Thunderstorm Wind, De Kalb
- When
- May 19, 2:45 PM CST
- Where
- De Kalb County, De Kalb
- Measured
- 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- TRAINED SPOTTER
- Coordinates
- 41.933, -88.750
Flood and Hail in Illinois, May 19, 2005
16 hail, 7 thunderstorm wind, 1 flood, as filed by the National Weather Service.
Where it happened
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
- Tornadoes
- Tropical storms and surge
- Floods
- Wind
- Hail
- Winter weather
- Heat and drought
- Cold
- Fire, smoke and dust
- Marine and coastal
- Other
The toll
- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- None recorded
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 24
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Chicago, IL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 19, 1:45 PM CST, 1 hour earlier.
Area forecast discussion, May 19, 1:45 PM CST, 1 hour before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHICAGO/ROMEOVILLE IL 245 PM CDT THU MAY 19 2005 .DISCUSSION... BAND OF THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPING AND MOVING THROUGH NRN IL IN AREA THAT GOT PRETTY GOOD INSOLATION THE LAST FEW HOURS. DEWPOINTS OVER WEST CENTRAL ILLINOIS ARE MARGINAL BUT THERE IS A PRETTY GOOD MOIST AXIS ACROSS EAST HALF OF IL. THUNDERSTORMS WITH POTENTIAL FOR LARGE HAIL WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE ACROSS THE AREA NEXT FEW HOURS. THUNDERSTORMS SHOULD DIMINISH THIS EVENING WITH LACK OF HEATING AND AS UPPER LOW DROPS SE INTO INDIANA. DRYING OUT FRIDAY WITH RIDGING ACROSS WESTERN GREAT LAKES AREA. NORTHEAST WIND SHOULD BRING MORE SIGNIFICANT LAKE COOLING THAN LAST 2 DAYS. NEXT SYSTEM COMING IN SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY WITH ANOTHER UPPER LOW DEVELOPING AND DROPPING SE. CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS LATE SATURDAY NIGHT INTO SUNDAY MORNING...THEN SHOWERS POSSIBLE SUNDAY AFTERNOON AS UPPER LOW AND COLD POOL DROP SE ACROSS THE AREA. LOOKS LIKE A PROLONGED PERIOD OF CLOUDINESS INTO MON AND TUE AS UPPER LOW WOBBLES AROUND NE STATES BUT WILL NOT HAVE ANY PRECIP IN FORECAST. NEXT CHANCE OF RAIN LOOKS TO BE WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND THURSDAY. SEASONABLE TEMPS BUT LAKE COOLING ALMOST EVERYDAY FOR THE NEXT WEEK. ALLSOPP && .AVIATION... FOR 18Z TAFS...GOOD CYCLONIC CIRCULATION OVER TERMINALS TODAY. AS SFC TROF FROM WI POKES SE INTO NRN IL. THIS PROGGED TO SLOWLY DROP SOUTH AND EAST THRU TNGT. MRNG FORMATION OF LOW SC IN CNTRL IL SHIFTING EAST NOW AND OPENING NRN IL TO DIURNAL HEATING. ALREADY SHOWERS DEVELOPING NEAR DBQ. CUD BE SOME TSTMS POTENTIAL HERE BUT EXPECT BETTER CAPES SOUTH AND EAST OF TERMINALS THIS AFTN. AM LEAVING TSTMS ACTIVITY OUT OF TERMINALS FOR NOW. WILL AMEND AS DEVELOPMENT GETS UNDERWAY TO SEE COVERAGE AND LOCATION. APPEARS TO BE FORMING ON LEADING EDGE OF AC SWINGING EAST ACROSS SRN WI NRN IL. THIS WUD BE IN ORD VCNTY BTWN 2-3PM. SFC WINDS SHIFTING TO NORTH BY EVENING AS LOW DROPS SOUTH AND EAST. IFR CIGS AND MVFR VSBY IN WI SHUD MOVE OVER BORDER SHORTLY THEREAFTER AND MOVE INTO TERMINALS OVERNIGHT. AS HIGH BUILDS DOWN THRU WI/LK MICH FRIDAY...SHUD SEE SOME DRYING TO LIFT IFR CIGS AND MVFR VSBYS BY NOONTIME. THIS QUESTIONABLE BUT WILL GO ALONG WITH ETA GUIDANCE THIS FAR OUT. && .LOT...WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... .IL...NONE. .IN...NONE. .LK MI...NONE.
