A diffuse surface front settled south across SE Georgia with a weak meso low pressure system along the boundary. Very high moisture content fueled widespread rainfall and wet downburst potential due to heavy rainfall loading.
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 JAX wrote it up.
A diffuse surface front settled south across SE Georgia with a weak meso low pressure system along the boundary. Very high moisture content fueled widespread rainfall and wet downburst potential due to heavy rainfall loading.
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 Jacksonville, FL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 14, 1:45 PM EST, 18 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Jacksonville FL 245 PM EDT Sat Jul 14 2018 .Near Term.../through Tonight/... Cold front will dissipate near the GA/FL line. While convection will decrease in coverage somewhat this evening with loss of diurnal heating, it will be slow to dissipate with the front remaining as a source of convergence. Storms this afternoon and evening will be slow moving with gusty winds and heavy downpours. && .Short Term.../Sunday through Tuesday/... The region will be between high pressure to the East/Southeast and a trough of low pressure to the Northwest this period. This will produce a warm and moist Southwesterly flow providing for scattered mainly afternoon convection. An upper trough will pivot through Monday night into Tuesday. This trough will act to enhance precipitation coverage, and increase the chance for strong storms on Tuesday. The Southwest flow looks strong enough to keep the East coast sea breeze near the coast, so convection which develops should make it all the to the beaches this period. Near normal temperatures can be expected this period. && .Long Term.../Tuesday night through Saturday/... High pressure will be to the East/Southeast of the region this period, as a series of fronts push into the Southeastern US and stall to the Northwest. This pattern will keep the warm and moist Southwest flow going through the period, with daily rounds of mainly diurnally driven convection expected. Temperatures will be near normal through this period. && .Marine... A slow moving frontal boundary will be over the waters through Tonight, as it dissipates. The region will then be between high pressure to the East/Southeast and a series of fronts to the Northwest through the upcoming week. Rip Currents: Moderate risk through the weekend. && .AVIATION... Scattered to numerous showers expected to affect JAX metro terminals through the late aftn and evening. IFR or lower conditions expected for brief periods in some of the storms. GNV will see a later start to some t-storms begin near the terminal by about 20z and continue until early evening. SGJ and SSI likely to miss out on the heavier storms as the stronger convective activity remains inland per latest model guidance. Left in VC showers in overnight as the weak front in the area will serve as a focus for regeneration of showers or weaker storm development. Otherwise...multilayered clouds tonight with VFR cigs. Any fog potential looks low at this point at the terminals and not included at this time. Another round of scattered showers and storms on Sunday are expected. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... AMG 74 91 73 91 / 20 20 20 70 SSI 79 86 77 89 / 10 20 30 50 JAX 76 90 74 93 / 30 40 40 40 SGJ 77 90 74 90 / 30 30 40 30 GNV 76 91 73 92 / 40 60 20 30 OCF 75 90 73 90 / 30 40 10 30 && .JAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... FL...None. GA...None. AM...None. &&
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
142 PM EDT SAT JUL 14 2018
FLZ020-GAZ162-141815-
Hamilton FL-Echols GA-
142 PM EDT SAT JUL 14 2018
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN HAMILTON AND
SOUTHWESTERN ECHOLS COUNTIES UNTIL 215 PM EDT...
At 142 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Jennings, moving south at 10 mph.
Wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph can be expected along with possible minor
wind damage.
Locations impacted include...
Jennings.
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 3063 8323 3063 8314 3073 8313 3068 8298
3051 8299 3057 8326
TIME...MOT...LOC 1742Z 013DEG 8KT 3066 8310
SHASHYSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Jacksonville FL 145 PM EDT SAT JUL 14 2018 FLZ020-022-GAZ162-163-141830- Columbia FL-Hamilton FL-Clinch GA-Echols GA- 145 PM EDT SAT JUL 14 2018 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHEASTERN COLUMBIA... NORTHEASTERN HAMILTON...SOUTHEASTERN ECHOLS AND SOUTHEASTERN CLINCH COUNTIES UNTIL 230 PM EDT... At 144 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms centered Belmont, or 13 miles east of Jasper, moving south at 10 mph. Wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph can be expected along with possible minor wind damage. Locations impacted include... Belmont. 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 3061 8282 3061 8251 3038 8254 3042 8295 TIME...MOT...LOC 1744Z 002DEG 9KT 3054 8273 SHASHY
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
210 PM EDT SAT JUL 14 2018
FLZ022-023-030-141900-
Columbia FL-Baker FL-Union FL-
210 PM EDT SAT JUL 14 2018
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN BAKER...NORTHERN
UNION AND CENTRAL COLUMBIA COUNTIES UNTIL 300 PM EDT...
