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NOAA/NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER REPORTS + U.S. CENSUS DATA

Hail, Wind & Tornado Reports in and near Princeton, IL

Public hail, wind, and tornado reports in and near Princeton, IL from March 4, 1974 through March 12, 2026, sourced from NOAA/NWS Local Storm Reports and SPC storm report data.

Example: 61356 — search hail, wind and tornado public reports for any U.S. ZIP code 
Hail Reports
29
Wind Reports
69
Tornado Reports
2
Max Hail Size
3.00″
Source  NOAA SPC · NWS Local Storm Reports Coverage  Princeton, IL · 1974–present Updated  Daily · last Mar 12, 2026

Latest NWS Hail Reports in and near Princeton, IL

29 reports
Free hail report for your home →
1.00″ hail
Mar 12, 2026
12:22 AM UTC
Hail report for Princeton, IL
Bureau County · 13,483 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.).
NWS Hail Report Location: Princeton, IL
1.50″ hail
Mar 12, 2026
12:18 AM UTC
Hail report for Princeton, IL
Bureau County · 13,483 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Time estimated by radar.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1 SE Princeton, IL
2.25″ hail
Mar 12, 2026
12:07 AM UTC
Hail report for Princeton, IL
Bureau County · 13,483 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Princeton, IL
1.00″ hail
Mar 10, 2026
11:58 PM UTC
Hail report for Princeton, IL
Bureau County · 13,483 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Corrects previous hail report from Princeton.
NWS Hail Report Location: Princeton, IL
1.00″ hail
Apr 20, 2023
9:48 PM UTC
Hail report for Princeton, IL
Bureau County · 13,483 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1 SE Princeton, IL
1.00″ hail
Mar 31, 2023
8:52 PM UTC
Hail report for Princeton, IL
Bureau County · 13,483 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: RELAYED BY NWS CHICAGO.
NWS Hail Report Location: Princeton, IL
0.75″ hail
Jun 29, 2012
7:26 PM CST-6
Hail report for Princeton, IL
Bureau County · 13,483 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2.03 N Princeton, IL
0.88″ hail
May 6, 2012
1:35 PM CST-6
Hail report for Princeton, IL
Bureau County · 13,483 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: .69 N Princeton, IL
0.75″ hail
Apr 3, 2011
9:12 PM CST-6
Hail report for Princeton, IL
Bureau County · 13,483 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: .69 N Princeton, IL
1.50″ hail
Apr 3, 2011
9:05 PM CST-6
Hail report for Princeton, IL
Bureau County · 13,483 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Ping pong ball sized hail fell in Princeton, IL at 1005 pm CDT April 3.
NWS Hail Report Location: .69 N Princeton, IL
1.00″ hail
May 31, 2008
9:35 PM CST-6
Hail report for Princeton, IL
Bureau County · 13,483 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Quarter-sized hail fell about one mile west southwest of Princeton, IL around 10:35 pm May 31.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1 WSW Princeton, IL
0.88″ hail
Mar 1, 2007
2:55 AM CST-6
Hail report for Princeton, IL
Bureau County · 13,483 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2.69 WNW Princeton, IL
1.00″ hail
Oct 2, 2006
9:50 PM CST-6
Hail report for Princeton, IL
Bureau County · 13,483 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: At the Princeton exit on I-80.
NWS Hail Report Location: .69 N Princeton, IL
1.50″ hail
Oct 2, 2006
9:00 PM CST-6
Hail report for Princeton, IL
Bureau County · 13,483 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: On I-180 just south of Princeton, ping pong size hail cracked a windshield.
NWS Hail Report Location: .69 N Princeton, IL
0.88″ hail
Oct 2, 2006
8:45 PM CST-6
Hail report for Princeton, IL
Bureau County · 13,483 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Nickel hail was mixed with smaller size hail.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1.38 N Princeton, IL
Showing 15 of 29
Hail Damage Risk for Your Home +

Hail reports describe hail by diameter, often comparing stone size to familiar objects like peas, quarters, golf balls, and softballs. Use this guide as a starting point for possible hail damage to your roof, siding, gutters, vents, windows, and exterior. Actual hail damage depends on hail hardness, density, wind speed, impact angle, roof age, shingle condition, roof pitch, roofing material, installation quality, and prior storm damage.

Pea
0.25″
Low

Usually too small to cause hail damage to most sound asphalt roofs, siding, or gutters.

