A deep upper level trough, approaching from the west, combined with a very moist and unstable airmass, resulted in numerous showers and thunderstorms. One storm became severe across inland southeast Mississippi.
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.
A deep upper level trough, approaching from the west, combined with a very moist and unstable airmass, resulted in numerous showers and thunderstorms. One storm became severe across inland southeast Mississippi.
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 Jul 31, 11:35 AM CST, 1 hour 5 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED National Weather Service Mobile AL 1235 PM CDT Tue Jul 31 2018 .DISCUSSION...Updated for latest aviation discussion below. && .AVIATION... 18Z issuance...Bulk of convection is currently north of the terminals. Lowest cig bases at MVFR categories in the near term. Winds light and variable except gusty in and near passing tsra. /10 && .PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 700 AM CDT Tue Jul 31 2018/ DISCUSSION...Updated for latest aviation discussion below. AVIATION... 12Z issuance...Expect mostly MVFR cigs and visibilties through 01.12z. Could also see brief periods of IFR cigs and visibilties. Lower cigs and visibilities mostly in scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms later this morning continuing through tonight. Winds will be mostly south to southwest at 5 to 10 knots through 01.12z. 32/ee PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 504 AM CDT Tue Jul 31 2018/ NEAR TERM /Now Through Tuesday night/...A much wetter pattern is expected across the forecast area today and overnight in response to a deepening upper trof approaching from the west, leading to good forcing in the mid levels later today and tonight, combined with a deep moisture column, precip water values from 2 to 2.25, across much of deep south generally along the northern Gulf coast. For now we will continue with a limited risk graphic for minor to nuisance type flooding today and tonight though monitor this developing situation closely for possible updates if needed. Through tonight rainfall totals will generally be around 1 to 2 inches across most of the region, especially over northwestern counties. Both GFS and ECMWF show a slow progression to the east with the deepening system approaching from the west supporting the heavy rain threat in the near term pd continuing into Wed. Currently, SPC also has a marginal risk for severe weather development through tonight generally for damaging straight line winds and hail though with plenty of deep moisture in place, near seasonal instability and limited shear believe the severe threat will be mostly isolated further south through tonight. Believe the heavy rain threat will come in two rounds through tonight with the first round beginning late this morning continuing through early this evening followed by a second round after midnight tonight continuing through much of Wed morning. Depending on the amount of rain the forecast area receives today in the first round will likely lead to any significant updates if needed for tonight and later in the week. Due to cloudy skies and widespread precip high temps today will likely remain in the middle to upper 80s for all locations. Lows tonight will be near or just above seasonal norms, ranging from the lower 70s for most inland areas generally north of of the I-10 corridor, and the middle to upper 70s further south to the immediate coast. 32/EE SHORT TERM /Wednesday Through Thursday night/...Sharp mid/upper level trough that moves toward the forecast area in the near term will stall from the western Great Lakes southward all the way to the northwest/north central Gulf of Mexico during the middle part of the week. A weak surface trough will linger just to the west of the forecast area during mid week while a surface high pressure ridge remains to our east. This will maintain a mostly light but very moist southerly low level wind flow across the region during the short term period. Precipitable water values are expected to remain between 1.8 to just over 2 inches, thus periods of heavy rain will be possible. With the mid/upper trough located just to our west, models indicate that several pieces of shortwave energy will round the base of the trough and lift northeast across our area through the short term period. While it is difficult to predict the exact timing and location of these features, they will aid in the continuation of mostly numerous showers and thunderstorms across the region Wednesday through late Thursday. A few stronger storms to briefly severe storms possible through the short term period, but heavy rainfall will remain the primary threat. Additional widespread rainfall totals Wednesday through Thursday night could range from generally 1.0 to 2.0 inches west of I-65, and from 2.0 to 3.5 inches east of I-65 and over our coastal counties of Alabama and the western Florida panhandle. Localized higher amounts, especially along the alabama coast and the western Florida panhandle up to 5 inches will be possible. With abundant cloud cover and widespread rains, daytime high temperatures will be lower than much of the past week, with daytime highs generally in the mid to upper 80s on both Wednesday and Thursday. Overnight low temperatures wednesday night and Thursday night will range from the lower 70s over most of the interior to the middle 70s along the coast. 