A line of slow moving line of thunderstorms produced locally heavy rainfall and flash flooding across the city of Tuscaloosa. Rainfall reports averaged 2-4 inches.
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Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS BMX wrote it up.
A line of slow moving line of thunderstorms produced locally heavy rainfall and flash flooding across the city of Tuscaloosa. Rainfall reports averaged 2-4 inches.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Birmingham, AL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 6, 2:28 PM CST, 2 hours 2 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Birmingham AL 328 PM CDT Fri Jul 6 2018 .SHORT TERM... Through Tonight. A weak cool front has pushed into the Tennessee Valley Region of north Alabama where surface winds are now northerly and temperatures have fallen into the 70s. The pre-frontal convection is trying to gel into a single line of storms, and raised rain chances across the northern portions of the area due to higher coverage of rain expected with the line. Short range models are suggesting the core of the stronger storms will stay west of I-65 where low level lapse rates are highest. Given presence of boundary and lowering upper heights, convection will likely maintain strength through the evening hours. There is some concern for localized flash flooding if rain cooled boundary stalls out and storm movement becomes aligned with the boundary, allowing for training of storms. 58/rose .LONG TERM... Saturday through Thursday. A dominant upper-level ridge will extend from the Four Corners Region eastward toward the Ohio Valley on Saturday. South of the ridge, height falls are expected across Dixie as a disturbance moves westward across the region. Additionally, a large area of surface high pressure and northeasterly winds to our north will support a weak cold front and convergence zone over the forecast area. This in combination with the upper-level disturbance should lead to numerous showers and storms especially during the afternoon and evening. A low-level convergence zone may persist into Sunday as surface high pressure noses southwestward on the eastern side of the Southern Appalachians. There is also evidence of a weak warm front near the Gulf Coast in model guidance. Showers and storms could become numerous once again due to the residual convergence zone and the northward advancement of thunderstorms generated along the sea-breeze in the Florida Panhandle as deep-layer flow turns more southerly. For Monday through Thursday, heights may tend to rise. However, abundant ground moisture and evapotranspiration, along with PWAT values of 2.0 to 2.2 inches, should support at least scattered convection each afternoon and evening. 87/Grantham && .AVIATION... 18Z TAF Discussion. A more active convective period expected across Central Alabama as a weak cool front sinks southward into north Alabama this evening. Ahead of this boundary, the air mass is moderately unstable, and thunderstorms will develop rapidly during the heating of the afternoon. Models are having a difficult time with areal coverage of storms over north Alabama for this afternoon. The NAM model keeps everything close to the boundary, while the HRRR model shows more development along the I-20 corridor. For now, will handle with a TEMPO group for tsra to cover the afternoon hours, but the tempo group may need to be extended into the evening hours. Storms will likely persist much later into the evening than the past few nights due to presence of boundary and falling upper heights. Activity will shift south of the I-20 corridor by 03z. 58/rose && .FIRE WEATHER... Enhanced rain chances are expected through Sunday as a weak cool front stalls across the region. Localized fog will be possible each morning where rainfall occurs during the previous afternoon and evening. There are no fire weather concerns at this time. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Gadsden 69 87 69 87 68 / 40 70 40 50 30 Anniston 70 87 70 87 69 / 60 70 40 50 30 Birmingham 72 89 71 87 71 / 60 60 40 60 30 Tuscaloosa 73 90 73 89 72 / 70 60 50 60 30 Calera 70 88 70 87 70 / 70 70 50 60 30 Auburn 71 86 70 84 70 / 50 70 50 60 40 Montgomery 73 90 72 88 71 / 50 70 50 70 40 Troy 72 89 71 87 71 / 40 70 40 70 40 && .BMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES/... None. &&
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Birmingham AL 502 AM CDT Fri Jul 6 2018 ALZ011>015-017>050-071315- Marion-Lamar-Fayette-Winston-Walker-Blount-Etowah-Calhoun-Cherokee- Cleburne-Pickens-Tuscaloosa-Jefferson-Shelby-St. Clair-Talladega- Clay-Randolph-Sumter-Greene-Hale-Perry-Bibb-Chilton-Coosa-Tallapoosa- Chambers-Marengo-Dallas-Autauga-Lowndes-Elmore-Montgomery-Macon- Bullock-Lee-Russell-Pike-Barbour- 502 AM CDT Fri Jul 6 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the counties served by the National Weather Service office in Birmingham. .DAY ONE...Outlook through Tonight. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Activation of storm spotters and emergency management is not expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
437 PM CDT FRI JUL 6 2018
ALZ021-028-029-062215-
Clay AL-Randolph AL-Cleburne AL-
437 PM CDT FRI JUL 6 2018
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN RANDOLPH...
SOUTHEASTERN CLEBURNE AND NORTHEASTERN CLAY COUNTIES UNTIL 515 PM
CDT...
At 437 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Heflin, moving south at 5 mph.
