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Wind in Williamson County, Illinois

228 damaging wind events in the NCEI Storm Events record, 1950 to 2026. Event types counted: Thunderstorm Wind, High Wind, Strong Wind.

228 events · 0 deaths recorded · peak month April · county share of state 0.9%

2026-04-27: Wind2026-04-27: Wind2025-05-20: Wind2024-07-30: Wind2024-07-05: Wind2024-05-26: Wind2024-05-26: Wind2024-05-26: Wind2024-05-26: Wind2024-05-14: Wind2024-05-08: Wind2024-04-02: Wind2024-04-02: Wind2024-04-02: Wind2024-04-02: Wind2023-08-06: Wind2023-07-29: Wind2023-07-29: Wind2023-07-29: Wind2023-07-16: Wind2023-07-02: Wind2023-07-02: Wind2023-05-07: Wind2023-04-05: Wind2023-03-24: Wind2022-07-27: Wind2022-07-17: Wind2021-07-10: Wind2021-06-29: Wind2020-07-01: Wind2020-01-11: Wind2019-06-21: Wind2019-06-21: Wind2019-05-29: Wind2019-05-26: Wind2018-06-28: Wind2018-06-26: Wind2017-11-18: Wind2017-07-13: Wind2017-05-27: Wind2017-04-16: Wind2016-07-13: Wind2015-12-23: Wind2015-12-23: Wind2015-05-30: Wind2015-05-08: Wind2015-04-09: Wind2015-04-09: Wind2014-02-20: Wind2013-11-17: Wind2013-06-01: Wind2013-06-01: Wind2013-06-01: Wind2013-01-29: Wind2013-01-29: Wind2013-01-29: Wind2012-09-07: Wind2012-07-26: Wind2012-07-26: Wind2012-07-02: Wind2012-02-29: Wind2011-05-25: Wind2011-04-19: Wind2011-04-19: Wind2010-07-11: Wind2009-08-04: Wind2009-07-12: Wind2009-05-08: Wind2009-04-02: Wind2008-12-27: Wind2008-06-09: Wind2007-10-18: Wind2006-04-02: Wind2005-04-22: Wind2004-07-05: Wind2004-05-26: Wind2002-07-10: Wind2001-09-07: Wind2000-01-03: Wind2000-01-03: Wind1999-06-04: Wind1999-05-17: Wind1998-06-12: Wind1998-06-09: Wind1997-07-14: Wind
Wind event locations in and around Williamson County. Dots: Wind event locations in the kept record. Boundaries: US Census Bureau.

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.

Williamson County, Illinois, has 228 wind events in the NCEI record since 1950, with at least one in 46 different years.

April is the busiest month, with 36 of the recorded events. The last 20 years account for 155 events against 52 in the 20 years before, a change that reflects reporting practice as much as weather.

The county holds 0.9% of the 24,881 wind events recorded in Illinois; its 54.3 per 100 square miles compares with 44.8 statewide.

107 wind reports with a measured or estimated speed reached the 58 mph severe threshold, and 20 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

MeasureWilliamson CountyIllinoisUS
Wind events since 195022824,881701,953
Per 100 square miles54.344.819.9
Per 10,000 residents34.119.621.1
Deaths recorded0542,166
Busiest monthAprilJuneJune

By year

195019882026
Wind events recorded in Williamson County per year, 1950 to 2026 (2026 is partial).

Seasonality

Jan
19
Feb
19
Mar
26
Apr
36
May
30
Jun
21
Jul
31
Aug
7
Sep
9
Oct
7
Nov
12
Dec
11
Wind events in Williamson County by month of occurrence, all years.

Magnitude distribution

under 58 mph115
58–73 mph87
74–95 mph17
96 mph and over3
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 151 events kept for this page are the 120 most recent plus the 80 with the most damage, deaths or injuries out of 228. Magnitude is hail size, tornado rating or wind speed as recorded.

