Persistent, strong southwesterly upper-level flow over the region combined with a very moist atmosphere to produce widespread thunderstorms with very heavy rainfall, and an isolated report of thunderstorm wind damage.
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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 FFC wrote it up.
Persistent, strong southwesterly upper-level flow over the region combined with a very moist atmosphere to produce widespread thunderstorms with very heavy rainfall, and an isolated report of thunderstorm wind 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 Atlanta, GA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 31, 1:56 PM EST, 1 hour 29 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Peachtree City GA 256 PM EDT Tue Jul 31 2018 .SHORT TERM /Tonight through Wednesday Night/... No major changes made to the short-term forecast trends from recent runs. Medium-range models continue to show the region firmly locked underneath the strong southwesterly upper flow out ahead of the deep upper trough anchored over the central U.S. Individual short waves or impulses notoriously hard to pin down in this type of flow, but good chances for precipitation through the period. High precipitable water values (near or above 2") linger through the end of the week. We have gone ahead and sped up the onset of the Flash Flood Watch to this evening for isolated/localized flood threat developing. Still think the highest threat for more widespread issues would be developing as we head into and through the day Wednesday. Certainly cannot rule out an isolated severe storm through the period, but instability is marginal for a more widespread severe threat. 20 .LONG TERM /Thursday through Tuesday/... Current long term portion is on target and limited changes planned. Main adjustment was for the Thursday portion where pops have been increased from likely to categorical for a large portion of the area which lines up well with adjacent offices. This is well supported by the model guidance indicating precipitable water well above normal and near 2.25 inches Thu. Although instability may be more limited than today or We over NW portions, this is likely to be compensated by the arrival of enhanced shortwave energy, keeping pops high. Pretty much the same story for Friday with no frontal clearing and actually some retrograding of moisture axis as west Atlantic ridge begins to exert its influence. It will be this ridge that eventually leads to lower rain chances by the end of the weekend and into early next week. As mentioned, current forecast handles this very well and no changes are planned. Deese && .AVIATION... 18Z Update... "Background" VFR ceilings and visibilities continue to develop, with most areas expected to remain VFR, outside of convection, through 06Z. Conditions lowering back to mainly IFR between 06-09Z with slow improvement back to MVFR between 15Z and 18Z. Scattered convection expected to become more widespread through 01Z with some decrease in coverage after. Still expect at least scattered showers with a few thunderstorms to linger through the overnight period before increasing in coverage again by late morning tomorrow. South to southwest winds 6-10kt, diminishing to 6kt or less after 00Z and becoming southeast to south by 06-09Z. //ATL Confidence...18Z Update... Medium confidence all elements. 20 && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Athens 70 78 69 79 / 70 70 70 90 Atlanta 70 77 69 78 / 70 70 70 90 Blairsville 64 74 64 74 / 60 80 70 80 Cartersville 69 79 69 78 / 70 70 70 80 Columbus 72 80 71 80 / 70 80 70 90 Gainesville 69 77 69 77 / 70 80 70 90 Macon 72 81 70 82 / 70 60 60 80 Rome 69 78 69 79 / 70 70 70 70 Peachtree City 70 79 69 79 / 70 70 70 90 Vidalia 73 85 73 86 / 50 60 60 70 && .FFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flash Flood Watch from 8 PM EDT this evening through Thursday evening for the following zones: Banks...Barrow...Bartow... Butts...Carroll...Catoosa...Chattahoochee...Chattooga... Cherokee...Clarke...Clayton...Cobb...Coweta...Dade...Dawson... DeKalb...Douglas...Fannin...Fayette...Floyd...Forsyth...Gilmer... Gordon...Greene...Gwinnett...Hall...Haralson...Harris...Heard... Henry...Jackson...Jasper...Lamar...Lumpkin...Madison... Meriwether...Monroe...Morgan...Murray...Muscogee...Newton... North Fulton...Oconee...Oglethorpe...Paulding...Pickens...Pike... Polk...Putnam...Rockdale...South Fulton...Spalding...Talbot... Taliaferro...Towns...Troup...Union...Upson...Walker...Walton... White...Whitfield...Wilkes. && SHORT TERM...20 LONG TERM....Deese AVIATION...20
