Hail history for Randolph County, IL

Randolph County has 173 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 89 of them 1″ or larger and 7 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.0″ (softball) on March 20, 1976.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month May

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 173 since 1961

1″ or larger 89 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 7 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.0″ softball · March 20, 1976

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 Randolph County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 173 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
May 16, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
May 16, 2025	2.0″	Hen egg
May 16, 2025	1.25″	Half dollar
March 30, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
May 8, 2024	2.5″	Tennis ball
April 2, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
March 13, 2024	1.75″	Golf ball
February 10, 2024	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

March 13, 2024 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

The discrete thunderstorm that produced up to 1.75 inch hail in Jefferson County, MO and Monroe County, IL continued to produce 1.75 inch hail in and around the town of Ruma, IL. Public reports say hail began small, nearly covering the ground before growing to golf ball sized. No damage was reported.

April 15, 1998 · 2.5″ (tennis ball)

Tennis ball size hail was reported around Baldwin.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	2	6	4	29	95	24	13

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 Randolph County

Has it ever hailed in Randolph County?

Yes — 173 hail events have been recorded for Randolph County, IL in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1961, including 89 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Randolph County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Randolph County, IL is May 16, 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 Randolph County?

4.0″ (softball), recorded on March 20, 1976. 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.