Tornado and Damaging Winds in Alabama, February 24 to 25, 2011

Name: Tornado and Damaging Winds in Alabama, February 24 to 25, 2011
Start: 2011-02-24T00:00
End: 2011-02-25T00:49
Location: Alabama

February 24 to 25, 2011 · NWS HUN · 36 events in 10 counties and zones

An intense fast moving squall line tracked east at 50 to 60 mph across north Alabama. Ahead of the line, southerly winds accelerated to 30 to 40 mph with a few gusts around 60 mph.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 2 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $138,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 36

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS HUN wrote it up.

An intense fast moving squall line tracked east at 50 to 60 mph across north Alabama. Ahead of the line, southerly winds accelerated to 30 to 40 mph with a few gusts around 60 mph. The winds knocked some trees and power lines down.

The QLCS produced several reports of wind damage mainly to trees and powerlines, causing sporadic power outages. A poorly fastened, but large chicken barn was destroyed near Battleground in northwest Cullman County.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Huntsville, AL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Feb 23, 10:55 PM CST, 1 hour 5 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 23, 10:55 PM CST, 1 hour 5 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
1055 PM CST WED FEB 23 2011

.UPDATE...
FOR 06Z AVIATION DISCUSSION
&&

.AVIATION...
IN GENERAL...VFR CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON.
MAY SEE A BRIEF DROP TO MVFR LATE TONIGHT AS MOISTURE STREAMS INTO
THE REGION...BUT IF THIS OCCURS...CIGS SHOULD QUICKLY RECOVER
THURSDAY MORNING AS DEEP MIXING ENSUES. LLWS WILL PRESENT A PROBLEM
THROUGH THE OVERNIGHT HOURS TONIGHT AS STRONG LOW LEVEL WINDS BARREL
INTO THE REGION. THESE WINDS WILL BECOME STRONG GUSTS BY MID TO LATE
MORNING THURSDAY...WITH GUSTS APPROACHING 30KT BY THURSDAY
AFTERNOON. A BROKEN SQUALL LINE WILL BE NEAR MSL VERY LATE IN THE
PERIOD...AND THE 12Z TAFS WILL BE BETTER ABLE TO DEFINE THIS
SCENARIO.
&&

.DISCUSSION...
LIGHT RAIN SHOWERS ARE CONTINUING TO SPREAD ACROSS THE NORTHWESTERN
TWO THIRDS OF THE CWFA ATTM. OPTED TO INCREASE POPS IN THE NORTHWEST
TO ACCOUNT FOR THESE SHOWERS...AND FOR THE ADDITIONAL ACTIVITY
EXPECTED AS LOW LEVEL MOISTURE POOLS JUST TO THE NORTHWEST OF THE
CWFA /PER MOIST ASCENT ON THE I305/300K SURFACES AND STRENGTHENING
THETAE RIDGE/. MOST OF THIS ACTIVITY SHOULD BE LIGHT TO OCCASIONALLY
MODERATE...WITH MANY LOCATIONS RECEIVING ONLY A SPRINKLE. FARTHER TO
THE SOUTHEAST WHERE DEWPOINTS ARE STILL LINGERING IN THE 30S TO THE
EAST OF A SURFACE FRONT...PRECIPITATION SHOULD BE MORE LIMITED AS
LOW LEVEL WINDS CONTINUE TO INDICATE A SOUTHEASTERLY FETCH. IN THESE
AREAS...OPTED TO KEEP THE ISOLATED SHOWER MENTION...BUT ALSO TO DROP
TEMPERATURES A COUPLE DEGREES TO ACCOUNT FOR THE LOWER DEWPOINTS.

