RoofTake

Historical hail archive: January 2016–December 2025. NOAA radar estimates within 25 miles of each city centre. ZIP matches use the first three digits; this is not a property-level report or a live alert service. Coverage and source.

Cook County · Illinois · NOAA radar record 2016–2025

Hail damage in Chicago, IL

Radar has detected hail over Chicago on 204 separate days since 2016. On 55 of them the largest stone was estimated at golf-ball size or bigger. The biggest was 10.2 cm on July 21, 2017.

67/100 RoofTake Score — High hail exposure · ranked 42 of 50 metros we cover

A high value in this historical exposure model. Radar estimates do not establish what reached a property or whether it was damaged.

How we got to that number
ComponentValueWeightContribution
Frequency
Hail days per year at 1.00 in (2.5 cm) or larger		40 / 100× 0.3514.2
Severity
Largest stone radar estimated in the whole window		100 / 100× 0.3030.0
Recency
How long since the last 2 in (5 cm) day		92 / 100× 0.2018.3
Concentration
Hail days per year reaching golf-ball size		28 / 100× 0.154.1
RoofTake Score67

The score describes an area, not a house. Two roofs on the same street of different ages face very different risk from the identical storm. The whole formula and its weights are on the methodology page, and you can recompute it yourself from our public data.

204hail days on radar since 2016
55at golf-ball size (1.75 in) or larger
10.2 cmlargest stone estimated, July 21, 2017
20.4hail days per year, average

Chicagoland hail is concentrated in a handful of June and July nights.

Check your own ZIP code Is your roof damaged?

Data last refreshed: · source: NOAA NCEI Severe Weather Data Inventory, dataset nx3hail

The ten biggest hail days in Chicago since 2016

DateRadar max sizeMetric ComparisonSignatures
July 21, 20174.00 in10.2 cmGrapefruit30
May 7, 20243.50 in8.9 cmTeacup73
May 27, 20193.00 in7.6 cmTeacup41
May 23, 20202.75 in7.0 cmBaseball70
June 13, 20222.75 in7.0 cmBaseball44
July 5, 20222.75 in7.0 cmBaseball104
May 20, 20242.75 in7.0 cmBaseball72
April 26, 20162.50 in6.3 cmTennis ball151
May 17, 20192.50 in6.3 cmTennis ball198
June 27, 20192.50 in6.3 cmTennis ball72

"Signatures" is the number of separate radar volume scans that detected hail in a storm cell within 25 miles that day. More signatures means a longer-lived or larger storm, not necessarily bigger stones.

Hail days by year

201619
201722
201818
201923
202024
202113
202219
202318
202429
202519

Busiest year in the record: 2024 with 29 hail days.

Hail days by month

Feb4
Mar12
Apr11
May34
Jun36
Jul48
Aug42
Sep15
Oct2

Peak month: July. Hail season in Illinois is short and it is not distributed evenly — most of the annual risk arrives in a few weeks.

What to do with this if you own a roof in Chicago

  1. Find your dates. Look up your ZIP for the record nearest you, and note every day at 1.00 in or above since you bought the house.
  2. Work out whether your roof could have survived them. A twelve-year-old asphalt roof and a two-year-old one respond very differently to the same stone — the age calculator explains why.
  3. Look, before you file. Nine photographs, none of them requiring you to get on the roof.
  4. Check the arithmetic. If the actual cash value of the damage is under your deductible, filing pays nothing — work it out first.
  5. Then write. The letter generator puts the Chicago radar record and the NOAA citation into your notice of claim.

Every hail day radar recorded near Chicago

204 days, most recent first. Sizes are radar estimates of the largest stone aloft in the cell, not measurements at any address.

