Hail History

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Hail history for Kankakee, IL

Last hail within 10 milesMar 10, 20266.1 in
Hail days, last 12 months1
Largest hail since 20066.6 inMar 10, 2026
Hail days since 200633
Days with hail 1 inch or larger22
Tornadoes within 10 miles18
Damaging wind reports within 10 miles142

Hail has been reported within 10 miles of Kankakee on 33 days since 2006. The largest stones measured 6.6 in on Mar 10, 2026. Hail is most common here in May and March.

Kankakee ranks #534 for hail days among the 1,399 U.S. cities of 25,000 to 100,000 people. See the ranking →

Recent hail near Kankakee

DateHail sizeWhereSource
Mar 10, 20266.6 inWest Kankakee, Kankakee, Kankakee Airport
8 hail reports · closest near the center of Kankakee		NOAA Storm Events
Jul 10, 20251.25 in
half dollar		Bradley
1 hail report · closest 4 mi from Kankakee		NOAA Storm Events
Mar 19, 20251 in
quarter		West Kankakee
1 hail report · closest 1 mi from Kankakee		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 Kankakee by year

30620720810921041151221311415161172181191202122223124225126

When hail season peaks near Kankakee

Of the 33 hail days since 2006, most fell in May (12) and March (6).

JanFeb6Mar3Apr12May5Jun3Jul3AugSep1OctNovDec

Largest hail storms near Kankakee

Mar 10, 2026 · 6.6 in · West Kankakee (2 mi from Kankakee)

National Weather Service description (English): A hailstone measuring 6.6 inches in diameter (168.05 mm to be precise) was found along Calista St on the west side of Kankakee. Faculty from Northern Illinois University partnered with the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety to verify the dimensions of the stone. It weighed in at 557.2 grams, or 19.65 ounces. As of this writing, the hailstone is being considered for the official Illinois state record.

May 30, 2008 · 2.5 in (tennis ball) · Manteno (9 mi from Kankakee)

National Weather Service description (English): Hail to the size of tennis balls was reported covering the ground near Main Street and Route 50. School roofs were damaged including heating and cooling units. Two school greenhouses were also damaged. Windows were also broken on some houses and businesses.

May 6, 2012 · 1.75 in (golf ball) · Chebanse (8 mi from Kankakee)

Jun 12, 2013 · 1.75 in (golf ball) · Kankakee (0 mi from Kankakee)

National Weather Service description (English): Numerous reports of hail up to the size of golfballs were received between Kankakee and Bourbonnais.

May 22, 2011 · 1.5 in (ping pong ball) · West Kankakee (1 mi from Kankakee)

Tornadoes within 10 miles of Kankakee

DateRatingWherePath
Apr 17, 2026EF0Sun River Terrace
7 mi from Kankakee		5.5 mi long, 75 yd wide
Mar 10, 2026EF?Kankakee Airport
3 mi from Kankakee		0.5 mi long, 10 yd wide
Mar 10, 2026EF?Otto
4 mi from Kankakee		0.5 mi long, 60 yd wide
Mar 10, 2026EF3Greater Kankakee Airport
3 mi from Kankakee		19.0 mi long, 1,550 yd wide
Mar 10, 2026EF1Sun River Terrace
5 mi from Kankakee		1.3 mi long, 150 yd wide
Mar 10, 2026EF?Sun River Terrace
7 mi from Kankakee		0.1 mi long, 20 yd wide
Jul 15, 2024EF0Deselm
8 mi from Kankakee		12.3 mi long, 275 yd wide
Apr 2, 2024EF?Hillside Manor
6 mi from Kankakee		0.7 mi long, 10 yd wide
Jul 28, 2023EF0Limestone
5 mi from Kankakee		6.1 mi long, 350 yd wide
Jul 28, 2023EF1Sun River Terrace
8 mi from Kankakee		5.5 mi long, 90 yd wide
Jun 22, 2015EF1Altorf
4 mi from Kankakee		2.2 mi long, 300 yd wide
Jun 30, 2014EF1St George
8 mi from Kankakee		10.3 mi long, 150 yd wide

Damaging thunderstorm winds near Kankakee

142 reports of damaging thunderstorm wind within 10 miles of Kankakee since 2006, on 76 days. The strongest measured gust was 91 mph on Aug 11, 2026.

DateStrongest gustWhereSource
Aug 12, 202660 mph, measuredBradley, Kankakee
2 wind reports		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Aug 11, 202691 mph, measuredBradley, Bourbonnais, Manteno
4 wind reports		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jun 11, 202669 mph, estimatedBradley, St George, Sun River Terrace
4 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
Jun 10, 202662 mph, measuredBradley
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
May 18, 202658 mph, measuredWest Kankakee, Greater Kankakee Airport
2 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
Apr 17, 202664 mph, estimatedKankakee, Manteno
2 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
Apr 13, 202663 mph, estimatedManteno, Goodrich, Chebanse
3 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
Jul 24, 202558 mph, estimatedManteno
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
Jul 10, 202559 mph, measuredManteno, Deselm
2 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
Apr 2, 202563 mph, estimatedSun River Terrace
1 wind report		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 Kankakee; 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 Kankakee.

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