Chicago, IL

Weather Forecast Office

Severe Weather Reports by Year

In this section, the severe weather climatology in the NWS Chicago forecast area is shown by number of reports. Keep in mind that looking at severe weather climatology in the framework of the number of reports may not be representative of the true frequency of severe weather in our local area, since

The number of reports relayed to the NWS has increased dramatically between the 1950s and 200s due to easier ways to transmit reports (e.g. internet, phone, social media), as well as population increases.

A severe weather outbreak day may inflate the statistics for an entire year

Accordingly, the rankings provided below should be used with caution. A much more representative framework to view severe weather climatology in our local area is through the number of days with at least one report of severe weather (see here).

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 Reports by Year
Tornado Reports by Year
Wind Reports by Year
Hail Reports by Year

Severe Weather Reports by Year

The following tables show the annual number of reports of any severe weather type (e.g. tornado, damaging wind, or damaging hail) ordered by chronology and ranking.

Ordered by Chronology

Year	All Severe Weather Reports	Significant Severe Reports	Non-Significant Severe Reports
2021	402	19	383
2020	500	100	400
2019	281	24	257
2018	135	9	126
2017	241	23	218
2016	130	7	123
2015	183	16	167
2014	234	35	199
2013	313	48	265
2012	238	30	208
2011	461	84	377
2010	402	57	345
2009	170	9	161
2008	407	34	373
2007	361	38	323
2006	375	13	362
2005	177	3	174
2004	242	11	231
2003	322	22	300
2002	42	2	40
2001	119	7	112
2000	184	20	164
1999	119	6	113
1999	78	1	77
1998	90	4	86
1997	68	6	62
1996	32	1	31
1995	37	0	37
1994	16	2	14
1993	29	9	20
1992	52	6	46
1991	23	9	14
1990	14	0	14
1988	35	3	32
1987	35	9	26
1986	26	6	20
1985	30	2	28
1984	37	3	34
1983	27	3	24
1982	30	3	27
1981	37	3	34
1980	42	11	31
1979	13	3	10
1978	29	4	25
1977	25	2	23
1976	33	10	23
1975	54	8	46
1974	39	5	34
1973	19	4	15
1972	29	9	20
1971	8	2	6
1970	21	3	18
1969	10	3	7
1968	12	3	9
1967	31	10	21
1966	21	8	13
1965	40	15	25
1964	9	1	8
1963	23	5	18
1962	17	7	10
1961	17	4	13
1960	19	6	13
1959	15	4	11
1958	15	6	9
1957	11	1	10
1956	14	9	5
1955	6	2	4
1954	10	5	5
1953	0	0	0
1952	0	0	0
1951	1	1	0
1950	2	1	1

Ordered by Ranking

Any Severe Weather

Rank	Year	Reports
1	2020	500
2	2011	461
3	2008	407
4	2021	402
-	2010	402
5	2006	375
6	2007	361
7	2003	322
8	2013	313
9	2019	281
10	2004	242
11	2017	241
12	2012	238
13	2014	234
14	2000	184
15	2015	183
16	2005	177
17	2009	170
18	2018	135
19	2016	130
20	2001	119
-	1999	119
21	1998	90
22	1999	78
23	1997	68
24	1975	54
25	1992	52
26	2002	42
-	1980	42
27	1965	40
28	1974	39
29	1995	37
-	1984	37
-	1981	37
30	1988	35
31	1987	35
32	1976	33
33	1996	32
34	1967	31
35	1985	30
-	1982	30
36	1993	29
-	1978	29
-	1972	29
37	1983	27
38	1986	26
39	1977	25
40	1991	23
-	1963	23
41	1970	21
-	1966	21
42	1973	19
-	1960	19
43	1962	17
-	1961	17
44	1994	16
45	1959	15
-	1958	15
46	1990	14
-	1956	14
47	1979	13
48	1968	12
49	1957	11
50	1969	10
-	1954	10
51	1964	9
52	1971	8
53	1955	6
54	1950	2
55	1951	1
56	1953	0
-	1952	0

