HailHistoryHail by countyIllinois › Edwards County

Illinois · county FIPS 17047

Hail history for Edwards County, IL

Edwards County has 37 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 19 of them 1″ or larger and 4 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.75″ (baseball) on May 3, 1996.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month April
Core sample · every recorded event, 1955–2026
1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s 1955 through 2026 largest · 2.75″ baseball May 3, 1996

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 37 since 1955
1″ or larger 19 NWS severe threshold
2″ or larger 4 hen egg class and up
Largest recorded 2.75 baseball · May 3, 1996
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 Edwards County

Jan 1 Feb 4 Mar 9 Apr 6 May 7 Jun 4 Jul 4 Aug Sep 1 Oct 1 Nov Dec

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 37 recorded events · data through April 2026
DateSizeComparable to
1.75″ Golf ball
1.0″ Quarter
1.25″ Half dollar
0.75″ Penny
0.75″ Penny
1.75″ Golf ball
0.88″ Nickel
1.75″ Golf ball

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

From the storm reports

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

· 1.75″ (golf ball)

A trained spotter reported quarter size hail. The general public reported golf ball size hail.

· 1.75″ (golf ball)

Golf-ball size hail was reported by a trained spotter.

Events by decade

1950s1960s1970s1980s1990s2000s2010s2020s
201551374

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 Edwards County

Has it ever hailed in Edwards County?

Yes — 37 hail events have been recorded for Edwards County, IL in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1955, including 19 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Edwards County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Edwards County, IL is July 2, 2023, 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 Edwards County?

2.75″ (baseball), recorded on May 3, 1996. 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.