Cary Hail — Storm History & NOAA Data for Cary, IL

Data current as of 2026-10-16 · Sourced from NOAA Storm Events

Over the past five years, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has recorded 147 hail storms within 25 miles of Cary, IL. Of those, 144 produced hail at least quarter-size — the threshold most insurance carriers consider potentially damaging to asphalt shingles. The largest reported hail in this window was egg-sized, which can fracture shingle mat and dent metal flashing on contact. 2026 was the most active year on record locally, with 47 documented hail events.

Hail Severity Breakdown — Cary Area (Last 5 Years)

Cary Hail Storms by Year

2026 was the busiest hail year on record locally for Cary, with 47 documented events inside the 25-mile radius. Storm activity in Cary typically peaks in spring and early summer, when the jet stream pushes Gulf moisture into the area and supercell thunderstorms become more frequent.

Notable Recent Cary Hail Storms

• August 21, 2026 — Significant hail (quarter-sized or larger) reported near 3 E Sycamore. This storm met the quarter-size insurance damage threshold and is a candidate date when filing a claim for Cary-area properties.
• August 10, 2026 — Significant hail (quarter-sized or larger) reported near Vernon Hills. This storm met the quarter-size insurance damage threshold and is a candidate date when filing a claim for Cary-area properties.
• August 10, 2026 — Severe hail (ping pong ball-sized) reported near 2 W Pell Lake. This storm met the quarter-size insurance damage threshold and is a candidate date when filing a claim for Cary-area properties.
• July 27, 2026 — Significant hail (quarter-sized or larger) reported near 1 NW Roselle. This storm met the quarter-size insurance damage threshold and is a candidate date when filing a claim for Cary-area properties.
• July 27, 2026 — Severe hail (ping pong ball-sized) reported near 1 ENE Carol Stream. This storm met the quarter-size insurance damage threshold and is a candidate date when filing a claim for Cary-area properties.

Recent Hail Events Near Cary

Wind Storm History — Cary Area (Last 5 Years)

NOAA has recorded 500 high-wind events within 25 miles of Cary, IL in the past five years. Of those, 498 reached severe-thunderstorm thresholds (58+ mph). The highest measured gust was 85 mph.

Recent Wind Events Near Cary

Frequently Asked Questions About Cary Hail

When was the last major hail storm in Cary, IL?

The most recent quarter-size-or-larger hail storm recorded by NOAA within 25 miles of Cary was on August 21, 2026. HailCheck refreshes from the NOAA Storm Events database daily, so newer events appear here as they are reported.

How often does it hail in Cary?

Cary averages roughly 29 reported hail events per year within a 25-mile radius. Significant storms (quarter-size or larger) account for 144 of the 147 events recorded over the last five years.

How big does hail typically get in Cary?

The largest documented hail near Cary in the last five years was egg-sized. Most Cary-area hail falls in the marble-to-quarter range, with destructive storms (egg-size or larger) appearing roughly once every few years.

Does my insurance cover hail damage in IL?

Most homeowners insurance policies in IL cover hail damage to roofs, siding, and gutters under the dwelling and other-structures coverage. Coverage typically requires the damage to be tied to a verifiable storm date — which is where the NOAA hail history above (and a HAAG-style test square validation) becomes important for the claim file.

How do I check hail history for a specific Cary address?

Use the HailCheck address search to enter any street address in or near Cary. HailCheck returns every NOAA hail event within a configurable radius, along with severity bands, dates, and storm narratives for Pro members.

What a HAAG-Style Test Square Validation Means in Cary

If your property in or near Cary took on hail during one of the storms above, the standard process for documenting damage is a 10×10 foot test square inspection. A HAAG-trained reviewer counts impact indicators — granule displacement, mat fractures, and bruising — within the marked square and produces a PASS or FAIL document for the claim file.

HailCheck offers a $99 photo-based HAAG-style test square validation. You submit photos from the field, our reviewer evaluates the impact indicators and cross-references the NOAA storm dates listed above, and a written PASS/FAIL determination is returned within one business day. We do not send anyone to the roof — the validation is built around the photos you submit.

Why Cary's Location Matters for Hail

Cary sits east of the traditional hail alley, where hail events are less frequent than the central plains but tend to be associated with strong squall lines and tropical systems. Local roof systems are less commonly hardened for hail, which can mean even moderate impacts produce claim-worthy damage.

Other Cities in IL

• Chicago, IL
• Aurora, IL
• Joliet, IL
• Naperville, IL
• Rockford, IL
• Springfield, IL
• Peoria, IL
• Champaign, IL
• North Peoria, IL
• Elgin, IL
• Waukegan, IL
• West Town, IL
• Near North Side, IL
• Cicero, IL
• Belmont Cragin, IL
• Bloomington, IL
• Arlington Heights, IL
• Evanston, IL
• Schaumburg, IL
• Bolingbrook, IL
• South Lawndale, IL
• Logan Square, IL
• Decatur, IL
• West Ridge, IL
• Palatine, IL
• Lincoln Park, IL
• Portage Park, IL
• Skokie, IL
• Des Plaines, IL
• Orland Park, IL