OTHERWISE...THE MAIN FOCUS FOR THE FORECAST CENTERS ON THE
DEVELOPING SURFACE LOW AND WHAT HAZARDS IT WILL BRING TO THE
TENNESSEE VALLEY LATE TOMORROW EVENING. IN ADDITION TO THE
THUNDERSTORM-ASSOCIATED WIND THREAT...THE 00Z NAM SUGGESTS THAT
GRADIENT WIND GUSTS MAY REACH ADVISORY CRITERIA OVER AT LEAST A
PORTION OF THE CWFA THURSDAY AFTERNOON. WILL WAIT FOR THE 00Z GFS TO
TRICKLE IN BEFORE MAKING ANY FINAL DECISIONS.
&&

.HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AL...NONE.
TN...NONE.
&&

JLL

Hazardous weather outlook, Feb 23, 8:25 PM CST, 3 hours 35 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
825 PM CST WED FEB 23 2011

ALZ001>010-016-TNZ076-096-097-241100-
LAUDERDALE-COLBERT-FRANKLIN AL-LAWRENCE-LIMESTONE-MADISON-MORGAN-
MARSHALL-JACKSON-DEKALB-CULLMAN-MOORE-LINCOLN-FRANKLIN TN-
825 PM CST WED FEB 23 2011

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTH ALABAMA AND PORTIONS
OF SOUTHERN MIDDLE TENNESSEE.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT...

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY...

A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS IS EXPECTED TO MOVE ACROSS THE TENNESSEE
VALLEY THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING ALONG A STRONG COLD
FRONT. THIS LINE WILL APPROACH THE MISSISSIPPI-ALABAMA BORDER AROUND
10 PM ON THURSDAY AND MOVE EASTWARD ACROSS THE STATE...ENDING BY
AROUND 8 AM ON FRIDAY. SOME OF THOSE STORMS MAY BECOME SEVERE...WITH
DAMAGING WINDS AS THE PRIMARY THREAT. HAIL...LOCALIZED HEAVY
RAINFALL AND ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE ALSO POSSIBLE.

ANOTHER ROUND OF NUMEROUS THUNDERSTORMS IS EXPECTED MONDAY...AS YET
ANOTHER STRONG COLD FRONT MOVES ACROSS THE AREA. EARLY INDICATIONS
CONTINUE TO SHOW A RISK FOR STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS WITH THIS SYSTEM.

.SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT...

ACTIVATION OF STORM SPOTTERS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL IS
POSSIBLE THURSDAY EVENING.

CCC

The radar

The Columbus AFB radar (KGWX), 101 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 06:00 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

33 thunderstorm wind, 2 strong wind, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Colbert

When: February 24, 12:00 AM CST to 12:05 AM CST
Where: Colbert County, 0.69 mi NNW of Cherokee
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 34.760, -87.973

A flag pole was bent almost to the ground by winds and a large pine tree was blown down onto power lines in the Cherokee community.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When: February 24, 12:00 AM CST to 12:05 AM CST
Where: Lawrence County, 2.59 mi SSE of Wren
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $6,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 34.394, -87.268

Trees were blown down at the intersection of CR 190 and 90 in the Speake area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When: February 24, 12:00 AM CST to 12:05 AM CST
Where: Lawrence County, 1.73 mi SE of Wren
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $6,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 34.416, -87.255

Trees were blown down near the intersection of CR 188 and CR 92.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When: February 24, 12:00 AM CST to 12:05 AM CST
Where: Lawrence County, 5.4 mi NNE of Pool
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $6,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 34.416, -87.170

Trees were blown down on highway 36 near the Speake Volunteer Fire Department.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When: February 24, 12:00 AM CST to 12:05 AM CST
Where: Lawrence County, 2.83 mi E of Hatton
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $6,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 34.572, -87.370

Trees were blown down on CR 150 north of highway 157 in the Loosier community.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When: February 24, 12:00 AM CST to 12:05 AM CST
Where: Lawrence County, 5.81 mi W of Speake
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $6,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 34.436, -87.170

Trees were blown down on CR 203.

