Chicago, IL

Weather Forecast Office

Severe Weather Days by Year

In this section, the severe weather climatology in the NWS Chicago forecast area is shown by number of days with at least one report. All days with severe weather are weighted equally providing a representative idea of the number of days with severe weather in our area. In other words, this is the most representative way to look at severe weather climatology in our area since days with a large number of reports (e.g. an outbreak) will not skew the database.

Severe weather can be broken up into three categories, as defined below:

	Tornado (EF Scale)	Damaging Wind Gust (More info)	Hail Diameter
All Report	Any Rating	Any Speed >= 58 mph	Any Size >=1"
Significant Report	F/EF2, F/EF3, F/EF4, F/EF5	>= 75 mph	>= 2"
Non-Significant Report	F/EFU, F/EF0, F/EF/1	< 75 mph	< 2"

Page last updated: May 12. 2022

Period of record: 1950 - 2020

Find any errors or have questions? Email nws.chicago@noaa.gov

Severe Weather Days by Year
Tornado Days by Year
Wind Days by Year
Hail Days by Year

Severe Weather Days by Year

The following tables show the annual counts of days with at least one report of any type of severe weather (e.g. tornado, damaging wind, or damaging hail) ordered by chronology and ranking.

Ordered by Chronology and Ranking by Year

Rank	Year
2021	29
2020	29
2019	36
2018	32
2017	37
2016	27
2015	27
2014	30
2013	37
2012	26
2011	37
2010	33
2009	28
2008	41
2007	36
2006	43
2005	25
2004	27
2003	32
2002	16
2001	31
2000	19
1999	10
1999	21
1998	23
1997	17
1996	18
1995	14
1994	11
1993	9
1992	7
1991	15
1990	10
1988	10
1987	14
1986	16
1985	12
1984	13
1983	11
1982	14
1981	13
1980	19
1979	7
1978	13
1977	10
1976	14
1975	21
1974	13
1973	11
1972	10
1971	8
1970	10
1969	9
1968	7
1967	12
1966	12
1965	18
1964	7
1963	11
1962	11
1961	12
1960	11
1959	6
1958	7
1957	6
1956	9
1955	5
1954	7
1953	0
1952	0
1951	1
1950	2

Rank	Year	Days
1	2006	43
2	2008	41
3	2017	37
-	2013	37
-	2011	37
4	2019	36
-	2007	36
5	2010	33
6	2018	32
-	2003	32
7	2001	31
8	2014	30
9	2021	29
-	2020	29
10	2009	28
11	2016	27
-	2015	27
-	2004	27
12	2012	26
13	2005	25
14	1998	23
15	1999	21
-	1975	21
16	2000	19
-	1980	19
17	1996	18
-	1965	18
18	1997	17
19	2002	16
-	1986	16
20	1991	15
21	1995	14
-	1987	14
-	1982	14
-	1976	14
22	1984	13
-	1981	13
-	1978	13
-	1974	13
23	1985	12
-	1967	12
-	1966	12
-	1961	12
24	1994	11
-	1983	11
-	1973	11
-	1963	11
-	1962	11
-	1960	11
25	1999	10
-	1990	10
-	1988	10
-	1977	10
-	1972	10
-	1970	10
26	1993	9
-	1969	9
-	1956	9
27	1971	8
28	1992	7
-	1979	7
-	1968	7
-	1964	7
-	1958	7
-	1954	7
29	1959	6
-	1957	6
30	1955	5
31	1950	2
32	1951	1
33	1953	0
-	1952	0

Tornado Days by Year

The following tables show the annual counts of days with at least one report of a tornado ordered by chronology and ranking.

