Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms occurred across the area. This was an unusual, well organized severe weather event given the time of year.
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 TAE wrote it up.
Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms occurred across the area. This was an unusual, well organized severe weather event given the time of year. The threat for some type of severe weather during the July 21-22 period was well advertised by the models a few days in advance, although the exact times of day that would be affected varied from run to run. A special 18z KTAE sounding from July 22 revealed SBCAPE around 4500 j/kg with 0-6 km shear of 34 knots, which is unusually high for summer. Some mid-level dry air also contributed to a favorable environment for damaging wind. The end result was numerous reports of severe weather across the region.
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 Tallahassee, FL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 21, 7:49 AM CST, 2 hours 59 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Tallahassee FL 949 AM EDT Sat Jul 21 2018 .NEAR TERM [Through Today]... Two MCSs, one to our north in GA and one to our northwest in AL are steadily moving south-southwest toward our area at a fast forward speed of around 35-40 kts. The GA MCS is poised to reach our northern line of counties in about an hour. The environment over our area as these storms approach is extremely unstable, with 80 degree dewpoints seen as far north as Enterprise, AL this morning and SPC mesoanalysis showing 6000 J/kg SBCAPE along the FL Panhandle. The 12Z sounding from BMX this morning sampled some of the shear that will be moving in with these MCSs and showed 27 kts 0-1km shear and 39 kts 0-6 km shear. It is highly unusual for this time of year to have such high shear this far south and when coupled with the extreme instability there is potential for severe weather. SPC has highlighted the majority of our area in a slight risk for today. The main threats will be damaging straight-line winds and large hail, but an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out. && .PREV DISCUSSION [535 AM EDT]... .SHORT TERM [Tonight Through Monday]... In the upper levels a trough centered over the Midwest will deepen into the Southeast this weekend. At the surface a low over the Ohio River Valley will drift southward over the weekend bringing another cold front into the region tonight and into Sunday. A weak low or boundary will remain over the region on Monday. With abundant moisture (PW values around 2 inches)POPs will be high through Monday. Severe storms are possible Saturday night through Sunday night with the main threat being damaging straight-line winds. A MCS is possible tonight as deep layer shear increases to 35 to 45 knots this evening. Conditions will also be favorable for severe on Sunday and Sunday night with deep layer shear around 35 to 45 knots and CAPE at 4000 to 5000 J/KG. SPC has a marginal risk over the region on Saturday night with a slight risk over SE Alabama and SW Georgia. SPC has a marginal risk for the region on Sunday with a slight risk for parts of the Florida Big Bend and South Central Georgia. Highs will be in the low to mid 90s on Sunday and near 90 on Monday. Lows will be in the low to mid 70s. .LONG TERM [Monday Night Through Saturday]... In the upper levels a trough will be over the Southeast. At the surface a weak low will remain over the Southeast through Tuesday. The rest of the week southerly flow will dominate with high pressure to the east over the Atlantic. The wet pattern will continue next week and POPs will be high (50 to 70 percent through Thursday). Highs will be in the low 90s or near 90. Lows will be in the low to mid 70s. .AVIATION... [Through 12z Sunday] Some patchy fog and low ceilings are possible early this morning, particularly around VLD, with VFR conditions returning a couple of hours after sunrise. However, scattered thunderstorms are expected during the day into the evening with some storms possibly becoming severe. Outside of storms and the brief early morning fog or low ceilings, VFR conditions are expected. .MARINE... Moderate westerly winds will increase tonight and even more on Sunday morning. Winds will be 15 to 20 knots on Saturday night and 20 to 25 knots on Sunday. A Small Craft Advisory is likely for Sunday as winds are expected to exceed 20 knots. .FIRE WEATHER... Red flag conditions will not occur over the next several with moisture expected to remain high across the area. .HYDROLOGY... The wet pattern continues through this weekend and next week. 1 to 1.5 inches of rain is predicted through Monday night. Locally higher amounts are likely. The heavier downpours may result in ponding of water on roadways and flooding of low-lying areas. Most local rivers are steady or slowly rising at this time. Most local rivers remain below action stage. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is requested. Spotters should safely report significant weather conditions and/or damage by calling the office or tweeting us @NWSTallahassee. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Tallahassee 94 76 93 73 91 / 50 30 60 50 60 Panama City 91 79 90 77 91 / 40 20 40 40 40 Dothan 93 75 93 73 90 / 70 40 50 30 50 Albany 93 75 92 73 90 / 70 50 50 30 60 Valdosta 93 74 92 73 91 / 50 40 60 30 60 Cross City 91 76 90 74 90 / 30 30 60 50 50 Apalachicola 90 80 90 77 90 / 40 10 40 50 40 && .TAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... FL...None. GA...None. AL...None. GM...None. && NEAR TERM...Nguyen SHORT TERM...McD LONG TERM...McD AVIATION...DVD MARINE...McD FIRE WEATHER...DVD HYDROLOGY...McD
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
1046 AM EDT SAT JUL 21 2018
GAZ124>129-131-211530-
Tift GA-Worth GA-Lee GA-Dougherty GA-Terrell GA-Irwin GA-Turner GA-
1046 AM EDT SAT JUL 21 2018
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN IRWIN...TURNER...
EASTERN DOUGHERTY...LEE...NORTHERN TIFT...NORTHEASTERN TERRELL AND
WORTH COUNTIES UNTIL 1130 AM EDT...
At 1046 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
De Soto, or 13 miles northeast of Leesburg, moving south at 35 mph.
Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Albany, Ashburn, Sylvester, Leesburg, Putney, Poulan, Smithville,
East Albany, Marine Corps Logistics Base, Turner City, Worth,
Terrell, Sycamore, Sumner, Warwick, Stocks, Radium Springs, Sylvester
Airport, Waterloo and Inaha.
