Hail and Damaging Winds in Alabama, March 12, 2010

Name: Hail and Damaging Winds in Alabama, March 12, 2010
Start: 2010-03-12T02:00
End: 2010-03-12T10:35
Location: Alabama

March 12, 2010 · NWS HUN · 32 events in 8 counties and zones

A strong storm system brought a potent cold front through the Mississippi Valley and across northern Alabama after midnight on Thursday. A line of strong to severe thunderstorms developed along and ahead of the front, producing numerous reports of large hail, particularly in northeastern Alabama.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $459,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 32

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS HUN wrote it up.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Huntsville, AL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Mar 11, 11:45 PM CST, 2 hours 15 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 11, 11:45 PM CST, 2 hours 15 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
1145 PM CST THU MAR 11 2010

.UPDATE...06Z TAF ISSUANCE.

&&

.AVIATION...VFR CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED AT KMSL AND KHSV THROUGH THE
EARLY MORNING HOURS. AS A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM DEEPENS TO THE SW AND
MOVES NE...SHRA/TSRA IS CURRENTLY APPROACHING FROM THE SW...THEY
WILL BECOME MORE CLUSTERED IN NATURE BY SUNRISE. MVFR CONDITIONS ARE
EXPECTED AS SHRA/TSRA APPROACH THE TERMINALS. IN HEAVIER SHRA/TSRA
BETWEEN 09Z-13Z...IFR CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE. EXACT ENDING TIME OF
PRECIP IS UNCERTAIN AT THIS TIME...SO TIMING AT END OF TAF PERIOD IS
MAINLY TO SHOW TRENDS OF CLEARING. CLOUDS AND DZ MAY LINGER LONGER
DEPENDING ON THE TRACK AND SPEED OF THE SYSTEM EXITING THE AREA.

&&

.DISCUSSION.../PREVIOUSLY ISSUED 840 PM CST THU MAR 11 2010/...
TEMPERATURES ACROSS THE TENNESSEE VALLEY AT THIS HOUR RANGE FROM THE
LOWER 60S IN THE CENTRAL PORTION OF THE AREA...TO THE LOWER 50S IN
THE EAST.

A SURFACE LOW IS DEVELOPING ACROSS NRN LA ATTM...AND WILL BEGIN
ADVANCING TO THE NE THROUGHOUT THE NEXT SEVERAL HOURS. THIS WILL BE
THE SYSTEM RESPONSIBLE FOR ANOTHER ROUND OF STRONG STORMS TOMORROW
MORNING JUST BEFORE DAYBREAK. DAMAGING WINDS AND LARGE HAIL REMAIN
THE GREATEST THREATS IN THE MORNING...HOWEVER...WITH THE SHEAR IN
PLACES ACROSS THE AREA...AN ISOLATED TORNADO CANNOT BE RULED OUT.
DISSIPATING SHOWER ACTIVITY IS NOTED ON AREA RADARS TO OUR SOUTH AND
WEST...BUT WITH CLOUD BASES AROUND 15KFT...THINK MOST OF THIS
ACTIVITY IS FALLING IN THE FORM OF VIRGA /SFC OBS SHOW DRY
CONDITIONS BENEATH THE ECHOES/.

FORECAST-WISE...WEATHER GRIDS WERE TWEAKED TO SHOW A TIMEFRAME OF
09-12Z WITH REGARDS TO THE ONSET OF PRECIP IN THE WEST. LATEST
MODELS SUGGEST SHOWERS/STORMS AROUND DAYBREAK...SO ADJUSTED THE TIME
BACK A FEW HOURS. SKY AND POP GRIDS WERE ADJUSTED ACCORDINGLY AS
WELL. OTHER THAN A FEW TWEAKS TO THE HOURLY TEMP GRIDS...NO CHANGES
WERE MADE TO THE CURRENT FORECAST.

UPDATED ZONES OUT SHORTLY.

&&

.HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AL...NONE.
TN...NONE.
&&

12

Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 11, 8:55 PM CST, 5 hours 5 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
855 PM CST THU MAR 11 2010

ALZ001>010-016-TNZ076-096-097-121100-
LAUDERDALE-COLBERT-FRANKLIN AL-LAWRENCE-LIMESTONE-MADISON-MORGAN-
MARSHALL-JACKSON-DEKALB-CULLMAN-MOORE-LINCOLN-FRANKLIN TN-
855 PM CST THU MAR 11 2010

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTH ALABAMA AND PORTIONS OF
SOUTHERN MIDDLE TENNESSEE.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT...

CLUSTERS OF THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP AND SPREAD NORTHEAST INTO THE
TENNESSEE VALLEY VERY LATE TONIGHT.  THE STORMS WILL BEGIN AFFECTING
AREAS SOUTH OF THE TENNESSEE RIVER AFTER 3 AM...THEN SPREAD
NORTHWARD INTO SOUTHERN MIDDLE TENNESSEE AROUND 6 AM.

A FEW OF THE STORMS COULD BECOME SEVERE...WITH THE PRIMARY HAZARDS
BEING LARGE HAIL...FREQUENT LIGHTNING...AND POSSIBLY DAMAGING
WINDS.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY...