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Peachtree City GA 1138 AM EDT Tue Jul 31 2018 GAZ001>009-011>016-019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086- 089>098-102>113-011545- Baldwin-Banks-Barrow-Bartow-Bibb-Bleckley-Butts-Carroll-Catoosa- Chattahoochee-Chattooga-Cherokee-Clarke-Clayton-Cobb-Coweta- Crawford-Crisp-Dade-Dawson-DeKalb-Dodge-Dooly-Douglas-Emanuel- Fannin-Fayette-Floyd-Forsyth-Gilmer-Glascock-Gordon-Greene- Gwinnett-Hall-Hancock-Haralson-Harris-Heard-Henry-Houston-Jackson- Jasper-Jefferson-Johnson-Jones-Lamar-Laurens-Lumpkin-Macon- Madison-Marion-Meriwether-Monroe-Montgomery-Morgan-Murray- Muscogee-Newton-North Fulton-Oconee-Oglethorpe-Paulding-Peach- Pickens-Pike-Polk-Pulaski-Putnam-Rockdale-Schley-South Fulton- Spalding-Stewart-Sumter-Talbot-Taliaferro-Taylor-Telfair-Toombs- Towns-Treutlen-Troup-Twiggs-Union-Upson-Walker-Walton-Warren- Washington-Webster-Wheeler-White-Whitfield-Wilcox-Wilkes- Wilkinson- 1138 AM EDT Tue Jul 31 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of North and Central Georgia. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight... Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected today. A few of the storms could become strong producing gusty winds and frequent lightning strikes. An isolated severe thunderstorm cannot be ruled out. Any severe thunderstorm that develops will have the potential to produce damaging wind gusts. Localized flooding is also possible, especially in low lying areas and where thunderstorms repeatedly move. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday... ...Flash Flood Watch In Effect For Wednesday and Thursday... Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected each day. The primary severe weather hazard will be flooding from heavy rainfall. A Flash Flood Watch has been issued for Wednesday and Thursday, when the heaviest rainfall is anticipated. In addition, strong to isolated severe thunderstorms will be possible. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will not be needed through tonight.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
356 PM EDT TUE JUL 31 2018
GAZ023>025-034-035-045>048-055-057-312045-
Hall GA-Banks GA-Jackson GA-Walton GA-Rockdale GA-Barrow GA-
Clayton GA-DeKalb GA-Gwinnett GA-Newton GA-Henry GA-
356 PM EDT TUE JUL 31 2018
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR HALL...WESTERN BANKS...
NORTHWESTERN JACKSON...WESTERN WALTON...ROCKDALE...BARROW...EASTERN
CLAYTON...SOUTHEASTERN DEKALB...GWINNETT...WESTERN NEWTON AND HENRY
COUNTIES UNTIL 445 PM EDT...
At 356 PM EDT...a line of strong thunderstorms was along a line
extending from near Clermont to Hampton...and moving east at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Frequent cloud to ground lightning and heavy rain.
IMPACT...Lightning is one of nature's leading killers. If you can
hear thunder...you are close enough to be struck by
lightning. Heavy rain may cause temporary street flooding
especially in poor drainage areas.
Some locations in the path of these storms include
Gainesville, Lawrenceville, McDonough, Conyers, Winder, Covington,
Jefferson, Homer, Duluth, Stockbridge, Sugar Hill, Snellville,
Suwanee, Buford, Lilburn, Loganville, Braselton, Hampton, Auburn and
Lovejoy.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. Electrical
appliances should not be used unless in an emergency. Motorists
should slow down and be prepared for possible loss of control due to
hydroplaning.
LAT...LON 3449 8365 3443 8361 3448 8356 3447 8344
3343 8391 3345 8393 3334 8403 3336 8434
3401 8415 3450 8375
TIME...MOT...LOC 1956Z 265DEG 16KT 3445 8371 3337 8429Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
356 PM EDT TUE JUL 31 2018
GAZ066-067-078-312030-
Harris GA-Troup GA-Meriwether GA-
356 PM EDT TUE JUL 31 2018
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR HARRIS...TROUP AND SOUTHWESTERN
MERIWETHER COUNTIES UNTIL 430 PM EDT...