Pea size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Heflin, Delta, Barfield, Lake Cleburne, Hollis Crossroads, Micaville,
Chalafinnee and Camp Sequoyah.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3332 8565 3342 8585 3363 8567 3363 8566
3367 8563 3363 8540
TIME...MOT...LOC 2137Z 014DEG 5KT 3356 8554
05Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
444 PM CDT FRI JUL 6 2018
ALZ022-031-062215-
Greene AL-Pickens AL-
444 PM CDT FRI JUL 6 2018
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN PICKENS AND NORTH
CENTRAL GREENE COUNTIES UNTIL 515 PM CDT...
At 444 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Jena, or 9 miles south of Gordo. This storm was nearly stationary.
Pea size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Jena, Benevola, Johnston Lake and Pioneer.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3324 8799 3321 8784 3310 8784 3309 8783
3305 8783 3304 8784 3310 8810
TIME...MOT...LOC 2144Z 026DEG 3KT 3318 8791
05Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Birmingham AL 453 PM CDT FRI JUL 6 2018 ALZ023-062230- Tuscaloosa AL- 453 PM CDT FRI JUL 6 2018 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN TUSCALOOSA COUNTY UNTIL 530 PM CDT... At 453 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Tuscaloosa Regional Airport, or near Tuscaloosa, moving southwest at 5 mph. Pea size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Western Tuscaloosa, Northport, Coker, Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, Tuscaloosa Regional Airport, Bryant Denny Stadium, Stillman College, Flatwoods, Fosters Boat Landing, Oliver Lock And Dam and Palmore Park. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle. && LAT...LON 3326 8763 3320 8754 3306 8762 3317 8778 TIME...MOT...LOC 2153Z 041DEG 5KT 3320 8762 05
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
501 PM CDT FRI JUL 6 2018
ALZ023-034-062230-
Bibb AL-Tuscaloosa AL-
501 PM CDT FRI JUL 6 2018
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN TUSCALOOSA AND
CENTRAL BIBB COUNTIES UNTIL 530 PM CDT...
At 501 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Lake Wildwood to near Woodstock to near
West Blocton. Movement was southwest at 10 mph.
Pea size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Tuscaloosa, Brent, Centreville, Holt, Lake View, Brookwood, Coaling,
Vance, Woodstock, West Blocton, West Centreville, McFarland Mall,
Shelton State Community College, Lake Wildwood, University Mall,
Mercedes Benz Of Alabama, Eoline, North Bibb, Englewood and
Cottondale.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3307 8762 3302 8735 3286 8715 3311 8700
3328 8710 3325 8752
TIME...MOT...LOC 2201Z 052DEG 7KT 3317 8741 3321 8718 3308 8707
05Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
510 PM CDT FRI JUL 6 2018
ALZ022-023-031-062245-
Greene AL-Pickens AL-Tuscaloosa AL-
510 PM CDT FRI JUL 6 2018
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN TUSCALOOSA...
SOUTHERN PICKENS AND NORTHWESTERN GREENE COUNTIES UNTIL 545 PM CDT...
At 510 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Garden to near Jena to near Tuscaloosa.
Movement was southwest at 5 mph.
Pea size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Tuscaloosa, Northport, Aliceville, Pickensville, Coker, McMullen,
Benevola, Johnston Lake, Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, Bryant Denny
Stadium, Tuscaloosa Regional Airport, Garden, Mantua, Jena, Snoddy,
Dillburg, Ralph, George Downer Airport, Fosters Boat Landing and
Stillman College.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3313 8833 3323 8825 3324 8775 3324 8751
3307 8760 3301 8788 3304 8833
TIME...MOT...LOC 2210Z 049DEG 5KT 3315 8823 3310 8783 3317 8758
05Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Birmingham AL 529 PM CDT FRI JUL 6 2018 ALZ022-023-030>032-034-062300- Greene AL-Hale AL-Pickens AL-Bibb AL-Sumter AL-Tuscaloosa AL- 529 PM CDT FRI JUL 6 2018 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHERN TUSCALOOSA...SOUTHERN PICKENS...NORTHERN GREENE...NORTHEASTERN HALE...WESTERN BIBB AND NORTHWESTERN SUMTER COUNTIES UNTIL 600 PM CDT... At 528 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along a line extending from 6 miles north of Panola to near Eoline. Movement was southwest at 25 mph. Pea size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with these storms. Locations impacted include... Southern Tuscaloosa, Aliceville, Moundville, Coaling, Vance, Union, McMullen, Panola, West Greene, McFarland Mall, Benevola, Johnston Lake, Lake Wildwood, Low Gap, Knoxville, Mercedes Benz Of Alabama, Eoline, North Bibb, Shelton State Community College and Garden. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle. && LAT...LON 3317 8832 3320 8714 3292 8725 3288 8835 TIME...MOT...LOC 2228Z 056DEG 23KT 3305 8827 3307 8727 05
The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 75 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:31 UTC.
1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Numerous streets flooded and impassable around the city of Tuscaloosa along with several submerged vehicles.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Alabama in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in Alabama, July 2018
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 774598.