Hail history for Coles County, IL

Coles County has 116 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 64 of them 1″ or larger and 5 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.5″ (tennis ball) on July 9, 1992.

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 116 since 1955

1″ or larger 64 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 5 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.5″ tennis ball · July 9, 1992

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 Coles County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 116 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
March 22, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
March 22, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
May 16, 2025	1.25″	Half dollar
March 13, 2024	1.25″	Half dollar
March 13, 2024	1.75″	Golf ball
March 13, 2024	0.75″	Penny
July 25, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
July 20, 2023	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

March 13, 2024 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Golf ball-sized hail at Bent Tree Golf Course.

May 14, 2003 · 2.0″ (hen egg)

Several rounds of hail fell between Charleston and Ashmore. The stones ranged in size from three quarters of an inch to 2 inches in diameter.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	0	3	6	15	42	34	15

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 Coles County

Has it ever hailed in Coles County?

Yes — 116 hail events have been recorded for Coles County, IL in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1955, including 64 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Coles County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Coles County, IL is March 22, 2026, 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 Coles County?

2.5″ (tennis ball), recorded on July 9, 1992. Hail that size meets or exceeds the National Weather Service severe threshold. 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.