This info below is from the NWS Birmingham. Just something to think about as we approach the month of November…
Fall Severe Weather Season
Fact Sheet for Central Alabama
Fall Severe Weather Season is considered to be during the months of November and December, especially from November 1 to December 15
Significant Fall Season Outbreaks in recent years:
December 16, 2000 – 12 tornadoes across the state, including an EF4 in Tuscaloosa County
November 24 & 25, 2001 – 36 tornadoes in 24 hours, the largest outbreak ever documented in Alabama
November 10, 2002 – The “Veteran’s Day Outbreak,” with 11 tornadoes (including 2 EF3s)
November 23 & 24, 2004 – 21 tornadoes across the state, including 16 in Central Alabama
November 15, 2006 – 14 tornadoes statewide including 8 across Central Alabama, including “The Fun Zone” tornado in Montgomery
Since 2000 (through 2009):
25% (86/345) of Central Alabama tornadoes have occurred in the months of November or December
93% (28/30) of tornado related deaths, and 79% (336/423) of tornado related injuries, in Central Alabama have occurred in the months of November and December
100% (6/6) of F3 or stronger tornadoes in Central Alabama occurred in the months of November and December
Since 1950, Central Alabama has had at least one documented tornado in the months of November and December 53% (31/59) of the years
The Montgomery “Fun Zone” Tornado of Nov 15th, 2006
The tornado damage path was approximately 6.8 miles long and 250 yards wide at its widest point. The tornado touched down about 1.4 miles southwest of the Shakespeare Festival and tracked northeastward across the Woodmere and Beauvoir Lake Subdivisions. The tornado crossed Interstate 85 at Bell Road and continued northeastward to the Atlanta Highway just west of Taylor Road. Numerous trees were snapped off or downed along the path with minor roof damage to numerous homes. Near the Atlanta Highway, the tornado cross the UAM ball field complex and struck the Montgomery Postal Processing and Distribution Center and the Post Office. The main doors of the post office were blown in and portions of the roof were lifted off to the north. Numerous trees were snapped off at ground level on the south and west sides of the building. A tractor trailer was completely turned around and moved 30 yards and flipped over. Other postal vehicles and cars in the parking lot were moved or received significant damage.
Just to the north, the tornado produced major damage to the Fun Zone Skating Rink. This was a large metal building structure which was nearly totally destroyed. A day care center in the same building resulted in children be trapped in the debris, but with no major injuries or fatalities. Several vehicles were tossed around and significantly damaged or crushed by debris from the building. As the tornado crossed the Atlanta Highway, several metal power poles were either significantly bent or downed. At the Saddleback Ridge Apartment Complex, at least two apartment buildings lost their roofs and portions of the second floor. The tornado continued another 2.5 miles northeastward and ended in a field just south of Wares Ferry Road. Six people suffered minor injuries. The tornado touched down at approximately 1025 AM CST and lifted around 1035 AM CST.
