Hail history for Winnebago County, IL

Winnebago County has 215 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 152 of them 1″ or larger and 16 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 3.0″ (tea cup) on April 7, 2020.

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 215 since 1960

1″ or larger 152 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 16 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 3.0″ tea cup · April 7, 2020

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 Winnebago County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 215 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 17, 2026	2.25″	Tennis ball
April 17, 2026	2.0″	Hen egg
April 17, 2026	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
April 17, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
April 17, 2026	1.75″	Golf ball
April 17, 2026	2.25″	Tennis ball
April 15, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
April 15, 2026	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

April 17, 2026 · 2.25″ (tennis ball)

A few hail reports came from south of Durand ranging in size from 1.25 to 2.25 inches in diameter.

April 7, 2020 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

Hail as large as 3 inches in diameter was reported in Winnebago, which damaged cars and siding.

May 2, 2018 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

Hail ranging from 2.5 to 3.0 inches in diameter was reported from multiple locations in far southeast Rockford.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	6	7	20	11	49	68	54

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 Winnebago County

Has it ever hailed in Winnebago County?

Yes — 215 hail events have been recorded for Winnebago County, IL in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1960, including 152 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Winnebago County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Winnebago County, IL is April 17, 2026, with 2.25″ (tennis 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 Winnebago County?

3.0″ (tea cup), recorded on April 7, 2020. 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.