Hail history for Woodford County, IL

Woodford County has 137 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 78 of them 1″ or larger and 9 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 4.0″ (softball) on May 30, 2004.

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 137 since 1974

1″ or larger 78 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 9 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 4.0″ softball · May 30, 2004

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 Woodford County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 137 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
March 31, 2026	1.25″	Half dollar
March 31, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
March 10, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
December 28, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
May 15, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
April 2, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
March 19, 2025	0.75″	Penny
May 2, 2024	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

August 23, 2011 · 0.75″ (penny)

Storm spotters reported penny sized hail near Metamora.

May 30, 2004 · 4.0″ (softball)

A large swath of hail ranging in size from three quarters of an inch to 4 inches fell from the Metamora area through Roanoke and into Eureka and Secor. The 4 inch hail was reported only in the Secor area near the tornado.

May 12, 2000 · 2.5″ (tennis ball)

Over 100 cars sustained hail damage in the Eureka and Roanoke areas. Damage is estimated around $300,000.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	9	3	15	44	34	32

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 Woodford County

Has it ever hailed in Woodford County?

Yes — 137 hail events have been recorded for Woodford County, IL in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1974, including 78 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Woodford County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Woodford County, IL is March 31, 2026, with 1.25″ (half dollar) 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 Woodford County?

4.0″ (softball), recorded on May 30, 2004. 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.