Mothball
0.50″
Sub-Severe Watch

Below the NWS severe-hail threshold, but not always harmless. Repeated small hail can scuff surfaces, wear aging shingles, and loosen protective granules over time.

Penny
0.75″
Minor / Watch

Below the NWS severe-hail threshold, but roof hail damage is still possible on older, brittle, poorly installed, or previously damaged shingles. May also mark screens, vents, gutters, and soft metal.

Nickel
0.88″
Minor / Watch

Still below the severe-hail threshold, but large enough to leave visible marks on soft metal and add wear to older or hail-weakened roof shingles.

Quarter
1.00″
Watch

The NWS severe-hail threshold. Quarter-size hail can bruise shingles, dent soft metal, and create roof hail damage worth checking.

Half Dollar
1.25″
Watch

More likely to dent gutters, vents, flashing, and siding. Hail damage risk rises quickly on older roofs or hail-weakened shingles.

Ping Pong / Walnut
1.50″
Likely

Hail damage becomes more likely, including bruised shingles, granule loss, dented siding, and damaged roof vents.

Golf Ball
1.75″
Likely

Often causes roof hail damage, cracked shingles, dented gutters, damaged flashing, and siding impacts. A roof inspection is recommended.

Hen Egg
2.00″
Serious

Can crack or puncture shingles, expose mat, dent siding, and cause widespread hail damage across the roof and exterior.

Tennis Ball
2.50″
Serious

Can cause heavy roof hail damage, punctured siding, broken skylights, damaged vents, and widespread exterior damage.

Baseball
2.75″
Major

Major hail damage is likely, including severe roof impacts, damaged siding, broken windows, and possible major roof repairs.

Tea Cup / Large Apple
3.00″
Major

Can cause heavy hail damage across the roof, siding, gutters, windows, and exterior. Significant repairs are often needed.

Softball
4.00″
Extreme

Destructive hail damage. Can severely damage roofing materials, siding, windows, gutters, vents, vehicles, and exterior surfaces.

Grapefruit
4.50″
Extreme

Catastrophic hail damage risk for roofs, windows, vehicles, siding, gutters, and exterior surfaces.

Source: NOAA / National Weather Service hail size references are used for hail-size comparisons and the 1.00″ severe-hail threshold. Damage descriptions are general homeowner guidance, not official NOAA/NWS damage ratings. Sub-severe hail under 1.00″ is below the severe threshold, but that does not mean “no roof damage.” Penny- to nickel-size hail can still contribute to granule loss, cosmetic surface marks, and added wear, especially on older, brittle, poorly installed, or previously damaged roofs.

