HailHistoryHail by countyIllinois › Monroe County

Illinois · county FIPS 17133

Hail history for Monroe County, IL

Monroe County has 120 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 74 of them 1″ or larger and 2 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.75″ (baseball) on March 14, 2024.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month April
Core sample · every recorded event, 1955–2026
1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s 1955 through 2026 largest · 2.75″ baseball March 14, 2024

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 120 since 1971
1″ or larger 74 NWS severe threshold
2″ or larger 2 hen egg class and up
Largest recorded 2.75 baseball · March 14, 2024
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 Monroe County

Jan 10 Feb 23 Mar 36 Apr 26 May 7 Jun 5 Jul 4 Aug 3 Sep 1 Oct 3 Nov 2 Dec

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 120 recorded events · data through April 2026
DateSizeComparable to
1.0″ Quarter
1.5″ Ping-pong ball
1.0″ Quarter
1.0″ Quarter
1.5″ Ping-pong ball
1.5″ Ping-pong ball
1.0″ Quarter
1.25″ Half dollar

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

From the storm reports

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

· 1.5″ (ping-pong ball)

Hail ranging from 1 inch to 1.5 inches fell in Columbia.

· 2.75″ (baseball)

A swath of large hail up to baseball size fell across portions of east central Monroe County. The large hail was reported in New Design and Hecker, as well as rural areas nearby.

· 1.75″ (golf ball)

A discrete thunderstorm that produced up to 1.50 inch hail in Jefferson County, MO, weakened as it crossed the Mississippi River. It quickly regained strength and produced up to 1.75 inch hail in and around the towns of Renault and Ames. This storm would go on to produce hail in Randolph County.

Events by decade

1950s1960s1970s1980s1990s2000s2010s2020s
007220393121

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 Monroe County

Has it ever hailed in Monroe County?

Yes — 120 hail events have been recorded for Monroe County, IL in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1971, including 74 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Monroe County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Monroe County, IL is April 27, 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 Monroe County?

2.75″ (baseball), recorded on March 14, 2024. 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.