DateEvent typeMagnitudeProperty damageCrop damageDeathsInjuriesGeography
27 Apr 2026Thunderstorm Wind81 mph$35K———County
27 Apr 2026Thunderstorm Wind75 mph$30K———County
2 Apr 2026Strong Wind43 mph$1K———Forecast zone
17 Feb 2026Strong Wind39 mph$1K———Forecast zone
14 Jan 2026Strong Wind40 mph$1K———Forecast zone
8 Jan 2026Strong Wind40 mph$1K———Forecast zone
20 May 2025Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$12K———County
16 May 2025Strong Wind55 mph$3K———Forecast zone
16 May 2025Strong Wind55 mph$1K———Forecast zone
28 Mar 2025Strong Wind41 mph$1K———Forecast zone
19 Mar 2025Strong Wind47 mph$1K———Forecast zone
18 Mar 2025Strong Wind44 mph$1K———Forecast zone
14 Mar 2025Strong Wind47 mph$1K———Forecast zone
5 Mar 2025Strong Wind46 mph$1K———Forecast zone
4 Mar 2025Strong Wind46 mph$1K———Forecast zone
17 Jan 2025Strong Wind41 mph$1K———Forecast zone
27 Sep 2024Strong Wind40 mph$1K———Forecast zone
30 Jul 2024Thunderstorm Wind70 mph$20K———County
5 Jul 2024Thunderstorm Wind81 mph$75K———County
26 May 2024Thunderstorm Wind81 mph$15K———County
26 May 2024Thunderstorm Wind70 mph$30K———County
26 May 2024Thunderstorm Wind70 mph$5K———County
26 May 2024Thunderstorm Wind90 mph$12K———County
14 May 2024Thunderstorm Wind70 mph$10K———County
8 May 2024Thunderstorm Wind75 mph$8K———County
2 Apr 2024Thunderstorm Wind70 mph$5K———County
2 Apr 2024Thunderstorm Wind70 mph$3K———County
2 Apr 2024Thunderstorm Wind85 mph$25K———County
2 Apr 2024Thunderstorm Wind75 mph$15K———County
25 Mar 2024Strong Wind48 mph$1K———Forecast zone
27 Feb 2024Strong Wind43 mph$1K———Forecast zone
6 Aug 2023Thunderstorm Wind64 mph$4K———County
29 Jul 2023Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$4K———County
29 Jul 2023Thunderstorm Wind70 mph$10K———County
29 Jul 2023Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$15K———County
16 Jul 2023Thunderstorm Wind64 mph$10K———County
2 Jul 2023Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$2K———County
2 Jul 2023Thunderstorm Wind70 mph$125K———County
7 May 2023Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$5K———County
20 Apr 2023Strong Wind40 mph$1K———Forecast zone
5 Apr 2023Thunderstorm Wind64 mph$15K———County
1 Apr 2023Strong Wind48 mph$1K———Forecast zone
31 Mar 2023Strong Wind48 mph$1K———Forecast zone
24 Mar 2023Thunderstorm Wind64 mph$10K———County
3 Mar 2023Strong Wind43 mph$1K———Forecast zone
27 Feb 2023Strong Wind43 mph$1K———Forecast zone
22 Feb 2023Strong Wind46 mph$1K———Forecast zone
9 Feb 2023Strong Wind45 mph$1K———Forecast zone
5 Nov 2022Strong Wind47 mph$9K———Forecast zone
27 Jul 2022Thunderstorm Wind75 mph$30K———County
17 Jul 2022Thunderstorm Wind64 mph$10K———County
23 Apr 2022Strong Wind41 mph$1K———Forecast zone
10 Apr 2022Strong Wind40 mph$1K———Forecast zone
30 Mar 2022Strong Wind45 mph$1K———Forecast zone
24 Dec 2021Strong Wind43 mph$1K———Forecast zone
10 Jul 2021Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$1K———County
29 Jun 2021Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$5K———County
25 Mar 2021Strong Wind40 mph$1K———Forecast zone
10 Mar 2021Strong Wind45 mph$1K———Forecast zone
14 Nov 2020Strong Wind43 mph$1K———Forecast zone
1 Jul 2020Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$3K———County
13 Apr 2020Strong Wind40 mph$1K———Forecast zone
11 Jan 2020Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$1K———County
10 Jan 2020Strong Wind40 mph$1K———Forecast zone
26 Nov 2019Strong Wind40 mph$1K———Forecast zone
21 Jun 2019Thunderstorm Wind75 mph$30K———County
21 Jun 2019Thunderstorm Wind75 mph$75K———County
29 May 2019Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$1K———County
26 May 2019Thunderstorm Wind64 mph$5K———County
11 Apr 2019Strong Wind40 mph$1K———Forecast zone
30 Mar 2019Strong Wind45 mph$1K———Forecast zone
14 Mar 2019Strong Wind48 mph$1K———Forecast zone
9 Mar 2019Strong Wind40 mph$1K———Forecast zone
24 Feb 2019Strong Wind40 mph$1K———Forecast zone
27 Dec 2018Strong Wind40 mph$1K———Forecast zone
25 Nov 2018Strong Wind40 mph$1K———Forecast zone
28 Jun 2018Thunderstorm Wind75 mph$100K———County
26 Jun 2018Thunderstorm Wind64 mph$2K———County
13 Apr 2018Strong Wind40 mph$1K———Forecast zone
12 Apr 2018Strong Wind45 mph$1K———Forecast zone
6 Mar 2018Strong Wind40 mph$1K———Forecast zone
15 Feb 2018Strong Wind40 mph$1K———Forecast zone
22 Jan 2018Strong Wind40 mph$1K———Forecast zone
