- Sat, Jun 12, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
Reported in the county- 1 in (1 NE ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL)
- Wed, Mar 17, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1 in or larger (quarter)
No hail reported in the county.
- Fri, Feb 19, 2021
Radar estimate anywhere in the county: 1.5 in or larger (ping-pong ball)
No hail reported in the county.
Radar estimates and reports are for anywhere inside the county's boundary. Radar estimates come from NOAA's MRMS estimated hail size (MESH), the largest hail the radar estimates aloft on a ~1 km grid. They often run larger than the hail that reached the ground, and they aren't an observation at any address. Reports are what people reported to the National Weather Service. Neither is proof of damage or an official record for an insurance claim. From NOAA's Storm Events Database (NCEI), which records tornadoes from 1950, hail and thunderstorm wind from 1955, and every kind of storm from 1996. A tornado that crossed county lines is counted in each county it touched. Recent months are added as NCEI publishes them, a few months behind. Damage is in the dollars of its year and is often an estimate.