Hail history for Adams County, IL

Adams County has 191 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 115 of them 1″ or larger and 11 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.5″ (grapefruit) on May 11, 2016.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month May

Core sample · every recorded event, 1955–2026

Mark size = measured hail diameter; slivers are events with no recorded size. Amber ≥2″, red ≥2.75″ (baseball class). Denser recent decades partly reflect better reporting, not only more storms.

Recorded events 191 since 1961

1″ or larger 115 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 11 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.5″ grapefruit · May 11, 2016

Read the record honestly: Storm Events contains what was reported to the National Weather Service. Sparse or rural counties under-report, and coverage improved sharply after the mid-1990s — a quiet-looking stretch is not proof nothing fell.

When it hails in Adams County

Recorded events by month, 1950–present. The amber bar marks Adams County's peak: May.

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 191 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
May 19, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
May 2, 2024	1.25″	Half dollar
June 24, 2023	2.0″	Hen egg
April 20, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
April 4, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
March 31, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
March 31, 2023	3.5″	Softball
March 31, 2023	1.0″	Quarter

Looking for a specific storm? Use the did-it-hail date lookup for Adams County.

From the storm reports

Narratives as filed with the NOAA Storm Events Database (public records; lightly trimmed for length).

June 24, 2023 · 2.0″ (hen egg)

Large hail up to two inches in diameter fell across Quincy.

March 31, 2023 · 3.5″ (softball)

A wide swath of large hail fell across southern portions of Adams County. Hail stones were up to 3.5 inches in diameter. The large hail fell in Plainville, Richfield, Kingston, Beverly and Chestine.

May 11, 2016 · 4.5″ (grapefruit)

A wide swath of large hail fell across the southern half of Adams County. The largest hailstone was 4.5 inches in Payson. Two inch hail was reported in Kellerville.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	8	3	11	29	71	57	12

The climb across decades is largely a reporting story: spotter networks, radar, and digital filing pulled far more storms into the record after the 1990s.

Questions about hail in Adams County

Has it ever hailed in Adams County?

Yes — 191 hail events have been recorded for Adams County, IL in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1961, including 115 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Adams County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Adams County, IL is May 19, 2025, with 1.0″ (quarter) hail. The database is currently updated through April 2026, so a storm from the last few weeks may not appear yet. To check a specific day, use the did-it-hail date lookup.

What is the largest hail ever recorded in Adams County?

4.5″ (grapefruit), recorded on May 11, 2016. Hail that size is destructive-class and typically damages roofs, vehicles, and siding. See how big that really is on the actual-size hail chart.

Does a recorded hail event mean my roof was damaged?

No. This page reports storm records, not damage. Hail size and damage vary block by block within a county, and only an inspection can establish what happened to a specific roof. If you suspect damage, talk to your insurer or a licensed roofer — they can pull the same NOAA records for your claim.

More Illinois hail history

All 102 Illinois counties, ranked by recorded hail →

Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events Database, public domain, updated monthly by NCEI — this site's copy runs through April 2026. HailHistory reports records; it does not give insurance advice or assess damage.