An EF-1 tornado developed in southwest DeKalb County atop Sand Mountain during the mid evening hours along a line of thunderstorms moving east across north central into northeast Alabama. Also, heavy rains led to brief flooding in Cullman County.
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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.
The episode as NWS HUN wrote it up.
An EF-1 tornado developed in southwest DeKalb County atop Sand Mountain during the mid evening hours along a line of thunderstorms moving east across north central into northeast Alabama. Also, heavy rains led to brief flooding in Cullman County.
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 Dec 29, 8:18 PM CST, 0 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Huntsville AL 818 PM CST Wed Dec 29 2021 .NEAR TERM...(Tonight) Issued at 818 PM CST Wed Dec 29 2021 Squall line is now beginning to move ewd into NE AL this Wed evening. Thus far this line has just produced mainly some pea size hail along with some brief heavy rainfall. Low level shear remains quite strong along/ahead of the squall line although buoyant energy or latent instability is almost nil. This has somewhat offset the prob for more strong/severe tstms for now, although a Tornado Watch still remains in effect for NE AL. The squall line though should be moving thru the remainder of the area within the hr and likewise the Tornado Watch will likely be cancelled/ended before it's expiration time of 10 PM. Otherwise, with a weak frontal boundary stalled N/W of the area, unseasonably warm air will remain in place thru the overnight hrs, with lows only falling into the upper 50s/near 60F. Many places in fact are already near their forecasted lows tonight. Some lingering showers are also possible south of the TN River, as a weak upper disturbance traverses NE across west cntrl/NE AL. .SHORT TERM...(Thursday through Friday) Issued at 100 PM CST Wed Dec 29 2021 The surface front will remain stalled across the region on Thursday. There could be a few lingering showers along this boundary but nothing more than that is anticipated. Highs will continue to be on the warm side in the upper 60s to low 70s. Showers/storms will return to the forecast on Thursday night into Friday morning as the surface boundary begins to move back northwards as a warm front. The upper level pattern will continue to feature ridging out over the Caribbean and troughing across the Desert Southwest. Strong southerly to southwesterly flow aloft will keep strong warm/moist advection ongoing across the Southern U.S. Numerous to widespread showers and storms are forecast in this saturated atmosphere on Friday with high temperatures once again in the low to mid 70s. .LONG TERM...(Friday night through Tuesday) Issued at 100 PM CST Wed Dec 29 2021 The long-term portion of the forecast period will feature another threat for strong to severe storms on Saturday followed by a dramatic drop in temperatures. A shortwave trough will move out of the Desert Southwest into the central and southern Plains late Friday into Saturday. This will lead to an area of low pressure developing along the stalled frontal boundary. The latest track of this low is a little bit further south. The low is forecast to track from near Little Rock, AR to near Louisville, KY on Saturday. There will be an elongated upper jet that will stretch from the southern Plains northeastward into the Great Lakes. The low-level wind field will increase in response to a deepening surface low leading to increasing low-level wind shear. Instability should be well established in the broad warm sector across the Southeastern U.S. This will all set the stage for another round of strong/severe storms on Saturday. All modes of severe weather will be possible from damaging wind, tornadoes, and large hail. Additionally, the atmosphere will remain highly saturated with PW values again near the 99th percentile. Local streams and rivers will be elevated from the rainfall earlier in the week. Overall, expect additional flooding from the round of showers storms on Saturday. The latest models continue to indicate a rather progressive system with a quick exit of the front Saturday night. Much colder air will move in behind this system as the troughing eventually wins out over the persistent ridging. A solid 40 degree drop well occur in less then 24 hours from Saturday-Sunday. Temperatures will even fall down into the 30s during the day on Sunday. There is a little moisture remaining on the backside of the system and there could be a few snow flurries on Sunday but this should not lead to any impacts. Cold temperatures will continue into early next week with lows in the 20s on both Monday and Tuesday mornings. Highs on Monday will be in the low to mid 40s and moderating some into the low to mid 50s on Tuesday. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Thursday evening) Issued at 533 PM CST Wed Dec 29 2021 A line of +tsra is beginning to move ewd into parts of NW AL, which includes the KMSL terminal. This line will continue to move east into the evening hrs, and should approach the KHSV airport near 01Z. Brief IFR vis with cigs near 2K ft are possible in/near this line of tsra, in addition to vrb winds 15-20kt with higher gusts. This line should then move east of the area later this evening, with perhaps some lingering shra continuing into the overnight period. IFR cigs though just under 1K ft look to prevail well into Thu before lifting during the afternoon hrs. && .HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AL...NONE. TN...NONE. && NEAR TERM...09 SHORT TERM...MA LONG TERM...MA AVIATION...09 For more information please visit our website at weather.gov/huntsville.