At 355 PM EDT...a line of strong thunderstorms was along a line
extending from near Jones Crossroads to near Goat Rock Lake...and
moving northeast at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Winds up to 40 mph...pea sized hail and heavy rain.
IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light...unsecured objects. Heavy rain may cause temporary
street flooding especially in poor drainage areas.
Some locations in the path of these storms include
LaGrange, Hamilton, West Point, Hogansville, Pine Mountain, Goat Rock
Lake, F.d. Roosevelt State Park, Mountville, Cannonville, Louise,
Odessadale, Stovall, Mountain Hill, Big Springs, Durand, Jones
Crossroads, Bartletts Ferry Dam, Baughs Crossroads, Mulberry Grove
and Smiths Crossroad.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. Motorists should
slow down and be prepared for possible loss of control due to
hydroplaning.
LAT...LON 3323 8488 3278 8471 3261 8498 3261 8508
3262 8509 3263 8508 3264 8511 3266 8509
3269 8512 3272 8512 3274 8511 3276 8514
3278 8512 3281 8517 3285 8515 3286 8519
3296 8520
TIME...MOT...LOC 1955Z 222DEG 17KT 3289 8510 3264 8505
HAIL...0.25IN
WIND...40MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
359 PM EDT TUE JUL 31 2018
GAZ061-073-074-084-085-096-097-312030-
Wilkinson GA-Washington GA-Baldwin GA-Hancock GA-Johnson GA-
Laurens GA-Bleckley GA-
359 PM EDT TUE JUL 31 2018
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EASTERN WILKINSON...WASHINGTON...
EASTERN BALDWIN...SOUTHEASTERN HANCOCK...NORTHWESTERN JOHNSON...
NORTHERN LAURENS AND NORTHEASTERN BLECKLEY COUNTIES UNTIL 430 PM
EDT...
At 359 PM EDT...a line of strong thunderstorms was along a line
extending from near Deepstep to Dexter...and moving east at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Winds up to 40 mph...pea sized hail and heavy rain.
IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light...unsecured objects. Heavy rain may cause temporary
street flooding especially in poor drainage areas.
Some locations in the path of these storms include
Dublin, Sandersville, Wrightsville, Irwinton, East Dublin, Tennille,
McIntyre, Dexter, Dudley, Harrison, Toomsboro, Oconee, Montrose,
Deepstep, Hamburg State Park, Spann, Beulah, Nicklesville, Minter and
Lovett.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. Motorists should
slow down and be prepared for possible loss of control due to
hydroplaning.
LAT...LON 3246 8271 3240 8312 3242 8314 3245 8318
3241 8323 3315 8315 3325 8275
TIME...MOT...LOC 1959Z 251DEG 17KT 3302 8304 3244 8308
HAIL...0.25IN
WIND...40MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
416 PM EDT TUE JUL 31 2018
GAZ031-032-043-044-312045-
Douglas GA-Cobb GA-Paulding GA-South Fulton GA-
416 PM EDT TUE JUL 31 2018
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR DOUGLAS...SOUTHWESTERN COBB...
SOUTHEASTERN PAULDING AND SOUTH FULTON COUNTIES UNTIL 445 PM EDT...
At 416 PM EDT...a strong thunderstorm was over Winston, or near
Douglasville...moving east at 20 mph.
HAZARD...40 to 50 mph wind...frequent cloud to ground lightning
and heavy rain.
IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light...unsecured objects. Heavy rain may cause temporary
street flooding especially in poor drainage areas.
Some locations in the path of this storm include
Douglasville, Union City, Villa Rica, Austell, Lithia Springs,
Sweetwater Creek State Park, Brownsville, Chapel Hill, Bill Arp,
Fairplay, Winston, Lake Val-Do-Mar, Campbellton, New Georgia and
Mableton.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. If you can hear
thunder...you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Motorists
should slow down and be prepared for possible loss of control due to
hydroplaning.
