EF0 tornado in Blount County, Alabama

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in the Locust Fork area of Blount County and determined that it was consistent with an EF0 tornado, with maximum winds near 65 mph. The tornado touched down in a heavily wooded area near the Locust Fork River, just west of Standridge Trail. The first observable damage was in the area of Standridge Trail where minor timber damage occurred. Two barns sustained roof damage and one camper trailer was rolled and destroyed. The tornado continued east toward Deaver Walker and Campbell Roads. The circulation was fairly broad. Most damage consisted of sporadic uprooted trees. A few structures had minor roof damage with at least two structures damaged by uprooted trees. The tornado moved generally east across Tabernacle Road and County Road 13, producing additional sporadic and minor timber damage. The tornado dissipated before crossing Highway 79. Given the weak nature of the circulation, most if not all damage was on the right side with debris facing in a N to NE direction indicating non-divergent damage relative to path. No damage was found on the north side of the damage path.

A very dynamic and deepening low pressure system moved through the Ohio Valley states on November 29-30 with a trailing cold. The air mass across Central Alabama was initially stable during the day on November 29th with surface dewpoints in the 40s and 50s. Instability increased dramatically the evening of the 29th as 60 plus surface dewpoints advected northward into Central Alabama. A QLCS developed ahead of the approaching cold front in addition to discrete thunderstorms.