12/DS LONG TERM /Friday Through Monday/...The upper level trough to our west will remain nearly stationary, but very slowly weaken, beginning Friday, with mid/upper ridging building into the region from the east over the weekend and into Monday. Surface high pressure will also be building in from the east through most of the mid and late long term period. Kept scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms in the forecast through Friday, but convection less widespread Saturday through Monday as ridging builds. Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms are forecast over the weekend into Monday, with the best chances occurring during the daylight hours. High temperatures still in the 80s on Friday, but return to the 90s Saturday through Monday. Nighttime low temperatures remain in the low to mid 70s through the period. 12/DS MARINE...Main concern through the remainder of the week will be better coverage of showers and thunderstorms over all marine locations beginning later this morning continuing through early Fri. A deepening upper trof approaching from the west combined with deep atmospheric moisture across much of the northern and central Gulf will give way to several rounds of heavy precip across the marine area this week. Wind gusts possibly exceeding 34 knots leading to locally higher waves, frequent lightning and very heavy rain reducing visibilties to less than one nautical mile will likely accompany the stronger thunderstorms through the week. With this pattern a light to moderate south to southwest wind flow will continue over the marine area through Fri followed by a light to moderate east to southeast wind flow over the weekend and into early next week as the upper trof over the region begins to weaken and retrograde to the west, combined with a deep upper ridge over the western Atlantic shifting west, building over the southeast states and eastern gulf over the weekend. Seas are expected to build to 3 to 4 feet over the open Gulf waters by Thu due to the moderate onshore flow and better fetch. 32/EE && .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...UPDATED National Weather Service Mobile AL 516 AM CDT Tue Jul 31 2018 ALZ051>060-261>266-FLZ201>206-MSZ067-075-076-078-079-011030- 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-Wayne-Perry-Greene-Stone-George- 516 AM CDT Tue Jul 31 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for south central Alabama, southwest Alabama, northwest Florida and southeast Mississippi. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Better coverage of showers and thunderstorms are expected today and tonight possibly leading to some minor nuisance flooding later today and overnight. Gusty winds and frequent cloud to ground lightning will also accompany the stronger thunderstorms through tonight. There is a moderate risk for dangerous rip currents along the gulf beaches of Alabama and Northwest Florida through tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. Better coverage of showers and thunderstorms will continue over the forecast area Wednesday through early Friday possibly leading to some localized flooding each day through early Friday. Gusty winds and frequent cloud to ground lightning will also accompany the stronger thunderstorms throughout the week. A moderate risk for rip currents can be expected along the Gulf beaches of Alabama and Northwest Florida Wednesday through late in the week. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. GMZ630>636-650-655-670-675-011030- Northern Mobile Bay-Southern Mobile Bay-Mississippi Sound- Perdido Bay-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- 516 AM CDT Tue Jul 31 2018 Better coverage of showers and thunderstorms can be expected over the marine area later today and tonight. Periods of very heavy rain reducing visibilties to less than one nautical mile, frequent lightning and gusty winds will accompany the stronger storms. This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the coastal waters of Alabama and northwest Florida. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Better coverage of showers and thunderstorms can be expected over the marine area later today and tonight. Periods of very heavy rain reducing visibilties to less than one nautical mile, frequent lightning and gusty winds will accompany the stronger storms. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. Better coverage of showers and thunderstorms can be expected over the marine area through early Friday. Periods of very heavy rain reducing visibilties to less than one nautical mile, frequent lightning and gusty winds will accompany the stronger storms.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mobile AL
1143 AM CDT TUE JUL 31 2018
ALZ261-MSZ076-079-311715-
Mobile Inland AL-Greene MS-George MS-
1143 AM CDT TUE JUL 31 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES...WEST
CENTRAL MOBILE...GEORGE AND SOUTH CENTRAL GREENE COUNTIES UNTIL 1215
PM CDT...
At 1143 AM CDT, the strong thunderstorm was located 10 miles
southwest of Lucedale, moving northeast at 15 mph.
Winds gusts of 40 to 50 mph will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Lucedale.
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 3106 8853 3085 8833 3073 8855 3073 8873
3081 8880
TIME...MOT...LOC 1643Z 231DEG 14KT 3079 8868Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mobile AL
1146 AM CDT TUE JUL 31 2018
ALZ059-060-FLZ205-311715-
Escambia AL-Covington AL-Okaloosa Inland FL-
1146 AM CDT TUE JUL 31 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES...
SOUTHEASTERN ESCAMBIA...SOUTHERN COVINGTON AND NORTHEASTERN OKALOOSA
COUNTIES UNTIL 1215 PM CDT...
