Hail history for Jackson County, IL

Jackson County has 148 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 92 of them 1″ or larger and 5 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 3.0″ (tea cup) on August 21, 1971.

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 148 since 1963

1″ or larger 92 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 5 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 3.0″ tea cup · August 21, 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 Jackson County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 148 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
September 14, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
May 16, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
May 16, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
May 16, 2025	2.0″	Hen egg
May 16, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
May 1, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
March 30, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
March 30, 2025	1.0″	Quarter

Looking for a specific storm? Use the did-it-hail date lookup for Jackson 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 measured to quarter size was reported on the west side of Carbondale.

May 16, 2025 · 2.0″ (hen egg)

Hail estimated up to two inch diameter fell on the north side of Murphysboro at Illinois Ave/6th St.

August 16, 2012 · 2.5″ (tennis ball)

Hail was just slightly smaller than baseballs.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	4	7	17	17	44	40	19

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 Jackson County

Has it ever hailed in Jackson County?

Yes — 148 hail events have been recorded for Jackson County, IL in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1963, including 92 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Jackson County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Jackson 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 Jackson County?

3.0″ (tea cup), recorded on August 21, 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.