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Winter in Putnam County, Illinois
126 winter storms and snow events in the NCEI Storm Events record, 1950 to 2026. Event types counted: Winter Storm, Winter Weather, Heavy Snow, Blizzard, Ice Storm, Lake-Effect Snow, Sleet.
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 126 winter events in Putnam County, Illinois, between 1950 and 2026, spread over 29 years.
December is the busiest month, with 47 of the recorded events. The last 20 years account for 83 events against 43 in the 20 years before, a change that reflects reporting practice as much as weather.
The county holds 1.5% of the 8,149 winter events recorded in Illinois; its 78.7 per 100 square miles compares with 14.7 statewide.
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 | Putnam County | Illinois | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter events since 1950 | 126 | 8,149 | 287,339 |
| Per 100 square miles | 78.7 | 14.7 | 8.1 |
| Per 10,000 residents | 226.4 | 6.4 | 8.7 |
| Deaths recorded | 0 | 116 | 2,509 |
| Busiest month | December | January | January |
By year
Seasonality
34Feb
25Mar
11Apr
3May
0Jun
0Jul
0Aug
0Sep
0Oct
1Nov
5Dec
47
Recorded events
All 126 events, most recent first. Magnitude is hail size, tornado rating or wind speed as recorded.
| Date | Event type | Magnitude | Property damage | Crop damage | Deaths | Injuries | Geography |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Mar 2026 | Blizzard | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 29 Nov 2025 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 12 Jan 2024 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 22 Dec 2022 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 1 Feb 2022 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 1 Jan 2022 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 28 Dec 2021 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 30 Jan 2021 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 25 Jan 2021 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 16 Apr 2020 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 18 Jan 2020 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 30 Oct 2019 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 14 Apr 2019 | Heavy Snow | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 11 Feb 2019 | Ice Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 18 Jan 2019 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 12 Jan 2019 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 25 Nov 2018 | Blizzard | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 24 Mar 2018 | Heavy Snow | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 29 Dec 2017 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 24 Dec 2017 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 4 Dec 2016 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 20 Nov 2015 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 1 Feb 2015 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 8 Jan 2015 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 5 Jan 2015 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 5 Mar 2014 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 1 Mar 2014 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 17 Feb 2014 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 4 Feb 2014 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 1 Feb 2014 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 18 Jan 2014 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 4 Jan 2014 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 21 Dec 2013 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 13 Dec 2013 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 4 Mar 2013 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 26 Feb 2013 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 21 Feb 2013 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 20 Dec 2012 | Blizzard | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 12 Jan 2012 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 27 Feb 2011 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 1 Feb 2011 | Blizzard | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 24 Dec 2010 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 20 Dec 2010 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 15 Dec 2010 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 12 Dec 2010 | Blizzard | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 3 Dec 2010 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 20 Mar 2010 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 21 Feb 2010 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 8 Feb 2010 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 25 Jan 2010 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 6 Jan 2010 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 25 Dec 2009 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 23 Dec 2009 | Ice Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 21 Dec 2009 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 8 Dec 2009 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 24 Dec 2008 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 21 Dec 2008 | Blizzard | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 18 Dec 2008 | Ice Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 16 Dec 2008 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 8 Dec 2008 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 3 Dec 2008 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 30 Nov 2008 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 28 Feb 2008 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 25 Feb 2008 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 6 Feb 2008 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 3 Feb 2008 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 1 Feb 2008 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 31 Jan 2008 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 29 Jan 2008 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 21 Jan 2008 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 31 Dec 2007 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 28 Dec 2007 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 23 Dec 2007 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 15 Dec 2007 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 11 Dec 2007 | Ice Storm | — | $50K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 4 Dec 2007 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 1 Dec 2007 | Ice Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 24 Feb 2007 | Ice Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 16 Feb 2007 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 13 Feb 2007 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 6 Feb 2007 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 21 Jan 2007 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 13 Jan 2007 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 1 Dec 2006 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 30 Nov 2006 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 8 Dec 2005 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 5 Jan 2005 | Ice Storm | — | $10K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 4 Mar 2003 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 14 Feb 2003 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 1 Mar 2002 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 30 Jan 2002 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 23 Feb 2001 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 28 Jan 2001 | Ice Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 26 Jan 2001 | Heavy Snow | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 13 Jan 2001 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 28 Dec 2000 | Heavy Snow | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 20 Dec 2000 | Heavy Snow | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 18 Dec 2000 | Heavy Snow | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 15 Dec 2000 | Ice Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 13 Dec 2000 | Heavy Snow | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 10 Dec 2000 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 7 Dec 2000 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 1 Dec 2000 | Heavy Snow | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 1 Dec 2000 | Heavy Snow | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 17 Feb 2000 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 29 Jan 2000 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 19 Jan 2000 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 17 Jan 2000 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 3 Jan 2000 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 23 Dec 1999 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 19 Dec 1999 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 16 Dec 1999 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 8 Mar 1999 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 5 Mar 1999 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 1 Jan 1999 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 30 Dec 1998 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 8 Mar 1998 | Heavy Snow | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 8 Jan 1998 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 9 Dec 1997 | Heavy Snow | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 10 Apr 1997 | Heavy Snow | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 3 Feb 1997 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 24 Jan 1997 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 15 Jan 1997 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 9 Jan 1997 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 27 Dec 1996 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 18 Jan 1996 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
Questions and answers
How many winter events has Putnam County had?
126 events in the NCEI Storm Events record between 1950 and 2026. Reporting of winter storms and snow became far more complete after 1996, so early decades undercount.
When was the last recorded winter event in Putnam County?
15 Mar 2026 (Blizzard). Records reach NCEI about 120 days after the month ends.
What was the most damaging winter event recorded in Putnam County?
The ice storm of 11 Dec 2007, with property damage estimated by NCEI at $50K.
How does Putnam County compare with Illinois for winter?
78.7 events per 100 square miles against 14.7 statewide; the county holds 126 of the state's 8,149 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 Winter hub and the county page.