A rare Southeast States derecho swept southward through the entire state of Alabama during the afternoon and evening hours of June 28th. This particular event featured a complex of thunderstorms that resulted in wind damage along a track nearly 400 miles long, originating in Central Tennessee and ending along the Gulf Coast.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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 rare Southeast States derecho swept southward through the entire state of Alabama during the afternoon and evening hours of June 28th. This particular event featured a complex of thunderstorms that resulted in wind damage along a track nearly 400 miles long, originating in Central Tennessee and ending along the Gulf Coast. The southward movement of these storms was driven by clockwise flow around a ridge of high pressure centered over the Central United States. In Central Alabama, the storms moved through during peak daytime heating with a very unstable air mass in place. CAPE values of 4,000-5,000 J/kg were common while bulk wind shear values were low due to the proximity of the upper ridge. Steep low-level lapse rates aided in momentum transfer of strong winds aloft to the surface. Wind damage occurred not only with the thunderstorms, but with the outflow as well.
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 Jun 28, 11:35 AM CST, 50 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Birmingham AL 1235 PM CDT Thu Jun 28 2018 .UPDATE... Aviation and Fire Weather Update. && .NEAR TERM... Through Tonight. Watching a MCS moving south southeastward through the Tennessee Valley this morning, that has prompted a Severe Thunderstorm Watch and many warnings so far. Have noted strong winds just off at low levels per HTX radar - 60+ kts at 2400ft. The airmass over Central Alabama is characterized by high cape (around 5000 J/kg per the latest surface analysis) and increasing shear with the MCS. Mid level lapse rates are supportive of continued thunderstorm growth as the MCS advances southward this afternoon and early evening. The limiting factor to the west and southwest is slightly warmer temperatures aloft and height mid level heights. Latest radar trends show strong to severe thunderstorms moving into northeast Central Alabama around 115-130 PM CDT. Will need to watch the southward progression of the line and whether storms begin to develop westward. It might become necessary to add counties along the I-65 corridor to the Severe Thunderstorm Watch, including the Birmingham metro. Along those same lines, as storms progress southward near and along the Georgia state line, will consider adding to the southern extent of the watch. Frequent lightning and torrential rainfall are also expected with these thunderstorms. Hi-res guidance shows this system moving out of southeast Central Alabama this evening, by 7-8PM. Another weak impulse and boundary interactions might continue storm development overnight across the south and will leave low pops in for now. 14 .LONG TERM... Friday through Wednesday. A relatively wet pattern may continue during the extended part of the forecast period. An upper-level ridge centered to our north will open the door for easterly flow and embedded disturbances to move westward across the Deep South for Friday through Monday. This should enhance rain chances, and POPs generally range from 40 to 60 percent each afternoon with the highest chances focused across the southern half of the CWA. With no real sign of a suppressive ridge developing over the region, this scenario could continue beyond Monday as well. 87/Grantham && .AVIATION... 18Z TAF Discussion. A line of strong to severe storms is pushing SSE into east Central Alabama, and could produce damaging winds. Have timed out the arrival of thunderstorms at ANB and ASN based on current radar trends. Torrential rainfall and frequent lightning are also expected. The westward extent of the severe storms is more uncertain, but do expect thunderstorm at all other northern terminals before 29/00Z. Hi-res guidance shows this system pushing through MGM and TOI after 28/22Z. Will likely need updates to adjust timing of strongest storms through the afternoon. Guidance is inconsistent regarding the potential for additional showers and storms overnight as boundaries continue to interact. Most likely the airmass will not be conducive for overnight activity behind the exiting storms this afternoon. Patchy fog is possible, depending on where heaviest rainfall occurs and how quickly cloud cover clears. 14 && .FIRE WEATHER... Strong to severe storms are expected this afternoon and evening, moving southward through much of the area. It is possible additional convection might redevelop overnight, but confidence is low. As skies clear and winds become calm, patchy fog is possible, but locations and extent are uncertain at this time. Very warm temperatures with triple digit heat indices will be the biggest issue for crews. With humidity values remaining high, Heat Advisories might be necessary each day through the weekend. There are no fire weather concerns at this time. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Gadsden 92 71 91 72 91 / 80 30 40 10 40 Anniston 90 72 92 73 91 / 80 30 40 20 40 Birmingham 93 74 92 74 93 / 80 30 40 20 40 Tuscaloosa 95 76 94 75 93 / 40 30 50 20 50 Calera 91 73 91 73 91 / 70 40 50 20 50 Auburn 89 74 90 74 89 / 70 50 40 30 60 Montgomery 93 76 92 75 92 / 60 60 50 30 60 Troy 92 75 92 74 91 / 60 60 50 30 60 && .BMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES/... Heat Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for the following counties: Autauga...Barbour...Bibb...Bullock...Chilton...Coosa... Dallas...Elmore...Fayette...Greene...Hale...Jefferson...Lamar... Lowndes...Macon...Marengo...Marion...Montgomery...Perry... Pickens...Pike...Russell...Shelby...Sumter...Tuscaloosa... Walker...Winston. &&
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Birmingham AL 447 AM CDT Thu Jun 28 2018 ALZ011>015-017>050-291300- 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- 447 AM CDT Thu Jun 28 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the counties served by the National Weather Service office in Birmingham. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Heat indices will may reach 105 degrees for portions of Central Alabama this afternoon. Strong to severe thunderstorms along with heavy rainfall, are possible this afternoon through 10 pm, for portions of Central Alabama. The main concern will be damaging winds up to 60 miles per hour. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Heat indices will may reach 105 degrees for portions of Central Alabama each afternoon Friday through Saturday. Overall coverage will decrease each afternoon, so confidence remains low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Activation of storm spotters and emergency management may be needed this afternoon through 10 pm.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
1232 PM CDT THU JUN 28 2018
ALZ020-281800-
Cherokee AL-
1232 PM CDT THU JUN 28 2018
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHEASTERN CHEROKEE COUNTY
UNTIL 100 PM CDT...
