During the evening hours on Thursday, February 20, a squall line associated with a cold front moved into Central Alabama and crossed the area through the early morning hours on Friday, February 21, producing wind damage. The air mass across central Alabama was quite unstable for late February as temperatures warmed into the lower 80s across portions of the area Thursday afternoon. The expected threat was primarily damaging winds with the squall line; however, low level wind shear was supportive of tornadoes as well. The surface low, associated with the approaching cold front, moved to the northwest of the area and strengthened quickly Thursday and Thursday night. Pressure gradient winds across Central Alabama increased, resulting in localized wind damage ahead of the squall line.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. CLAIR, ALABAMA
From 21-FEB-14 01:53:00 to 21-FEB-14 01:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: SANIE
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The thunderstorm which produced an EF0 tornado near Branchville first produced straight line winds of 63mph along Old Acton Rd, near the intersection of Bates Ln. Strong winds uprooted a large tree and caused minor fascia damage to a home.

Tornado in ST. CLAIR, ALABAMA
From 21-FEB-14 01:56:00 to 21-FEB-14 02:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: SANIE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado touched down near Jamaica Lane, west southwest of Branchville, causing minor roof damage to a mobile home and uprooting several small trees. The tornado tracked northeastward and strengthened, with winds of 85 mph, as it neared the intersection of Sanie Road and Nelsie Ann Drive. Six to eight two-story homes sustained minor roof damage as well as 30-50 trees uprooted or snapped. The tornado caused similar damage along Hurst Drive, where 25-40 trees were either snapped or uprooted and a two-story home and barn sustained minor roof damage. The tornado made a turn to the north northeast and tracked parallel to Anderson Mountain, downing trees as it crossed Copper Springs Rd near Dogwood Cir. The tornado turned to the east and continued downing trees as it crossed Shadow Bend Dr and U.S. Highway 411.  The tornado track narrowed as it crossed Hwy 411 and Alabama Highway 174. The tornado downed 10-20 trees along Tucker Rd, with one down on a home. The tornado lifted just east of Tucker Road, 0.40 miles north of the intersection of Tucker Rd and Oak Ridge Dr. In addition, there was sporadic damage near the beginning and ending of this tornado path as a result of straight line winds associated with the same thunderstorm. See other event entries for those details.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. CLAIR, ALABAMA
From 21-FEB-14 02:03:00 to 21-FEB-14 02:03:00 (CST-6)
Location: ODENVILLE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The thunderstorm which produced an EF0 tornado near Branchville also produced straight line winds of 60mph east of Odenville, along a short swath from 3rd Ave near Chestnut Ln to Pleasant Valley Rd near Cedar Branch Cir. Along this path, several  large trees were uprooted and a wooden fence sustained minor damage.

Thunderstorm Wind in MARION, ALABAMA
From 20-FEB-14 20:19:00 to 20-FEB-14 20:19:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHOTTSVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Several trees were blown down along Alabama Highway 19 near the Franklin county line.

Thunderstorm Wind in WALKER, ALABAMA
From 20-FEB-14 22:15:00 to 20-FEB-14 22:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: NAUVOO
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Several trees were blown down near Highway 5 in northwest Walker County.

Thunderstorm Wind in WALKER, ALABAMA
From 20-FEB-14 22:22:00 to 20-FEB-14 22:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: JASPER WALKER CO ARP
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Several trees were blown down in Jasper.

Thunderstorm Wind in WALKER, ALABAMA
From 20-FEB-14 22:30:00 to 20-FEB-14 22:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: CORDOVA
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Several trees were blown down near the intersection of Highway 78 and Evans Rd.

Thunderstorm Wind in WALKER, ALABAMA
From 20-FEB-14 22:30:00 to 20-FEB-14 22:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: MARIGOLD
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Several trees were blown down in Curry.

Thunderstorm Wind in FAYETTE, ALABAMA
From 20-FEB-14 21:45:00 to 20-FEB-14 21:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: FAYETTE
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Several trees were blown down in and around Fayette.

Thunderstorm Wind in CALHOUN, ALABAMA
From 21-FEB-14 02:22:00 to 21-FEB-14 02:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: MIDDLETON
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Strong winds caused minor structural damage to a post office, gas station, and grocery store at the intersection of Highway 77 and Highway 144. Siding was removed from buildings and additional damage occurred from wind blown debris. Also, several power poles were snapped.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. CLAIR, ALABAMA
From 21-FEB-14 01:54:00 to 21-FEB-14 01:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: SANIE
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The thunderstorm which produced an EF0 tornado near Branchville also produced straight line winds of 65mph in the Brookhaven subdivision. This damage occurred along a swath from Ryan Cir to the northeast across Brookhaven Dr, Americana Dr, and Small Lake Dr. Along this path, trees were uprooted or snapped and several homes sustained minor shingle or fascia damage.

Thunderstorm Wind in MARION, ALABAMA
From 20-FEB-14 20:19:00 to 20-FEB-14 20:19:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHOTTSVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

A large pine was blown down across Highway 19 near the intersection of County Road 13.