Hazardous weather outlook, May 19, 2:00 PM CST, 45 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...UPDATED NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHICAGO/ROMEOVILLE IL 300 PM CDT THU MAY 19 2005 ILZ003>006-008-010>014-019>022-023-032-033-039-INZ001-002-010-011-019 -201100- WINNEBAGO-BOONE-MCHENRY-LAKE IL-OGLE-LEE-DE KALB-KANE-DU PAGE-COOK- LA SALLE-KENDALL-GRUNDY-WILL-KANKAKEE-LIVINGSTON-IROQUOIS-FORD- LAKE IN-PORTER-NEWTON-JASPER-BENTON- 300 PM CDT THU MAY 19 2005 THIS PORTION OF THE HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTH CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST ILLINOIS...AND NORTHWEST INDIANA. .DAY ONE... THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT THUNDERSTORMS SHOULD CONTINUE INTO THE EVENING HOURS. THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK SOME OF THESE THUNDERSTORMS MAY BECOME SEVERE. THE MAIN THREATS WILL BE DAMAGING WIND GUSTS AND LARGE HAIL. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN... FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY THERE IS A CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY...AND AGAIN TUESDAY NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTERS MAY BE NEEDED THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. && COMPLETE FORECAST INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ON THE NWS CHICAGO WEBPAGE: WEATHER.GOV/CHICAGO (LOWER CASE) LMZ740>746-766-201100- WINTHROP HARBOR IL TO NEW BUFFALO MI- LAKE MICHIGAN- 300 PM CDT THU MAY 19 2005 THIS PORTION OF THE HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR THE ILLINOIS AND INDIANA WATERS OF LAKE MICHIGAN. .DAY ONE... THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY WILL BE IN EFFECT THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT FOR THE ILLINOIS NEARSHORE WATERS...MAINLY FOR HIGH WAVES TO 5 FEET....AND FOR THE INDIANA SHORES STARTING LATE TONIGHT. THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO REDEVELOP THIS AFTERNOON AND CONTINUE INTO THE EVENING HOURS. THESE STORMS ARE NOT EXPECTED TO BECOME SEVERE OVER LAKE MICHIGAN. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN... FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY THERE IS A CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY...AND AGAIN TUESDAY NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY. && COMPLETE FORECAST INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ON THE NWS CHICAGO WEBPAGE: WEATHER.GOV/CHICAGO (LOWER CASE)
The radar
The Chicago radar (KLOT), 66 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:47 UTC.
Event by event
16 hail, 7 thunderstorm wind, 1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Hail, Winnebago
- When
- May 19, 3:02 PM CST to 3:07 PM CST
- Where
- Winnebago County, Rockton
- Measured
- 1.75 in hail
- Reported by
- EMERGENCY MANAGER
- Coordinates
- 42.450, -89.067
Hail ranging from the size of nickels to golfballs fell across far northeast Winnebago County.
Hail, Boone
- When
- May 19, 3:17 PM CST to 3:20 PM CST
- Where
- Boone County, Poplar Grove
- Measured
- 1 in hail
- Reported by
- AMATEUR RADIO
- Coordinates
- 42.367, -88.833
Quarter size hail fell near Route 173 in central Boone County.
