Severe thunderstorms developed across southwest Alabama and produced high winds which caused damage.
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 MOB wrote it up.
Severe thunderstorms developed across southwest Alabama and produced high winds which caused damage.
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 Mobile, AL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 17, 11:03 AM CST, 3 hours 27 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED National Weather Service Mobile AL 1203 PM CDT Thu May 17 2018 .DISCUSSION...Updated for latest aviation discussion below. && .AVIATION... 18Z issuance...General VFR CIGs/VISBYs expected through the day, with local drops in eastward moving tsra beginning to develop over Mississippi. Tonight, drops into low end MVFR levels possible in fog prone areas, but general VFR conditions are expected soon after sunrise. /16 && .PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 1143 AM CDT Thu May 17 2018/ DISCUSSION...See updated information for land areas below. UPDATE...No updates planned attm, with current package on track. A line of tsra is moving across Wayne and Choctaw counties, and am expecting more to develop south and west of these counties as the forecast moves into the afternoon. The activity south of the coast has moved south of 60NM and am expecting any further activity to develop onshore and move south. /16 PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 648 AM CDT Thu May 17 2018/ DISCUSSION...Updated for latest aviation discussion below. AVIATION... 12Z issuance...Patchy dense fog with localized LIFR to VLIFR visibility reductions has recently developed in the vicinity of K0J4, KCEW and KNSE. These conditions should only last through around 13-14Z before visibility should rapidly improve. Primary aviation concerns later today will be development of scattered to numerous TSRA over our region capable of producing localized strong winds and MVFR or lower conditions. Storms should develop around 17Z and continue through the afternoon and evening hours. PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 451 AM CDT Thu May 17 2018/ NEAR TERM /Now Through Thursday night/...A broad upper level trough continues to extend across the central Gulf Coast region and into the northern and central Gulf of Mexico early this morning, while weak surface low pressure and surface troughing also extends across the Mississippi valley and through the central Gulf Coast region. A weak shortwave impulse on the base of the upper level trough has aided in the development of scattered showers and thunderstorms overnight across portions of southwest and south central AL, and radar continues to show weakening convection from near Greenville to Evergreen as of 4 A.M. CDT. An upper level low will slowly translate from southern Missouri toward western Tennessee today, while the upper level trough axis will continue to extend southeastward from this feature across the central Gulf coast region and the adjacent central Gulf of Mexico. Another shortwave impulse looks to round the base of the trough axis and move from the Lower Mississippi Valley toward southeast MS and southwest and south central AL this afternoon and evening. A weak area of surface low pressure also becomes positioned across the vicinity of eastern MS and western AL by later this afternoon, while a weak attendant surface boundary/front pushes southeastward toward southeast MS and interior southwest AL. Ascent ahead of these features should aid in the development of scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms that should propagate into southeast MS and adjacent southwest AL during the early to mid afternoon hours, while additional scattered to numerous showers and storms also develop across portions of south central AL and the FL panhandle along the surface trough axis. WRF-ARW and HRRR trends lend confidence to increasing POPs to 60-70% over much of the interior today, with high end scattered coverage (50%) near the immediate coast. RAP forecast soundings show decent CAPE values between 1500- 2500 J/KG across a good portion of southeast MS, southwest AL and portions of the FL panhandle this afternoon. Although deep layer shear will be weak across our area today, forecast soundings show dry air in the mid levels with computed DCAPE values up to around 1000 J/KG. There is therefore some concern that the stronger storm cells that develop could produce strong to locally damaging wind gusts today and will mention this potential in the HWO. CAPE values and lapse rates could also be supportive of hail in the stronger storm cores today. We continued to trend high temperatures just a little above guidance again today, with readings in the upper 80s to around 90 degrees over most locations. The upper level trough will slowly