Elgin hail storm history
Kane County·NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database·~75-day publication lag
Elgin, located in Kane County west of Chicago, sits in a corridor where hail risk is elevated by the region's exposure to spring storm systems and the moderating influence of Lake Michigan. The western and southern suburbs of the Chicago metropolitan area, including Kane County, experience more frequent hail than lakeside communities, as lake-breeze boundaries can locally enhance storm intensity during the peak season.
Check if your roof was damaged by recent hail
Hail in Elgin occurs most frequently during April, May, and June, when atmospheric instability and wind shear favor thunderstorm development across northern Illinois. Secondary risk extends into March and July. The specific configuration of the Chicago metro area—with its urban heat island effect and proximity to Lake Michigan—creates conditions where storms can intensify rapidly, particularly in the western suburbs where Elgin is located.
Annual frequency — last 10 years
When hail hits — monthly pattern
Avg events per month · all years · NOAA data
All recorded hail events
Of 169 recorded events, 36 (21%) reached 1.5" or larger — the threshold for likely functional damage on standard asphalt shingles.
A trained spotter reported 1.75 hail near US Rt. 14 and Dean St.
One inch hail was reported on the 400 block of Shannon Dr in Woodstock.
A report of 1 hail was relayed via mPING.
A report of one inch hail was received via Spotter Network from south of Sycamore. Time was estimate…
A photo shared on social media showed quarter size hail near Elgin.
Golf ball size hail was reported near Route 64 and Dean Street.
Photos showed that most hailstones were half an inch in diameter or less, though the largest hailsto…
Hail 1.50 inches in diameter was measured near the intersection of Kirk Road and Main Street.
A photo shared on social media showed 1.5 inch diameter hail in Grayslake.
Quarter size hail was reported south of Genoa.
Quarter size hail was reported at Route 53 and Lake Cook Road.
Quarter size hail was reported near Quentin and Lake Zurich Roads.
A photo was shared on social media of quarter size hail.
Quarter size hail was reported near Arlington Heights Road and Landmeier Road.
Half dollar size hail was reported near Route 53 and Euclid Avenue.
Nickel size hail fell across Glencoe for 10 minutes.
Multiple reports of nickel to quarter size hail were received from Sleepy Hollow.
Multiple reports of quarter size hail were received from areas south of Genoa.
Hail 2.25 inches in diameter was reported near Winn Road and Route 12.
Quarter to golf ball size hail was reported in Wonder Lake.
Quarter size hail was reported near Route 12 and Route 176.
Relayed via social media.
Penny size hail one mile north of Grayslake to one inch hail in Grayslake.
Ping pong ball size hail was reported near Chevy Chase Road. Quarter size hail was reported near Car…
Quarter size hail was reported near the intersection of Route 20 and McClean Boulevard.
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information Storm Events Database. Publication lag is approximately 75 days — current-year events may be incomplete.
NOAA Storm Events Database ↗