Thunderstorm Wind, Morgan

When: February 24, 12:00 AM CST to 12:05 AM CST
Where: Morgan County, 1.59 mi NNW of Hartselle
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 34.450, -86.943

Roof damage occurred due to high winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Morgan

When: February 24, 12:00 AM CST to 12:05 AM CST
Where: Morgan County, 1.66 mi SW of Brooksville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 34.481, -86.868

A large pine tree was blown down on Tall Pine road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Madison

When: February 24, 12:00 AM CST to 12:05 AM CST
Where: Madison County, 2 mi N of Redstone Aaf
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $4,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 34.708, -86.707

A moderate size tree was blown down on the side of the road near the intersection of Old Madison Pike and Slaughter road. It's trunk was approximately 24 inches in diameter. Many large tree branches were also blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lauderdale

When: February 24, 12:00 AM CST to 12:05 AM CST
Where: Lauderdale County, 0.7 mi S of Rhodesville
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $7,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 34.860, -87.869

Trees were blown down and a trampoline was blown onto the road near the intersection of CR 189 and CR 213.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lauderdale

When: February 24, 12:00 AM CST to 12:05 AM CST
Where: Lauderdale County, 0.41 mi WNW of Florence
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 34.801, -87.677

Over sixty mph winds were estimated in downtown Florence.

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When: February 24, 12:00 AM CST to 12:05 AM CST
Where: Franklin County, 0.89 mi SSE of Phil Campbell
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 34.338, -87.693

Trees and power lines were blocking the road near the Marion/Franklin county border. Spotter relayed that it took two hours for the road to get cleared before he could drive through.

Strong Wind, Lawrence

When: February 24, 8:54 PM CST to 8:59 PM CST
Where: Lawrence forecast zone
Measured: 43 kt (49 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 34.522, -87.311 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A tree was blown down 2 miles north of Moulton on CR 170.

Thunderstorm Wind, Colbert

When: February 24, 9:56 PM CST to 10:05 PM CST
Where: Colbert County, 0.69 mi N of Cherokee
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.760, -87.970

Winds damaged a residence in downtown Cherokee at miles marker 8 on US-72.

Thunderstorm Wind, Colbert

When: February 24, 9:56 PM CST to 10:05 PM CST
Where: Colbert County, 0.57 mi W of Tuscumbia
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.730, -87.710

Roof damage to JJS restaurant and People's Drug Storm on Highway 72 in Cherokee. Multiple power outages in Barton, Crooked Oak, Locust Shores, New Bethel, and Tuscumbia.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lauderdale

When: February 24, 10:13 PM CST
Where: Lauderdale County, 1.33 mi WNW of Oakland
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.840, -87.800

An estimated wind gust to 60 mph was observed in Oakland. Power outages were also reported.

Strong Wind, Madison

When: February 24, 10:15 PM CST to 10:20 PM CST
Where: Madison forecast zone
Measured: 43 kt (49 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 34.763, -86.550 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A tree was blown down on 9th Avenue in Huntsville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When: February 24, 10:23 PM CST
Where: Franklin County, 0.69 mi S of Russellville
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 34.510, -87.730

Media reported a 63 mph wind gust measured from Alfa camera.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When: February 24, 10:25 PM CST to 10:30 PM CST
Where: Lawrence County, 1.74 mi E of Leola
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 34.378, -87.290

Several trees were knocked down on Leola road near the edge of Bankhead National Forest.

Thunderstorm Wind, Limestone

When: February 24, 10:37 PM CST to 10:43 PM CST
Where: Limestone County, 4.48 mi WSW of Wheeler Lake North
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.800, -87.220

Multiple trees were blown down near highway 72.

Thunderstorm Wind, Morgan

When: February 24, 10:55 PM CST to 11:00 PM CST
Where: Morgan County, 1.33 mi WNW of Mt Tabor
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 34.440, -86.890

Several trees were knocked down. Some trees also had limbs five inches in diameter snapped off.

Tornado, Cullman

When: February 24, 11:10 PM CST to 11:11 PM CST
Where: Cullman County, 1.52 mi E of Battleground to 1.75 mi E of Battleground
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.24 mi
Path width: 20 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 34.301, -86.973

An EF-0 tornado with maximum winds of 75 mph and a path width of 20 yards tracked about one quarter mile on a farm just east of battleground. The tornado first snapped and twisted four tall hardwood trees before advancing northeast and destroying a large but unoccupied chicken barn. Metal and wood debris was shredded and twisted amongst nearby trees and damaged the adjacent home and a mobile home.