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 3191 8392 3185 8394 3184 8386 3182 8385
3183 8384 3180 8380 3180 8361 3185 8361
3185 8355 3150 8338 3147 8411 3189 8434
3192 8434
TIME...MOT...LOC 1446Z 338DEG 29KT 3190 8405
11-NGUYENPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
1156 AM EDT SAT JUL 21 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1110 AM TSTM WND DMG 3 SW BRONWOOD 31.81N 84.40W
07/21/2018 TERRELL GA 911 CALL CENTER
TREES DOWN ON HIGHWAY 118 BETWEEN BONWOOD
AND DAWSON.
&&
PCPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
1158 AM EDT SAT JUL 21 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1105 AM TSTM WND DMG 2 WNW YEOMANS 31.84N 84.49W
07/21/2018 TERRELL GA 911 CALL CENTER
TWO TREES DOWN A JONES MILL ROAD AND HARDY
COOPER ROAD.
&&
PCPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
1205 PM EDT SAT JUL 21 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1135 AM TSTM WND DMG 1 WSW COLUMBIA 31.29N 85.13W
07/21/2018 HOUSTON AL 911 CALL CENTER
TREE DOWN.
&&
PCPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
1215 PM EDT SAT JUL 21 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1135 AM TSTM WND DMG 2 S BLAKELY 31.36N 84.94W
07/21/2018 EARLY GA 911 CALL CENTER
TREES DOWN ACROSS THE COUNTY.
&&
PCPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
1218 PM EDT SAT JUL 21 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1130 AM TSTM WND DMG 5 SW DOLES 31.66N 83.95W
07/21/2018 WORTH GA BROADCAST MEDIA
MEDIA REPORT OF TREES DOWN ON CAMP OSBORN
ROAD.
&&
PCThe Eglin Afb radar (KEVX), 70 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 16:45 UTC.
61 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail, 1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Power lines were blown down on Highway 73 near Gray Road.
Trees were blown down in Quincy.
Fallen trees and limbs resulted in a power outage along Lake Road near Tecumseh Road.
A tree was blown down onto power lines at 6303 Miccosukee Road.
A tree was blown down in Crawfordville.
Fallen trees and limbs resulted in a power outage along Gamble Road.
Fallen trees and limbs resulted in a power outage in the Drifton area.
Trees and power lines were blown down across Leon county, mainly from near Tallahassee eastward.
Numerous trees and power lines were blown down.
A tree was blown down in the southbound lane near W Capps Highway and St Augustine Road.
Debris blocked Highway 27 east of Highway 59.
Trees were blown down in Greenville.
Trees were blown down in Madison.
Trees were blown down in Lee.
Fallen trees and limbs resulted in a power outage on McDaniel Road.
Trees and power lines were blown down.
Trees and power lines were blown down.
Trees and power lines were blown down.
Trees and power lines were blown down.
Trees and power lines were blown down.
Trees and power lines were blown down.
Trees and power lines were blown down.
Trees and power lines were blown down.
Trees and power lines were blown down.
A tree was blown down across the road near Meridian Road and County Road 12.
A tree was blown down near the intersection of Wadesboro Road and Baum Road.
A tree was blown down near Delta and Pinewood Road.
A tree was blown down at 3028 Walden Road.
An oak tree was blown down near 6th Street and Terrace Street.
A tree was down near the intersection of Magnolia Dr and S Meridian Street.
A tree was blown down at 2181 Orange Ave East.
Numerous trees and power lines were blown down.
A tree was blown down onto a power line.
Power lines were blown down.
A tree was blown down.
A tree was blown down.
A tree was blown down along SE Ferret Road.
A large tree was blown down near Highway 90 and County Road 10A.
A large tree was blown down across both southbound lanes of Highway 81 near Ammons Road.
A tree was blown down onto power lines near SE Walter Henderson Road.
Straight line winds caused numerous trees to be snapped and uprooted in Ponce de Leon. Minor structural damage was sustained as roofing was peeled off of a couple of metal barns. Winds were estimated around 80 mph. Damage cost was estimated.
A tree was blown down onto power lines along Highway 349.
A tree was blown down onto a house. Damage cost was estimated.
A power line was blown down at 3665 Tucker Lane.
A tree was blown down along Georgia Road south of Bascom.
Fallen trees were reported along Highway 51.
A tree was blown down onto power lines at 1625 Sandstone Road.
A tree was blown down onto power lines at 1702 Missouri Ave.
A tree was blown down at 2401 Ashland Way.
A tree was blown down along Lakeshore Dr.
Fallen trees blocked the road near Cooks Hammock.
A tree was blown down near the intersection of Highway 27 and Walter Schmidt Lane.
A tree was blown down near the intersection of North Meridian and Sinclair roads.
Strong winds resulted in a power outage.
A tree was blown down across the road along Boston Highway.
Three trees were blown down north of Fletcher.
Trees and large limbs were blown down about 2 miles east of Freeport along Highway 20.
A tree was blown down west of Bruce along Highway 20 and blocked the road.
Water was flowing across Highway 51 in several places between Mayo and Cooks Hammock.
Several trees were blown down.
A tree was blown down across Doc Whitfield road.
The WeatherSTEM station located on the Saint George Island bridge measured a wind gust of 60 mph.
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: 767657, 767658, 767659, 767660, 767661, 767662, 767663, 767664, 767665, 767666, 767667, 767668, 767669, 767670, 767671, 767672, 767673, 767674, 767675, 767677, 767678, 767676, 767679, 767680, 767681, 767682, 767683, 767684, 767685, 767686, 767687, 767691, 767695, 767696, 767697, 767699, 767753, 767688, 767689, 767754, and more.