Hail history for Bureau County, IL

Bureau County has 157 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 108 of them 1″ or larger and 13 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.0″ (softball) on July 13, 2004.

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 157 since 1972

1″ or larger 108 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 13 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.0″ softball · July 13, 2004

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 Bureau County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 157 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 17, 2026	1.75″	Golf ball
March 31, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
March 10, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
March 10, 2026	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
March 10, 2026	2.25″	Tennis ball
March 10, 2026	2.0″	Hen egg
March 10, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
May 15, 2025	2.0″	Hen egg

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

From the storm reports

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

April 17, 2026 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

The time was estimated from radar data.

September 22, 2005 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Also reported by emergency manager, law enforcement, and the fire department.Hail across Princeton ranged from 1.00 inch to 2.75 inches with the most significant hail damage on the south side of the city. State police also reported golfball sized hail (1.75 inch) at the Princeton exit on Interstate 80 (exit 56).

July 13, 2004 · 4.0″ (softball)

Hailstone was measured

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	3	5	15	61	38	35

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 Bureau County

Has it ever hailed in Bureau County?

Yes — 157 hail events have been recorded for Bureau County, IL in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1972, including 108 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Bureau County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Bureau County, IL is April 17, 2026, with 1.75″ (golf ball) 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 Bureau County?

4.0″ (softball), recorded on July 13, 2004. 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.