Chicagoland storm season calendar — when hail, wind, and severe weather are most likely. How to prepare your roof and exterior.
Chicagoland experiences severe weather from approximately April through September, with peak storm activity in May through July. Here's what to expect and how to prepare.
Storm Season Calendar
April-May: Storm season begins. First severe thunderstorms bring hail, straight-line winds, and occasional tornadoes. This is the most common time for the first significant hail events of the year.
June-July: Peak severe weather months. The combination of heat, humidity, and upper-level disturbances produces the strongest and most damaging storms. Large hail (golf-ball sized or bigger), damaging winds exceeding 70 mph, and tornadoes are most common in this window.
August-September: Storm frequency begins tapering but strong individual storms still occur. Late-season severe weather can be particularly intense when early-fall cold fronts collide with lingering summer heat and moisture.
How to Prepare
- Get your roof inspected before storm season — a professional can identify weak spots before they become leak points during a storm. Our inspections are free. Schedule a free inspection →
- Clean your gutters — clogged gutters cause water backup that damages fascia, soffit, and siding during heavy rains
- Document your home's condition — take photos of your roof, siding, and windows before storm season. This "before" documentation is valuable if you need to file an insurance claim later.
- Review your insurance policy — know your wind/hail deductible and what's covered before you need to file a claim
After a Storm
If your area gets hit by hail or damaging winds, call a local contractor (not a storm chaser) for a free inspection. We handle the entire insurance claim process from inspection through installation. Learn about our insurance claim process →
Document before anything else
Insurance decisions are made on evidence. Note the date of the storm, photograph dents in gutters, vents and the air conditioner, and keep any hailstones in the freezer or photograph them next to a coin. Save weather alerts from that day. If something needs a temporary repair to prevent more damage, keep the receipts. Then get a professional inspection with photos of every slope before the adjuster comes.
Know what you are signing
After a big storm, crews from out of state go door to door. Some are fine; many leave when the work dries up, and their warranties leave with them. Before signing anything, read it. A contingency agreement can commit you to that contractor if the claim is approved. Check that the company has a local address, references nearby and insurance, and never sign over your claim payment. In Illinois a contractor cannot lawfully offer to pay or waive your deductible.
A ten-minute walk around the house
Twice a year, walk the outside slowly. Look up at the roof edges for lifted shingles and sagging gutters. Look at the siding for cracks, gaps and soft spots near the ground. Check caulk around windows and doors. Look down at the foundation for soil that has settled toward the house and downspouts that have come loose. Photograph anything that has changed since last time. Small problems caught in a walk-around are cheap; the same problems found by a leak are not.
Common questions
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