Hail History

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Hail history for Zion, IL

Last hail within 10 milesJul 27, 20261 in (quarter)
Hail days, last 12 months1
Largest hail since 20062 in (hen egg)May 15, 2025
Hail days since 200620
Days with hail 1 inch or larger10
Tornadoes within 10 miles1
Damaging wind reports within 10 miles76

Hail has been reported within 10 miles of Zion on 20 days since 2006. The largest stones measured 2 in (hen egg) on May 15, 2025. Hail is most common here in April and July.

Recent hail near Zion

DateHail sizeWhereSource
Jul 27, 20261 in
quarter		Kenosha
1 hail report · closest 9 mi from Zion		NWS storm report (preliminary)
May 15, 20252 in
hen egg		Gurnee, Winthrop Harbor, Waukegan
9 hail reports · closest 2 mi from Zion		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 Zion by year

40607081091021112113114215116117181920121122123224125126

When hail season peaks near Zion

Of the 20 hail days since 2006, most fell in April (4) and July (4).

1JanFebMar4Apr3May3Jun4Jul3Aug1Sep1OctNovDec

Largest hail storms near Zion

May 15, 2025 · 2 in (hen egg) · Winthrop Harbor (2 mi from Zion)

National Weather Service description (English): Multiple reports of hail up to 2 inches in diameter were received.

Jun 8, 2015 · 1.5 in (ping pong ball) · Russell (5 mi from Zion)

Jun 19, 2009 · 1 in (quarter) · Pleasant Prairie (10 mi from Zion)

Aug 2, 2015 · 1 in (quarter) · Downtown Kenosha (9 mi from Zion)

Apr 25, 2016 · 1 in (quarter) · Gurnee (6 mi from Zion)

Tornadoes within 10 miles of Zion

DateRatingWherePath
Sep 3, 2019EF1Waukegan Airport
3 mi from Zion		3.1 mi long, 200 yd wide

Damaging thunderstorm winds near Zion

76 reports of damaging thunderstorm wind within 10 miles of Zion since 2006, on 44 days. The strongest measured gust was 82 mph on Jul 27, 2026.

DateStrongest gustWhereSource
Jul 27, 202682 mph, measuredBeach Park, Waukegan, Zion
9 wind reports		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Jun 11, 202658 mph, estimatedWaukegan
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
Jun 10, 202663 mph, estimatedWaukegan Harbor
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
Apr 14, 202666 mph, measuredWinthrop Harbor
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
Mar 15, 202560 mph, estimatedBeach Park
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
Jul 15, 202463 mph, estimatedLindenhurst, Gurnee
2 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
Jul 14, 202481 mph, estimatedWaukegan
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
Jun 22, 202463 mph, measuredWaukegan Airport, Gages Lake, Illinois Beach State Park
3 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
Nov 5, 202264 mph, measuredWaukegan Airport
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
Oct 12, 202258 mph, estimatedBeach Park
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 Zion; 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 Zion.

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