Significant Severe Weather

Rank	Year	Reports
1	2020	100
2	2011	84
3	2010	57
4	2013	48
5	2007	38
6	2014	35
7	2008	34
8	2012	30
9	2019	24
10	2017	23
11	2003	22
12	2000	20
13	2021	19
14	2015	16
15	1965	15
16	2006	13
17	2004	11
-	1980	11
18	1976	10
-	1967	10
19	2018	9
-	2009	9
-	1993	9
-	1991	9
-	1987	9
-	1972	9
-	1956	9
20	1975	8
-	1966	8
21	2016	7
-	2001	7
-	1962	7
22	1999	6
-	1997	6
-	1992	6
-	1986	6
-	1960	6
-	1958	6
23	1974	5
-	1963	5
-	1954	5
24	1998	4
-	1978	4
-	1973	4
-	1961	4
-	1959	4
25	2005	3
-	1988	3
-	1984	3
-	1983	3
-	1982	3
-	1981	3
-	1979	3
-	1970	3
-	1969	3
-	1968	3
26	2002	2
-	1994	2
-	1985	2
-	1977	2
-	1971	2
-	1955	2
27	1999	1
-	1996	1
-	1964	1
-	1957	1
-	1951	1
-	1950	1
28	1995	0
-	1990	0
-	1953	0
-	1952	0

Non-Significant Severe Weather

Rank	Year	Reports
1	2020	400
2	2021	383
3	2011	377
4	2008	373
5	2006	362
6	2010	345
7	2007	323
8	2003	300
9	2013	265
10	2019	257
11	2004	231
12	2017	218
13	2012	208
14	2014	199
15	2005	174
16	2015	167
17	2000	164
18	2009	161
19	2018	126
20	2016	123
21	1999	113
22	2001	112
23	1998	86
24	1999	77
25	1997	62
26	1992	46
-	1975	46
27	2002	40
28	1995	37
29	1984	34
-	1981	34
-	1974	34
30	1988	32
31	1996	31
-	1980	31
32	1985	28
33	1982	27
34	1987	26
35	1978	25
-	1965	25
36	1983	24
37	1977	23
-	1976	23
38	1967	21
39	1993	20
-	1986	20
-	1972	20
40	1970	18
-	1963	18
41	1973	15
42	1994	14
-	1991	14
-	1990	14
43	1966	13
-	1961	13
-	1960	13
44	1959	11
45	1979	10
-	1962	10
-	1957	10
46	1968	9
-	1958	9
47	1964	8
48	1969	7
49	1971	6
50	1956	5
-	1954	5
51	1955	4
52	1950	1
53	1953	0
-	1952	0
-	1951	0

Tornado Reports by Year

The following tables show the annual number of tornado reports ordered by chronology and ranking.

Ordered by Chronology

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

Ordered by Ranking

Any Tornado

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

Significant Tornadoes

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

Non-Significant Tornadoes

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

Wind Reports by Year

The following tables show the annual number of damaging wind reports ordered by chronology and ranking.

Ordered by Chronology

Year	All Wind reports	Significant Wind reports	Non-Significant Wind Reports
2021	349	13	336
2020	394	90	304
2019	197	16	181
2018	102	4	98
2017	146	18	128
2016	88	5	83
2015	56	6	50
2014	130	26	104
2013	216	42	174
2012	161	27	134
2011	335	76	259
2010	336	50	286
2009	139	8	131
2008	342	27	315
2007	334	38	296
2006	245	10	235
2005	115	1	114
2004	167	5	162
2003	168	14	154
2002	32	0	32
2001	90	5	85
2000	119	16	103
1999	100	3	97
1999	53	1	52
1998	70	1	69
1997	20	4	16
1996	5	1	4
1995	4	0	4
1994	0	0	0
1993	12	4	8
1992	12	2	10
1991	10	4	6
1990	5	0	5
1988	16	2	14
1987	17	5	12
1986	15	6	9
1985	10	0	10
1984	9	1	8
1983	17	2	15
1982	16	2	14
1981	9	1	8
1980	20	6	14
1979	2	0	2
1978	12	1	11
1977	8	0	8
1976	11	1	10
1975	18	1	17
1974	12	2	10
1973	2	0	2
1972	6	3	3
1971	4	1	3
1970	13	2	11
1969	2	1	1
1968	9	2	7
1967	8	1	7
1966	9	2	7
1965	18	5	13
1964	8	1	7
1963	7	2	5
1962	7	1	6
1961	2	0	2
1960	6	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

