NWS Birmingham, Alabama

Weather Forecast Office

Fultondale EF3 Tornado - January 25, 2021

Fultondale EF-3 Tornado of January 25, 2021

Event Summary for Central Alabama

Central Alabama was involved within a warm sector ahead of an approaching cold front during the night of January 25th, 2021, featuring dew points in the low to mid 60s and surface-based instability reaching as high as 1,200 J/kg. Strong wind shear was in place which, combined with instability, favored a risk for severe storms. Upper-level troughing was displaced well toward the northwest, which helped to limit the number of severe storms, with just one or two occurring throughout the event.

The storm that produced the EF-3 tornado was first tracked from near Interstate 55 in Central Mississippi. As the storm moved across Mississippi and into West Alabama, it exhibited episodes of rotation, but none were strong enough to produce a tornado. As the storm entered Jefferson County, its structure underwent organization. A rotational signature quickly matured, with an associated BWER signature on RADAR. A strong tornado was spawned, affecting populated areas just north of Birmingham. This storm continued eastward into Georgia, with additional occurrences of rotation but no additional tornadoes.

This event will be reviewed as the formation of this tornadic storm was particularly interesting given the overall environment. A few small-scale factors, perhaps not present elsewhere, appear to have come together to allow this storm to produce such a tornado.

**The data below is considered PRELIMINARY.**

Survey Information

Rating: (Click for EF Scale)	EF-3
Estimated Maximum Wind:	150 mph
Injuries/Fatalities:	30+ / 1
Damage Path Length:	10.4 miles
Maximum Path Width:	900 yards
Approximate Start Point/Time:	5 NNW Birmingham 33.5965/-86.8256 at 10:40 PM CST
Approximate End Point/Time:	1 WSW Chalkville 33.6598/-86.6678 at 10:55 PM CST

NWS Meteorologists surveyed damage in northern Jefferson County, from Fultondale northeastward to Center Point, and determined it was the result of a strong tornado.

The tornado began along Chapel Hills Parkway, where minor shingle damage to homes occurred. The tornado then tracked northeastward across Ellard Road, then directly over the Walker Chapel Road overpass on Interstate 65. It was at this interstate exit where the tornado began to intensify, snapping numerous power poles and causing substantial damage to the Hampton Inn. The damage to the hotel and surrounding area suggests EF-2 strength (winds up to 115 mph).

The tornado continued northeastward, crossing Highway 31, causing mostly tree damage along the highway. As the tornado moved into more residential areas along Fulton Drive and Lykes Boulevard, substantial damage occurred with several homes being destroyed with at least one being swept off the foundation. There was also significant tree damage in the neighborhood.

Next, several homes along Georgetown Lane suffered significant damage as wind breached garage doors, aiding in complete roof loss in some cases. Other damage included destroyed fences, sheds, and lofting of a hot tub (still missing as of the afternoon of the 27th). Numerous trees were uprooted or snapped.

As the tornado continued toward the northeast, it paralleled Carson Road and continued causing substantial damage to homes along Meida Circle, Darlene Drive, and New Castle Road. Buildings in an industrial area along Carson Road were damaged, including a fleet of vehicles at Hurst Towing. The damage along New Castle Road was widespread with a few trees debarked or snapped half way down the trunk, and debris from homes thrown considerable distances.

EF-3 caliber damage was confined to a zone from Lykes Boulevard to Meida Circle to New Castle road.

The tornado began to weaken after crossing North Pine Hill Road, but still caused damage. Along Highway 79, dozens of mobile homes were damaged by falling trees in the Rusk Mobile Home Park. The tornado finally lifted near Highway 75 in Center Point, where trees and powerlines were downed near the Jefferson County Multi-Services Facility.

Special thanks go to Jefferson County EMA for their assistance.

The data is PRELIMINARY and may be subject to change.

View Larger Map

Reflectivity (left) and velocity (right) of the tornado as it continued to rip through Fultondale. Images from KBMX at 1044 PM CST.
Hampton Inn damaged.	Home destroyed.
Home destroyed.	Manufactured home destroyed.
Home destroyed.	Home destroyed.
Widespread tree damage.	Homes destroyed on New Castle Rd.
Tree and home debris.	Car tossed.
Homes destroyed.	Home destroyed.
Significant tree damage.	Fultondale HS ballfield damaged.
Fultondale High School damaged.	Looking NE toward Yarbrough Rd.
Melba Lane Courtesy Brett Adair, Live Storms Media	Nelda Circle Courtesy Jefferson County EMA
Oak Street & New Castle Road Courtesy Jefferson County EMA

Severe Weather Episode Data

250 mb Analysis January 25 at 6 pm	500 mb Analysis January 25 at 6 pm	850 mb Analysis January 25 at 6 pm
250 mb Analysis January 26 at 6 am	500 mb Analysis January 26 at 6 am	850 mb Analysis January 26 at 6 am
Surface Analysis January 25 at 6 pm	Surface Analysis January 25 at 9 pm	Surface Analysis January 26 at 12 am
Local Severe Outlook Issued January 25 at 2 pm	KBMX Sounding January 25 at 6 pm	KBMX Sounding January 26 at 12 am
Storm Reports January 25

Aerial Videos

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