Numerous thunderstorms erupted during the afternoon and continued into the evening hours as an upper level disturbance interacted with a very unstable air mass.  The weather pattern and atmospheric environment was more similar to early Summer.  A mix of hail and damaging wind reports were noted with frequent cloud-to-ground lightning sparking several small fires. At the Huntsville International Airport, a 71 mph wind gust was measured during the evening from a severe thunderstorm.

Lightning in LIMESTONE, ALABAMA
From 15-MAR-12 17:23:00 to 15-MAR-12 17:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: ATHENS
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Lightning sparked a small fire behind a closet in an upstairs bedroom of a home on High Point Street in Athens.  Damages not specified.

Lightning in MORGAN, ALABAMA
From 15-MAR-12 18:42:00 to 15-MAR-12 18:42:00 (CST-6)
Location: HARTSELLE
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Lightning struck a female who was taking photos with a cell phone of a storm with her arm outside the home through a doorway.  The female felt a surge of electricity through her arm, into her neck and out her wrist which appeared bruised.   She then fell backwards and suffered a seizure for several minutes, then called 911 for emergency assistance.  She was hospitalized overnight and released the next morning.  The Morgan County emergency manager reported at least 3 fires sparked by lightning their county.  Two 46000 volt circuits were also damaged in Decatur with about 4250 utility customers losing power for a few hours.

Hail in LAUDERDALE, ALABAMA
From 15-MAR-12 15:58:00 to 15-MAR-12 16:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: JACKSONBURG
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Nickle sized hail was reported in the Jacksonburg community.

Hail in LAUDERDALE, ALABAMA
From 15-MAR-12 15:58:00 to 15-MAR-12 16:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: ST FLORIAN
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail up to quarter-sized was reported.

Hail in MORGAN, ALABAMA
From 15-MAR-12 17:06:00 to 15-MAR-12 17:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: TRINITY
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Nickel-sized hail was reported.

Hail in LIMESTONE, ALABAMA
From 15-MAR-12 17:10:00 to 15-MAR-12 17:13:00 (CST-6)
Location: RIPLEY
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Quarter-sized hail was reported.

Hail in MADISON, ALABAMA
From 15-MAR-12 17:45:00 to 15-MAR-12 17:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: HARVEST
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Nickel-sized hail was reported.

Hail in MADISON, ALABAMA
From 15-MAR-12 18:27:00 to 15-MAR-12 18:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: FLETCHER CHAPEL
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Nickel-sized hail was reported at Bradford Drive and Wynn Avenue, and at Sparkman Drive at Holmes Avenue.

Lightning in MORGAN, ALABAMA
From 15-MAR-12 19:44:00 to 15-MAR-12 19:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: COLE SPGS
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Lightning sparked a wood fire on Lacon Road.  Time and location estimated using the NCDC Severe Weather Data Inventory.

Lightning in MORGAN, ALABAMA
From 15-MAR-12 20:26:00 to 15-MAR-12 20:26:00 (CST-6)
Location: UNION
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Lightning sparked a house fire on Union Road.  Time and location estimated with the NCDC Severe Weather Data Inventory.  Specific damages unknown.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAWRENCE, ALABAMA
From 15-MAR-12 17:36:00 to 15-MAR-12 17:39:00 (CST-6)
Location: MOULTON
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A tree was blown down onto a powerline near Coffey Road and Somerville Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAWRENCE, ALABAMA
From 15-MAR-12 17:36:00 to 15-MAR-12 17:39:00 (CST-6)
Location: MOULTON
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A tree was blown down onto a power line on Church Street.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAWRENCE, ALABAMA
From 15-MAR-12 17:43:00 to 15-MAR-12 17:46:00 (CST-6)
Location: KIMO
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A power pole was snapped on County Road 217 between State Highways 24 and 87.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAWRENCE, ALABAMA
From 15-MAR-12 17:36:00 to 15-MAR-12 17:41:00 (CST-6)
Location: MOULTON
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Trees were knocked down around the Moulton community.

Thunderstorm Wind in MADISON, ALABAMA
From 15-MAR-12 18:23:00 to 15-MAR-12 18:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: MADISON CO JET PORT
Magnitude: 62.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

A thunderstorm wind gust of 71 mph was recorded at the Huntsville International Airport.

Flash Flood in MADISON, ALABAMA
From 15-MAR-12 18:30:00 to 15-MAR-12 20:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: MADISON CO JET PORT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Flash flooding was reported at Madison Boulevard at Jetplex Circle.  More than six inches of flood water was reported by Madison Police.