Hail, Will
- When
- May 19, 3:20 PM CST to 3:41 PM CST
- Where
- Will County, Plainfield
- Measured
- 1.75 in hail
- Reported by
- TRAINED SPOTTER
- Coordinates
- 41.600, -88.200
Hail ranging from the size of nickels to golfballs fell from Plainfield to Shorewood. Golfball size hail was reported in Shorewood. Quarter size hail was reported at Interstate 55 and Interstate 80. Half dollar size hail was reported at Route 59 and Theodore Road. Numerous homes received roof and siding damage from the hail.
Thunderstorm Wind, Kendall
- When
- May 19, 3:27 PM CST
- Where
- Kendall County, Yorkville
- Measured
- 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- EMERGENCY MANAGER
- Coordinates
- 41.633, -88.450
A utility pole and numerous oak trees were blown down near Walker and Schlapp Roads.
Hail, Kendall
- When
- May 19, 3:28 PM CST to 3:30 PM CST
- Where
- Kendall County, Oswego
- Measured
- 0.75 in hail
- Reported by
- EMERGENCY MANAGER
- Coordinates
- 41.683, -88.350
Penny size hail reported near Route 34.
Hail, Boone
- When
- May 19, 3:28 PM CST to 3:30 PM CST
- Where
- Boone County, Poplar Grove
- Measured
- 1 in hail
- Reported by
- EMERGENCY MANAGER
- Coordinates
- 42.367, -88.833
Thunderstorm Wind, Will
- When
- May 19, 3:30 PM CST to 3:35 PM CST
- Where
- Will County, Plainfield
- Measured
- 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- TRAINED SPOTTER
- Coordinates
- 41.600, -88.200
A gust to 60 mph was reported at Route 59 and Theodore Road. Several trees were blown down across Plainfield and the west side of Joliet, including a one foot diameter tree near Route 30 and Route 59, a large tree near Drauden and Caton Farm Roads. Part of the roof at the Plainfield South High School was damaged.
Hail, Winnebago
- When
- May 19, 3:36 PM CST to 3:39 PM CST
- Where
- Winnebago County, 2 mi NW of Durand
- Measured
- 0.88 in hail
- Reported by
- TRAINED SPOTTER
- Coordinates
- 42.450, -89.367
Nickel size hail was reported near Lake Summerset.
Thunderstorm Wind, Kendall
- When
- May 19, 3:44 PM CST
- Where
- Kendall County, 3 mi NW of Yorkville
- Measured
- 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- EMERGENCY MANAGER
- Coordinates
- 41.667, -88.483
Railroad gates were blown down near Eldmain Road and Route 34.
Hail, McHenry
- When
- May 19, 3:48 PM CST to 3:50 PM CST
- Where
- McHenry County, Woodstock
- Measured
- 0.88 in hail
- Reported by
- EMERGENCY MANAGER
- Coordinates
- 42.317, -88.450
Hail, McHenry
- When
- May 19, 4:05 PM CST to 4:07 PM CST
- Where
- McHenry County, Crystal Lake
- Measured
- 0.88 in hail
- Reported by
- EMERGENCY MANAGER
- Coordinates
- 42.233, -88.333
Hail, McHenry
- When
- May 19, 4:13 PM CST to 4:18 PM CST
- Where
- McHenry County, Crystal Lake
- Measured
- 1.75 in hail
- Reported by
- AMATEUR RADIO
- Coordinates
- 42.233, -88.333
Golfball size hail was reported covering the ground.
Hail, McHenry
- When
- May 19, 4:20 PM CST to 4:25 PM CST
- Where
- McHenry County, Cary
- Measured
- 1.25 in hail
- Reported by
- TRAINED SPOTTER
- Coordinates
- 42.200, -88.233
Half dollar size hail was reported covering the ground.
Flood, McHenry
- When
- May 19, 4:20 PM CST to 5:20 PM CST
- Where
- McHenry forecast zone
- Reported by
- TRAINED SPOTTER
- Coordinates
- 38.900, -89.417
Numerous roads were blocked in Crystal Lake due to flooding with six inches or more of standing water.
