Event Summary for Central Alabama
A strong storm system developed over the southern Plains on Friday. The surface low pressure area deepened as it moved northeastward across the lower Mississippi Valley early Saturday. Gusty southerly winds ushered 60s surface dew points into south-central Alabama. The strong storm system was accompanied by high wind shear values, forcing, and lift. The strong southerly winds allowed the temperatures to warm quickly into the 60s. The combination of this high-shear environment and just enough surface instability was conducive to severe thunderstorm development.
Several rotating thunderstorms were present within a broken line of storms that moved through Central Alabama on Saturday. A total of 4 tornadoes touched down and affected Dallas, Autauga, Elmore and Coosa Counties. In addition to these tornadoes, there were a few reports of damaging straight-line winds and numerous reports of trees down due to the strong winds both ahead and behind the strong cold front.
This strong January storm system also caused severe weather in Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, and Florida.
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