Thunderstorms

A thunderstorm is a storm that contains both thunder and lightning. These storms can produce flash flooding, gusty winds, hail, and even tornadoes. The southern part of the United States has the highest number of average annual thunderstorms, especially those states located near the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.

Alabama typically sees between 50 and 80 thunderstorm days a year, depending on the location within the state. Counties closer to the Gulf of Mexico experience thunderstorms more frequently than those located in the Highland Rim. While most of the thunderstorm activity is observed during the summer months, the passage of cold fronts through the state during the spring and fall can also spawn severe thunderstorms.

Kentucky Thunderstorms

Source: NOAA

Did You Know?

Until 2018, there was not an official record for hail in Alabama. On March 19, 2018, a hailstone fell in Cullman, AL that measured 5.38 inches in peak width, weighed 9.8 ounces and had a circumference of 13.75 inches. You can read more about the hailstone here. Hailstones the size of softballs (4.50" in diameter) have been reported multiple times across Alabama since 1950.