Ordered by Ranking

Any Wind

Rank	Year	Reports
1	2020	394
2	2021	349
3	2008	342
4	2010	336
5	2011	335
6	2007	334
7	2006	245
8	2013	216
9	2019	197
10	2003	168
11	2004	167
12	2012	161
13	2017	146
14	2009	139
15	2014	130
16	2000	119
17	2005	115
18	2018	102
19	1999	100
20	2001	90
21	2016	88
22	1998	70
23	2015	56
24	1999	53
25	2002	32
26	1997	20
-	1980	20
27	1975	18
-	1965	18
28	1987	17
-	1983	17
29	1988	16
-	1982	16
30	1986	15
31	1970	13
32	1993	12
-	1992	12
-	1978	12
-	1974	12
33	1976	11
34	1991	10
-	1985	10
35	1984	9
-	1981	9
-	1968	9
-	1966	9
36	1977	8
-	1967	8
-	1964	8
37	1963	7
-	1962	7
38	1972	6
-	1960	6
39	1996	5
-	1990	5
40	1995	4
-	1971	4
41	1979	2
-	1973	2
-	1969	2
-	1961	2
-	1959	2
-	1957	2
-	1956	2
42	1958	1
-	1955	1
43	1994	0
-	1954	0
-	1953	0
-	1952	0
-	1951	0
-	1950	0

Significant Wind

Rank	Year	Reports
1	2020	90
2	2011	76
3	2010	50
4	2013	42
5	2007	38
8	2012	27
-	2008	27
7	2014	26
8	2017	18
9	2019	16
-	2000	16
10	2003	14
11	2021	13
12	2006	10
13	2009	8
14	2015	6
-	1986	6
-	1980	6
15	2016	5
-	2004	5
-	2001	5
-	1987	5
-	1965	5
16	2018	4
-	1997	4
-	1993	4
-	1991	4
-	1960	4
17	1999	3
-	1972	3
18	1992	2
-	1988	2
-	1983	2
-	1982	2
-	1974	2
-	1970	2
-	1968	2
-	1966	2
-	1963	2
-	1956	2
19	2005	1
-	1999	1
-	1998	1
-	1996	1
-	1984	1
-	1981	1
-	1978	1
-	1976	1
-	1975	1
-	1971	1
-	1969	1
-	1967	1
-	1964	1
-	1962	1
-	1959	1
20	2002	0
-	1995	0
-	1994	0
-	1990	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	Reports
1	2021	336
2	2005	315
3	2020	304
4	2007	296
5	2010	286
6	2011	259
7	2006	235
8	2019	181
9	2013	174
10	2004	162
11	2003	154
12	2012	134
13	2009	131
14	2017	128
15	2005	114
16	2014	104
17	2000	103
18	2018	98
19	1999	97
20	2001	85
21	2016	83
22	1998	69
23	1999	52
24	2015	50
25	2002	32
26	1975	17
27	1997	16
28	1983	15
29	1988	14
-	1982	14
-	1980	14
30	1965	13
31	1987	12
32	1978	11
-	1970	11
33	1992	10
-	1985	10
-	1976	10
-	1974	10
34	1986	9
35	1993	8
-	1984	8
-	1981	8
-	1977	8
36	1968	7
-	1967	7
-	1966	7
-	1964	7
37	1991	6
-	1962	6
38	1990	5
-	1963	5
39	1996	4
-	1995	4
40	1972	3
-	1971	3
41	1979	2
-	1973	2
-	1961	2
-	1960	2
-	1957	2
42	1969	1
-	1959	1
-	1958	1
-	1955	1
43	1994	0
-	1956	0
-	1954	0
-	1953	0
-	1952	0
-	1951	0
-	1950	0

Hail Reports by Year

The following tables show the annual number of damaging hail reports ordered by chronology and ranking.

