In response to a strong upper level shortwave, a surface low developed over the northwestern Gulf of Mexico and rode along a previously stalled front across northwest Central Alabama, Thursday, December 22, 2011. Much of Central Alabama resided in an unseasonably warm airmass, with dewpoints near 70 degrees and CAPE over 1000 J/kg. As the surface low passed over northwest Central Alabama and low level winds backed, helicity increased.  Rotating supercells within several thunderstorm complexes produced six tornadoes and isolated wind damage.

Tornado in BIBB, ALABAMA
From 22-DEC-11 12:56:00 to 22-DEC-11 12:57:00 (CST-6)
Location: CENTREVILLE FOX ARPT
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in Bibb County and assessed damage that was consistent with a tornado.  An EF-0 tornado with winds of 70 to 80 mph briefly touched down 2 miles south of Centreville.  Several large pines were uprooted at this location.  No other damage was noted in either direction, which indicates just a brief touchdown along County Road 219.

Tornado in ELMORE, ALABAMA
From 22-DEC-11 14:24:00 to 22-DEC-11 14:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: SYKES MILL
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado initially touched down along Grey Ferry Road in Elmore County. It moved northeast snapping approximately 50 trees along the path. It crossed into Coosa County and caused EF-1 rated damage and then crossed into Tallapoosa County, eventually lifting along Hix in Tallapoosa County.

Tornado in AUTAUGA, ALABAMA
From 22-DEC-11 14:02:00 to 22-DEC-11 14:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW PROSPECT
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 60.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado initially touched down along County Road 57, just south of County Road 49. Here, a mobile home suffered significant roof damage and also damage to its decking material. The tornado continued to the northeast causing tree damage and then crossed Interstate 65 and Highway 31, where additional tree damage occurred.  As it continued moving further northeast, it crossed County 68 and Highway 143 where several outdoor building suffered damage and trees were snapped or uprooted. The tornado crossed the Elmore County line where it eventually lifted along Tram Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in ELMORE, ALABAMA
From 22-DEC-11 14:23:00 to 22-DEC-11 14:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: TITUS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A tree was reported down along Law Road east of Welona.

Thunderstorm Wind in TALLADEGA, ALABAMA
From 22-DEC-11 14:23:00 to 22-DEC-11 14:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: STOCKDALE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A tree was reported down on Woofolk Road in Waldo.

Tornado in BIBB, ALABAMA
From 22-DEC-11 13:25:00 to 22-DEC-11 13:28:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAWLEY
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in Bibb County and assessed damage that was consistent with a tornado.  An EF-0 tornado with winds of 70 to 80 mph briefly touched down between Lawley and Randolph in southeast Bibb County.  Damage along the beginning of the path was only 50 yards wide.  This was along Hwy 82, where only large limbs were broken.  The tornado then lifted just east of County Road 36.  Here, the damage was 150 yards wide with numerous trees uprooted and snapped.

Tornado in DALLAS, ALABAMA
From 22-DEC-11 13:30:00 to 22-DEC-11 13:33:00 (CST-6)
Location: SELMA SELFIELD ARPT
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in Dallas County and assessed damage that was consistent with a tornado.  The tornado touched down approximately 6 miles east of Selma along County Road 306 where minor tree damage occurred, along with roof damage to two mobile homes.  The tornado then traveled further to the northeast, to Garner and Harville Roads where several soft and hardwood trees were damage or snapped.  There was also some structure damage, with one outbuilding destroyed and one mobile home that was shifted off its foundation blocks.  The tornado lifted shortly after, near River Road, with evidence of some additional tree damage.

Tornado in SHELBY, ALABAMA
From 22-DEC-11 13:42:00 to 22-DEC-11 13:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: COLUMBIANA
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 45.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in Shelby County and assessed damage that was consistent with a tornado.  An EF-0 tornado with winds of 70 to 80 mph briefly touched down in Columbiana along County Road 47 and moved northeast for 1.9 miles and lifted along County Road 25.  Along its path, 2 homes were damaged due to falling trees, and another home suffered minor shingle damage.  Approximately 50 trees were either snapped or uprooted.

Tornado in COOSA, ALABAMA
From 22-DEC-11 14:25:00 to 22-DEC-11 14:51:00 (CST-6)
Location: WETONA
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 65.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado initially touched down along Grey Ferry Road in Elmore County, where it caused tree damage. It then crossed into Coosa County, approximately one quarter of a mile east of County Road 31. The tornado continued on an northeastward path snapping and uprooting hundreds of trees. The most extensive damage occurred on County Road 89 near Highway 280, where a large metal building was destroyed. The tornado moved into Tallapoosa County and lifted along Hix Road.

Tornado in ELMORE, ALABAMA
From 22-DEC-11 14:14:00 to 22-DEC-11 14:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: DEATSVILLE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado initially touched down along County Road 57, just south of County Road 49 in Autauga County. It moved to the northeast causing damage to a mobile home and tree damage. It crossed the Elmore County line and continued its northeastward progression. A few trees were snapped or uprooted and large branches were downed as well. The tornado eventually lifted along Tram Road.

Tornado in TALLAPOOSA, ALABAMA
From 22-DEC-11 14:51:00 to 22-DEC-11 14:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALEXANDER CITY
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado initially touched down along Grey Ferry Road in Elmore County, where it caused tree damage. It moved northeastward and crossed into Coosa County, where extensive tree damage and structure damage occurred. Continuing on a northeastward path, the tornado crossed into Tallapoosa County just south of Sasser road. A few trees were snapped or uprooted along this section of the path. The tornado eventually lifted along Hix Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in AUTAUGA, ALABAMA
From 22-DEC-11 13:34:00 to 22-DEC-11 13:34:00 (CST-6)
Location: STATESVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

A tree was reported down across Alabama Highway 14 near Starksville.

Thunderstorm Wind in DALLAS, ALABAMA
From 22-DEC-11 14:11:00 to 22-DEC-11 14:11:00 (CST-6)
Location: SELMA
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

A tree was reported down across a road near the junction of US Highway 80 and Alabama Highway 41.

Thunderstorm Wind in ELMORE, ALABAMA
From 22-DEC-11 14:16:00 to 22-DEC-11 14:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: TITUS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A tree was reported down along Tyler Road 2 miles southwest of Titus.