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Huntsville AL 1011 AM CST Wed Dec 29 2021 ALZ001>010-016-TNZ076-096-097-300715- Lauderdale-Colbert-Franklin AL-Lawrence-Limestone-Madison-Morgan- Marshall-Jackson-DeKalb-Cullman-Moore-Lincoln-Franklin TN- 1011 AM CST Wed Dec 29 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north Alabama and portions of southern middle Tennessee. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight... Severe storms are expected this afternoon and evening. The main threat will be damaging winds but a few tornadoes cannot but ruled out along with marginally severe sized hail. The risk of severe weather will diminish after 10 PM. Locally heavy rainfall is also possible, with isolated flash flooding possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday... Thunderstorms will exit the area Thursday morning. Multiple periods of thunderstorms are expected Thursday night through Saturday. There is a risk of isolated severe thunderstorms late Friday night through Saturday morning. A greater risk of severe thunderstorms exists Saturday into Saturday evening as a cold front slides southeast into and through the region. Damaging winds, hail and possibly tornadoes will be threats from these severe thunderstorms. In addition, due to multiple periods of heavy rains in some areas, the risk of flash flooding will increase as well. .SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT... Activation of storm spotters and emergency management personnel is possible during the late afternoon and evening hours today.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
628 PM CST Wed Dec 29 2021
ALZ003-004-300100-
Lawrence AL-Franklin AL-
628 PM CST Wed Dec 29 2021
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern
Franklin and southwestern Lawrence Counties through 700 PM CST...
At 627 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Phil Campbell, or 7 miles northwest of Haleyville, moving east at 45
mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Phil Campbell, Spruce Pine and Bankhead National Forest.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CST for northwestern
Alabama.
&&
LAT...LON 3442 8779 3442 8727 3430 8728 3431 8780
TIME...MOT...LOC 0027Z 271DEG 37KT 3432 8771
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
KDWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
636 PM CST Wed Dec 29 2021
ALZ005-006-009-300115-
Madison AL-Limestone AL-Jackson AL-
636 PM CST Wed Dec 29 2021
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern
Jackson, northern Madison and east central Limestone Counties through
715 PM CST...
At 635 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Harvest, or near Madison, moving east at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Huntsville, Madison, Athens, Moores Mill, Meridianville, Redstone
Arsenal, Hazel Green, Skyline, Gurley and Harvest.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CST for north central
and northeastern Alabama...and Middle Tennessee.
&&
LAT...LON 3468 8689 3486 8692 3499 8616 3472 8610
TIME...MOT...LOC 0035Z 262DEG 44KT 3478 8682
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
KDWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
657 PM CST Wed Dec 29 2021
ALZ004-007-016-300145-
Lawrence AL-Morgan AL-Cullman AL-
657 PM CST Wed Dec 29 2021
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern
Cullman, southwestern Morgan and southeastern Lawrence Counties
through 745 PM CST...