Latest NWS Wind Reports in and near Princeton, IL

30 reports
Free hail report + wind check →
UNK mph
Jul 15, 2025
1:00 AM UTC
Wind report for Princeton, IL
Bureau County · 13,483 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Reports of several trees and power lines down throughout the county.
NWS Wind Report Location: Princeton, IL
UNK mph
Jul 12, 2025
3:19 AM UTC
Wind report for Princeton, IL
Bureau County · 13,483 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Utility pole snapped near Rt 26 and Progress Drive. Time estimated from radar.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 NNW Princeton, IL
UNK mph
Jul 12, 2025
3:10 AM UTC
Wind report for Princeton, IL
Bureau County · 13,483 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Large tree snapped at base and over a fence post. Time estimated from radar.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 NNW Princeton, IL
UNK mph
Jun 16, 2024
8:35 PM UTC
Wind report for Princeton, IL
Bureau County · 13,483 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Reports of trees down in Princeton. Time based on radar.
NWS Wind Report Location: Princeton, IL
UNK mph
Jul 4, 2022
6:57 PM UTC
Wind report for Princeton, IL
Bureau County · 13,483 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: 12 INCH DIAMETER TREE DOWN. RELAYED BY LOT.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 S Princeton, IL
100 mph
Aug 10, 2020
7:25 PM UTC
Wind report for Princeton, IL
Bureau County · 13,483 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: DELAYED REPORT. 150 FOOT COMMUNICATIONS TOWER COLLAPSED. TOWER WAS RATED TO 90 MPH. TIME ESTIMATED.
NWS Wind Report Location: Princeton, IL
110 mph
Aug 10, 2020
7:25 PM UTC
Wind report for Princeton, IL
Bureau County · 13,483 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: DELAYED REPORT. NUMEROUS POWER POLES SNAPPED IN PRINCETON. TIME ESTIMATED.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 ENE Princeton, IL
UNK mph
Aug 10, 2020
6:35 PM UTC
Wind report for Princeton, IL
Bureau County · 13,483 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: LARGE TREE WAS UPROOTED IN A FRONT YARD... PULLING UP A LOT OF THE GROUND AND CONCRETE THERE.
NWS Wind Report Location: Princeton, IL
UNK mph
Jun 3, 2020
1:50 PM UTC
Wind report for Princeton, IL
Bureau County · 13,483 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: REPORTED POWER OUT ON THE NORTHWEST SIDE OF TOWN. THERE WAS A 2 INCH TREE DIAMETER TREE LIMB DOWN IN THE DRIVEWAY. ALSO... HEAVY RAIN AND PEA SIZE HAIL.
NWS Wind Report Location: NW Princeton, IL
UNK mph
Jun 3, 2020
1:15 PM UTC
Wind report for Princeton, IL
Bureau County · 13,483 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: TREE DOWN OVER THE STREET AND SEVERAL SMALLER BRANCHES ALSO DOWN.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 SE Princeton, IL
UNK mph
Jun 3, 2020
1:15 PM UTC
Wind report for Princeton, IL
Bureau County · 13,483 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: NUMEROUS TREES DOWN IN TOWN WITH POWER OUTAGES REPORTED.
NWS Wind Report Location: Princeton, IL
UNK mph
Jun 3, 2020
1:11 PM UTC
Wind report for Princeton, IL
Bureau County · 13,483 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: CORRECTS THE TIME FROM THE PREVIOUS TSTM WND DMG REPORT FROM NW PRINCETON. REPORTED POWER OUT ON THE NORTHWEST SIDE OF TOWN. THERE WAS A 2 INCH TREE DIAMETER TREE LIMB DOWN IN THE DRIVEWAY. ALSO... HEAVY RAIN AND PEA SIZE HAIL.
NWS Wind Report Location: NW Princeton, IL
UNK mph
Jun 5, 2019
4:52 AM UTC
Wind report for Princeton, IL
Bureau County · 13,483 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: TREE DOWN ON POWERLINES CAUSING THEM TO ARC.
NWS Wind Report Location: Princeton, IL
UNK mph
Jun 5, 2019
4:38 AM UTC
Wind report for Princeton, IL
Bureau County · 13,483 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: CORRECTS PREVIOUS TSTM WND DMG REPORT FROM 3 N PRINCETON. TREE DOWN BLOCKING HIGHWAY 26.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 N Princeton, IL
UNK mph
Jun 4, 2019
4:38 PM UTC
Wind report for Princeton, IL
Bureau County · 13,483 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: TREE DOWN BLOCKING HIGHWAY 26.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 N Princeton, IL
Showing 15 of 30
Wind Damage Risk for Your Home +

Storm reports list thunderstorm wind gusts in mph. The NWS marks storms as severe at 58+ mph, but wind damage to your home depends on roof age, shingle condition, installation, exposure, nearby trees, and prior hail or wind damage.

Below Severe
Under 58 mph
Minor

Usually little damage to a sound roof, but loose shingles, flashing, or debris may shift.

Severe
58–74 mph
Watch

Can loosen shingles, lift flashing, break limbs, and damage gutters, siding, fences, or trim.

Damaging
75–90 mph
Serious

Can peel shingles, damage vents, tear siding, rip gutters, and expose weak roof areas.

Extreme
90+ mph
Major

Can cause major roof covering loss, tree damage, broken windows, and structural damage.

Source: NOAA / National Weather Service storm reports. Gusts may be measured or estimated; actual wind damage varies by roof condition, exposure, and prior hail or wind damage.

Latest NWS Tornado Reports in and near Princeton, IL

2 reports
EF1 category
Jul 24, 2009
8:50 PM CST-6
Tornado report for Princeton, IL
Bureau County · 13,483 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: On the evening of July 24, a line of severe thunderstorms moved through Bureau County. This line intensified over Princeton, IL producing a series of down-bursts which resulted in straight-line winds of 80 to 90 mph and the formation of a brief EF1 tornado with wind speeds estimated to be around 105 mph. The tornado formed in a field southeast of town around 950 pm and tracked east southeast where it caused damage to a farmstead near Highway 26. It dissipated in a field east of Highway 26 around 955 pm. The farm had one barn completely destroyed. Debris from the barn damaged the house and some vehicles. A two by six board was driven into the side of the garage. A grain bin just north of the house was also destroyed. Trees and power poles at the property were snapped.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 1.7 SSW Princeton Piper Arpt, IL
F1 category
Apr 30, 1997
2:40 PM CST
Tornado report for Princeton, IL
Bureau County · 13,483 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 13 S Princeton, IL
Showing 2 of 2
Tornado Damage Risk for Your Home +

After a tornado, the National Weather Service assigns an EF rating from EF0 to EF5 based on surveyed damage. The rating estimates wind speed from what the tornado damaged, so actual damage can vary by construction quality, roof age, garage doors, windows, trees, debris, and how close the home was to the tornado path.

