Hail History

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Hail history for Lake Forest, IL

Last hail within 10 milesAug 9, 20261 in (quarter)
Hail days, last 12 months1
Largest hail since 20062 in (hen egg)May 15, 2025
Hail days since 200631
Days with hail 1 inch or larger14
Tornadoes within 10 miles1
Damaging wind reports within 10 miles103

Hail has been reported within 10 miles of Lake Forest on 31 days since 2006. The largest stones measured 2 in (hen egg) on May 15, 2025. Hail is most common here in April and August.

Recent hail near Lake Forest

DateHail sizeWhereSource
Aug 9, 20261 in
quarter		Vernon Hills
1 hail report · closest 7 mi from Lake Forest		NWS storm report (preliminary)
May 15, 20252 in
hen egg		Gurnee, Waukegan
4 hail reports · closest 7 mi from Lake Forest		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 Lake Forest by year

40620710810910411121132141511631711819120121222223324125126

When hail season peaks near Lake Forest

Of the 31 hail days since 2006, most fell in April (9) and August (6).

1JanFeb2Mar9Apr4May1Jun5Jul6Aug1Sep1OctNov1Dec

Largest hail storms near Lake Forest

May 15, 2025 · 2 in (hen egg) · Gurnee (10 mi from Lake Forest)

Apr 4, 2023 · 1.75 in (golf ball) · Bannockburn (4 mi from Lake Forest)

National Weather Service description (English): Golf ball size hail dented cars and broke headlights and taillights.

Apr 25, 2016 · 1.5 in (ping pong ball) · Mundelein (8 mi from Lake Forest)

Apr 12, 2014 · 1.25 in (half dollar) · Long Grove (10 mi from Lake Forest)

Oct 2, 2006 · 1 in (quarter) · Aptakisic (9 mi from Lake Forest)

Tornadoes within 10 miles of Lake Forest

DateRatingWherePath
Feb 27, 2024EF1Mundelein
8 mi from Lake Forest		0.1 mi long, 40 yd wide

Damaging thunderstorm winds near Lake Forest

103 reports of damaging thunderstorm wind within 10 miles of Lake Forest since 2006, on 48 days. The strongest measured gust was 75 mph on Jun 21, 2014.

DateStrongest gustWhereSource
Jul 27, 202655 mph, measuredLake Bluff, Lincolnshire, Deerfield
7 wind reports		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jun 11, 202663 mph, estimatedLibertyville, Rondout, Waukegan
3 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
Jun 10, 202669 mph, estimatedBuffalo Grove, Wheeling, Waukegan Harbor
3 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
Jun 29, 202570 mph, estimatedLibertyville, Highland Park
2 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
May 15, 202558 mph, estimatedVernon Hills
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
Mar 15, 202560 mph, estimatedLong Grove, Vernon Hills, Beach Park
3 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
Aug 27, 202460 mph, estimatedLong Grove, Bannockburn, Fort Sheridan
4 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
Jul 15, 202458 mph, estimatedGurnee
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
Jul 14, 202481 mph, estimatedWaukegan
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
Jun 25, 202460 mph, estimatedWheeling
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 Lake Forest; 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 Lake Forest.

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