THE THREAT FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL INCREASE DURING THE MORNING
HOURS FOR AREAS ALONG AND EAST OF THE INTERSTATE 65 CORRIDOR...WHILE
THE THREAT DECREASES OR ENDS IN NORTHWEST ALABAMA.  AN ORGANIZED
LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS WILL BECOME CAPABLE OF DAMAGING WINDS AND
PERHAPS ISOLATED BRIEF TORNADOES AS WELL. THE LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS
AND THREAT FOR SEVERE WEATHER SHOULD EXIT EASTERN PORTIONS OF NORTH
ALABAMA AND SOUTHERN MIDDLE TENNESSEE AROUND MIDDAY.

.SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT...

ACTIVATION OF STORM SPOTTERS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL MAY
BE REQUESTED LATE TONIGHT AND FRIDAY MORNING.

KULA

The radar

The Columbus AFB radar (KGWX), 116 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 08:00 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

27 hail, 3 lightning, 2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Lightning, Colbert

When: March 12, 2:00 AM CST
Where: Colbert County, 14.43 mi ESE of Old Bethel
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 34.486, -87.294

Lightning struck a storage shed at a residence and set it on fire.

Hail, Franklin

When: March 12, 2:30 AM CST to 2:35 AM CST
Where: Franklin County, 0.57 mi W of Nix
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.350, -87.790

Quarter size hail was reported five miles west of Phil Campbell.

Lightning, Franklin

When: March 12, 2:35 AM CST to 2:40 AM CST
Where: Franklin County, 0.69 mi S of Russellville
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 34.510, -87.730

Lightning struck the top of a water tower which then fell 75 feet onto a home in Russellville.

Hail, Colbert

When: March 12, 2:40 AM CST to 2:45 AM CST
Where: Colbert County, 3.16 mi ESE of Spring Vly
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.630, -87.580

Nickel hail was reported near Spring Valley.

Hail, Franklin

When: March 12, 2:43 AM CST to 2:48 AM CST
Where: Franklin County, 1.38 mi N of Chestnut Ridge
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 34.350, -87.620

Penny to golf ball size hail was reported 5 miles east of Phil Campbell.

Hail, Lawrence

When: March 12, 3:02 AM CST to 3:07 AM CST
Where: Lawrence County, 1.49 mi NNE of Hatton
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.590, -87.410

Quarter size hail was reported near Hatton.

Lightning, Lawrence

When: March 12, 3:30 AM CST
Where: Lawrence County, 0.57 mi E of Courtland Airfield
Property damage: $120,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 34.670, -87.320

Lightning started a fire in the attic of one of the buidings at the Courtland Village Apartments. This fire quickly spread to all the units while firefighters from the area battled the fire for 2 hours. Tragically, the building was a total loss and eight families were displaced by the fire after the blaze was extinguished.

Hail, Lawrence

When: March 12, 3:35 AM CST to 3:40 AM CST
Where: Lawrence County, 2.07 mi S of Hillsboro
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 34.600, -87.180

Golfball size hail was reported 5 miles west of Trinity.

Hail, Lawrence

When: March 12, 3:40 AM CST to 3:45 AM CST
Where: Lawrence County, Moulton
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.480, -87.280

Penny size hail was reported in Moulton.

Hail, Limestone

When: March 12, 3:42 AM CST to 3:47 AM CST
Where: Limestone County, 2.99 mi SSW of Wheeler Lake North
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.790, -87.170

Quarter size hail was reported 12 miles west of Athens near CR 15.

Hail, Limestone

When: March 12, 3:45 AM CST to 3:50 AM CST
Where: Limestone County, 1.75 mi S of Lawngate
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 34.695, -87.078

Wind gusts to 35 mph and quarter size hail was reported.

Hail, Limestone

When: March 12, 3:52 AM CST to 3:57 AM CST
Where: Limestone County, 1.49 mi NNW of Lawngate
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 34.740, -87.090

Quarter size hail and wind gusts to 40 mph were reported in Ripley.

Hail, Limestone

When: March 12, 4:00 AM CST to 4:05 AM CST
Where: Limestone County, Elkmont
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 34.930, -86.980

Penny size hail was reported in Elkmont.

Hail, Limestone

When: March 12, 4:11 AM CST to 4:16 AM CST
Where: Limestone County, 1.33 mi ESE of Athens
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 34.790, -86.960

Penny size hail was reported in Athens.

Hail, Madison

When: March 12, 4:55 AM CST to 5:00 AM CST
Where: Madison County, 1.16 mi NNE of Monrovia
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 34.786, -86.714

Penny hail was reported covering the ground in the Monrovia area.

Hail, Cullman

When: March 12, 4:58 AM CST to 5:25 AM CST
Where: Cullman County, 3.98 mi SW of Jones Chapel to 0.69 mi N of West Pt
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.180, -87.100

A thunderstorm moved northeast from near Logan to the West Point area producing nickel to quarter size hail along it's path.

Hail, Cullman

When: March 12, 5:24 AM CST to 5:29 AM CST
Where: Cullman County, 0.57 mi W of Cullman
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.180, -86.840

Penny size hail was reported in Cullman.

