|
A potent storm system affected our area on Thursday, March 25th. A highly-sheared environment combined with increasing instability to produce several severe thunderstorms. More-so than usual, parameters were supportive of significant and long-track storms, prompting the issuance of a 'high risk' or level 5 out of 5 for severe storms.
A total of 10 tornadoes occurred in our forecast area. This included 4 EF-3 tornadoes, 3 EF-2 tornadoes, and 3 EF-1 tornadoes. Damage was significant along the paths of the most intense tornadoes and, unfortunately, injuries and fatalities occurred. However, we heard of many stories involving people taking shelter in a storm pit, interior room, or leaving for a sturdier structure after receiving a tornado warning. This action certainly saved many lives as in many cases their residence was blown away.
Some storms were cyclic, meaning multiple tornadoes were produced by the same storm. The most stunning tornado of the event was the long-track tornado that carved a path of damage spanning 80.38 miles over its 98 minute lifespan from Hale to Shelby Counties. This was a single tornado, putting it at #7 for the longest single tornado track in the state of Alabama.
Interactive Tornado Map |
**The data below are considered PRELIMINARY.** |
|
|
|
|
|