Ordered by Chronology

Year	Tornado Days	Significant Tornado Days	Non-Significant Tornado Days
2021	8	1	8
2020	7	0	7
2019	7	0	7
2018	5	0	5
2017	5	1	5
2016	3	1	3
2015	10	2	10
2014	1	0	1
2013	7	1	7
2012	2	0	2
2011	8	1	8
2010	6	3	6
2009	4	1	4
2008	6	3	5
2007	6	0	6
2006	6	0	6
2005	0	0	0
2004	5	1	5
2003	5	0	5
2002	2	0	2
2001	4	0	4
2000	3	0	3
1999	1	0	1
1999	3	0	3
1998	2	0	2
1997	3	1	2
1996	3	1	3
1995	9	0	9
1994	1	0	1
1993	7	2	7
1992	2	1	2
1991	8	2	7
1990	4	2	3
1988	5	1	4
1987	3	2	1
1986	5	0	5
1985	4	1	3
1984	7	1	7
1983	1	0	1
1982	6	1	6
1981	7	1	7
1980	6	2	5
1979	6	3	3
1978	4	2	3
1977	3	1	3
1976	6	4	3
1975	10	5	8
1974	8	3	7
1973	8	3	6
1972	8	4	5
1971	2	1	1
1970	2	1	1
1969	3	1	3
1968	2	1	1
1967	5	3	3
1966	5	4	2
1965	10	4	7
1964	0	0	0
1963	4	2	2
1962	3	3	0
1961	7	2	5
1960	6	0	6
1959	6	2	5
1958	6	4	3
1957	4	1	3
1956	7	5	4
1955	3	1	2
1954	7	4	5
1953	0	0	0
1952	0	0	0
1951	1	1	0
1950	2	1	1

Since a "Significant" or "Non-Significant" report may be made on the same day, each dataset is treated independently.

Thus, "Significant" and "Non-Significant" days will not sum to the "Any Severe Weather" days.

Ordered by Ranking

Any Tornado

Rank	Year	Days
1	2015	10
-	1975	10
-	1965	10
2	1995	9
3	2021	8
-	2011	8
-	1991	8
-	1974	8
-	1973	8
-	1972	8
4	2020	7
-	2019	7
-	2013	7
-	1993	7
-	1984	7
-	1981	7
-	1961	7
-	1956	7
-	1954	7
5	2010	6
-	2008	6
-	2007	6
-	2006	6
-	1982	6
-	1980	6
-	1979	6
-	1976	6
-	1960	6
-	1959	6
-	1958	6
6	2018	5
-	2017	5
-	2004	5
-	2003	5
-	1988	5
-	1986	5
-	1967	5
-	1966	5
7	2009	4
-	2001	4
-	1990	4
-	1985	4
-	1978	4
-	1963	4
-	1957	4
8	2016	3
-	2000	3
-	1999	3
-	1997	3
-	1996	3
-	1987	3
-	1977	3
-	1969	3
-	1962	3
-	1955	3
9	2012	2
-	2002	2
-	1998	2
-	1992	2
-	1971	2
-	1970	2
-	1968	2
-	1950	2
10	2014	1
-	1999	1
-	1994	1
-	1983	1
-	1951	1
11	2005	0
-	1964	0
-	1953	0
-	1952	0

Significant Tornadoes

Rank	Year	Days
1	1975	5
-	1956	5
2	1976	4
-	1972	4
-	1966	4
-	1965	4
-	1958	4
-	1954	4
3	2010	3
-	2008	3
-	1979	3
-	1974	3
-	1973	3
-	1967	3
-	1962	3
4	2015	2
-	1993	2
-	1991	2
-	1990	2
-	1987	2
-	1980	2
-	1978	2
-	1963	2
-	1961	2
-	1959	2
5	2021	1
-	2017	1
-	2016	1
-	2013	1
-	2011	1
-	2009	1
-	2004	1
-	1997	1
-	1996	1
-	1992	1
-	1988	1
-	1985	1
-	1984	1
-	1982	1
-	1981	1
-	1977	1
-	1971	1
-	1970	1
-	1969	1
-	1968	1
-	1957	1
-	1955	1
-	1951	1
-	1950	1
6	2020	0
-	2019	0
-	2018	0
-	2014	0
-	2012	0
-	2007	0
-	2006	0
-	2005	0
-	2003	0
-	2002	0
-	2001	0
-	2000	0
-	1999	0
-	1999	0
-	1998	0
-	1995	0
-	1994	0
-	1986	0
-	1983	0
-	1964	0
-	1960	0
-	1953	0
-	1952	0

