Hail history for Lee County, IL

Lee County has 115 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 73 of them 1″ or larger and 11 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.0″ (softball) on July 13, 2004.

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 115 since 1958

1″ or larger 73 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 11 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.0″ softball · July 13, 2004

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 Lee County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 115 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 2, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
July 10, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
July 10, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
July 10, 2025	2.0″	Hen egg
July 10, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
July 10, 2025	1.25″	Half dollar
July 10, 2025	2.0″	Hen egg
July 10, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball

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

From the storm reports

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

July 10, 2025 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

A Cocorahs obsever in Amboy reported totally destroyed soybean and corn crops six miles north of his location, which would be just south of Interstate 88.

April 13, 2006 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Hail ranging in size from nickels to baseballs was reported in Dixon.

July 13, 2004 · 4.0″ (softball)

A swath of hail cut across Lee County, beginning at 6 miles south of Polo or 6 miles northwest of Dixon, through Dixon, Amboy, Sublette to 1 mile south of Sublette. Large hail was observed throughout this path. The following reports were received:4.00 inches in diameter, was observed by a Farm Service Agent 1 mile south of Sublette. 2.00 and 1.25 inch hail was observed in the town of Sublette.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
2	0	4	3	12	43	24	27

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 Lee County

Has it ever hailed in Lee County?

Yes — 115 hail events have been recorded for Lee County, IL in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1958, including 73 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Lee County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Lee County, IL is April 2, 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 Lee County?

4.0″ (softball), recorded on July 13, 2004. 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.