Hail history for Kane County, IL

Kane County has 222 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 152 of them 1″ or larger and 15 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.75″ (baseball) on May 12, 1998.

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 222 since 1962

1″ or larger 152 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 15 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.75″ baseball · May 12, 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 Kane County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 222 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 14, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
March 30, 2026	1.25″	Half dollar
March 30, 2026	1.25″	Half dollar
March 30, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
March 30, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
March 30, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
March 10, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
March 10, 2026	1.25″	Half dollar

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

From the storm reports

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

February 27, 2024 · 1.0″ (quarter)

A photo shared via social media shows one inch hail near Wayne.

April 4, 2023 · 2.5″ (tennis ball)

Tennis ball size hail was reported at West Aurora High School.

May 12, 1998 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Gusty winds, large hail and dozens of lightning strikes were responsible for downed tree limbs and power lines, with the worst of it in the Dundee Township area. A lightning strike started a fire in a Carpentersville home. The lightning hit the front of the home near the gas meter, starting a fire in the wall. Damage was moderate. A wind gust of 73 mph was reported in Carpentersville.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	2	8	11	8	59	77	57

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 Kane County

Has it ever hailed in Kane County?

Yes — 222 hail events have been recorded for Kane County, IL in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1962, including 152 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Kane County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Kane County, IL is April 14, 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 Kane County?

2.75″ (baseball), recorded on May 12, 1998. 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.