Hail history for Hardin County, IL

Hardin County has 14 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 8 of them 1″ or larger and 1 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.0″ (hen egg) on June 14, 1998.

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 14 since 1997

1″ or larger 8 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 1 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.0″ hen egg · June 14, 1998

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 Hardin County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 14 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
March 2, 2020	1.0″	Quarter
March 20, 2017	0.75″	Penny
September 7, 2012	1.75″	Golf ball
May 8, 2009	1.0″	Quarter
April 2, 2006	1.0″	Quarter
May 26, 2004	1.25″	Half dollar
May 4, 2003	0.75″	Penny
May 1, 2003	0.75″	Penny

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

From the storm reports

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

May 8, 2009 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Large hail lasted about four minutes. The hail was accompanied by strong winds. Some cars were dented.

October 5, 2000 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Golf ball size hail covered the ground.

June 14, 1998 · 2.0″ (hen egg)

Large hail fell, measuring up to 2 inches in diameter at Elizabethtown. The hail shredded some gardens and likely dented vehicles.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	0	0	3	8	2	1

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 Hardin County

Has it ever hailed in Hardin County?

Yes — 14 hail events have been recorded for Hardin County, IL in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1997, including 8 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Hardin County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Hardin County, IL is March 2, 2020, 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 Hardin County?

2.0″ (hen egg), recorded on June 14, 1998. Hail that size meets or exceeds the National Weather Service severe threshold. 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.