Non-Significant Tornadoes

Rank	Year	Days
1	2015	10
2	1995	9
3	2021	8
-	2011	8
-	1975	8
4	2020	7
-	2019	7
-	2013	7
-	1993	7
-	1991	7
-	1984	7
-	1981	7
-	1974	7
-	1965	7
5	2010	6
-	2007	6
-	2006	6
-	1982	6
-	1973	6
-	1960	6
6	2018	5
-	2017	5
-	2008	5
-	2004	5
-	2003	5
-	1986	5
-	1980	5
-	1972	5
-	1961	5
-	1959	5
-	1954	5
7	2009	4
-	2001	4
-	1988	4
-	1956	4
8	2016	3
-	2000	3
-	1999	3
-	1996	3
-	1990	3
-	1985	3
-	1979	3
-	1978	3
-	1977	3
-	1976	3
-	1969	3
-	1967	3
-	1958	3
-	1957	3
9	2012	2
-	2002	2
-	1998	2
-	1997	2
-	1992	2
-	1966	2
-	1963	2
-	1955	2
10	2014	1
-	1999	1
-	1994	1
-	1987	1
-	1983	1
-	1971	1
-	1970	1
-	1968	1
-	1950	1
11	2005	0
-	1964	0
-	1962	0
-	1953	0
-	1952	0
-	1951	0

Wind Days by Year

The following tables show the annual counts of days with at least one report of damaging winds ordered by chronology and ranking.

Ordered by Chronology

Year	Wind Days	Significant Wind Days	Non-Significant Wind Days
2021	26	7	26
2020	24	6	24
2019	24	3	24
2018	22	3	22
2017	25	8	24
2016	20	5	20
2015	19	5	18
2014	19	8	19
2013	27	10	26
2012	18	8	18
2011	29	9	29
2010	27	11	25
2009	19	5	19
2008	28	10	28
2007	30	8	30
2006	32	5	32
2005	21	1	21
2004	20	4	20
2003	28	6	28
2002	11	0	11
2001	20	4	20
2000	15	7	15
1999	5	0	5
1999	14	1	14
1998	19	3	19
1997	15	1	14
1996	4	2	3
1995	3	1	2
1994	4	0	4
1993	0	0	0
1992	3	2	3
1991	8	2	7
1990	4	2	3
1988	6	1	6
1987	11	2	10
1986	11	4	8
1985	7	0	7
1984	6	1	5
1983	8	2	8
1982	8	2	7
1981	6	1	5
1980	10	5	8
1979	1	0	1
1978	7	1	7
1977	7	0	7
1976	8	1	8
1975	10	1	10
1974	5	2	5
1973	2	0	2
1972	4	2	3
1971	4	1	3
1970	6	2	6
1969	2	1	1
1968	5	1	5
1967	6	1	6
1966	6	2	5
1965	10	4	9
1964	6	1	6
1963	6	2	5
1962	5	1	5
1961	2	0	2
1960	5	4	2
1959	2	1	1
1958	1	0	1
1957	2	0	2
1956	2	2	0
1955	1	0	1
1954	0	0	0
1953	0	0	0
1952	0	0	0
1951	0	0	0
1950	0	0	0

Since a "Significant" or "Non-Significant" report may be made on the same day, each dataset is treated independently.

Thus, "Significant" and "Non-Significant" days will not sum to the "Any Severe Weather" days.

Ordered by Ranking

Any Wind

Rank	Year	Days
1	2006	32
2	2007	30
3	2011	29
4	2008	28
-	2003	28
5	2013	27
5	2010	27
6	2021	26
7	2017	25
8	2020	24
-	2019	24
9	2018	22
10	2005	21
11	2016	20
-	2004	20
-	2001	20
12	2015	19
-	2014	19
-	2009	19
-	1998	19
13	2012	18
14	2000	15
-	1997	15
15	1999	14
16	2002	11
-	1987	11
-	1986	11
17	1980	10
-	1975	10
-	1965	10
18	1991	8
-	1983	8
-	1982	8
-	1976	8
19	1985	7
-	1978	7
-	1977	7
20	1988	6
-	1984	6
-	1981	6
-	1970	6
-	1967	6
-	1966	6
-	1964	6
-	1963	6
21	1999	5
-	1974	5
-	1968	5
-	1962	5
-	1960	5
22	1996	4
-	1994	4
-	1990	4
-	1972	4
-	1971	4
23	1995	3
-	1992	3
24	1973	2
-	1969	2
-	1961	2
-	1959	2
-	1957	2
-	1956	2
25	1979	1
-	1958	1
-	1955	1
-	1993	0
26	1954	0
-	1953	0
-	1952	0
-	1951	0
-	1950	0

