December 21, 2011

2.2 SSW Graham After a review of damage, eye witness accounts, and analysis of Dual-Pol radar data from KFFC, it was determined that damage in northeastern Randolph C ounty was a result of a brief EF-0 tornado. The EF-0 tornado with winds of 70 mph briefly touched down near Sewell, along County Road 87, south of County Road 438. One home and half a dozen outbuildings sustained roof damage, as metal roofing was peeled off and tossed up to one half mile downwind. Minor tree damage was also noted. Two witnesses reported a funnel cloud in the area, but due to terrain were unable to confirm whether the circulation extended to the ground. A cold front pushed into Central Alabama during the day on Wednesday, December 21, 2011, eventually stalling northeast to southwest, bisecting the forecast area in half. In a marginally unstable airmass ahead of the front (effective bulk shear around 50 kts and CAPE between 500-1000 J/kg), strong storms developed. As low level shear increased, several storms showed signs of rotation, with one producing damage near the Georgia S tate L ine in Randolph County. Start: 33.4214/-85.3201 End: 33.4215/-85.3156

NWS EF Scale: F0