Hail history for Macon County, IL

Macon County has 150 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 93 of them 1″ or larger and 7 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 3.5″ (softball) on June 23, 1960.

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 150 since 1959

1″ or larger 93 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 7 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 3.5″ softball · June 23, 1960

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 Macon County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 150 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
March 26, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
March 11, 2026	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
November 18, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
May 20, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
May 20, 2025	0.75″	Penny
March 19, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
March 19, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
May 27, 2024	0.75″	Penny

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

From the storm reports

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

May 19, 2024 · 1.5″ (ping-pong ball)

Ping pong ball-sized hail at the intersection of IL-121 and Bentonville Road.

October 18, 2007 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Golf ball sized hail was reported on the east side of Lake Decatur.

May 11, 2005 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Hail covered the ground.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	5	3	5	21	43	28	44

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 Macon County

Has it ever hailed in Macon County?

Yes — 150 hail events have been recorded for Macon County, IL in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1959, including 93 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Macon County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Macon County, IL is March 26, 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 Macon County?

3.5″ (softball), recorded on June 23, 1960. 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.