Significant Wind

Rank	Year	Days
1	2010	11
2	2013	10
-	2008	10
3	2011	9
4	2017	8
-	2014	8
-	2012	8
-	2007	8
5	2021	7
-	2000	7
6	2020	6
-	2003	6
7	2016	5
-	2015	5
-	2009	5
-	2006	5
-	1980	5
8	2004	4
-	2001	4
-	1986	4
-	1965	4
-	1960	4
9	2019	3
-	2018	3
-	1998	3
10	1996	2
-	1992	2
-	1991	2
-	1990	2
-	1987	2
-	1983	2
-	1982	2
-	1974	2
-	1972	2
-	1970	2
-	1966	2
-	1963	2
-	1956	2
11	2005	1
-	1999	1
-	1997	1
-	1995	1
-	1988	1
-	1984	1
-	1981	1
-	1978	1
-	1976	1
-	1975	1
-	1971	1
-	1969	1
-	1968	1
-	1967	1
-	1964	1
-	1962	1
-	1959	1
12	2002	0
-	1999	0
-	1994	0
-	1993	0
-	1985	0
-	1979	0
-	1977	0
-	1973	0
-	1961	0
-	1958	0
-	1957	0
-	1955	0
-	1954	0
-	1953	0
-	1952	0
-	1951	0
-	1950	0

Non-Significant Wind

Rank	Year	Days
1	2006	32
2	2007	30
3	2011	29
4	2008	28
-	2003	28
5	2021	26
-	2013	26
6	2010	25
7	2020	24
-	2019	24
-	2017	24
8	2018	22
9	2005	21
10	2016	20
-	2004	20
-	2001	20
11	2014	19
-	2009	19
-	1998	19
12	2015	18
-	2012	18
13	2000	15
14	1999	14
-	1997	14
15	2002	11
16	1987	10
-	1975	10
17	1965	9
18	1986	8
-	1983	8
-	1980	8
-	1976	8
19	1991	7
-	1985	7
-	1982	7
-	1978	7
-	1977	7
20	1988	6
-	1970	6
-	1967	6
-	1964	6
21	1999	5
-	1984	5
-	1981	5
-	1974	5
-	1968	5
-	1966	5
-	1963	5
-	1962	5
22	1994	4
23	1996	3
-	1992	3
-	1990	3
-	1972	3
-	1971	3
24	1995	2
-	1973	2
-	1961	2
-	1960	2
-	1957	2
25	1979	1
-	1969	1
-	1959	1
-	1958	1
-	1955	1
26	1993	0
-	1956	0
-	1954	0
-	1953	0
-	1952	0
-	1951	0
-	1950	0

Hail Days by Year

The following tables show the annual counts of days with at least one report of damaging hail ordered by chronology and ranking.

Ordered by Chronology

Year	Hail Days	Significant Hail Days	Non-Significant Hail Days
2021	7	1	7
2020	12	2	12
2019	12	4	12
2018	6	1	6
2017	21	3	21
2016	7	0	7
2015	12	3	12
2014	12	3	12
2013	19	3	19
2012	16	3	16
2011	18	2	18
2010	13	2	12
2009	7	0	7
2008	15	1	15
2007	9	0	9
2006	22	2	22
2005	13	1	13
2004	14	2	14
2003	21	4	21
2002	3	2	3
2001	12	2	12
2000	6	4	6
1999	8	0	9
1999	9	0	9
1998	8	2	7
1997	6	1	6
1996	9	1	9
1995	8	0	8
1994	8	0	8
1993	2	0	2
1992	5	1	5
1991	5	2	5
1990	6	3	4
1988	4	0	4
1987	7	2	7
1986	4	0	4
1985	8	1	7
1984	6	1	6
1983	4	1	4
1982	3	0	3
1981	6	1	6
1980	6	1	6
1979	3	0	3
1978	6	0	6
1977	4	0	4
1976	5	0	5
1975	9	2	8
1974	4	0	4
1973	4	1	4
1972	1	0	1
1971	2	0	2
1970	4	0	4
1969	4	1	3
1968	1	0	1
1967	6	1	5
1966	2	1	2
1965	4	0	4
1964	1	0	1
1963	7	1	7
1962	5	1	4
1961	4	1	4
1960	5	2	3
1959	0	0	0
1958	1	1	0
1957	3	0	3
1956	1	0	1
1955	1	1	0
1954	0	0	0
1953	0	0	0
1952	0	0	0
1951	0	0	0
1950	0	0	0

Since a "Significant" or "Non-Significant" report may be made on the same day, each dataset is treated independently.

