March 26, 2023: Strong to Severe Storms Produce Hail Near and Along the I-80 Corridor

Overview

During the afternoon of Sunday, March 26, numerous thunderstorms developed across parts of northern Illinois, eventually tracking into northwest Indiana.

Some of these storms became severe, particularly those that tracked eastward along a stationary frontal boundary located near the I-80 corridor.

Most of the storm reports received were for hail with numerous reports of hail to the size of peas to nickels. In some instances, hail fell heavily enough to cover the ground. The largest reported hailstones were the size of half dollars (1.25" in diameter).

Thank you to all who provided real-time storm reports and information!

Storm Reports
Meteorology and Photos
Additional Info

Storm Reports

Preliminary Storm Reports from March 26, 2023

	PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
	NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHICAGO IL
	717 PM CDT SUN MAR 26 2023
	
	..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
	..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
				..REMARKS..
	
	0304 PM     HAIL             1 SE DAYTON             41.37N 88.78W
	03/26/2023  E0.75 INCH       LA SALLE           IL   TRAINED SPOTTER
	
	
	
	0329 PM     HAIL             MARSEILLES              41.33N 88.71W
	03/26/2023  E0.70 INCH       LA SALLE           IL   PUBLIC
	
	
	
	0333 PM     HAIL             3 NW SHOREWOOD          41.55N 88.24W
	03/26/2023  E0.75 INCH       WILL               IL   PUBLIC
	
				REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
	
	0350 PM     HAIL             1 E PARK FOREST         41.48N 87.68W
	03/26/2023  E0.50 INCH       COOK               IL   PUBLIC
	
				SEVERAL REPORTS OF PEA TO DIME SIZE HAIL.
	
	0355 PM     HAIL             4 NW SHOREWOOD          41.55N 88.26W
	03/26/2023  E1.25 INCH       KENDALL            IL   TRAINED SPOTTER
	
				HAIL WAS STILL 1 IN DIAMETER ON THE GROUND
				45 MINUTES AFTER HAIL FELL. TIME ESTIMATED
				BY RADAR.
	
	0358 PM     HAIL             4 SW PLAINFIELD         41.56N 88.26W
	03/26/2023  M1.00 INCH       WILL               IL   TRAINED SPOTTER
	
				TIME ESTIMATED BY RADAR.
	
	0358 PM     HAIL             SHERIDAN                41.53N 88.68W
	03/26/2023  E1.00 INCH       LA SALLE           IL   TRAINED SPOTTER
	
	
	
	0400 PM     HAIL             4 SW PLAINFIELD         41.56N 88.26W
	03/26/2023  E0.88 INCH       WILL               IL   PUBLIC
	
	
	
	0400 PM     HAIL             1 W MONEE               41.42N 87.78W
	03/26/2023  E0.50 INCH       WILL               IL   PUBLIC
	
				PEA TO DIME SIZE HAIL.
	
	0400 PM     HAIL             SHERIDAN                41.53N 88.67W
	03/26/2023  E1.25 INCH       LA SALLE           IL   PUBLIC
	
				PHOTO SHOWING HAIL LARGER THAN 1 IN DIAMETER
				IN SHERIDAN. TIME ESTIMATED BY RADAR.
	
	0405 PM     HAIL             1 ESE HEGESWISCH - CHIC 41.65N 87.53W
	03/26/2023  E0.50 INCH       COOK               IL   PUBLIC
	
				REPORT FROM MPING: HALF-INCH (0.50 IN.).
	
	0407 PM     HAIL             2 N HOMER GLEN          41.63N 87.94W
	03/26/2023  E0.50 INCH       WILL               IL   PUBLIC
	
				REPORT FROM MPING: HALF-INCH (0.50 IN.).
	
	0407 PM     HAIL             3 WSW PALOS PARK        41.66N 87.88W
	03/26/2023  E0.50 INCH       COOK               IL   PUBLIC
	
				REPORT FROM MPING: HALF-INCH (0.50 IN.).
	
	0412 PM     HAIL             LANSING                 41.57N 87.54W
	03/26/2023  E0.88 INCH       COOK               IL   PUBLIC
	
	
	
	0412 PM     HAIL             PALOS PARK              41.67N 87.83W
	03/26/2023  E0.50 INCH       COOK               IL   PUBLIC
	
	
	
	0415 PM     HAIL             2 WSW ROMEOVILLE        41.64N 88.12W
	03/26/2023  E1.00 INCH       WILL               IL   PUBLIC
	
				SEVERAL REPORTS OF 1 HAIL IN ROMEOVILLE.
				TIME ESTIMATED BY RADAR.
	
	0421 PM     HAIL             1 W NWS CHICAGO-ROMEOVI 41.60N 88.11W
	03/26/2023  E0.75 INCH       WILL               IL   OFFICIAL NWS OBS
	
				PEA TO PENNY SIZE HAIL.
	
