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Tornado Strikes Fort Rucker

 

Widespread showers and thunderstorms ahead of a cold front lifted northward across the tri-state area on Sunday, April 22, 2018. While overall damage reports with the thunderstorms were limited, strong low level shear caused rotation in numerous storms. Despite the strong low level shear, instability was limited and the resultant storm mode was mini-supercells.

 

LSR Map
Map of Local Storm Reports from April 22, 2018

 

A few reports of trees and even a downed street sign were reported in Houston County, AL and a downed tree was reported in Lanier County, GA. Despite the low-topped convection, the core of one storm in Lanier County, GA was also strong enough to produce nickel sized hail. While rotation was noted in multiple storms and a few Tornado Warnings were issued, only one storm produced a tornado that moved through Dale County, AL. An NWS storm survey team found an EF-0 tornado with winds of 75mph tracked approximately 1 mile across Fort Rucker. The tornado snapped small trees and large tree limbs, uprooted small trees and damaged a wooden dugout at a baseball field. The tornado touched down near Kingsman Street and Andrews Avenue and moved north northwest, lifting near Baker Street. 

 

 

Dale County Tornado

Rating: EF-0
Estimated Peak Wind: 75 mph
Path Length (statute): 1.17 miles
Path Width (maximum): 100 yards
Fatalities: 0
Injuries: 0
Start Date/Time: April 22, 2018 1:11 PM CDT
Start Location: 1 S Fort Rucker, Dale County, AL
Start Lat/Lon: 31.3306, -85.7093
End Date/Time April 22, 2018 1:16PM CDT
End Location: 1 WSW Fort Rucker, Dale County, AL
End Lat/Lon: 31.3472, -85.7137

 

Dale County Tornado Track Map
Dale County Tornado Track

 

Reflectivity Velocity
Reflectivity Velocity