Hail history for DeKalb County, IL

DeKalb County has 88 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 53 of them 1″ or larger and 3 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.75″ (baseball) on April 4, 2023.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month April

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 88 since 1970

1″ or larger 53 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 3 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.75″ baseball · April 4, 2023

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 DeKalb County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 88 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 14, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
April 14, 2026	1.25″	Half dollar
April 14, 2026	1.25″	Half dollar
April 14, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
March 31, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
March 10, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
March 4, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
February 27, 2024	1.25″	Half dollar

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

From the storm reports

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

March 4, 2024 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Quarter size hail was reported southwest of Kirkland. Some melting occurred prior to the observation.

February 27, 2024 · 2.0″ (hen egg)

Photo received via social media shows 2 hail.

April 7, 2020 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Golf ball size hail was reported at Peace Road and Route 23.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	2	7	7	26	27	19

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 DeKalb County

Has it ever hailed in DeKalb County?

Yes — 88 hail events have been recorded for DeKalb County, IL in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1970, including 53 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in DeKalb County?

The most recent recorded hail event for DeKalb County, IL is April 14, 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 DeKalb County?

2.75″ (baseball), recorded on April 4, 2023. 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.