pivot eastward across our forecast area tonight and deeper moisture will tend to shift toward the eastern part of our CWA. Will maintain a chance of showers and storms across the region during the evening, with better chances for convection shifting toward the eastern zones overnight. Another mild and muggy night can otherwise be expected. /21 SHORT TERM /Friday Through Saturday night/...A broad trough will continue over the area on Friday before lifting out on Saturday as an upper ridge builds over the region. Meanwhile, a sfc ridge of high pressure will continue from the western Atlantic to the central Gulf coast. This will maintain scattered showers and thunderstorms each day, decreasing slightly on Saturday as the upper ridge builds. /13 LONG TERM /Sunday Through Wednesday/...A surface high pressure ridge extends west across the area through most of the period. As a result, a typical summer-like pattern will continue through the period. Scattered afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms, with high temps in the upper 80s and lower 90s and lows ranging from the upper 60s inland to lower 70s at the coast. /13 MARINE...A light offshore flow near bays and sounds and the near shore waters prevail early this morning with light westerly flow well offshore. A light to moderate southwesterly to southerly flow will develop over the marine area late this morning into this afternoon as a trough of low pressure extends across the central Gulf Coast region. This flow pattern generally continues into Saturday before winds become more south to southeast late this weekend into early next week as a ridge of high pressure becomes situated over the southeastern U.S. and adjacent western Atlantic. /21 && .MOB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AL...None. FL...None. MS...None. GM...None. && This product is also available on the web at: http://weather.gov/mob
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Mobile AL 601 AM CDT Thu May 17 2018 ALZ051>060-261>266-FLZ201>206-GMZ633-MSZ067-075-076-078-079- 181115- Choctaw-Washington-Clarke-Wilcox-Monroe-Conecuh-Butler-Crenshaw- Escambia-Covington-Mobile Inland-Baldwin Inland-Mobile Central- Baldwin Central-Mobile Coastal-Baldwin Coastal-Escambia Inland- Escambia Coastal-Santa Rosa Inland-Santa Rosa Coastal- Okaloosa Inland-Okaloosa Coastal-Perdido Bay-Wayne-Perry-Greene- Stone-George- 601 AM CDT Thu May 17 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of south central Alabama...southwest Alabama...northwest Florida...southeast Mississippi and the coastal waters of Alabama and northwest Florida. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop across the area again, especially during the afternoon and evening hours. A few storms could become strong to marginally severe this afternoon, capable of producing strong to locally damaging wind gusts, hail, frequent cloud to ground lightning strikes, and locally heavy rainfall. There is a moderate risk of rip currents along the Alabama and northwest Florida panhandle beaches today and tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday There is a moderate risk of rip currents along the Alabama and northwest Florida Friday and Friday night. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Activation of SkyWarn Severe Storm Spotter networks is currently not anticipated. GMZ630>632-634>636-650-655-670-675-181115- Northern Mobile Bay-Southern Mobile Bay-Mississippi Sound- Pensacola Bay System-Western Choctawhatchee Bay- Eastern Choctawhatchee Bay- Coastal waters from Pensacola FL to Pascagoula MS out 20 NM- Coastal waters from Okaloosa Walton County Line FL to Pensacola FL out 20 NM- Waters from Pensacola FL to Pascagoula MS from 20 to 60 NM- Waters from Okaloosa Walton County Line FL to Pensacola FL from 20 to 60 NM- 601 AM CDT Thu May 17 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of the coastal waters of Alabama and northwest Florida. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms will be capable of producing locally strong wind gusts and higher seas over the marine area today. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday Winds and seas will be locally higher near isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms. Otherwise, the probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mobile AL
132 PM CDT THU MAY 17 2018
ALZ051>053-MSZ067-171915-
Clarke AL-Choctaw AL-Washington AL-Wayne MS-
132 PM CDT THU MAY 17 2018
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT THE FOLLOWING
COUNTIES...SOUTH CENTRAL CHOCTAW...NORTHWESTERN WASHINGTON...
NORTHWESTERN CLARKE AND EAST CENTRAL WAYNE COUNTIES UNTIL 215 PM
CDT...
At 131 PM CDT, the strong thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from 7 miles north of Coffeeville to 5 miles northeast of
Buckatunna, and moving east at 20 mph.
