Hail history for Benton, Illinois
NOAA hail reports in and within about 5 km (3 miles) of Benton since 1962, with preliminary reports to November 3, 2026.
Readout · Benton
- Last hail
- Feb 10, 2024
- 0.75 in, penny size
- Hail days, last 5 years
- 2
- since Nov 3, 2021 · 2 reports
- Largest ever
- 1.75 in
- golf ball · Jun 30, 2023
13 reports on 12 days since 1962 · #215 of 378 Illinois places
Hail map · Benton
- Under 1 in
- 1–1.75 in
- 1.75–2.5 in
- 2.5–4 in
- 4 in +
- No size
For homeowners
Roof damage after hail? Get a free inspection
Hail bruises shingles and cracks seals in ways you can't see from the ground, and most insurers set a claim deadline after the storm. The latest hail report in Benton is from February 10, 2024. A local roofer can check and document it at no cost.
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What the record says about Benton
The latest hail report in and around Benton is from February 10, 2024, 0.75 in (penny size). Since November 3, 2021 there have been 2 separate hail days; the biggest stones in that time were 1.75 in on June 30, 2023.
Over the 20 years 2006–2025, Benton logged 9 reports on 8 hail days, about 0.5 reports a year. That is 10% less than the median Illinois town on this site (0.5 a year) and ranks #215 of 378 Illinois cities and towns on this site for all-time reports. Benton accounts for 11% of the 116 reports filed in Franklin County.
0% of reports with a size were 2 inches (hen egg) or larger, against 4% for the median Illinois town on this site. The largest hail on record here is 1.75 in (golf ball) on June 30, 2023 near 3 S Benton.
Reports were down 50% in 2016–2025 (3) compared with 2006–2015 (6). The busiest year was 2012, with 3 reports on 2 days. Hail here peaks in May (23% of reports); 62% fall between April and June.
Reports a year 2006–2025 average
- Benton 0.5
- Franklin County 3.8
- Median Illinois town on this site 0.5
Hail days 2006–2025
- Benton 8
- Franklin County 50
- Median Illinois town on this site 8
Share 2 in or larger of sized reports
- Benton 0%
- Franklin County 5%
- Median Illinois town on this site 4%
Hail over time
| Year | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2025 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2024 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||
| 2023 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||
| 2022 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2021 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2020 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2019 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2018 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2017 | 0 |
Hail days since Nov 3, 2021
| Date | Reports | Largest | Storm page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 10, 2024 | 1 | 0.75 in | — |
| Jun 30, 2023 | 1 | 1.75 in | — |
Largest hail on record
| Date | Size | Location | County | Time · source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 30, 2023 | 1.75 ingolf ball | 3 S Benton | Franklin | 18:13 local · NCEI |
| Jul 1, 2012 | 1.00 inquarter | Benton | Franklin | 15:59 local · NCEI |
| Jun 8, 2009 | 1.00 inquarter | 0.88 NW Rend City | Franklin | 19:05 local · NCEI |
| Apr 22, 2008 | 1.00 inquarter | 3 S Benton | Franklin | 10:22 local · NCEI |
| Jun 22, 1998 | 1.00 inquarter | Benton | Franklin | 20:20 local · NCEI |
Size of every report
- Under 1 in 8 62%
- 1–2 in 5 38%
- 2 in + 0 0%
Most recent reports
| Date | Size | Location | County | Time · source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 10, 2024 | 0.75 inpenny | Benton | Franklin | 01:18 local · NCEI |
| Jun 30, 2023 | 1.75 ingolf ball | 3 S Benton | Franklin | 18:13 local · NCEI |
| May 11, 2016 | 0.75 inpenny | 2 E Benton | Franklin | 18:01 local · NCEI |
| Jul 1, 2012 | 1.00 inquarter | Benton | Franklin | 15:59 local · NCEI |
| Mar 2, 2012 | 0.88 innickel | Groat | Franklin | 11:44 local · NCEI |
| Mar 2, 2012 | 0.75 inpenny | 0.69 N Benton | Franklin | 11:42 local · NCEI |
| Jun 8, 2009 | 1.00 inquarter | 0.88 NW Rend City | Franklin | 19:05 local · NCEI |
| Apr 22, 2008 | 1.00 inquarter | 3 S Benton | Franklin | 10:22 local · NCEI |
| Apr 2, 2006 | 0.75 inpenny | Benton | Franklin | 17:27 local · NCEI |
| Jun 22, 1998 | 1.00 inquarter | Benton | Franklin | 20:20 local · NCEI |
| May 14, 1986 | 0.75 inpenny | — | Franklin | 15:30 local · NCEI |
| Jul 31, 1967 | 0.75 inpenny | — | Franklin | 15:30 local · NCEI |
Hail history near Benton
- West Frankfort 13 km · 26
- Sesser 15 km · 20
- Zeigler 17 km · 10
- Herrin 26 km · 19
- Du Quoin 28 km · 27
- Marion 31 km · 36
- Carterville 32 km · 11
- Galatia 33 km · 12
Questions about hail in Benton
How often does it hail in Benton, Illinois?
13 hail reports have been logged in and within about 5 km (3 miles) of Benton since 1962. Over the 20 years 2006–2025 that averages 0.5 reports a year. That ranks #215 of 378 Illinois places by number of reports.
When is hail season in Benton?
Most reports come in May, June, March. May alone accounts for 23% of all reports.
What is the largest hail recorded in Benton?
1.75 in (golf ball size) on June 30, 2023 near 3 S Benton. 0% of reports here were 2 inches or larger.
When did it last hail in Benton?
The most recent report in this data is from February 10, 2024 (0.75 in). Final NOAA data runs to July 31, 2026; preliminary NWS reports run to November 3, 2026.
How many hail storms has Benton had in the last five years?
2 separate days with hail reports since November 3, 2021, adding up to 2 reports. The most recent was February 10, 2024.
Where does this hail data come from?
Hail reports come from the NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, which the National Weather Service compiles from spotter, public, law enforcement and media reports. Recent days use preliminary NWS Local Storm Reports via the Iowa Environmental Mesonet until NOAA publishes final data. Only reported hail is counted, so areas with fewer people tend to have fewer reports.