Springfield hail storm history
Sangamon County·NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database·~75-day publication lag
Springfield, located in Sangamon County, has experienced only one documented hail event of 1 inch or larger in the past decade according to NOAA records. The largest recorded hailstone in the area measured 0.75 inches in diameter. As a central Illinois community situated on relatively flat terrain, Springfield remains in a geographic zone where spring storm systems can develop hail, though significant events remain uncommon.
Hail in Springfield follows a distinct seasonal pattern, with the greatest risk occurring between April and June, with May typically the most active month. Secondary risk extends into March and July as spring and early summer storm systems move through the region. The flat terrain of central Illinois allows these storm systems to maintain intensity as they track northeast, creating conditions favorable for hail production during these months.
Annual frequency — last 10 years
When hail hits — monthly pattern
Avg events per month · all years · NOAA data
All recorded hail events
Of 259 recorded events, 73 (28%) reached 1.5" or larger — the threshold for likely functional damage on standard asphalt shingles.
Nickel-sized hail fell near the Wabash Avenue exit on I-72.
A few quarter-sized hailstones fell at the National Weather Service office just east of Lincoln.
Broadcast media posted a picture of very large hailstones ranging from 3 to 4 inches in diameter.
Golf ball-sized hail lasted 15 minutes and shredded leaves.
Large hail damaged a car windshield just west of Nilwood.
Mostly dime and nickel-sized stones, with a few quarter-sized stones before the hail stopped.
The low frequency of documented hail events in Springfield reflects both genuine meteorological patterns and the limitations of hail reporting density in central Illinois. NOAA's Storm Events Database relies on trained spotters and damage reports, which means smaller hail events may go unrecorded, while larger events are more consistently documented. 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