A cold upper low tracked east southeast across the region during the afternoon and evening hours.  The cold air aloft combined with afternoon heating produced a favorable environment for numerous thunderstorms to develop along an associated cold front.  Large hail was reported in a few locations, covering the ground and impacting travel in a few locations.  Hail brought traffic to a standstill for a time on Interstate 59 near Valley Head.   Rainfall of 3 to 4 inches in a short period of time led to flash flooding in portions of Lawrence, Limestone and Morgan Counties.

Hail in MORGAN, ALABAMA
From 05-APR-12 16:30:00 to 05-APR-12 16:32:00 (CST-6)
Location: TRINITY
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Nickel sized hail was reported on old highway 24.

Hail in MORGAN, ALABAMA
From 05-APR-12 16:30:00 to 05-APR-12 16:32:00 (CST-6)
Location: DECATUR
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Penny sized hail was reported on Cedarwood Drive in southwest Decatur.

Hail in LAWRENCE, ALABAMA
From 05-APR-12 16:30:00 to 05-APR-12 16:32:00 (CST-6)
Location: MOULTON
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Penny sized hail was reported.

Hail in MORGAN, ALABAMA
From 05-APR-12 16:38:00 to 05-APR-12 16:39:00 (CST-6)
Location: DECATUR
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Penny sized hail was reported.

Hail in MORGAN, ALABAMA
From 05-APR-12 16:56:00 to 05-APR-12 16:58:00 (CST-6)
Location: LACEYS SPG
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Nickel sized hail was reported.

Hail in MADISON, ALABAMA
From 05-APR-12 15:05:00 to 05-APR-12 15:07:00 (CST-6)
Location: MADISON
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Penny sized hail was reported on County Line road in Madison.

Flash Flood in MORGAN, ALABAMA
From 05-APR-12 17:22:00 to 05-APR-12 18:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: TRINITY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Flash flooding was reported at the intersection of Gordon Terry and Seneca Springs road in Trinity. The depth of the flood waters was 8 to 10 inches and flowing across the area roads.

Hail in MADISON, ALABAMA
From 05-APR-12 17:29:00 to 05-APR-12 17:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW HOPE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Penny sized hail was reported.

Hail in JACKSON, ALABAMA
From 05-APR-12 17:37:00 to 05-APR-12 17:39:00 (CST-6)
Location: WOODVILLE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Penny sized hail was reported.

Flash Flood in LAWRENCE, ALABAMA
From 05-APR-12 17:31:00 to 05-APR-12 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: MOULTON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Flash flooding occurred with several inches of water reported to be approaching a business on highway 24 just north of Moulton. Moulton tire company in Moulton was surrounded by several inches of water and the parking lot there was flooded. Several roads in this surrounding area had between 8 and 15 inches of water covering them. A few vehicles stalled in the high water and were abandoned. A vehicle was also swept by flash flooding near the McDonalds on highway 157 in Moulton. The occupants were pulled out of the car to safety.

Hail in MORGAN, ALABAMA
From 05-APR-12 17:43:00 to 05-APR-12 17:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: MORGAN CITY
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Quarter sized hail was reported on Georgia Mountain.

Hail in MARSHALL, ALABAMA
From 05-APR-12 17:45:00 to 05-APR-12 17:47:00 (CST-6)
Location: GUNTERSVILLE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Nickel sized hail was reported.

Hail in CULLMAN, ALABAMA
From 05-APR-12 17:56:00 to 05-APR-12 17:58:00 (CST-6)
Location: FAIRVIEW
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Penny sized hail was reported.

Lightning in MADISON, ALABAMA
From 05-APR-12 18:00:00 to 05-APR-12 18:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: HUNTSVILLE
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 5.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

A houseboat was struck by lightning and suffered damage due to a fire that started from the lightning strike.

Hail in DEKALB, ALABAMA
From 05-APR-12 18:08:00 to 05-APR-12 18:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: RAINSVILLE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Penny sized hail was reported.

Hail in MARSHALL, ALABAMA
From 05-APR-12 18:20:00 to 05-APR-12 18:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRANT
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Golf ball sized hail was reported along Highway 431 just west of Columbus City.

Hail in DEKALB, ALABAMA
From 05-APR-12 18:25:00 to 05-APR-12 18:27:00 (CST-6)
Location: SYLVANIA
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Quarter sized hail was reported.

Flash Flood in LIMESTONE, ALABAMA
From 05-APR-12 18:28:00 to 05-APR-12 19:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: ATHENS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Several inches of water was covering the road at the intersection of Browns Ferry road and Dowd road.

Hail in MARSHALL, ALABAMA
From 05-APR-12 18:50:00 to 05-APR-12 18:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: GUNTERSVILLE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Nickel sized hail was reported.

Hail in DEKALB, ALABAMA
From 05-APR-12 18:53:00 to 05-APR-12 18:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: MENTONE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Quarter sized hail was reported.

Hail in DEKALB, ALABAMA
From 05-APR-12 19:24:00 to 05-APR-12 19:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: CROSSVILLE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Penny sized hail was reported on Highway 227.

Hail in DEKALB, ALABAMA
From 05-APR-12 18:18:00 to 05-APR-12 18:19:00 (CST-6)
Location: RAINSVILLE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Penny sized hail reported.