Thunderstorm Wind, Madison

When: February 24, 11:10 PM CST to 11:15 PM CST
Where: Madison County, 1.33 mi ESE of Harvest Epps Arpt
Measured: 47 kt (54 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.860, -86.750

An estimated gust to 54 mph was reported in Harvest.

Thunderstorm Wind, Madison

When: February 24, 11:10 PM CST to 11:15 PM CST
Where: Madison County, 2.99 mi SSE of Madison Xrds
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.860, -86.700

A tree was blown down at the intersection of Quarter Mountain road and Carter's Gin road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Madison

When: February 24, 11:10 PM CST to 11:15 PM CST
Where: Madison County, 2.99 mi SSE of Madison Xrds
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.860, -86.700

A tree was blown down at the intersection of Quarter Mountain road and Carter's Gin road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Morgan

When: February 24, 11:13 PM CST to 11:18 PM CST
Where: Morgan County, 1.33 mi WNW of Hartselle Arpt
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $12,000
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 34.410, -86.950

Several pine and oak trees and power poles were blown down. Also awning was blown off of a mobile home on Garner road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Morgan

When: February 24, 11:13 PM CST to 11:18 PM CST
Where: Morgan County, Massey
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 34.370, -87.020

Some windows were blown out in a mobile home.

Thunderstorm Wind, Morgan

When: February 24, 11:15 PM CST to 11:20 PM CST
Where: Morgan County, 2.15 mi SSE of Oak Ridge
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 34.450, -86.990

A tree was blown down on Forrest Chapel road in Oakridge.

Thunderstorm Wind, Madison

When: February 24, 11:15 PM CST to 11:20 PM CST
Where: Madison County, 1.7 mi W of Huntsville Mills Arp
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $100
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.750, -86.580

A railroad arm was broken on Oakwood Ave.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cullman

When: February 24, 11:20 PM CST to 11:25 PM CST
Where: Cullman County, 0.9 mi SW of Cullman
Measured: 44 kt (51 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 34.170, -86.840

An estimated wind gust of 51 mph was reported in Cullman.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cullman

When: February 24, 11:20 PM CST to 11:25 PM CST
Where: Cullman County, 2.33 mi NW of Cullman
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.206, -86.856

The Piggly Wiggly sign was damaged near Cullman.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cullman

When: February 24, 11:30 PM CST
Where: Cullman County, 0.57 mi W of Cullman
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 34.180, -86.840

A 61 mph wind gust was estimated in downtown Cullman.

Thunderstorm Wind, Marshall

When: February 24, 11:50 PM CST to 11:55 PM CST
Where: Marshall County, Arab
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.320, -86.500

A tree was blown down on a residence in Arab.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dekalb

When: February 25, 12:30 AM CST to 12:35 AM CST
Where: Dekalb County, 0.57 mi E of Collinsville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.270, -85.860

A tree was blown down on highway 68.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dekalb

When: February 25, 12:30 AM CST to 12:35 AM CST
Where: Dekalb County, 2.36 mi NNW of New Home
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.630, -85.740

A tree was reported down on a house in Henager. Little structural damage occurred.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dekalb

When: February 25, 12:44 AM CST to 12:49 AM CST
Where: Dekalb County, 0.57 mi E of High Pt
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.580, -85.590

A tree was blown down, which knocked down some powerlines on highway 117 nearthe Mentone Post Office.

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Strong Wind: Non-thunderstorm winds below high wind criteria that nonetheless caused damage or casualties.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Alabama in 2011 Every state in 2011 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Alabama, 2011 Warnings in Alabama, February 2011

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 284855, 284856, 284857, 284858, 284859, 284860, 284861, 284862, 284863, 284864, 284865, 284866, 283953, 283951, 283961, 283954, 284854, 283963, 283971, 283978, 283977, 283920, 283967, 283985, 283986, 283980, 283982, 283983, 283990, 283975, 285739, 283988, 283989, 283994, 284851, 284853.