LAT...LON 3384 8457 3360 8457 3361 8490 3372 8490
3372 8491 3373 8491 3373 8490 3378 8490
3378 8491 3381 8491
TIME...MOT...LOC 2016Z 265DEG 16KT 3371 8485
WIND...50MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
419 PM EDT TUE JUL 31 2018
GAZ023>025-034-035-045>048-312100-
Hall GA-Banks GA-Jackson GA-Walton GA-Rockdale GA-Barrow GA-
DeKalb GA-Gwinnett GA-Newton GA-
419 PM EDT TUE JUL 31 2018
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN HALL...BANKS...
JACKSON...WESTERN WALTON...ROCKDALE...BARROW...SOUTHEASTERN DEKALB...
GWINNETT AND NEWTON COUNTIES UNTIL 500 PM EDT...
At 419 PM EDT...a line of strong thunderstorms was along a line
extending from near Gillsville to Lawrenceville to near Arabia
Mountain...and moving east at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Frequent cloud to ground lightning and heavy rain.
IMPACT...Lightning is one of nature's leading killers. If you can
hear thunder...you are close enough to be struck by
lightning. Heavy rain may cause temporary street flooding
especially in poor drainage areas.
Some locations in the path of these storms include
Gainesville, Lawrenceville, Conyers, Winder, Monroe, Covington,
Jefferson, Commerce, Homer, Sugar Hill, Snellville, Suwanee, Buford,
Loganville, Braselton, Auburn, Flowery Branch, Dacula, Oakwood and
Lula.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. Electrical
appliances should not be used unless in an emergency. Motorists
should slow down and be prepared for possible loss of control due to
hydroplaning.
LAT...LON 3436 8339 3396 8367 3349 8385 3357 8409
3372 8411 3395 8408 3414 8401 3439 8372
3440 8338
TIME...MOT...LOC 2019Z 274DEG 10KT 3433 8369 3395 8401 3366 8408Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
422 PM EDT TUE JUL 31 2018
GAZ053-054-312100-
Fayette GA-Coweta GA-
422 PM EDT TUE JUL 31 2018
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN FAYETTE AND
SOUTHEASTERN COWETA COUNTIES UNTIL 500 PM EDT...
At 422 PM EDT...a strong thunderstorm was near Haralson, or 13 miles
southeast of Newnan...moving north at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Frequent cloud to ground lightning and heavy rain.
IMPACT...Lightning is one of nature's leading killers. If you can
hear thunder...you are close enough to be struck by
lightning. Heavy rain may cause temporary street flooding
especially in poor drainage areas.
Some locations in the path of this storm include
Newnan, Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone, Senoia, Grantville,
Brooks, Moreland, Sharpsburg, Turin, Haralson, East Newnan, Starrs
Mill and Thomas Crossroads.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. Electrical
appliances should not be used unless in an emergency. Motorists
should slow down and be prepared for possible loss of control due to
hydroplaning.
LAT...LON 3341 8474 3347 8451 3326 8443 3326 8450
3325 8451 3323 8450 3322 8451 3322 8465
3323 8465 3323 8481
TIME...MOT...LOC 2022Z 197DEG 8KT 3325 8462The Northeast Alabama radar (KHTX), 83 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:25 UTC.
2 flash flood, 1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
The Chattooga County Emergency Manager reported several trees blown down on the south side of Trion, including one onto a house on Park Avenue. No injuries were reported.
Polk County Emergency Management reported road closures across Cedartown due to flash flooding. Several yards experienced extreme erosion, and at least two cars were submerged to their windows in flood waters. Flooded roadways included, but were not limited to, Columbia Avenue between College Street and Essex Street, North Cave Spring Street between Jule Peek Ave and John Hand Road, Sixth Street at Girard, East John Hand near the railroad tracks, Furnace Street, East Queen Street, and Charles Street. Radar estimates indicate rainfall amounts of 4 to 5 inches occurred over a large portion of central and western Polk County.
Wilkes County Emergency Management reported areas along Flat Rock Road, near Newford Creek, had at least 6 inches of water running over the roadway. Radar estimates indicate 6 to 8 inches of rain occurred in the northeast portion of the county.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Georgia in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in Georgia, 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: 769487, 777516, 777517.