A Possible World Record: This grapefruit-sized, 6-inch hailstone from powerful storm could become the largest ever recorded in Illinois

A massive 6 inch piece of hailstone has been found in Kankakee, Illinois. (Image: X/@MyRadarWX)

• A 6-inch hailstone found in Kankakee may break Illinois record.
• Meteorologists check if it exceeds the 2015 state record.
• Storms triggered tornado warnings and damage in Illinois.

Did our AI summary help?

Recently, a powerful storm system moved through some areas in Illinois. It is believed that it could have produced the largest hailstone in Illinois history.

According to meteorologists, a massive hailstone measuring about 6 inches in diameter was recorded in Kankakee during the intense thunderstorms. Experts from the National Weather Service are now analyzing the hailstone in order to verify if it indeed breaks the state record.

The 6-Inch Hailstone: As Large as a Grapefruit

The hailstone measures about 6 inches in diameter and in comparison, it is as large as a grapefruit. Hailstones of this size are rare and can cause serious damage when they fall at high speeds from storm clouds.

If the six-inch measurement from Kankakee is verified, it would easily surpass the existing record. It could become the largest hailstone ever documented in the state.

BREAKING 🚨: A possible WORLD RECORD piece of hail has been found in Kankakee, Illinois

It measures about 8 inches across, larger than most adult hands Many other 6+ inch enormous hailstones were also reported from Monday night's storms Pic via @kevinmc837pic.twitter.com/IGkqQixT4u — Latest in space (@latestinspace) March 11, 2026

Could it break Illinois’ hail record?

The current official state record for the largest hailstone in Illinois was set in 2015, when a hailstone measuring 4.75 inches in diameter fell in Minooka.

Meteorologists are now carefully analysing the hailstone’s measurements and documentation before confirming the record. This could surpass the existing record of largest hailstorm ever documented, if verified.

How are Large Hailstorms formed?

According to meteorologists, the large hailstones probably formed inside powerful supercell thunderstorms in which strong updrafts frequently lift ice particles high up into the freezing layers of the atmosphere.

As the ice moves through the storm clouds, additional layers of ice form from frozen water droplets, making the hailstone larger and more massive before finally landing on the ground.

Tornadoes and extreme weather reported

The severe weather event was not over yet because the storms also produced tornado warnings and reports of damaging winds in Illinois and Indiana.

Emergency crews responded to scattered damage, including fallen trees and structural impacts in some communities. Weather officials said the storm system created a dangerous combination of conditions capable of producing large hail, tornadoes and intense lightning.

A Rare Weather Event

While hail is common in strong storms, stones reaching 6 inches in diameter are extremely rare. If the measurement from Kankakee is confirmed, the hailstone will set a new Illinois record.

It will also highlight just how powerful was this thunderstorm.  Scientists believe hailstones the size of grapefruits require very strong storm updrafts, often associated with severe thunderstorms.