Hail history for Fayette County, IL

Fayette County has 65 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 45 of them 1″ or larger and 5 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.75″ (baseball) on May 25, 1989.

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 65 since 1955

1″ or larger 45 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 5 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.75″ baseball · May 25, 1989

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 Fayette County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 65 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
February 19, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
March 14, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
April 7, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
March 14, 2024	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
August 6, 2023	1.25″	Half dollar
May 14, 2023	1.25″	Half dollar
April 3, 2018	0.75″	Penny
April 2, 2015	0.75″	Penny

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

From the storm reports

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

August 6, 2023 · 1.25″ (half dollar)

There were numerous hail reports between Vandalia and Brownstown at around 6PM CST. Hail in Vandalia was sub-severe, but the storm intensified and produced 1.00 to 1.25 in diameter hail in Brownstown.

July 18, 2003 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Hail up to golfball size fell in the Ramsey area. Some roofs and the siding of homes were damaged by the hail. Crops in area fields were also damaged. It was estimated that about 8000 acres of corn and 8000 acres of soybeans were damaged. Dollar estimates of the crop damage was not available.

April 24, 2002 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

The County Sheriff reported golfball size hail.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	1	2	6	9	26	14	6

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 Fayette County

Has it ever hailed in Fayette County?

Yes — 65 hail events have been recorded for Fayette County, IL in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1955, including 45 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Fayette County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Fayette County, IL is February 19, 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 Fayette County?

2.75″ (baseball), recorded on May 25, 1989. 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.