Hail history for Franklin County, IL

Franklin County has 114 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 69 of them 1″ or larger and 6 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 3.0″ (tea cup) on February 28, 2017.

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 114 since 1955

1″ or larger 69 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 6 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 3.0″ tea cup · February 28, 2017

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 Franklin County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 114 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
September 14, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
May 16, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
March 30, 2025	0.88″	Nickel
March 30, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
March 30, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
May 8, 2024	1.75″	Golf ball
February 10, 2024	0.75″	Penny
February 10, 2024	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

September 14, 2025 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Hail up to the size of quarters was reported on the west side of Benton.

March 12, 2020 · 2.0″ (hen egg)

There were multiple reports of large hail ranging from one to two inches in diameter in the Royalton and Zeigler areas.

February 28, 2017 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

This large hail was associated with the supercell that produced a strong tornado in Jackson and western Franklin Counties. Hailstones were slightly larger than baseballs on the north side of Benton. Quarter-size hail fell on the west side of Benton.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	4	1	3	15	38	36	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 Franklin County

Has it ever hailed in Franklin County?

Yes — 114 hail events have been recorded for Franklin County, IL in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1955, including 69 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Franklin County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Franklin County, IL is September 14, 2025, 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 Franklin County?

3.0″ (tea cup), recorded on February 28, 2017. 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.