EF0 tornado in Chilton County, Alabama

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in Chilton County and determined that it was consistent with an EF0 tornado, with maximum sustained winds near 85 mph.

The tornado touched down just east of Interstate 65 near Alabama Highway 145 and produced minor tree damage and roofing/wall damage to a site-built home. As the tornado tracked eastward, the density of damage increased. Several pine trees were snapped and uprooted, along with sheet metal peeling of manufactured homes and barns/outbuildings near County Road 249. A mixture of tree damage and minor structural damage was observed all the way to Lay Lake. The tornado crossed Lay Lake near County Road 55 and into Coosa County.

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.