18 Nov 2017Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$5K———County
18 Nov 2017Strong Wind40 mph$1K———Forecast zone
13 Jul 2017Thunderstorm Wind70 mph$15K———County
27 May 2017Thunderstorm Wind70 mph$10K———County
5 May 2017Strong Wind40 mph$1K———Forecast zone
16 Apr 2017Thunderstorm Wind75 mph$8K———County
9 Apr 2017Strong Wind43 mph$1K———Forecast zone
6 Mar 2017Strong Wind56 mph$1K———Forecast zone
10 Feb 2017Strong Wind35 mph$1K———Forecast zone
10 Jan 2017Strong Wind52 mph$1K———Forecast zone
13 Jul 2016Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$3K———County
22 Mar 2016Strong Wind37 mph$1K———Forecast zone
28 Feb 2016Strong Wind45 mph$1K———Forecast zone
19 Feb 2016Strong Wind52 mph$1K———Forecast zone
23 Dec 2015Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$3K———County
23 Dec 2015Thunderstorm Wind64 mph$7K———County
13 Dec 2015Strong Wind45 mph$7K———Forecast zone
30 May 2015Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$6K———County
8 May 2015Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$20K———County
9 Apr 2015Thunderstorm Wind60 mph————County
9 Apr 2015Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$20K———County
24 Nov 2014Strong Wind49 mph$1K———Forecast zone
12 Mar 2014Strong Wind54 mph$1K———Forecast zone
20 Feb 2014Thunderstorm Wind70 mph$15K———County
20 Feb 2014Strong Wind45 mph$1K———Forecast zone
26 Jan 2014Strong Wind45 mph$1K———Forecast zone
21 Jan 2014Strong Wind45 mph$1K———Forecast zone
17 Nov 2013Thunderstorm Wind70 mph————County
1 Jun 2013Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$10K———County
1 Jun 2013Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$10K———County
1 Jun 2013Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$25K———County
29 Jan 2013Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$10K———County
29 Jan 2013Thunderstorm Wind75 mph$50K———County
29 Jan 2013Thunderstorm Wind70 mph$8K———County
20 Dec 2012Strong Wind45 mph$1K———Forecast zone
7 Sep 2012Thunderstorm Wind70 mph$80K———County
26 Jul 2012Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$5K———County
26 Jul 2012Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$4K———County
2 Jul 2012Thunderstorm Wind70 mph$20K———County
29 Feb 2012Thunderstorm Wind100 mph$50K———County
13 Nov 2011Strong Wind51 mph$5K———Forecast zone
25 May 2011Thunderstorm Wind64 mph$20K———County
19 Apr 2011Thunderstorm Wind70 mph$100K———County
19 Apr 2011Thunderstorm Wind70 mph$50K———County
11 Jul 2010Thunderstorm Wind75 mph$100K———County
6 Apr 2010Strong Wind40 mph$10K———Forecast zone
4 Aug 2009Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$15K———County
12 Jul 2009Thunderstorm Wind58 mph$10K———County
8 May 2009Thunderstorm Wind100 mph$175M——23County
2 Apr 2009Thunderstorm Wind64 mph$15K———County
27 Dec 2008Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$10K———County
14 Sep 2008High Wind60 mph$500K———Forecast zone
9 Jun 2008Thunderstorm Wind58 mph$6K———County
11 May 2008Strong Wind45 mph$10K———Forecast zone
18 Oct 2007Thunderstorm Wind62 mph$25K———County
2 Apr 2006Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$10K———County
22 Apr 2005Thunderstorm Wind58 mph$15K———County
5 Jul 2004Thunderstorm Wind58 mph$10K———County
26 May 2004Thunderstorm Wind69 mph$75K———County
10 Jul 2002Thunderstorm Wind58 mph$10K———County
7 Sep 2001Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$5K———County
3 Jan 2000Thunderstorm Wind86 mph$100K———County
3 Jan 2000Thunderstorm Wind100 mph$100K———County
4 Jun 1999Thunderstorm Wind—$7K———County
17 May 1999Thunderstorm Wind60 mph$35K———County
12 Jun 1998Thunderstorm Wind70 mph$25K———County
9 Jun 1998Thunderstorm Wind63 mph$20K———County
14 Jul 1997Thunderstorm Wind58 mph$5K———County

Questions and answers

How many wind events has Williamson County had?

228 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 Williamson County?

27 Apr 2026 (Thunderstorm Wind, 75 mph). Records reach NCEI about 120 days after the month ends.

What was the most damaging wind event recorded in Williamson County?

The thunderstorm wind of 8 May 2009, with property damage estimated by NCEI at $175M.

How does Williamson County compare with Illinois for wind?

54.3 events per 100 square miles against 44.8 statewide; the county holds 228 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.