Hail history for Brown County, IL

Brown County has 52 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 33 of them 1″ or larger and 3 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.75″ (baseball) on July 9, 2021.

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 52 since 1974

1″ or larger 33 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 3 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.75″ baseball · July 9, 2021

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 Brown County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 52 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
June 25, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
June 13, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
June 24, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
May 7, 2023	1.75″	Golf ball
March 31, 2023	2.0″	Hen egg
July 9, 2021	2.75″	Baseball
May 3, 2021	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
December 1, 2018	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

March 31, 2023 · 2.0″ (hen egg)

A wide swath of large hail up to two inches in diameter fell across the central portions of Brown County. The hail fell in Mt. Sterling, Hersman, Gilbirds, Jaques and Versailles.

July 9, 2021 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Hail up to baseball size fell over Mt. Sterling and surrounding areas causing widespread damage to several dozen vehicles, buildings and crops. At least one farmer lost about a 1000 acres of corn and soybeans due to the large hail.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	1	1	15	15	13	7

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 Brown County

Has it ever hailed in Brown County?

Yes — 52 hail events have been recorded for Brown County, IL in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1974, including 33 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Brown County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Brown County, IL is June 25, 2024, 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 Brown County?

2.75″ (baseball), recorded on July 9, 2021. 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.