Tornadoes and Damaging Wind in Alabama, March 18, 2021

Name: Tornadoes and Damaging Wind in Alabama, March 18, 2021
Start: 2021-03-18T04:27
End: 2021-03-18T04:55
Location: Alabama

March 18, 2021 · NWS TAE · 4 events in 2 counties and zones

A strong spring cold front moved through the tri-state region. A squall line preceded the front with scattered reports of severe weather, including a few tornadoes.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. 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: 1
Property damage: $204,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 4

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 TAE wrote it up.

A strong spring cold front moved through the tri-state region. A squall line preceded the front with scattered reports of severe weather, including a few tornadoes.

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 Tallahassee, FL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Mar 18, 1:30 AM CST, 2 hours 57 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 18, 1:30 AM CST, 2 hours 57 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
330 AM EDT Thu Mar 18 2021

...ISOLATED SEVERE STORMS ARE EXPECTED THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON...

.NEAR TERM [Through Tonight]...

An upper level low located near the mid-Mississippi Valley this
morning will track into the Tennessee Valley today while a cold
front moves across the southeast. A line of thunderstorms ahead of
the cold front was pushing into the Florida Panhandle as of 06z this
morning and activity will increase across our western counties over
the next hour or two. These storms will continue to track across
the tri-state area and exit the Big Bend by the evening.
Initially, the hi-res guidance timing was off when compared to
radar, however, more recent runs of the HRRR seem to be handling
current trends better.

Portions of the line have been struggling this morning, however, the
environment is still supportive of severe storms today and a tornado
watch was issued earlier that is in effect through 7am ET for the
western half of the CWA. CAPE values are expected to be around 1000
J/kg today, although instability is a bit more limited inland early
this morning. 50kts and 25-30kts of deep and low level shear,
respectively, are generally expected with the better instability.
SPC removed the enhanced risk from southwest Georgia, leaving the
majority of the CWA in the slight risk. While the threat has
decreased some, mainly across SW GA, it's important to remember that
regardless of the threat level today, isolated severe storms are
still expected and it only takes one storm to impact you.

The severe threat will end by this evening as the storms move east
of the region.

.SHORT TERM [Friday Through Saturday]...

Upper level troughing will deepen over the southeast CONUS.
Meanwhile, a wedge of high pressure will build down into the Tri-
state region with an inverted trough developing off the NE FL/SE GA
coast on Saturday. This will likely result in overcast sky
conditions on Saturday but rain is not expected. Temperatures will
be below seasonal levels with highs in the 60s to around 70 Friday
and ranging from the upper 50s north to lower and mid 60s south.
Lows Friday night will mostly be in the mid to upper 40s.

.LONG TERM [Saturday Night Through Thursday]...

The dry weather will continue with a gradual warming trend through
Tuesday as upper ridging builds in from the west ahead of the next
trough and surface cold front. Rain chances return on Wednesday and
Thursday as the front makes it's way into our forecast area.
Temperatures return to near seasonal levels by Tuesday with highs
in the mid to upper 70s and lows in the upper 40s to lower 50s.

&&

.AVIATION...
[Through 06Z Friday]

A line of severe storms will move through the TAF sites from west to
east today bringing TSRA and gusty winds to each site. Hi-res
guidance is not handling the line well timing wise and timing in the
TAFs of the TSRA is low to medium at best. Lower cigs (MVFR to IFR)
are expected through the morning, however conditions will improve as
the cold front moves through the TAF locations later today.

&&

.MARINE...

Advisory conditions will continue across the local waters through
mid Friday morning. Southwest winds will shift to northwest in the
wake of a strong cold front today. Some of the storms along and
ahead of the front may become strong to severe. Another period of
advisory level winds will be possible from Saturday into Sunday
morning as the pressure gradient tightens across the local waters.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...

Aside from high dispersion indices today and Friday, there are
no other fire weather concerns at least for the next several days.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...

Rainfall with today's cold front is not expected to be sufficient
for flooding concerns as most areas will see less than one inch of
rain. The next chance for rain after today won't be until the middle
of next week.

&&

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is requested. Spotters should safely report
significant weather conditions and/or damage (while following all
local, state, and CDC guidelines) by calling the office or tweeting
us @NWSTallahassee.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...

Tallahassee   79  49  69  48  62 /  90   0   0   0   0
Panama City   73  51  67  50  63 /  80   0   0   0   0
Dothan        74  47  64  45  59 /  70   0   0   0   0
Albany        79  48  67  44  58 /  90   0   0   0   0
Valdosta      79  48  69  45  57 /  90   0   0   0  10
Cross City    79  51  71  49  64 /  90  10   0   0   0
Apalachicola  74  52  67  50  63 /  90   0   0   0   0

&&

.TAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...High Rip Current Risk through late tonight for Coastal Bay-
     Coastal Franklin-Coastal Gulf-South Walton.

GA...None.
AL...None.
GM...Small Craft Advisory until 11 AM EDT /10 AM CDT/ Friday for
     Apalachee Bay or Coastal Waters From Keaton Beach to
     Ochlockonee River FL out to 20 Nm-Coastal Waters From
     Ochlockonee River to Apalachicola Fl out to 20 Nm-Coastal
     waters from Suwannee River to Keaton Beach FL out 20 NM-
     Coastal waters from Mexico Beach to Apalachicola FL out 20
     NM-Coastal waters from Mexico Beach to Okaloosa Walton
     County Line FL out 20 NM-Waters from Suwannee River to
     Apalachicola FL from 20 to 60 NM-Waters from Apalachicola
     to Mexico Beach FL from 20 to 60 NM-Waters from Mexico
     Beach to Okaloosa Walton County Line FL from 20 to 60 NM.

