EF1 Tornado — Bibb, Alabama

2020-03-03 · near Active, Bibb, Alabama

Event narrative

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in far southeast Bibb County and determined that it was consistent with an EF1 tornado, with maximum winds near 110 mph.

The tornado touched down in a heavily wooded area just west of Liberty Road in southeast Bibb County. The tornado intensified to EF1 strength where it knocked a manufactured home off the foundation, and displaced a nearby vehicle. Nearby, extensive tree damage was observed with at least several dozen trees snapped or uprooted. The tornado continued on an eastward path where it continued to cause extensive tree damage, as well as damage to at least three homes along Maude Tower Road and County Rd 29. The tornado then tracked over a heavily wooded area near Trail Branch before crossing Highway 82. It then caused numerous trees to be snapped or uprooted near the Lawley Fire Department and Community Center. The tornado dissipated just east of County Road 36 near Oakmulgee Creek.

Wider weather episode

A very moist and convergent zonal flow pattern set the stage for several rounds of severe weather across the southern portions of central Alabama on March 3rd/4th. A weak cold front pushed south of I-20 on March 3rd and triggered a cluster of strong to severe storms, including a few weak tornadoes. Another round of severe storms impacted areas south of I-85, producing high winds.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (32.8648, -87.0496)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 882927. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.