Hail history for Mercer County, IL

Mercer County has 96 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 59 of them 1″ or larger and 4 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.5″ (tennis ball) on June 14, 1974.

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 96 since 1959

1″ or larger 59 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 4 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.5″ tennis ball · June 14, 1974

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 Mercer County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 96 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
March 10, 2026	1.25″	Half dollar
March 28, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
July 14, 2024	0.75″	Penny
April 16, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
April 16, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
April 16, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
April 16, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
April 16, 2024	0.88″	Nickel

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

From the storm reports

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

March 28, 2025 · 1.0″ (quarter)

A lot of nickel to dime size hail was seen, with a few quarter size hail observed. The time was estimated from radar data.

April 3, 2014 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

A trained spotter reported quarter to golf ball sized hail. The hail lasted for 10 minutes and the report was delayed.

April 2, 2014 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

A public report of quarter to golf ball sized hail that lasted for 10 minutes. This report was delayed.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	2	8	8	7	39	15	16

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 Mercer County

Has it ever hailed in Mercer County?

Yes — 96 hail events have been recorded for Mercer County, IL in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1959, including 59 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Mercer County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Mercer County, IL is March 10, 2026, with 1.25″ (half dollar) 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 Mercer County?

2.5″ (tennis ball), recorded on June 14, 1974. Hail that size meets or exceeds the National Weather Service severe threshold. 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.