Thus, "Significant" and "Non-Significant" days will not sum to the "Any Severe Weather" days.

Ordered by Ranking

Any Hail

Rank	Year	Days
1	2006	22
2	2017	21
2	2003	21
3	2013	19
4	2011	18
5	2012	16
6	2008	15
7	2004	14
8	2010	13
-	2005	13
9	2020	12
-	2019	12
-	2015	12
-	2014	12
-	2001	12
10	2007	9
-	1999	9
-	1996	9
-	1975	9
11	1999	8
-	1998	8
-	1995	8
-	1994	8
-	1985	8
12	2021	7
-	2016	7
-	2009	7
-	1987	7
-	1963	7
13	2018	6
-	2000	6
-	1997	6
-	1990	6
-	1984	6
-	1981	6
-	1980	6
-	1978	6
-	1967	6
14	1992	5
-	1991	5
-	1976	5
-	1962	5
-	1960	5
15	1988	4
-	1986	4
-	1983	4
-	1977	4
-	1974	4
-	1973	4
-	1970	4
-	1969	4
-	1965	4
-	1961	4
16	2002	3
-	1982	3
-	1979	3
-	1957	3
17	1993	2
-	1971	2
-	1966	2
18	1972	1
-	1968	1
-	1964	1
-	1958	1
-	1956	1
-	1955	1
19	1959	0
-	1954	0
-	1953	0
-	1952	0
-	1951	0
-	1950	0

Significant Hail

Rank	Year	Days
1	2019	4
-	2003	4
-	2000	4
2	2017	3
-	2015	3
-	2014	3
-	2013	3
-	2012	3
-	1990	3
3	2020	2
-	2011	2
-	2010	2
-	2006	2
-	2004	2
-	2002	2
-	2001	2
-	1998	2
-	1991	2
-	1987	2
-	1975	2
-	1960	2
4	2021	1
-	2018	1
-	2008	1
-	2005	1
-	1997	1
-	1996	1
-	1992	1
-	1985	1
-	1984	1
-	1983	1
-	1981	1
-	1980	1
-	1973	1
-	1969	1
-	1967	1
-	1966	1
-	1963	1
-	1962	1
-	1961	1
-	1958	1
-	1955	1
5	2016	0
-	2009	0
-	2007	0
-	1999	0
-	1999	0
-	1995	0
-	1994	0
-	1993	0
-	1988	0
-	1986	0
-	1982	0
-	1979	0
-	1978	0
-	1977	0
-	1976	0
-	1974	0
-	1972	0
-	1971	0
-	1970	0
-	1968	0
-	1965	0
-	1964	0
-	1959	0
-	1957	0
-	1956	0
-	1954	0
-	1953	0
-	1952	0
-	1951	0
-	1950	0

Non-Significant Hail

Rank	Year	Days
1	2006	22
2	2017	21
-	2003	21
3	2013	19
4	2011	18
5	2012	16
6	2008	15
7	2004	14
8	2005	13
9	2020	12
-	2019	12
-	2015	12
-	2014	12
-	2010	12
-	2001	12
10	2007	9
-	1999	9
-	1999	9
-	1996	9
11	1995	8
	1994	8
	1975	8
12	2021	7
-	2016	7
-	2009	7
-	1998	7
-	1987	7
-	1985	7
-	1963	7
13	2018	6
-	2000	6
-	1997	6
-	1984	6
-	1981	6
-	1980	6
-	1978	6
14	1992	5
-	1991	5
-	1976	5
-	1967	5
15	1990	4
-	1988	4
-	1986	4
-	1983	4
-	1977	4
-	1974	4
-	1973	4
-	1970	4
-	1965	4
-	1962	4
-	1961	4
16	2002	3
-	1982	3
-	1979	3
-	1969	3
-	1960	3
-	1957	3
17	1993	2
-	1971	2
-	1966	2
18	1972	1
-	1968	1
-	1964	1
-	1956	1
19	1959	0
-	1958	0
-	1955	0
-	1954	0
-	1953	0
-	1952	0
-	1951	0
-	1950	0

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Additional recaps can be found on the NWS Chicago Past Events Page