Hail, Cullman

When: March 12, 5:25 AM CST to 5:30 AM CST
Where: Cullman County, 2.15 mi SSW of Trimble
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.070, -86.960

Quarter size hail was reported near Lewis Smith Lake.

Hail, Madison

When: March 12, 5:30 AM CST to 5:35 AM CST
Where: Madison County, 1.14 mi E of Madison
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.700, -86.750

Quarter size hail was reported in Madison.

Hail, Limestone

When: March 12, 5:33 AM CST to 5:38 AM CST
Where: Limestone County, 1.33 mi ESE of Athens
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.790, -86.960

Penny size hail was reported in Athens.

Hail, Limestone

When: March 12, 5:33 AM CST to 5:38 AM CST
Where: Limestone County, 1.33 mi ESE of Athens
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.790, -86.960

Penny size hail was reported in Athens.

Hail, Madison

When: March 12, 5:40 AM CST to 5:45 AM CST
Where: Madison County, 1.14 mi E of Madison
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.700, -86.750

Penny size hail was reported in Madison.

Hail, Cullman

When: March 12, 5:43 AM CST to 5:47 AM CST
Where: Cullman County, 0.9 mi SW of Cullman
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.170, -86.840

Penny size hail was reported in Cullman.

Hail, Cullman

When: March 12, 6:05 AM CST to 6:10 AM CST
Where: Cullman County, 0.57 mi W of Fairview
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.250, -86.690

Penny size hail was reported in Fairview.

Hail, Cullman

When: March 12, 6:11 AM CST to 6:16 AM CST
Where: Cullman County, 1.5 mi SSW of County Line
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.280, -86.710

Penny size hail was reported northeast of Cullman.

Hail, Marshall

When: March 12, 9:09 AM CST to 9:14 AM CST
Where: Marshall County, 2.99 mi SSW of Guntersville Muni Ar
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.361, -86.292

Penny size hail up to 2 inches in depth was reported at the Marshall County Courthouse.

Hail, Marshall

When: March 12, 9:25 AM CST to 9:30 AM CST
Where: Marshall County, 1.14 mi W of Martling
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.370, -86.220

Golfball hail was reported at the Guntersville State park.

Thunderstorm Wind, Marshall

When: March 12, 9:25 AM CST to 9:30 AM CST
Where: Marshall County, 1.14 mi W of Martling
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $6,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.370, -86.220

Trees were blown down at the Guntersville State Park.

Hail, Dekalb

When: March 12, 9:37 AM CST to 9:47 AM CST
Where: Dekalb County, 1.06 mi N of Geraldine
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.365, -86.003

The line of thunderstorms that produced large hail in portions of Marshall county continued to move northeast from Marshall county into Dekalb county. Near Geraldine, nickel to quarter sized hail was reported to the depth of 8 inches on highway 75. Alabama Department of Transportation crews were called in to clear the hail off a bridge on highway 75. Numerous accidents were reported due to the slick roads caused by the accumulated hail.

Hail, Dekalb

When: March 12, 9:55 AM CST to 10:22 AM CST
Where: Dekalb County, 0.56 mi NNE of Rainsville to 2.1 mi NNW of New Home
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.508, -85.867

A thunderstorm began producing confirmed half dollar (1.25 inches in diameter) to golfball (1.75 inches in diameter) sized hail just southwest of the Rainsville community. There are radar indications this path of large hail could have started even further to the southwest. As it pushed through Rainsville, the large hail significantly damaged 19 buildings, tearing up siding, awnings, and damaging some automobiles. Hail accumulation of at least one to three inches was reported.

This storm then continued moving northeast and produced hail up to the size of hen eggs (2.00 inches in diameter) as it passed through the Slyvania community, where some damage also occurred. This storm continued to produce golfball sized hail as it moved over the eastern side of the Henagar community, before weakening.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dekalb

When: March 12, 10:00 AM CST to 10:05 AM CST
Where: Dekalb County, 0.96 mi NE of Rainsville
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $13,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.510, -85.858

A tin roof was ripped off a barn on Rainbow Avenue in Rainsville.

Hail, Dekalb

When: March 12, 10:25 AM CST to 10:35 AM CST
Where: Dekalb County, 1.49 mi SSW of River Park to 1.33 mi ESE of High Pt
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Park/Forest Service
Coordinates: 34.480, -85.630

A line of thunderstorms produced penny (0.75 inch) to golfball size (1.75 inch) hail along a continuous path from portions of Desoto State park to just east of Mentone. The largest hail to the size of golfballs (1.75 inch) occurred just east of Mentone. Quarter size hail was also reported in Valley Head.

What these are

Lightning: A lightning strike that killed, injured or caused damage.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Alabama in 2010 Every state in 2010 This day in weather history Warnings in Alabama, March 2010

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 219974, 219129, 220083, 219130, 219131, 219132, 219972, 219134, 219135, 219136, 219137, 219138, 219139, 219140, 219150, 219141, 219144, 219145, 219146, 219147, 219148, 219149, 219948, 219151, 219947, 219950, 219951, 219952, 219963, 219965, 220692, 219970.