Half inch hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Thomasville, Millry, Silas and Coffeeville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
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 3190 8767 3188 8767 3188 8763 3187 8763
3149 8821 3157 8862 3190 8813
TIME...MOT...LOC 1831Z 275DEG 16KT 3185 8813 3162 8849Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Mobile AL 204 PM CDT THU MAY 17 2018 ALZ052-MSZ067-076-171945- Washington AL-Greene MS-Wayne MS- 204 PM CDT THU MAY 17 2018 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES... NORTHWESTERN WASHINGTON...SOUTHEASTERN WAYNE AND NORTHEASTERN GREENE COUNTIES UNTIL 245 PM CDT... At 204 PM CDT, the strong thunderstorm was located over State Line, or 15 miles west of Chatom, moving east at 20 mph. Dime size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Chatom, Tibbie, State Line and Fruitdale. LAT...LON 3133 8858 3151 8859 3157 8814 3130 8813 TIME...MOT...LOC 1904Z 267DEG 17KT 3142 8851
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mobile AL
206 PM CDT THU MAY 17 2018
ALZ053-054-171945-
Clarke AL-Wilcox AL-
206 PM CDT THU MAY 17 2018
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT THE FOLLOWING
COUNTIES...NORTHEASTERN CLARKE AND WILCOX COUNTIES UNTIL 245 PM
CDT...
At 205 PM CDT, the strong thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from 4 miles southeast of Central Mills to 6 miles east of
Thomasville, and moving east at 20 mph.
Half inch hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Camden, Pine Hill, Yellow Bluff and Dannelly Reservoir.
LAT...LON 3224 8741 3224 8739 3220 8736 3220 8733
3214 8728 3214 8725 3212 8726 3212 8725
3210 8723 3208 8719 3205 8718 3205 8708
3183 8722 3183 8750 3181 8750 3181 8771
3225 8742
TIME...MOT...LOC 1905Z 269DEG 16KT 3223 8740 3188 8763Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mobile AL
213 PM CDT THU MAY 17 2018
ALZ261>264-172015-
Baldwin Central AL-Baldwin Inland AL-Mobile Central AL-
Mobile Inland AL-
213 PM CDT THU MAY 17 2018
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT THE FOLLOWING
COUNTIES...NORTHEASTERN MOBILE AND NORTHWESTERN BALDWIN COUNTIES
UNTIL 315 PM CDT...
At 213 PM CDT, the strong thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from 5 miles northwest of Axis to 5 miles southeast of I10
And I65, and moving east at 15 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Midtown Mobile, Downtown Mobile, Prichard, Daphne, Fairhope,
Saraland, Bay Minette, Chickasaw, Satsuma, Spanish Fort, Robertsdale,
Creola, Loxley, Stockton, Stapleton, Axis, Summerdale, Silverhill,
I65 And I165 and I65 And AL 225.
LAT...LON 3051 8810 3052 8809 3052 8812 3101 8818
3116 8770 3048 8761 3048 8791 3049 8791
3048 8794 3048 8810
TIME...MOT...LOC 1913Z 259DEG 14KT 3096 8810 3057 8805PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
215 PM CDT THU MAY 17 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0100 PM HAIL 4 SE BASIN 30.76N 88.60W
05/17/2018 M1.00 INCH GEORGE MS PUBLIC
PHOTOS OF 1 INCH HAIL IN THE BASIN COMMUNITY
(RELAYED VIA MEDIA ON SOCIAL MEDIA).
&&
MBPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
255 PM CDT THU MAY 17 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0100 PM HAIL 2 SSE EVANSTON 30.88N 88.56W
05/17/2018 E1.50 INCH GEORGE MS PUBLIC
PICTURES OF PING PONG BALL SIZE HAIL SOUTH
OF LUCEDALE, MS. REPORTS RECEIVED VIA SOCIAL
MEDIA.
&&
MBThe Mobile radar (KMOB), 81 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:29 UTC.
4 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A metal roof was peeled back on an auto repair shop and downed trees.
High winds downed trees in Pollard.
High winds downed multiple trees on the road in the Pea Ridge area.
High winds downed several trees in the Andalusia, Opp and Onycha communities.
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, May 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: 760800, 760801, 760802, 760824.