Hail history for Pope County, IL

Pope County has 34 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 12 of them 1″ or larger and 1 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.0″ (hen egg) on May 6, 2003.

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 34 since 1958

1″ or larger 12 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 1 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.0″ hen egg · May 6, 2003

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 Pope County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 34 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 15, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
May 11, 2016	0.75″	Penny
April 26, 2016	1.0″	Quarter
April 25, 2015	0.75″	Penny
April 25, 2015	0.75″	Penny
June 4, 2012	0.88″	Nickel
November 20, 2011	0.75″	Penny
November 20, 2011	1.75″	Golf ball

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

From the storm reports

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

April 15, 2023 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Hail accumulated several inches deep in southern Pope County between Golconda and Hamletsburg.

November 20, 2011 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

A swath of large hail occurred in the Eddyville area. The swath of largest hail passed a couple of miles to the north of the community.

September 22, 2006 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

A swath of golf-ball size hail across southern Pope County accompanied a supercell thunderstorm that produced the F-1 tornado near Bay City.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	0	0	2	5	18	7	1

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 Pope County

Has it ever hailed in Pope County?

Yes — 34 hail events have been recorded for Pope County, IL in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1958, including 12 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Pope County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Pope County, IL is April 15, 2023, 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 Pope County?

2.0″ (hen egg), recorded on May 6, 2003. 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.