Hail, Lake
- When
- May 19, 4:44 PM CST to 4:46 PM CST
- Where
- Lake County, Barrington
- Measured
- 0.75 in hail
- Reported by
- EMERGENCY MANAGER
- Coordinates
- 42.167, -88.133
Hail, Cook
- When
- May 19, 4:44 PM CST to 4:46 PM CST
- Where
- Cook County, Barrington
- Measured
- 0.75 in hail
- Reported by
- EMERGENCY MANAGER
- Coordinates
- 42.150, -88.133
Thunderstorm Wind, Will
- When
- May 19, 4:50 PM CST
- Where
- Will County, 1 mi NE of Wilmington
- Measured
- 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- TRAINED SPOTTER
- Coordinates
- 41.333, -88.133
A gust to 60 mph was reported near Route 53 and Wilmington-Petone Road.
Hail, Kankakee
- When
- May 19, 5:03 PM CST to 5:08 PM CST
- Where
- Kankakee County, Herscher
- Measured
- 1.75 in hail
- Reported by
- NEWSPAPER
- Coordinates
- 41.050, -88.100
Golfball size hail broke windows, dented cars and damaged roofs in Herscher.
Hail, Iroquois
- When
- May 19, 5:14 PM CST to 5:19 PM CST
- Where
- Iroquois County, Chebanse
- Measured
- 2.75 in hail
- Reported by
- EMERGENCY MANAGER
- Coordinates
- 41.000, -87.917
Baseball size hail was reported near mile marker 302 on Interstate 57 at the Kankakee-Iroquois County line.
Hail, Kankakee
- When
- May 19, 5:14 PM CST to 5:19 PM CST
- Where
- Kankakee County, 8 mi S of Kankakee
- Measured
- 2.75 in hail
- Reported by
- EMERGENCY MANAGER
- Coordinates
- 41.000, -87.850
Baseball size hail was reported near mile marker 302 on Interstate 57 in Chebanse at the Kankakee-Iroquois County line.
Thunderstorm Wind, Iroquois
- When
- May 19, 5:35 PM CST
- Where
- Iroquois County, Watseka
- Measured
- 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- TRAINED SPOTTER
- Coordinates
- 40.783, -87.733
Several trees were blown down.
Hail, Iroquois
- When
- May 19, 5:48 PM CST to 5:56 PM CST
- Where
- Iroquois County, Watseka
- Measured
- 1.75 in hail
- Reported by
- TRAINED SPOTTER
- Coordinates
- 40.783, -87.733
Quarter size to Golfball size hail fell from northern Watseka to Sheldon.
Thunderstorm Wind, Iroquois
- When
- May 19, 5:50 PM CST
- Where
- Iroquois County, Sheldon
- Measured
- 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- EMERGENCY MANAGER
- Coordinates
- 40.767, -87.567
Shingles were blown off a roof.
What these are
- Thunderstorm Wind
- Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
- Hail
- Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
- Flood
- Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
The same day elsewhere
- Tornadoes and Hail in Kentucky, May 19, 2005
- Flash Flooding and Hail in Kentucky, May 19 to 20, 2005
- Lightning Strikes in Indiana, May 19, 2005
- Hail and Damaging Winds in Tennessee, May 19 to 20, 2005
- Hail and Lightning Strike in Illinois, May 19, 2005
- Lightning Strike in Florida, May 19, 2005
- Tornado and Damaging Wind in Ohio, May 19, 2005
- Flash Flooding and Flood in Indiana, May 19, 2005
- Hail in Washington, May 19, 2005
- Flooding and Damaging Winds in Kentucky, May 19, 2005
- Damaging Wind in Tennessee, May 19, 2005
- Hail in Kentucky, May 19, 2005
More
Every storm in Illinois in 2005Every state in 2005This day in weather historyWarnings in Illinois, May 2005
Sources
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5433528, 5433529, 5433530, 5433660, 5433661, 5433662, 5433663, 5433664, 5433665, 5433666, 5433667, 5433668, 5433669, 5433670, 5433671, 5433672, 5433673, 5433674, 5433675, 5433676, 5433677, 5433678, 5433789, 5433790.