Hail history for Williamson County, IL

Williamson County has 120 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 60 of them 1″ or larger and 9 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 3.0″ (tea cup) on June 30, 2023.

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 120 since 1971

1″ or larger 60 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 9 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 3.0″ tea cup · June 30, 2023

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 Williamson County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 120 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
May 20, 2025	0.88″	Nickel
May 16, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
May 16, 2025	0.88″	Nickel
May 16, 2025	1.25″	Half dollar
May 1, 2025	0.88″	Nickel
May 1, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
May 1, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
March 30, 2025	1.5″	Ping-pong ball

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

From the storm reports

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

May 20, 2025 · 0.88″ (nickel)

Two reports of nickel sized hail were made in Johnston City.

June 30, 2023 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

Giant hail occurred in a swath of Williamson County along Illinois Route 13. The swath of large hail began near the Marion/Williamson County airport, just east and southeast of Crainville. Hail slightly larger than baseballs pounded the area in the immediate vicinity of the Marion/Williamson County Regional Airport. Hail damage was reported to planes at the airport, including broken windows.

February 28, 2017 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

Hail slightly larger than baseballs was associated with the supercell that spawned the EF-1 tornado further south in Williamson County.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	1	1	16	38	36	28

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 Williamson County

Has it ever hailed in Williamson County?

Yes — 120 hail events have been recorded for Williamson County, IL in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1971, including 60 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Williamson County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Williamson County, IL is May 20, 2025, 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 Williamson County?

3.0″ (tea cup), recorded on June 30, 2023. 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.