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Wind in Cook County, Illinois
1,582 damaging wind events in the NCEI Storm Events record, 1950 to 2026. Event types counted: Thunderstorm Wind, High Wind, Strong Wind.
NCEI notes that Storm Data is compiled from a variety of sources including the National Weather Service, other federal, state and local agencies, the media and the public; that property and crop damage figures are estimates; and that some events are recorded by NWS forecast zone rather than by county. FEMA notes that NFIP claim records are redacted and aggregated to protect the privacy of policyholders. Storm records through 30 Jun 2026.
NCEI records 1,582 wind events in Cook County, Illinois, between 1950 and 2026, spread over 71 years.
June is the busiest month, with 442 of the recorded events. The last 20 years account for 1,187 events against 234 in the 20 years before, a change that reflects reporting practice as much as weather.
The county holds 6.4% of the 24,881 wind events recorded in Illinois; its 167.4 per 100 square miles compares with 44.8 statewide.
NCEI attributes 17 deaths in the county to damaging wind.
1,078 wind reports with a measured or estimated speed reached the 58 mph severe threshold, and 223 reached hurricane force (74 mph).
Some winter weather and high wind events are recorded by NWS forecast zone rather than by county; zone-recorded events whose zone is named for the county are included and marked "Forecast zone" in the table.
Compared with Illinois
| Measure | Cook County | Illinois | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wind events since 1950 | 1,582 | 24,881 | 701,953 |
| Per 100 square miles | 167.4 | 44.8 | 19.9 |
| Per 10,000 residents | 3.1 | 19.6 | 21.1 |
| Deaths recorded | 17 | 54 | 2,166 |
| Busiest month | June | June | June |
By year
Seasonality
6Feb
21Mar
63Apr
62May
158Jun
442Jul
390Aug
296Sep
58Oct
37Nov
36Dec
13
Magnitude distribution
NWS wind thresholds
- under 58 mph
- below severe threshold
- 58–73 mph
- severe
- 74–95 mph
- hurricane-force
- 96 mph and over
- extreme
Wind speed converted from the knots NCEI records; estimated and measured gusts are combined. Events without a speed are not binned.
Recorded events
The 199 events kept for this page are the 120 most recent plus the 80 with the most damage, deaths or injuries out of 1,582. Magnitude is hail size, tornado rating or wind speed as recorded.
| Date | Event type | Magnitude | Property damage | Crop damage | Deaths | Injuries | Geography |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 63 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 24 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 81 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 24 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 81 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 24 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 63 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 24 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 24 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 58 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 24 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 58 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 24 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 58 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 24 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 58 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 17 Jun 2026 | High Wind | 59 mph | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 13 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 63 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 13 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | — | — | — | 1 | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 85 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 81 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 81 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 81 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 81 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 81 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 81 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 81 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 63 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 63 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 58 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 81 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 63 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 63 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 58 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 58 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 63 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 63 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 58 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 63 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 61 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 81 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 63 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 58 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 63 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 62 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 58 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 61 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 63 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 58 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 58 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 63 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 63 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 63 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 58 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 58 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 63 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 72 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 63 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 74 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 72 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 78 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 18 May 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | 58 mph | — | — | — | — | County |
| 24 Jul 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | 1 | County |
| 6 Jun 2024 | High Wind | 45 mph | — | — | 1 | 1 | Forecast zone |
| 20 May 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | 63 mph | — | — | — | 1 | County |
| 13 Jun 2022 | Thunderstorm Wind | 96 mph | — | — | — | 2 | County |
| 13 Jun 2022 | Thunderstorm Wind | 81 mph | — | — | — | 1 | County |
| 26 Jun 2021 | Thunderstorm Wind | 63 mph | — | — | — | 1 | County |
| 10 Aug 2020 | Thunderstorm Wind | 90 mph | — | — | 1 | — | County |
| 27 Nov 2019 | High Wind | 58 mph | — | — | — | 1 | Forecast zone |
| 2 May 2018 | Thunderstorm Wind | 81 mph | $100K | — | — | — | County |
| 21 Jul 2017 | Thunderstorm Wind | 90 mph | $1.0M | — | — | — | County |