At 1146 AM CDT, the strong thunderstorm was located 11 miles
northwest of Laurel Hill, or 17 miles southwest of Andalusia, moving
northeast at 15 mph.
Winds gusts of 40 to 50 mph will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Andalusia, Florala and Lockhart.
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 3099 8639 3098 8639 3095 8670 3110 8680
3137 8645 3100 8621
TIME...MOT...LOC 1646Z 231DEG 14KT 3108 8661Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Mobile AL 1156 AM CDT TUE JUL 31 2018 ALZ056>058-060-311730- Conecuh AL-Butler AL-Covington AL-Crenshaw AL- 1156 AM CDT TUE JUL 31 2018 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES... SOUTHERN BUTLER...SOUTHWESTERN CRENSHAW...EAST CENTRAL CONECUH AND NORTHWESTERN COVINGTON COUNTIES UNTIL 1230 PM CDT... At 1156 AM CDT, the strong thunderstorm was located 4 miles east of McKenzie, or 18 miles northwest of Andalusia, moving northeast at 20 mph. Winds gusts of 40 to 50 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Georgiana, McKenzie, Red Level and Dozier. 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. 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 3135 8669 3171 8685 3183 8651 3148 8629 TIME...MOT...LOC 1656Z 238DEG 16KT 3154 8665
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mobile AL
1215 PM CDT TUE JUL 31 2018
ALZ058-060-311745-
Covington AL-Crenshaw AL-
1215 PM CDT TUE JUL 31 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES...
SOUTHERN CRENSHAW AND EASTERN COVINGTON COUNTIES UNTIL 1245 PM CDT...
At 1214 PM CDT, the strong thunderstorm was located 10 miles
southwest of Opp, moving northeast at 25 mph.
Winds gusts of 40 to 50 mph will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Andalusia, Opp, Florala and Lockhart.
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.
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 3100 8619 3099 8633 3099 8637 3127 8657
3150 8620
TIME...MOT...LOC 1714Z 231DEG 21KT 3117 8637Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mobile AL
1239 PM CDT TUE JUL 31 2018
ALZ058-060-311815-
Covington AL-Crenshaw AL-
1239 PM CDT TUE JUL 31 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES...
SOUTHEASTERN CRENSHAW AND EASTERN COVINGTON COUNTIES UNTIL 115 PM
CDT...
At 1239 PM CDT, the strong thunderstorm was located 4 miles southwest
of Opp, moving northeast at 25 mph.
Winds gusts of 40 to 50 mph will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Andalusia, Opp and Lockhart.
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.
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 3151 8620 3111 8619 3099 8636 3127 8657
3155 8615 3154 8615
TIME...MOT...LOC 1739Z 234DEG 20KT 3124 8632Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mobile AL
111 PM CDT TUE JUL 31 2018
ALZ052-053-261-MSZ067-075-076-311900-
Clarke AL-Washington AL-Mobile Inland AL-Perry MS-Greene MS-Wayne MS-
111 PM CDT TUE JUL 31 2018
...CLUSTERS OF STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT THE FOLLOWING
COUNTIES... NORTHWESTERN MOBILE...WASHINGTON...SOUTH CENTRAL
CLARKE...PERRY... SOUTHEASTERN WAYNE AND GREENE COUNTIES UNTIL 200
PM CDT...
At 109 PM CDT, Clusters of strong thunderstorm were located from
central Washington county in Alabama to southern Perry county in
Mississippi. Storm motion northeast at 20 mph.
Winds gusts of 40 to 50 mph will be possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Chatom, Leakesville, Saint Stephens, Wagarville, Deer Park, Tibbie,
Beaumont, New Augusta, McLain, State Line, Fruitdale and McIntosh.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is possible with these storms, and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
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 3118 8915 3166 8816 3127 8780 3128 8782
3125 8784 3100 8875 3100 8883 3097 8884
3091 8906 3091 8914
TIME...MOT...LOC 1809Z 238DEG 17KT 3122 8857The Mobile radar (KMOB), 95 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:38 UTC.
4 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Severe thunderstorm wind gusts downed trees on Wingate Road west of Highway 15.
Severe thunderstorm wind gusts downed several trees on Old River Road near New Augusta.
Severe thunderstorm wind gusts downed trees on Old August Road near Clay Hill Road.
Severe thunderstorm wind gusts downed trees on Will Best Road off of Camp Eight Road.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Mississippi in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in Mississippi, 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: 776591, 776592, 776593, 776595.