At 1231 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 11 miles northwest of Summerville to 6 miles
northeast of Gaylesville. Movement was south at 10 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Little River Canyon National Preserve, Blanche, Little River Falls,
Broomtown, Fullerton, New Moon, Chesterfield and Little River Canyon
NP.
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
LAT...LON 3452 8551 3424 8545 3435 8567 3436 8566
3437 8563 3439 8562 3440 8563 3440 8561
3444 8558 3446 8558 3447 8557 3449 8557
3449 8556 3450 8556 3450 8555 3453 8552
TIME...MOT...LOC 1731Z 005DEG 10KT 3457 8553 3433 8546
32/DavisThe Northeast Alabama radar (KHTX), 94 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:27 UTC.
37 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Multiple trees uprooted in the Cedar Bluff community.
Multiple trees uprooted in the city of Reece.
Multiple trees uprooted and structural damage to a gas station roof in the city of Gadsden.
Several trees uprooted on Rocky Hollow Road near the the town of Attala.
Several trees and power lines downed in the Coates Bend area.
Several trees uprooted and power lined downed along County Road 26 near the city of Blountsville.
Numerous trees uprooted and power lines downed in the city of Oneonta and across the northern portions of Blount County.
Several trees uprooted and power lines downed on Nisbet Lake Road.
Several trees uprooted in the city of Ragland.
Numerous trees uprooted in the city of Anniston and across Calhoun County.
Several trees uprooted and blocking lanes on I-20 at exit 191.
Numerous trees uprooted in the Munford community and across the northern part of Talladega County.
Numerous trees uprooted across the northern part of Randolph County.
Lineville city police reported a fatality when a large tree fell on a moving vehicle. The vehicle was traveling on Martha Street.
Several trees uprooted in the city of Sylacauga and damage to a roof at a drug store at the corner of US-21 and North Broadway Avenue.
Roofs missing from several barns and windows blown out at a residence.
Numerous trees uprooted along Highway 280 and across Shelby County.
Birmingham International Airport recorded a wind gust of 58 mph and numerous trees reported uprooted across Jefferson County.
Numerous trees uprooted across Coosa County.
Reports of 50-75 trees uprooted in the city limits of Bessemer.
Numerous trees uprooted across Walker County.
Several trees uprooted around the city of Dadeville.
Several trees uprooted across the town of Jackson's Gap.
Several trees uprooted and power lines downed in the city of Calera.
Several trees uprooted in the city of Dadeville.
Large tree fell on home causing significant structural damage. Numerous reports of trees uprooted across Elmore County.
Several trees uprooted in the town of Maplesville.
Numerous reports (60-70) of uprooted trees across Tuscaloosa County.
Widespread trees uprooted and power lines downed within the city of Selma.
Several trees uprooted and power lines downed along Highway 82. Numerous trees reported uprooted across Autauga County.
Numerous reports of trees uprooted and power lines downed in the city of Montgomery and across Montgomery County. Between 11,000 and 12,000 customers without power.
Several trees uprooted around the town of Moundville.
Numerous trees uprooted across the city of Greensboro with widespread power outages.
Several trees uprooted in the town of Newbern.
Numerous trees uprooted and power lines downed in the city of Troy and across Pike County.
Several trees uprooted in the town of Faunsdale.
Several trees uprooted in the town of Sweet Water.
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, June 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: 768712, 768713, 768714, 768716, 768723, 769001, 769003, 768969, 768977, 768974, 768976, 768978, 768982, 768979, 769022, 768985, 769023, 769018, 769027, 770049, 769056, 769053, 769029, 770047, 770044, 770060, 770073, 770095, 770104, 770064, 770070, 770084, 770087, 770121, 770090, 770110, 770112, 770113.