A highly amplified upper-level trough approached the central Gulf Coast Region during the afternoon hours. A deepening surface low over the Ohio Valley Region pushed a strong cold southeast towards Alabama. By the middle of the afternoon, deep layer shear had increased to 60 knots with 0-3 km storm-relative helicity values between 200 and 300 m2/s2. Destabilization and shear profiles favored severe thunderstorms, including tornadoes and large hail.

Thunderstorm Wind in SHELBY, ALABAMA
From 01-MAR-16 17:52:00 to 01-MAR-16 17:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: HELENA
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Several trees uprooted near Helena City Hall.

Hail in JEFFERSON, ALABAMA
From 01-MAR-16 17:42:00 to 01-MAR-16 17:43:00 (CST-6)
Location: MC CALLA
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Tornado in JEFFERSON, ALABAMA
From 01-MAR-16 17:43:00 to 01-MAR-16 17:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: MC CALLA
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in Western Jefferson County just east of McCalla and south of Bessemer and determined that the damage was consistent with an EF-2 tornado. Maximum winds were estimated to be around 120-125 mph.  The tornado touched down just east of McAdory High School on the west side of Overlook Circle with some damage to a roof. There were 12 homes and 1 church that suffered minor damage up to this point as the tornado proceeded east crossing Harper's Dairy Loop.  From here it strengthened to an EF-2 as it crossed the Bent Brook neighborhood where it destroyed 6 homes and caused significant damage to 6 other homes.  The pro shop at Bent Brook Golf Course also sustained minor damage along with a vehicle overturned.  The tornado weakened to an EF-1 as it moved east of the golf course and caused minor damage to 2 more homes and destroyed a free standing garage.  The tornado finally lifted just east of Morgan Road on Rice Circle.  In total, 14 homes sustained minor damage, 6 sustained substantial damage, and 6 homes were destroyed.  An additional 3 buildings sustained damage, along with several hundred trees snapped or uprooted along the path.

Tornado in TALLADEGA, ALABAMA
From 01-MAR-16 18:42:00 to 01-MAR-16 18:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: GANTT JCT
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in extreme southeastern Talladega County just southeast of Sylacauga and determined that the damage was consistent with an EF-0 tornado. Maximum winds were estimated to be around 80 mph.
The tornado touched down along Settlement Road just west of Old Rockhouse Road. A few homes sustained shingle damage, and one outbuilding was destroyed, along with several uprooted trees at this location. The tornado continued northeast and knocked down trees and damaged several additional homes near Cherry and Heflin Lanes. The tornado turned to the east and tracked parallel to County Road 511. The most concentrated damaged occurred in the valley just west of the community of Overbrook, where numerous trees were snapped or uprooted. The tornado continued eastward and produced minor tree damage and lifted along County Road 511, just before the Clay County line. Six homes suffered damage and four outbuildings were damaged or destroyed.

Tornado in LEE, ALABAMA
From 01-MAR-16 20:27:00 to 01-MAR-16 20:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROANOKE JCT
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in north central Lee County just north of the city of Opelika and determined that the damage was consistent with an EF-0 tornado. Maximum winds were estimated to be around 70-75 mph.
The tornado touched down just north of downtown Opelika, west of Oak Bowery Road where numerous trees were uprooted.  The tornado traveled east-southeast crossing Morris Avenue where additional small pine trees were uprooted.  Farther to the east, the tornado crossed U.S. 431 and Industrial Blvd. where minimal damage was observed. The tornado lifted near the Opelika Sports Complex on Andrews Road where several more soft and hardwood trees were snapped and uprooted.  Along the path, 20 to 30 trees sustained damage.  However, little to no structure damage was observed.