16 November 2011
Auburn, Alabama Hit by Probable Tornado
Posted by Dan Satterfield
First it was Tuscaloosa, and today Alabama’s other major university city gets hit with a tornado. At least it looks that way right now.
The Maxwell, AFB. radar shows a strong rotation passing just south of the campus, and there are reports of considerable damage. We won’t know for sure that the tornado touched down until a storm survey is done, but that is likely already in the planning stages. While most severe weather is in the spring, the Southeast U.S. does see a mini storm season in mid to late November each year.
Here in Huntsville, everyone remembers the EF 3 that came through the middle of the city at rush hour on November 15, 1989. That said, the cell that hit Auburn today was MUCH weaker than the 1989 storm, or the EF 4 “wedge tornado” that hit Tuscaloosa on April 27th.
Really good couplet on that storm for awhile, Dan, and the supercell produced at least one additional tornado, possibly more, once it crossed the river into Georgia.
First glance at Auburn/Opelika photos looks like EF1, but they may find a little EF2 damage after surveying the path which would of course upgrade the tornado.
Thanks Kurt, was wondering if the damage might exceed EF1.