Hail history for Marion County, IL

Marion County has 100 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 64 of them 1″ or larger and 6 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 3.5″ (softball) on August 1, 1993.

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 100 since 1958

1″ or larger 64 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 6 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 3.5″ softball · August 1, 1993

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 Marion County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 100 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
March 30, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
March 30, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
March 30, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
March 30, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
March 30, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
April 7, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
June 29, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
July 24, 2022	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

March 30, 2025 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Quarter to golf ball sized hail fell south and east of Salem.

August 1, 1993 · 3.5″ (softball)

The Illinois State Police reported 12-inch diameter tree limbs broken off in Salem. Park officials from Stephen A. Forbes State Park reported hail larger than baseballs fell several minutes later between Omega and Iuka. A total of 10 cars had their windshields and windows either damaged or smashed. Several nearby church windows were also broken and four homes had roof damage.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	0	5	8	19	26	32	9

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 Marion County

Has it ever hailed in Marion County?

Yes — 100 hail events have been recorded for Marion County, IL in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1958, including 64 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Marion County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Marion County, IL is March 30, 2025, with 1.75″ (golf ball) 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 Marion County?

3.5″ (softball), recorded on August 1, 1993. 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.