At 657 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Brushy Lake, or 11 miles south of Moulton, moving east at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Cullman, Hartselle, Falkville, Vinemont, West Point, Eva, Lacon,
Jones Chapel, Massey and Bankhead National Forest.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CST for north central
and northwestern Alabama.
&&
LAT...LON 3421 8711 3430 8711 3430 8740 3440 8740
3444 8671 3419 8670
TIME...MOT...LOC 0057Z 270DEG 39KT 3431 8731
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
KDWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
710 PM CST Wed Dec 29 2021
ALZ006-009-010-300200-
Madison AL-DeKalb AL-Jackson AL-
710 PM CST Wed Dec 29 2021
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northern Jackson,
northeastern Madison and northeastern DeKalb Counties through 800 PM
CST...
At 709 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Skyline, or 16 miles northwest of Scottsboro, moving east at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Bridgeport, Stevenson, Skyline, Hytop, Bass, Princeton, Jericho, Long
Island, Russell Cave National Monument and Estillfork.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CST for north central
and northeastern Alabama...and Middle Tennessee.
&&
LAT...LON 3474 8556 3479 8632 3499 8633 3499 8561
TIME...MOT...LOC 0109Z 266DEG 44KT 3490 8616
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
KDWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
758 PM CST Wed Dec 29 2021
ALZ008>010-300230-
Marshall AL-DeKalb AL-Jackson AL-
758 PM CST Wed Dec 29 2021
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of south central
Jackson, northeastern Marshall and southwestern DeKalb Counties
through 830 PM CST...
At 758 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Guntersville, moving east at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Guntersville, Rainsville, Sylvania, Fyffe, Powell, Grant, Geraldine,
Section, Langston and Lakeview.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CST for north central
and northeastern Alabama.
&&
LAT...LON 3434 8640 3449 8640 3450 8639 3451 8639
3452 8634 3451 8634 3452 8633 3459 8581
3433 8580
TIME...MOT...LOC 0158Z 268DEG 45KT 3444 8630
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
KDWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
815 PM CST Wed Dec 29 2021
ALZ009-010-300245-
DeKalb AL-Jackson AL-
815 PM CST Wed Dec 29 2021
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern Jackson
and northern DeKalb Counties through 845 PM CST...
At 815 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Section, or 7 miles west of Rainsville, moving east at 55 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Scottsboro, Fort Payne, Rainsville, Henagar, Sylvania, Fyffe, Powell,
Section, Ider and Pisgah.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CST for northeastern
Alabama.
&&
LAT...LON 3451 8553 3450 8555 3450 8556 3449 8556
3448 8558 3447 8557 3444 8606 3462 8610
3478 8557 3454 8551
TIME...MOT...LOC 0215Z 257DEG 47KT 3450 8598
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
25The Northeast Alabama radar (KHTX), 56 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 02:17 UTC.
4 thunderstorm wind, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
A tree was knocked down on CR 418 in the Tenbroeck community.
Roof damage was reported at the Sand Mountain Large Animal Clinic. Report relayed via social media. Time estimated by radar.
An EF-1 tornado with maximum winds of 104 mph touched down just east of County Road 120, where a small outbuilding was destroyed. The tornado moved in an easterly direction, uprooting several trees as it crossed S. Broad Street. As the tornado neared Kirk Road SW, it intensified to its highest strength, snapping or uprooting dozens of trees and causing minor roof damage to several homes. The tornado continued to the east, uprooting more trees along its path as it crossed Highway 35. The tornado began to weaken as it neared Rainbow Road, uprooting a few more trees and destroying a couple of carports. The tornado eventually crossed Church Street where roof damage occurred at BlueScope Steel, before lifting just west of Highway 75.
Power lines were knocked down at the intersection of Alabama Highway 35 and Kirk Road.
A tree was knocked down on CR 194 near DeKalb County Public Lake.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Alabama in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Alabama, 2021Warnings in Alabama, December 2021
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: 994184, 994180, 994188, 994182, 994187.