Hail History

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Hail history for Des Plaines, IL

Last hail within 10 milesJul 27, 20261 in (quarter)
Hail days, last 12 months2
Largest hail since 20062.75 in (baseball)Apr 7, 2020
Hail days since 200654
Days with hail 1 inch or larger39
Tornadoes within 10 miles8
Damaging wind reports within 10 miles414

Hail has been reported within 10 miles of Des Plaines on 54 days since 2006. The largest stones measured 2.75 in (baseball) on Apr 7, 2020. Hail is most common here in April and June.

Des Plaines ranks #199 for hail days among the 1,399 U.S. cities of 25,000 to 100,000 people. See the ranking →

Recent hail near Des Plaines

DateHail sizeWhereSource
Jul 27, 20261.25 in
half dollar		Schaumburg, Elmhurst, West Ridge - Chica
4 hail reports · closest 9 mi from Des Plaines		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Apr 14, 20261 in
quarter		Prospect Heights
1 hail report · closest 5 mi from Des Plaines		NOAA Storm Events
Aug 16, 20251.25 in
half dollar		Palatine, Des Plaines, Arlington Heights
5 hail reports · closest near the center of Des Plaines		NOAA Storm Events
May 15, 20251.5 in
ping pong ball		Elmhurst, Franklin Park
2 hail reports · closest 7 mi from Des Plaines		NOAA Storm Events

One row per day: the largest hail reported that day within 10 miles, the places and the number of reports.

Hail days near Des Plaines by year

60630750820911051111231331421511641711819520221222223224225226

When hail season peaks near Des Plaines

Of the 54 hail days since 2006, most fell in April (12) and June (11).

Jan1Feb1Mar12Apr8May11Jun8Jul9Aug1Sep1Oct1Nov1Dec

Largest hail storms near Des Plaines

Apr 5, 2010 · 2.75 in (baseball) · Cumberland (2 mi from Des Plaines)

National Weather Service description (English): Baseball size hail was reported near Wolf and Golf Roads. The hail broke numerous windows.

Apr 7, 2020 · 2.75 in (baseball) · Evanston (10 mi from Des Plaines)

National Weather Service description (English): Multiple reports of golf ball to baseball size hail were received from Evanston.

May 17, 2006 · 1.75 in (golf ball) · Des Plaines (1 mi from Des Plaines)

May 3, 2012 · 1.75 in (golf ball) · Dunning (8 mi from Des Plaines)

National Weather Service description (English): Numerous large hail reports were received from the near-north side of Chicago. The largest report was of golfball size hail near the intersection of Milwaukee Avenue and Addison Street. Quarter to ping-pong ball size hail was reported near Harwood Heights, Portage Park, Old Irving Park, and just east of North Park.

Apr 12, 2014 · 1.75 in (golf ball) · Palatine (10 mi from Des Plaines)

National Weather Service description (English): Numerous reports of hail to the size of golf balls came in from the Palatine area.

Tornadoes within 10 miles of Des Plaines

DateRatingWherePath
Jul 15, 2024EF0Bensenville
6 mi from Des Plaines		1.3 mi long, 250 yd wide
Jul 15, 2024EF0Bensenville
5 mi from Des Plaines		2.8 mi long, 250 yd wide
Jul 12, 2023EF0Itasca
7 mi from Des Plaines		3.1 mi long, 225 yd wide
Jul 12, 2023EF0Elk Grove Village
4 mi from Des Plaines		0.3 mi long, 225 yd wide
Jul 12, 2023EF0Chicago O'Hare Airport
2 mi from Des Plaines		3.4 mi long, 300 yd wide
Jun 20, 2021EF0Addison
9 mi from Des Plaines		0.4 mi long, 75 yd wide
Aug 10, 2020EF1Lincolnwood
8 mi from Des Plaines		3.2 mi long, 300 yd wide
Jun 21, 2011EF1Cumberland
4 mi from Des Plaines		2.4 mi long, 200 yd wide

Damaging thunderstorm winds near Des Plaines

414 reports of damaging thunderstorm wind within 10 miles of Des Plaines since 2006, on 107 days. The strongest measured gust was 84 mph on Jun 13, 2022.

DateStrongest gustWhereSource
Aug 11, 2026damage reportedPortage Park - Chi
1 wind report		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Aug 9, 2026damage reportedElk Grove Village, Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect
5 wind reports		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jul 27, 202664 mph, measuredBensenville, North Park - Chicago, Addison
14 wind reports		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jul 3, 202663 mph, measuredOhare Airport, Prospect Heights, Wheeling
8 wind reports		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jul 2, 202666 mph, measuredElmhurst, Ohare Airport
3 wind reports		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jun 10, 202675 mph, estimatedPortage Park, Schaumburg, Palatine
12 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
Apr 17, 202660 mph, estimatedRolling Meadows
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
Apr 14, 202663 mph, measuredAlbany Park
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
Aug 17, 202563 mph, measuredChicago O'Hare Airport, Wood Dale
2 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
Aug 16, 202564 mph, estimatedMt Prospect, Palatine, Rolling Meadows
13 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events

Severe thunderstorm wind means gusts of 58 mph or more, or wind that caused damage. Measured gusts come from weather stations; estimated ones from spotters and damage surveys.

Filing a roof or car hail claim?

Insurers ask for the date of loss. The dates on this page are when hail was reported near Des Plaines; hail can hit one street and miss the next, so a report is not proof of damage at your address. A licensed roofer or your insurance adjuster can inspect the roof. Many policies set a time limit for filing a claim — check yours.

Nearby cities

Data: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (final records through Jun 30, 2026) and National Weather Service Local Storm Reports (preliminary, since then). Distances are measured from the center of Des Plaines.

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