Champaign hail storm history
Champaign County·NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database·~75-day publication lag
Champaign County has experienced one documented hail event of 1 inch or larger over the past 10 years, according to NOAA Storm Events Database records. The relatively flat terrain of central Illinois allows spring storm systems to maintain intensity as they move northeast across the region, creating conditions for hail formation during the peak season.
Hail in Champaign most commonly occurs between March and July, with April, May, and June representing the peak window for severe thunderstorm activity. May is typically the most active month for hail events in this area, when atmospheric conditions and storm system frequency align to produce the greatest number of severe weather days.
Annual frequency — last 10 years
When hail hits — monthly pattern
Avg events per month · all years · NOAA data
All recorded hail events
Of 131 recorded events, 32 (24%) reached 1.5" or larger — the threshold for likely functional damage on standard asphalt shingles.
Dime to nickel sized hail fell in St. Joseph.
Report from county road 300 E. Report relayed by broadcast media.
A photo was shared on social media of golf ball size hail near Waggoner Cemetery.
Golf ball-sized hail on the east side of Urbana. The hail was driven by 60 mph winds which resulted …
A storm produced hail that destroyed 80 acres of young soybeans about 3 miles north of Cisco.
Half dollar size hail fell north of Paxton near I-57.
Champaign County's hail event record is relatively sparse compared to areas in Illinois with higher documented frequency. This reflects genuine lower hail occurrence in central Illinois, though NOAA reporting density can vary by location and storm size—events under 1 inch are frequently underreported in official databases. Current-year data is excluded from the annual frequency table until October, when NOAA's Storm Events Database has processed the full hail season accounting for the standard 75-day reporting lag.
NOAA Storm Events Database source