| 14 Jun 2017 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | $100K | — | — | — | County |
| 19 Feb 2016 | High Wind | 58 mph | $100K | — | — | 1 | Forecast zone |
| 2 Aug 2015 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | 1 | County |
| 5 Sep 2014 | Thunderstorm Wind | 63 mph | — | — | 1 | — | County |
| 5 Sep 2014 | Thunderstorm Wind | 64 mph | $75K | — | — | 4 | County |
| 5 Sep 2014 | Thunderstorm Wind | 71 mph | $75K | — | — | — | County |
| 23 Nov 2012 | Strong Wind | 35 mph | $20K | — | — | 2 | Forecast zone |
| 22 Jul 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | $150K | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Jul 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | 63 mph | $4K | — | 1 | — | County |
| 11 Jul 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | — | — | — | 6 | County |
| 11 Jul 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | $50K | — | — | — | County |
| 21 Jun 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | 63 mph | $10K | — | — | 2 | County |
| 21 Jun 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | 81 mph | $750K | — | — | — | County |
| 21 Jun 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | $150K | — | — | — | County |
| 21 Jun 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | 81 mph | $100K | — | — | — | County |
| 21 Jun 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | $50K | — | — | — | County |
| 21 Jun 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | $50K | — | — | — | County |
| 21 Jun 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | $50K | — | — | — | County |
| 21 Jun 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | $50K | — | — | — | County |
| 21 Jun 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | $50K | — | — | — | County |
| 21 Jun 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | $50K | — | — | — | County |
| 21 Jun 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | $50K | — | — | — | County |
| 26 Oct 2010 | High Wind | 58 mph | $500K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 21 Sep 2010 | Thunderstorm Wind | 81 mph | $1.0M | — | — | — | County |
| 23 Jun 2010 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | $100K | — | — | — | County |
| 23 Jun 2010 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | $75K | — | — | — | County |
| 18 Jun 2010 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | — | — | 1 | 2 | County |
| 18 Jun 2010 | Thunderstorm Wind | 58 mph | — | — | — | 3 | County |
| 18 Jun 2010 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | $75K | — | — | 1 | County |
| 18 Jun 2010 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | $350K | — | — | — | County |
| 18 Jun 2010 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | $100K | — | — | — | County |
| 24 Jun 2009 | Thunderstorm Wind | 64 mph | $5K | — | — | 2 | County |
| 27 Dec 2008 | Strong Wind | 45 mph | $50K | — | — | 5 | Forecast zone |
| 26 Oct 2008 | High Wind | 58 mph | $40K | — | — | 1 | Forecast zone |
| 28 Jun 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | 58 mph | $5K | — | — | 6 | County |
| 15 Jun 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | 58 mph | $200K | — | — | — | County |
| 18 Oct 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | 63 mph | $10K | — | — | 1 | County |
| 23 Aug 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | 74 mph | $100K | — | 1 | — | County |
| 23 Aug 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | $50K | — | — | 1 | County |
| 23 Aug 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | $300K | — | — | — | County |
| 23 Aug 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | 81 mph | $100K | — | — | — | County |
| 23 Aug 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | $100K | — | — | — | County |
| 26 Jul 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph | $2.0M | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jul 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | $250K | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jul 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph | $100K | — | — | — | County |
| 4 Apr 2007 | Strong Wind | 45 mph | $10K | — | — | 1 | Forecast zone |
| 2 Oct 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | 92 mph | $1.0M | — | — | 2 | County |
| 2 Aug 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | 63 mph | $200K | — | — | — | County |
| 31 Mar 2006 | High Wind | 63 mph | $100K | — | — | 4 | Forecast zone |
| 13 Mar 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | 81 mph | $1.5M | — | — | 2 | County |
| 13 Mar 2006 | Strong Wind | 52 mph | $15K | — | — | 1 | Forecast zone |
| 15 Nov 2005 | Strong Wind | 51 mph | $20K | — | — | 2 | Forecast zone |
| 13 Nov 2005 | High Wind | 58 mph | $100K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 13 Nov 2003 | High Wind | 58 mph | — | — | — | 1 | Forecast zone |
| 5 Jul 2003 | Thunderstorm Wind | 90 mph | $5.0M | — | — | — | County |
| 9 Mar 2002 | High Wind | 58 mph | $200K | — | 4 | 4 | Forecast zone |
| 25 Oct 2001 | High Wind | 59 mph | $50K | — | — | 2 | Forecast zone |
| 13 Oct 2001 | Thunderstorm Wind | 58 mph | $5K | — | 1 | 6 | County |
| 18 May 2000 | Thunderstorm Wind | 84 mph | — | — | 1 | — | County |
| 24 Aug 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph | — | — | — | 1 | County |
| 18 Jun 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | 64 mph | — | — | — | 1 | County |
| 2 Jul 1992 | Thunderstorm Wind | 0 mph | — | — | — | 37 | County |
| 2 Jul 1992 | Thunderstorm Wind | 0 mph | — | — | — | 1 | County |
| 17 Jun 1992 | Thunderstorm Wind | 0 mph | — | — | — | 1 | County |
| 31 May 1991 | Thunderstorm Wind | 0 mph | — | — | 1 | — | County |
| 5 May 1991 | Thunderstorm Wind | 0 mph | — | — | 2 | 2 | County |
| 29 Jun 1990 | Thunderstorm Wind | 150 mph | — | — | 1 | 6 | County |
| 11 May 1987 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | 2 | County |
| 15 Mar 1984 | Thunderstorm Wind | 0 mph | — | — | 1 | — | County |
Questions and answers
How many wind events has Cook County had?
1,582 events in the NCEI Storm Events record between 1950 and 2026. Reporting of damaging wind became far more complete after 1996, so early decades undercount.
When was the last recorded wind event in Cook County?
24 Jun 2026 (Thunderstorm Wind, 58 mph). Records reach NCEI about 120 days after the month ends.
What was the most damaging wind event recorded in Cook County?
The thunderstorm wind of 5 Jul 2003, with property damage estimated by NCEI at $5.0M.
How does Cook County compare with Illinois for wind?
167.4 events per 100 square miles against 44.8 statewide; the county holds 1,582 of the state's 24,881 recorded events.
Provenance
NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, yearly details files through 30 Jun 2026, public domain. County-recorded events plus zone-recorded events whose forecast zone is named for the county (marked "Forecast zone"). Population and area from the US Census Bureau (2021). Built 1 Oct 2026. See the methodology, the Wind hub and the county page.