  1. October 18, 2025
    1.00 in (2.5 cm) — Quarter size, radar-estimated
    1 radar signature · closest signature 22.55 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 50%
  2. August 19, 2025
    1.00 in (2.5 cm) — Quarter size, radar-estimated
    12 radar signatures · closest signature 13.91 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 50%
  3. August 17, 2025
    1.75 in (4.4 cm) — Golf ball size, radar-estimated
    139 radar signatures · closest signature 2.37 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 60%
  4. August 16, 2025
    2.25 in (5.7 cm) — Hen egg size, radar-estimated
    56 radar signatures · closest signature 16.13 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 90%
  5. August 12, 2025
    1.75 in (4.4 cm) — Golf ball size, radar-estimated
    29 radar signatures · closest signature 8.27 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 80%
  6. August 10, 2025
    1.00 in (2.5 cm) — Quarter size, radar-estimated
    6 radar signatures · closest signature 23.2 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 40%
  7. July 28, 2025
    1.50 in (3.8 cm) — Ping-pong ball size, radar-estimated
    22 radar signatures · closest signature 3.75 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 60%
  8. July 27, 2025
    0.75 in (1.9 cm) — Penny size, radar-estimated
    3 radar signatures · closest signature 14.36 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%
  9. July 24, 2025
    2.50 in (6.3 cm) — Tennis ball size, radar-estimated
    69 radar signatures · closest signature 4.79 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 90%
  10. July 16, 2025
    0.75 in (1.9 cm) — Penny size, radar-estimated
    1 radar signature · closest signature 23.62 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%
  11. June 19, 2025
    0.50 in (1.3 cm) — Marble size, radar-estimated
    1 radar signature · closest signature 21.41 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 10%
  12. June 8, 2025
    0.50 in (1.3 cm) — Marble size, radar-estimated
    2 radar signatures · closest signature 17.57 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 10%
  13. May 17, 2025
    0.75 in (1.9 cm) — Penny size, radar-estimated
    6 radar signatures · closest signature 17.4 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 40%
  14. May 16, 2025
    2.50 in (6.3 cm) — Tennis ball size, radar-estimated
    180 radar signatures · closest signature 2.54 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 100%
  15. April 19, 2025
    2.00 in (5.1 cm) — Hen egg size, radar-estimated
    14 radar signatures · closest signature 11.35 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 90%
  16. April 2, 2025
    0.50 in (1.3 cm) — Marble size, radar-estimated
    3 radar signatures · closest signature 17.42 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 20%
  17. March 30, 2025
    1.25 in (3.2 cm) — Half dollar size, radar-estimated
    6 radar signatures · closest signature 6.76 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 80%
  18. March 28, 2025
    1.50 in (3.8 cm) — Ping-pong ball size, radar-estimated
    43 radar signatures · closest signature 14.82 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 80%
  19. March 19, 2025
    0.75 in (1.9 cm) — Penny size, radar-estimated
    1 radar signature · closest signature 23.96 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 60%
  20. September 20, 2024
    0.75 in (1.9 cm) — Penny size, radar-estimated
    1 radar signature · closest signature 23.9 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 30%
  21. August 28, 2024
    2.50 in (6.3 cm) — Tennis ball size, radar-estimated
    253 radar signatures · closest signature 1.36 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 80%
  22. August 27, 2024
    1.75 in (4.4 cm) — Golf ball size, radar-estimated
    88 radar signatures · closest signature 3.39 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 70%
  23. August 16, 2024
    1.25 in (3.2 cm) — Half dollar size, radar-estimated
    22 radar signatures · closest signature 8.66 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 50%
  24. August 6, 2024
    1.25 in (3.2 cm) — Half dollar size, radar-estimated
    1 radar signature · closest signature 24.95 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 50%
  25. August 5, 2024
    2.25 in (5.7 cm) — Hen egg size, radar-estimated
    298 radar signatures · closest signature 0.87 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 90%
  26. August 2, 2024
    0.50 in (1.3 cm) — Marble size, radar-estimated
    1 radar signature · closest signature 22.43 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%
  27. July 24, 2024
    1.50 in (3.8 cm) — Ping-pong ball size, radar-estimated
    44 radar signatures · closest signature 7.47 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 60%
  28. July 23, 2024
    1.50 in (3.8 cm) — Ping-pong ball size, radar-estimated
    70 radar signatures · closest signature 8.13 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 70%
  29. July 16, 2024
    1.00 in (2.5 cm) — Quarter size, radar-estimated
    27 radar signatures · closest signature 9.44 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 40%
  30. July 15, 2024
    1.50 in (3.8 cm) — Ping-pong ball size, radar-estimated
    46 radar signatures · closest signature 12.06 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 50%
  31. July 14, 2024
    1.00 in (2.5 cm) — Quarter size, radar-estimated
    1 radar signature · closest signature 19.18 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 40%
  32. June 25, 2024
    1.75 in (4.4 cm) — Golf ball size, radar-estimated
    46 radar signatures · closest signature 5.61 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 70%
  33. June 23, 2024
    0.50 in (1.3 cm) — Marble size, radar-estimated
    1 radar signature · closest signature 6.13 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%
  34. June 17, 2024
    1.50 in (3.8 cm) — Ping-pong ball size, radar-estimated
    17 radar signatures · closest signature 17.13 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 50%
  35. June 13, 2024
    0.75 in (1.9 cm) — Penny size, radar-estimated
    2 radar signatures · closest signature 21.92 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 30%
  36. May 28, 2024
    1.25 in (3.2 cm) — Half dollar size, radar-estimated
    12 radar signatures · closest signature 14.63 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 90%
  37. May 27, 2024
    1.50 in (3.8 cm) — Ping-pong ball size, radar-estimated
    28 radar signatures · closest signature 11.15 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 70%
  38. May 26, 2024
    0.50 in (1.3 cm) — Marble size, radar-estimated
    2 radar signatures · closest signature 21.36 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 40%
  39. May 24, 2024
    2.25 in (5.7 cm) — Hen egg size, radar-estimated
    72 radar signatures · closest signature 12.58 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 90%
  40. May 20, 2024
    2.75 in (7.0 cm) — Baseball size, radar-estimated
    72 radar signatures · closest signature 2.35 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 100%
  41. May 13, 2024
    1.00 in (2.5 cm) — Quarter size, radar-estimated
    4 radar signatures · closest signature 23.2 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 60%
  42. May 7, 2024
    3.50 in (8.9 cm) — Teacup size, radar-estimated
    73 radar signatures · closest signature 7.31 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 100%
  43. May 3, 2024
    1.25 in (3.2 cm) — Half dollar size, radar-estimated
    4 radar signatures · closest signature 15.59 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 60%
  44. May 2, 2024
    1.25 in (3.2 cm) — Half dollar size, radar-estimated
    11 radar signatures · closest signature 2.35 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 70%
  45. March 14, 2024
    1.00 in (2.5 cm) — Quarter size, radar-estimated
    5 radar signatures · closest signature 12.89 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 70%
  46. March 5, 2024
    1.25 in (3.2 cm) — Half dollar size, radar-estimated
    8 radar signatures · closest signature 17.72 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 70%
  47. February 28, 2024
    2.00 in (5.1 cm) — Hen egg size, radar-estimated
    185 radar signatures · closest signature 5.82 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 100%
  48. February 9, 2024
    1.25 in (3.2 cm) — Half dollar size, radar-estimated
    19 radar signatures · closest signature 9.94 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 100%
  49. September 26, 2023
    0.75 in (1.9 cm) — Penny size, radar-estimated
    1 radar signature · closest signature 13.41 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 40%
  50. September 13, 2023
    2.00 in (5.1 cm) — Hen egg size, radar-estimated
    11 radar signatures · closest signature 13.34 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 100%
  51. September 6, 2023
    0.75 in (1.9 cm) — Penny size, radar-estimated
    2 radar signatures · closest signature 17.09 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 20%
  52. August 17, 2023
    0.50 in (1.3 cm) — Marble size, radar-estimated
    1 radar signature · closest signature 21.36 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%
  53. August 12, 2023
    1.50 in (3.8 cm) — Ping-pong ball size, radar-estimated
    33 radar signatures · closest signature 9.93 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 70%
  54. July 29, 2023
    1.50 in (3.8 cm) — Ping-pong ball size, radar-estimated
    84 radar signatures · closest signature 0.73 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 60%
  55. July 28, 2023
    1.50 in (3.8 cm) — Ping-pong ball size, radar-estimated
    90 radar signatures · closest signature 2.22 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 70%
  56. July 26, 2023
    1.00 in (2.5 cm) — Quarter size, radar-estimated
    65 radar signatures · closest signature 10.92 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 40%
  57. July 11, 2023
    1.50 in (3.8 cm) — Ping-pong ball size, radar-estimated
    22 radar signatures · closest signature 8.4 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 70%
  58. July 6, 2023
    1.00 in (2.5 cm) — Quarter size, radar-estimated
    3 radar signatures · closest signature 17.4 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 40%
  59. July 5, 2023
    1.25 in (3.2 cm) — Half dollar size, radar-estimated
    55 radar signatures · closest signature 8.57 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 60%
  60. June 29, 2023
    1.00 in (2.5 cm) — Quarter size, radar-estimated
    90 radar signatures · closest signature 11.88 mi from the centroid · hail probability 100%, severe 50%