	0422 PM     HAIL             1 SW JOLIET             41.52N 88.10W
	03/26/2023  E0.88 INCH       WILL               IL   TRAINED SPOTTER
	
	
	
	0424 PM     HAIL             1 W NWS CHICAGO-ROMEOVI 41.60N 88.10W
	03/26/2023  M0.88 INCH       WILL               IL   PUBLIC
	
	
	
	0430 PM     HAIL             3 SW OSWEGO             41.65N 88.39W
	03/26/2023  E0.75 INCH       KENDALL            IL   PUBLIC
	
				REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
	
	0434 PM     HAIL             3 E LOCKPORT            41.59N 88.01W
	03/26/2023  E0.50 INCH       WILL               IL   PUBLIC
	
				REPORT FROM MPING: HALF-INCH (0.50 IN.).
	
	0437 PM     HAIL             3 S OSWEGO              41.64N 88.35W
	03/26/2023  E0.50 INCH       KENDALL            IL   PUBLIC
	
				REPORT FROM MPING: HALF-INCH (0.50 IN.).
	
	0440 PM     HAIL             BRAIDWOOD               41.26N 88.21W
	03/26/2023  E0.75 INCH       WILL               IL   EMERGENCY MNGR
	
	
	
	0450 PM     HAIL             1 SE WILMINGTON         41.30N 88.13W
	03/26/2023  E0.88 INCH       WILL               IL   BROADCAST MEDIA
	
	
	
	0451 PM     HAIL             1 ENE SYMERTON          41.33N 88.04W
	03/26/2023  E1.00 INCH       WILL               IL   PUBLIC
	
				NICKEL TO QUARTER SIZE HAIL FALLING.
	
	0504 PM     HAIL             PEOTONE                 41.34N 87.79W
	03/26/2023  M1.00 INCH       WILL               IL   TRAINED SPOTTER
	
				REPORT OF THREE-QUARTER TO ONE INCH DIAMETER
				HAIL.
	
	0512 PM     HAIL             1 E MONEE               41.42N 87.74W
	03/26/2023  E0.88 INCH       WILL               IL   PUBLIC
	
				TIME ESTIMATED BY RADAR.
	
	0520 PM     HAIL             CRETE                   41.45N 87.63W
	03/26/2023  E0.70 INCH       WILL               IL   PUBLIC
	
	
	
	0523 PM     HAIL             1 WNW GOODENOW          41.39N 87.65W
	03/26/2023  U0.75 INCH       WILL               IL   PUBLIC
	
				REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
	
	0525 PM     HAIL             ST. JOHN                41.45N 87.47W
	03/26/2023  M1.00 INCH       LAKE               IN   COCORAHS
	
	
	
	0535 PM     HAIL             1 S ST. JOHN            41.44N 87.47W
	03/26/2023  E0.75 INCH       LAKE               IN   PUBLIC
	
				REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
	
	0535 PM     HAIL             2 WNW CEDAR LAKE        41.38N 87.47W
	03/26/2023  E0.75 INCH       LAKE               IN   TRAINED SPOTTER
	
	
	
	0537 PM     HAIL             2 SSE ST. JOHN          41.42N 87.45W
	03/26/2023  E1.00 INCH       LAKE               IN   TRAINED SPOTTER
	
				PEA TO JUST OVER QUARTER SIZE HAIL FELL WITH
				WIND GUSTS OF 30 TO 40 MPH.
	
	0538 PM     HAIL             CROWN POINT             41.42N 87.36W
	03/26/2023  E1.00 INCH       LAKE               IN   PUBLIC
	
	
	
	0555 PM     HAIL             LAKES OF THE FOUR SEASO 41.41N 87.22W
	03/26/2023  E0.75 INCH       LAKE               IN   TRAINED SPOTTER
	
	
	0548 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 WSW BOONE GROVE       41.34N 87.16W
	03/26/2023                   PORTER             IN   PUBLIC
	
				WOODEN POWERLINE POLES SNAPPED.
	
	&&
	
	$$

Meteorology and Photos


Satellite loop with surface observations overlaid. Loop runs from 1 to 6 PM CDT.	Analysis of mixed-layer CAPE (a measure of instability) showing just enough to support low-topped thunderstorms.	Analysis of deep layer wind shear showing values of 40-50 kt, supportive of organized supercells.


Storm near Beecher, IL (courtesy of Michigan Storm Chasers: Chandler Bos and Alex Melendez)	Accumulating hail from Lansing, IL (courtesy of @michaelwx6)

Additional Info

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Thunderstorms and Heavy Rainfall in the Mid-Atlantic and Southern New England; Fire Weather Concerns in the West

March 26, 2023: Strong to Severe Storms Produce Hail Near and Along the I-80 Corridor