EF0
65–85 mph
Light

Can peel shingles, damage gutters or siding, break tree limbs, and toss loose outdoor items.

EF1
86–110 mph
Moderate

Can strip roof covering, damage exterior doors, break windows, snap trees, and cause heavier siding or gutter damage.

EF2
111–135 mph
Serious

Can tear off large sections of roofing, break or uproot trees, destroy weaker structures, and cause major exterior damage.

EF3–EF5
136+ mph
Severe

Can remove roofs and walls, destroy large portions of homes, toss vehicles, and cause severe to total destruction near the path.

Source: NOAA / National Weather Service. EF ratings are assigned after a post-storm damage survey and are based on observed damage, not a direct measurement at every home.

NWS Hail, Wind and Tornado Reports in and near Princeton, IL on the Interactive Map

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Browse ZIP Codes with NWS Storm Reports in Princeton

61356 122
Princeton, IL Hail, wind & tornado reports

NWS Storm Reports & Census Data

U.S. Census Data · City

Princeton, IL area census snapshot

People & households
Population7,829
Households3,443
Housing units3,746
Income
Median household income$57,682
$100k+ households34.9%
$150k+ households11.9%
Housing stock
Single-family detached2,724
Attached single-family86
Small multifamily500
Large multifamily285
Mobile homes151
Housing mix
Single-family share72.7%
Attached-home share2.3%
Multifamily share21.0%
Mobile-home share4.0%
Ownership & occupancy
Owner-occupied2,458
Renter-occupied985
Vacant units303
Home value & age
Median home value$131,300
Owner homes $300k+4.1%
Owner homes $500k+0.5%
Owner homes $750k+0.5%
Median year built1963
Older-home share78.2%
Vehicle context
Households with cars3,100
Free hail maps

This snapshot is for local area context only and describes the selected state, county, city, or ZIP area — not a specific home or property. For ZIP-level estimated hail impact, use Free Hail Maps to generate a hail report with key impact details for that ZIP.

Frequently asked questions

for homeowners, buyers & sellers
How many hail, wind, and tornado reports does Princeton have on record?

Our records show 29 hail, 69 wind, and 2 tornado reports in and near Princeton, IL, compiled from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. The most recent was reported on March 12, 2026.

What is the largest hail ever reported in Princeton?

The largest hail size in these storm-report records in and near Princeton, IL is 3.00″. It was reported near Princeton, IL on April 13, 1981.

A storm report showed up near my home in Princeton — does that mean my roof is damaged?

Not necessarily. A storm report only means hail, wind, or a tornado was observed nearby; it does not confirm damage at any specific address, and conditions change from block to block. Check an address-level hail report first, and if it looks significant, find a local pro that serves Princeton and ask about a Remote Hail Inspection before anyone climbs on the roof.

I am buying a home in Princeton — why should I look at its storm history?

Recent hail or wind can leave a roof or exterior with damage that is easy to miss during a walkthrough, and a recent roof replacement is sometimes an insurance job after a storm. Reviewing the storm history for a Princeton address before closing helps you ask informed questions about roof age, past repairs, and any prior claims.

I am selling a home in Princeton — how does this help me?

Knowing the storm history for your address lets you answer buyer questions with confidence, document repairs you have already made, and decide whether a pre-listing roof check is worthwhile. A clear hail history removes a common sticking point during negotiations.

How do I check hail history for a specific Princeton address?

Use the address search to pull a free address-level hail report for any property in Princeton — no phone number or email required. It shows recent hail activity for that address so you know whether a closer roof or exterior review makes sense.

Where does this storm report data come from, and what are its limits?

Storm reports on this page are public reports from storm events across Princeton, IL, sourced from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. They show where hail, wind, or tornado activity was reported in Princeton, but they do not confirm damage at any specific property. Report locations, sizes, and times may be approximate and can vary from what an individual home experienced. For property-specific hail history, use an address-level hail report or contact a participating local professional for a remote hail inspection. Pros inclusion is not an endorsement, and contacting a professional does not confirm damage at any property.

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