Hail history for White County, IL

White County has 64 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 32 of them 1″ or larger and 5 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.75″ (baseball) on April 3, 1989.

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 64 since 1978

1″ or larger 32 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 5 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.75″ baseball · April 3, 1989

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 White County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 64 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
March 30, 2024	0.88″	Nickel
March 14, 2024	0.75″	Penny
March 31, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
April 25, 2020	1.0″	Quarter
May 31, 2018	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
August 19, 2017	0.75″	Penny
August 19, 2017	1.25″	Half dollar
May 27, 2017	0.88″	Nickel

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

From the storm reports

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

April 25, 2020 · 1.0″ (quarter)

The hail was mostly dime sized, but a few quarter-size hailstones were mixed in.

August 5, 2008 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Ping pong to golf ball size hail fell from a severe thunderstorm.

April 24, 2002 · 2.5″ (tennis ball)

Tennis ball size hail fell.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	1	6	10	23	20	4

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 White County

Has it ever hailed in White County?

Yes — 64 hail events have been recorded for White County, IL in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1978, including 32 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in White County?

The most recent recorded hail event for White County, IL is March 30, 2024, with 0.88″ (nickel) 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 White County?

2.75″ (baseball), recorded on April 3, 1989. 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.