Showing the 60 most recent of 204. The full record is in the JSON we publish: chicago-il.json.

From people in Chicago

The part of this page that no dataset can produce. Everything here is read by a human before it appears.

Neighbourhood reports

No reports for Chicago yet. Be the first — it takes thirty seconds and it is the single most useful thing for the next person on this page.

No name, no email, no address. Structured fields only — why.

Claim outcomes

Nobody has shared a Chicago claim outcome yet. Approved, denied, how long it took — anonymously. This is the number the industry never publishes.

Anonymous, and we do not ask which insurer — structured outcomes only, so nobody can be defamed and nobody can be identified.

Damage photos from Chicago storms

No photos yet for Chicago. Photos of real hail damage, tied to a real date and place, are the one thing on this subject the internet is genuinely short of.

By uploading you confirm the photo is yours and you are happy for it to appear on this page. Strip the location data first if you would rather not share it — we remove it on our side too. Terms.

Hail in Chicago, IL: common questions

How often does Chicago get damaging hail?

Radar recorded 204 hail days within 25 miles of the city centre between 2016 and 2025 — an average of 20.4 a year, of which 5.5 a year were at golf-ball size or larger. Not every one of those damages roofs.

When is hail season in Chicago?

The busiest month in this record is July, and 2024 was the busiest single year with 29 hail days.

Does this mean my roof is damaged?

No. These are radar estimates of the largest stone aloft in a storm cell somewhere within 25 miles of the city centre. Whether anything landed on your street, and whether it damaged your particular roof, needs somebody to look.

How do I use this for an insurance claim?

A specific date with a public, citable source is what turns 'sometime last year' into a date of loss. Use the claim letter generator, which pulls the date and the NOAA citation in for you.

Why 25 miles?

It is wide enough to catch storms that clipped the metro and narrow enough that the number still means something for a house inside it. The same radius is used for every metro so the pages are comparable.

Get quotes from roofers who work in Chicago

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