EF0 tornado in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in Tuscaloosa County and determined that it was consistent with an EF0 tornado, with maximum sustained winds near 60 mph.

The survey team was unable to access the area where the tornado began. Based on RADAR velocity, reflectivity, and dual-pol data, the tornado was estimated to have started in a forested area about one-third of a mile southwest of Humphries Drive. This point is located west of County Road 59/Lock 17 Road and east of the Black Warrior River, due north of the Brookwood community. The tornado traveled northeast crossing Humphries Drive and lifted along Antioch Community Road. Damage primarily consisted of downed trees, but one mobile home sustained very minor damage to the underpinning.

A widespread severe weather event occurred across central Alabama aduring the afternoon and evening hours on Thursday, March 14th. The event began in the northwest counties and spread eastward all the way to the Georgia state line. A strong low level jet of 40-50 knots, combined with moderate instability (1000-1500 J/kg) and 0-6km bulk shear of 55-50 knots, produced an atmosphere favorable for severe thunderstorms and supercells.