Illinois Hailstone Smashes State Record

Illinois Officially Has a New Hail Record

Illinois has a new weather record, and this one is pretty incredible.

A hailstone that fell near Kankakee, Illinois, on March 10, 2026, has officially been confirmed as the largest hailstone ever recorded in the state.

The hailstone measured a whopping 6.603 inches across its largest axis, weighed 19.65 ounces or about 1.23 pounds, and had a volume of nearly 39 cubic inches.

For perspective, that means the hailstone was more than an inch and a half larger than Illinois’s previous record of 4.75 inches, set near Minooka in June 2015.

The Storm Behind the Record

The hail fell during a major severe weather outbreak across the central Midwest. One particularly intense and long-lived supercell moved through the Kankakee River Valley, producing very large hail and a family of 12 tornadoes across portions of Illinois and northwest Indiana.

The storm resulted in three fatalities and caused significant damage to homes, businesses and agricultural areas.

After reviewing the hailstone, the State Climate Extremes Committee unanimously determined that it set a new Illinois record based on its largest measurement. It also established the state’s first official records for hailstone weight and volume.

Why Hail This Large Is Dangerous

Hail does not need to reach record-breaking size to cause serious damage. Large hail can damage roofs and vehicles, break windows and seriously injure anyone caught outside.

If severe storms are in your forecast: Move indoors before the storm arrives and, when possible, park vehicles inside a garage or covered area. Stay away from windows while large hail is falling.