At 210 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Olustee, or 9 miles northwest of Raiford, moving southwest at 10 mph.
Excessive cloud-to-ground lightning and wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph
can be expected along with possible minor damage.
Locations impacted include...
Lake City, Raiford, Columbia, Palestine Community, Five Points,
Watertown, Lulu, Winfield, Olustee and Sanderson.
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.
This storm 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 3030 8279 3026 8219 3007 8221 2998 8276
2999 8276 2999 8279 3012 8280
TIME...MOT...LOC 1810Z 060DEG 9KT 3017 8234
HESSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
244 PM EDT SAT JUL 14 2018
FLZ025-032-033-141930-
Inland Duval FL-Clay FL-Inland St. Johns FL-
244 PM EDT SAT JUL 14 2018
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN ST. JOHNS...
NORTHEASTERN CLAY AND SOUTH CENTRAL DUVAL COUNTIES UNTIL 330 PM
EDT...
At 243 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Bellair-Meadowbrook Terrace, or near Orange Park, moving southeast at
10 mph.
Excessive cloud-to-ground lightning and wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph
can be expected along with possible minor damage.
Locations impacted include...
Orange Park, Green Cove Springs, Mandarin, Middleburg, Fruit Cove,
Fleming Island, Doctors Inlet, Lakeside, Bellair-Meadowbrook Terrace
and Switzerland.
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 2985 8177 3003 8194 3027 8177 3015 8155
3013 8153
TIME...MOT...LOC 1843Z 308DEG 7KT 3016 8177
HESSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
252 PM EDT SAT JUL 14 2018
FLZ025-125-141915-
Inland Duval FL-Coastal Duval FL-
252 PM EDT SAT JUL 14 2018
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHEASTERN DUVAL COUNTY UNTIL
315 PM EDT...
At 252 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Oceanway, or near Arlington, moving southeast at 10 mph.
Excessive cloud-to-ground lightning and wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph
can be expected along with possible minor damage.
Locations impacted include...
Jacksonville, Arlington, Unf, Baymeadows, Oceanway, Craig Field,
Little Talbot Island, Fort Caroline and Tallyrand.
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 3022 8156 3039 8173 3054 8160 3047 8138
3045 8137 3044 8137
TIME...MOT...LOC 1852Z 308DEG 7KT 3042 8160
HESSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
302 PM EDT SAT JUL 14 2018
FLZ021-141930-
Suwannee FL-
302 PM EDT SAT JUL 14 2018
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN SUWANNEE COUNTY
UNTIL 330 PM EDT...
At 301 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles east of Dowling Park, or 8 miles southwest of Live Oak, moving
west at 5 mph.
Excessive cloud-to-ground lightning and wind gusts of 40 to 45 mph
can be expected along with possible minor damage.
Locations impacted include...
Dowling Park, Luraville and Newburn.
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 3026 8324 3029 8323 3031 8321 3033 8321
3033 8305 3016 8301 3010 8319 3012 8323
3014 8323 3015 8324 3017 8323 3018 8325
3023 8324 3023 8325 3025 8324 3025 8325
3026 8325
TIME...MOT...LOC 1901Z 079DEG 5KT 3024 8311
HESSThe Jacksonville radar (KJAX), 35 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:03 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.
Trees were blown down in Heritage Hills. The time of damage was based on radar. The cost of damage was unknown, but it was estimated for the inclusion Storm Data.
A lightning caused brush fire grew to 35 acres near JTB and Hodges. At the time of the report, the fire was 40% contained. The cost of damage was unknown, but it was estimated for inclusion of the event in Storm Data.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Florida in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in Florida, 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: 771979, 771972.