Hail History

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Hail history for Benton, IL

Last hail within 10 milesAug 12, 20261 in (quarter)
Hail days, last 12 months2
Largest hail since 20063 in (tea cup)Feb 28, 2017
Hail days since 200642
Days with hail 1 inch or larger27
Tornadoes within 10 miles5
Damaging wind reports within 10 miles75

Hail has been reported within 10 miles of Benton on 42 days since 2006. The largest stones measured 3 in (tea cup) on Feb 28, 2017. Hail is most common here in April and May.

Recent hail near Benton

DateHail sizeWhereSource
Aug 12, 20261 in
quarter		Ewing
1 hail report · closest 9 mi from Benton		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Apr 27, 20261 in
quarter		Christopher
1 hail report · closest 8 mi from Benton		NOAA Storm Events
Sep 14, 20251 in
quarter		Benton Muni Airport
1 hail report · closest 2 mi from Benton		NOAA Storm Events
Mar 30, 20251.5 in
ping pong ball		Cleburne, Sesser, Zeigler
3 hail reports · closest 9 mi from Benton		NOAA Storm Events

One row per day: the largest hail reported that day within 10 miles, the places and the number of reports.

Hail days near Benton by year

40620750830910111512134142152163171821912012122223124225226

When hail season peaks near Benton

Of the 42 hail days since 2006, most fell in April (12) and May (6).

1Jan3Feb5Mar12Apr6May5Jun4Jul2Aug3Sep1OctNovDec

Largest hail storms near Benton

Feb 28, 2017 · 3 in (tea cup) · Benton (1 mi from Benton)

National Weather Service description (English): This large hail was associated with the supercell that produced a strong tornado in Jackson and western Franklin Counties. Hailstones were slightly larger than baseballs on the north side of Benton. Quarter-size hail fell on the west side of Benton.

Apr 15, 2011 · 2 in (hen egg) · Zeigler (10 mi from Benton)

National Weather Service description (English): Golf ball to hen egg size hail was reported.

Jul 1, 2012 · 1.75 in (golf ball) · Valier (7 mi from Benton)

National Weather Service description (English): There were also wind gusts estimated near 50 mph.

Mar 12, 2020 · 1.75 in (golf ball) · West Frankfort (7 mi from Benton)

Jun 30, 2023 · 1.75 in (golf ball) · Benton (3 mi from Benton)

Tornadoes within 10 miles of Benton

DateRatingWherePath
Mar 30, 2022EF0Thompsonville
7 mi from Benton		4.0 mi long, 100 yd wide
Dec 5, 2021EF1Ezra
7 mi from Benton		3.9 mi long, 175 yd wide
May 11, 2016EF0Cleburne
8 mi from Benton		0.1 mi long, 30 yd wide
Jun 19, 2015EF1Ezra
8 mi from Benton		0.9 mi long, 150 yd wide
Apr 19, 2011EF1Benton
0 mi from Benton		0.1 mi long, 50 yd wide

Damaging thunderstorm winds near Benton

75 reports of damaging thunderstorm wind within 10 miles of Benton since 2006, on 53 days. The strongest measured gust was 81 mph on Jun 19, 2011.

DateStrongest gustWhereSource
Jul 4, 2026damage reportedWest Frankfort
1 wind report		NWS storm report (preliminary)
Oct 19, 202596 mph, estimatedChristopher, West Frankfort
2 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
Sep 14, 202581 mph, estimatedRend City, North City
2 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
Jul 30, 202475 mph, estimatedBenton Muni Airport, Christopher, Sesser
3 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
Jul 11, 202475 mph, estimatedBenton Muni Airport
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
Jul 5, 202460 mph, estimatedChristopher
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
May 26, 202481 mph, estimatedWest Frankfort, Whittington
2 wind reports		NOAA Storm Events
Apr 18, 202464 mph, estimatedWhittington
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
Jul 29, 202364 mph, estimatedBuckner
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events
Jul 24, 202360 mph, estimatedChristopher
1 wind report		NOAA Storm Events

Severe thunderstorm wind means gusts of 58 mph or more, or wind that caused damage. Measured gusts come from weather stations; estimated ones from spotters and damage surveys.

Filing a roof or car hail claim?

Insurers ask for the date of loss. The dates on this page are when hail was reported near Benton; hail can hit one street and miss the next, so a report is not proof of damage at your address. A licensed roofer or your insurance adjuster can inspect the roof. Many policies set a time limit for filing a claim — check yours.

Nearby cities

Data: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (final records through Jun 30, 2026) and National Weather Service Local Storm Reports (preliminary, since then). Distances are measured from the center of Benton.

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