&&

NEAR TERM...Fieux
SHORT TERM...Barry
LONG TERM...Barry
AVIATION...Fieux
MARINE...Barry
FIRE WEATHER...Barry
HYDROLOGY...Barry

In the hours before

Local storm report, Mar 18, 3:01 AM CST, 1 hour 26 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
501 AM EDT THU MAR 18 2021

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0446 AM     TSTM WND GST     CHOCTAW BEACH           30.47N 86.34W
03/18/2021  M41 MPH          WALTON             FL   PUBLIC

            WEATHER STEM SITE MEASURED GUST OF 41 MPH.

&&

TB

Local storm report, Mar 18, 3:10 AM CST, 1 hour 17 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
510 AM EDT THU MAR 18 2021

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0504 AM     TSTM WND GST     3 NNE FREEPORT          30.54N 86.12W
03/18/2021  M39 MPH          WALTON             FL   PUBLIC

            REPORTED AT FREEPORT HIGH SCHOOL.

&&

TB

Local storm report, Mar 18, 3:21 AM CST, 1 hour 6 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
521 AM EDT THU MAR 18 2021

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0519 AM     TSTM WND GST     2 WNW BLUE MOUNTAIN BEA 30.35N 86.23W
03/18/2021  M39 MPH          WALTON             FL   PUBLIC

            REPORTED AT ED WALLINE PUBLIC BEACH ACCESS.

&&

Local storm report, Mar 18, 3:40 AM CST, 47 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
540 AM EDT THU MAR 18 2021

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0538 AM     TSTM WND GST     MOSSY HEAD              30.74N 86.31W
03/18/2021  M39 MPH          WALTON             FL   PUBLIC

&&

Local storm report, Mar 18, 4:10 AM CST, 17 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
610 AM EDT THU MAR 18 2021

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0541 AM     TSTM WND GST     NAPIER FIELD            31.32N 85.45W
03/18/2021  M39 MPH          DALE               AL   PUBLIC

            MEASURED AT THE DOTHAN ASOS.

&&

Local storm report, Mar 18, 4:26 AM CST, 1 minute before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
626 AM EDT THU MAR 18 2021

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0559 AM     TSTM WND GST     HOLMES COUNTY AIRPORT   30.85N 85.60W
03/18/2021  M44 MPH          HOLMES             FL   PUBLIC

            MEASURED AT K1J0 AWOS.

&&

The radar

The Ft Rucker radar (KEOX), 29 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 10:27 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

3 tornado, 1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Tornado, Houston

When: March 18, 4:27 AM CST to 4:37 AM CST
Where: Houston County, 1.22 mi S of Hollis Dairy Rd to 0.59 mi NE of Brannon Stand
Rating: EF1
Path length: 5.24 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $200,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.212, -85.553

The tornado first began east of Wicksburg and east of the Houston/Geneva county line where scattered tree limbs where reported by the emergency manager. The tornado then strengthened and hit several structures on a farm where damage was confined to ripped roof paneling and other similar damage. The tornado then traveled northeast towards US-84. It was in these locations that the tornado was likely at its peak strength as it moved across Marshall Rd and into the Highlands Subdivision along Highway 84. Along Marshall Rd, a double wide sustained significant roof covering loss, a large carport over a RV was completely destroyed, and a out building nearby was missing nearly its entire roof with some walls partially collapsed. The tornado also briefly picked up a boat, with trailer, and rolled/rotated it 180 degrees on the trailer before being laid to rest nearly 75-100 yards from its original location. EF-1 damage was again observed in the Highlands Subdivision south of US Highway 84. Two homes sustained roof damage with one home sustaining partial roof loss on the second story. Many pine trees near this house were also snapped or uprooted. While these were the only homes with notable damage in the community, there was a path of widespread tree damage through the rest of the neighborhood. The tornado then crossed US-84 where damage became more isolated with a few downed trees and broken branches. The tornado is then estimated to have lifted just northeast of North Brannon Stand Rd. Max winds were estimated around 100 mph. The NWS thanks Houston County EM Chris Judah for his assistance during this survey.

Tornado, Houston

When: March 18, 4:49 AM CST to 4:50 AM CST
Where: Houston County, 3.26 mi WNW of Kinsey to 2.91 mi NW of Kinsey
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.92 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Continued into: Henry, Al (TAE)
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.305, -85.382

An EF0 tornado touched down in northwestern Houston County near Cedar Creek. Small trees and branches were snapped along Faulkner Rd and Suggs Rd. A carport on Suggs Rd sustained damage. The tornado then tracked northeast into Henry County, snapping some small trees and branches along Burdeshow Rd before lifting just south of Headland. Max winds were estimated around 80 mph.

Tornado, Henry

When: March 18, 4:50 AM CST to 4:52 AM CST
Where: Henry County, 3.11 mi SW of Headland to 1.95 mi SSW of Headland
Rating: EF0
Path length: 1.16 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.314, -85.371

Thunderstorm Wind, Henry

When: March 18, 4:55 AM CST
Where: Henry County, Abbeville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 31.560, -85.250

Trees were reported down in Abbeville.

What these are

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.
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.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Alabama in 2021 Every state in 2021 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Alabama, 2021 Warnings in Alabama, March 2021

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: 947593, 947598, 947599, 947604.