Hail history for Effingham County, IL

Effingham County has 86 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 52 of them 1″ or larger and 5 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 3.0″ (tea cup) on May 6, 1971.

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 86 since 1955

1″ or larger 52 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 5 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 3.0″ tea cup · May 6, 1971

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 Effingham County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 86 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
March 22, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
February 19, 2026	1.75″	Golf ball
February 19, 2026	1.25″	Half dollar
February 19, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
February 19, 2026	2.0″	Hen egg
February 19, 2026	2.5″	Tennis ball
October 18, 2025	0.75″	Penny
September 20, 2025	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

March 14, 2025 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Hail lasted for approximately five minutes and partially covered the road.

May 17, 2001 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Hail began at Lake Sara, roughly 5 miles west of Effingham and continued into Effingham.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	3	4	5	7	24	26	16

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 Effingham County

Has it ever hailed in Effingham County?

Yes — 86 hail events have been recorded for Effingham County, IL in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1955, including 52 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Effingham County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Effingham 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 Effingham County?

3.0″ (tea cup), recorded on May 6, 1971. 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.