Thunderstorm Wind in Montgomery County, Alabama

NWS meteorologists assessed damage across the Montgomery Metro and determined it was the result of straight-line wind damage. This damage began in the vicinity of Interstate 65 and Fairview Avenue and continued eastward to near Taylor Road. Numerous crossroads along this axis were affected, with many trees and large limbs downed onto residences, other buildings, vehicles, and roadways. Some power lines were also taken down, including across Interstate 85 which required a temporary closing of the roadway. Many residences suffered minor to significant damage from fallen trees and tree limbs.

Sporadic straight-line wind damage was noted in the greater Montgomery Metro area, though the most concentrated and significant damage was noted along the aforementioned areas.

Tree fall was observed to have been in a easterly direction. Additionally, radar data from KMXX showed a concentrated surge of

strong winds, in a uniform direction, on the southern side of the storm. Based on available evidence, straight-line winds is deemed the cause of these damages.

As a major winter storm unfolded across parts of Mississippi, Tennessee, and North Alabama, Central Alabama saw a quick warmup prior to a steep temperature fall as a surface low moved across the Birmingham area. On January 24, freezing rain was observed with light ice accretion across Marion and Winston counties. As the low moved through the state by the morning of January 25, a sharp warm sector developed generally south and east of the I-59 corridor. A line of thunderstorms developed during the mid-morning hours and moved eastward across Central Alabama. These storms briefly turned severe in the Montgomery area, producing an EF-1 tornado along the Lowndes/Montgomery county line as well as considerable straight-line wind damage in a swath along the I-85 corridor within the city of Montgomery.