Hail history for Fulton County, IL

Fulton County has 210 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 130 of them 1″ or larger and 17 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.0″ (softball) on April 4, 2023.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month May

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 210 since 1972

1″ or larger 130 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 17 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.0″ softball · 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 Fulton County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 210 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
March 6, 2026	0.88″	Nickel
April 22, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
July 15, 2024	0.75″	Penny
June 25, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
May 24, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
May 7, 2024	0.75″	Penny
May 2, 2024	1.75″	Golf ball
May 2, 2024	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

May 2, 2024 · 1.25″ (half dollar)

Hail ranged between a half inch and half dollar, with most being around one inch.

April 4, 2023 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Multiple storm-chasers experienced baseball-sized hail which shattered their car windshields near Vermont.

May 24, 2006 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

Widespread large hail, with maximum sizes ranging from 1 to 3 inches, was reported along a line from Lewistown, to St. David, to Canton. The largest hail was reported in the vicinity of St David.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	10	9	14	56	71	50

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 Fulton County

Has it ever hailed in Fulton County?

Yes — 210 hail events have been recorded for Fulton County, IL in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1972, including 130 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Fulton County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Fulton County, IL is March 6, 2026, with 0.88″ (nickel) 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 Fulton County?

4.0″ (softball), 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.