Hail history for Lawrence County, IL

Lawrence County has 67 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 36 of them 1″ or larger and 2 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.75″ (baseball) on May 31, 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 67 since 1963

1″ or larger 36 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 2 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.75″ baseball · May 31, 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 Lawrence County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 67 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
March 15, 2025	0.75″	Penny
March 5, 2024	0.75″	Penny
February 28, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
August 6, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
August 6, 2023	1.25″	Half dollar
June 29, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
June 29, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
August 1, 2022	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

May 1, 2016 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Hail covered the road.

May 31, 1998 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Hail up to baseball size caused considerable damage to 13 parked cars at one residence 3 miles east of Birds, breaking house and car windows. It also seriously dented the vehicles and siding on the house. A mile down the road the hail damaged another car. No injuries were reported and no damage estimate was available.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	2	3	1	3	27	23	8

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 Lawrence County

Has it ever hailed in Lawrence County?

Yes — 67 hail events have been recorded for Lawrence County, IL in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1963, including 36 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Lawrence County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Lawrence County, IL is March 15, 2025, with 0.75″ (penny) 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 Lawrence County?

2.75″ (baseball), recorded on May 31, 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.