Ordered by Chronology

Year	All Hail Reports	Significant Hail Reports	Non-Significant Hail Reports
2021	30	5	25
2020	75	5	70
2019	73	4	69
2018	26	5	21
2017	84	3	81
2016	26	0	26
2015	98	7	91
2014	84	9	75
2013	82	3	79
2012	75	3	72
2011	108	7	101
2010	46	2	44
2009	22	0	22
2008	47	1	46
2007	21	0	21
2006	120	3	117
2005	62	2	60
2004	50	4	46
2003	137	8	129
2002	7	2	5
2001	23	2	21
2000	50	4	46
1999	17	3	14
1999	22	0	22
1998	16	2	14
1997	42	1	41
1996	17	0	17
1995	30	0	30
1994	6	0	6
1993	14	4	10
1992	25	2	23
1991	8	3	5
1990	8	0	8
1988	9	0	9
1987	15	2	13
1986	4	0	4
1985	16	1	15
1984	17	1	16
1983	8	1	7
1982	4	0	4
1981	17	1	16
1980	15	3	12
1979	5	0	5
1978	9	0	9
1977	5	0	5
1976	9	0	9
1975	20	2	18
1974	6	0	6
1973	6	1	5
1972	7	0	7
1971	2	0	2
1970	6	0	6
1969	4	1	3
1968	1	0	1
1967	7	1	6
1966	4	1	3
1965	4	0	4
1964	1	0	1
1963	12	1	11
1962	5	1	4
1961	6	2	4
1960	6	2	4
1959	0	0	0
1958	2	2	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

Ordered by Ranking

Any Hail

Rank	Year	Reports
1	2003	137
2	2006	120
3	2011	108
4	2015	98
5	2017	84
-	2014	84
6	2013	82
7	2020	75
-	2012	75
8	2019	73
9	2005	62
10	2004	50
-	2000	50
11	2008	47
12	2010	46
13	1997	42
14	2021	30
-	1995	30
15	2018	26
-	2016	26
16	1992	25
17	2001	23
18	2009	22
-	1999	22
19	2007	21
20	1975	20
21	1999	17
-	1996	17
-	1984	17
-	1981	17
22	1998	16
-	1985	16
23	1987	15
-	1980	15
24	1993	14
25	1963	12
26	1988	9
-	1978	9
-	1976	9
27	1991	8
-	1990	8
-	1983	8
28	2002	7
-	1972	7
-	1967	7
29	1994	6
-	1974	6
-	1973	6
-	1970	6
-	1961	6
-	1960	6
30	1979	5
-	1977	5
-	1962	5
31	1986	4
-	1982	4
-	1969	4
-	1966	4
-	1965	4
32	1957	3
33	1971	2
-	1958	2
34	1968	1
-	1964	1
-	1956	1
-	1955	1
35	1959	0
-	1954	0
-	1953	0
-	1952	0
-	1951	0
-	1950	0

Significant Hail

Rank	Year	Reports
1	2014	9
2	2003	8
3	2015	7
-	2011	7
4	2021	5
-	2020	5
-	2018	5
5	2019	4
-	2004	4
-	2000	4
-	1993	4
6	2017	3
-	2013	3
-	2012	3
-	2006	3
-	1999	3
-	1991	3
-	1980	3
7	2010	2
-	2005	2
-	2002	2
-	2001	2
-	1998	2
-	1992	2
-	1987	2
-	1975	2
-	1961	2
-	1960	2
-	1958	2
8	2008	1
-	1997	1
-	1985	1
-	1984	1
-	1983	1
-	1981	1
-	1973	1
-	1969	1
-	1967	1
-	1966	1
-	1963	1
-	1962	1
-	1955	1
9	2016	0
-	2009	0
-	2007	0
-	1999	0
-	1996	0
-	1995	0
-	1994	0
-	1990	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	Reports
1	2003	129
2	2006	117
3	2011	101
4	2015	91
5	2017	81
6	2013	79
7	2014	75
8	2012	72
9	2020	70
10	2019	69
11	2005	60
12	2008	46
-	2004	46
-	2000	46
13	2010	44
14	1997	41
15	1995	30
16	2016	26
17	2021	25
18	1992	23
19	2009	22
-	1999	22
20	2018	21
-	2007	21
-	2001	21
21	1975	18
22	1996	17
23	1984	16
-	1981	16
24	1985	15
25	1999	14
-	1998	14
26	1987	13
27	1980	12
28	1963	11
29	1993	10
30	1988	9
-	1978	9
-	1976	9
31	1990	8
32	1983	7
-	1972	7
33	1994	6
-	1974	6
-	1970	6
-	1967	6
34	2002	5
-	1991	5
-	1979	5
-	1977	5
-	1973	5
35	1986	4
-	1982	4
-	1965	4
-	1962	4
-	1961	4
-	1960	4
36	1969	3
-	1966	3
-	1957	3
37	1971	2
38	1968	1
-	1964	1
-	1956	1
39	1959	0
-	1958	0
-	1955	0
-	1954	0
-	1953	0
-	1952	0
-	1951	0
-	1950	0

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