Showers and thunderstorms developed along a lee side surface trough across central North Carolina. The storms intensified as a weak mid level shortwave disturbance approached the area from the west in the late afternoon and early evening hours.
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The episode as NWS RAH wrote it up.
Showers and thunderstorms developed along a lee side surface trough across central North Carolina. The storms intensified as a weak mid level shortwave disturbance approached the area from the west in the late afternoon and early evening hours. Some of these storms became severe and produced 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 Raleigh, NC wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Aug 6, 3:00 PM EST, 18 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Raleigh NC 400 PM EDT Mon Aug 6 2018 .SYNOPSIS... On the northern periphery of weakening sub-tropical high pressure over the southeastern U.S., a surface trough will strengthen in the lee of the Appalachians through Wednesday, then move eastward and offshore Wednesday night or early Thursday. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... As of 400 PM Monday... Forecast rationale remains unchanged. Deepening mid-upr low centered near KWAL per 12Z upr air and WV satellite data will drift only slowly enewd through tonight. A sub- tropical ridge centered over cntl AL/GA has weakened during the past 24 hours; and the models suggest this tendency will continue. Between these two primary, nearby features aloft, a couple of weak upr level perturbations also evident in satellite imagery stretching from ern OH swwd to n-cntl KY will drift slowly sewd, in nwly flow around the aforementioned upr low, into VA/NC by 12Z Tue. Preceding them, a compact convective cluster over the nrn Cumberland Plateau, and strengthening MCV per recent acceleration of the mid level flow evident in KMRX VWP data, will settle sewd into the wrn and srn NC Piedmont this evening. At the surface, a couple of lee troughs were analyzed at 16Z from near BWI-RIC-RDU-CLT, and from CHO-LYH-HKY, respectively. Outflow, remnant from morning convection near PTB has become increasingly- evident in visible satellite imagery early this afternoon over sern VA/far nern NC, while other old outflow, though no longer discernible in observational data, may linger over the nern NC Piedmont based on the location and slow extrapolation of those features in regional radar loops from Sunday aft-eve. Showers and storms are likely to initiate along the surface troughs and in the vicinity of the aforementioned outflow boundaries, particularly where mid level temperatures are residually cooler in association with the mid-upr low, in an area of deepening cumulus from e-cntl VA sswd roughly along US Highway 1 in cntl NC. This scattered activity should then propagate sewd along outflow and with a light, mean nwly steering flow. Other, more isolated development will likely focus along the upstream lee trough, over the Foothills and perhaps wrn Piedmont, before probably being overtaken by the convection influenced by the aforementioned MCV, and from cold pools/outflow moving off the mountains. That activity would then most likely affect the srn Piedmont during the evening hours. Mid level flow and effective bulk shear values are expected to remain relatively weak, despite some weak mid level acceleration over swrn NC/nwrn SC, by the approaching upstream MCV. As such, storms will be of the typical, pulse/multi-cell variety, with a threat of strong to damaging downburst winds, owing to high DCAPE values aoa 1000 J/kg over cntl NC. Near persistence, to slightly hotter temperatures in the lwr to mid 90s are expected this afternoon, given the continued presence and favorable location of the sub-tropical ridge for hot conditions in the Carolinas. Associated heat index values will peak in the upr 90s to around 100 or so degrees. Similarly persistent and muggy lows, mainly in the lwr-mid 70s, are expected tonight. && .SHORT TERM /TUESDAY AND TUESDAY NIGHT/... As of 350 PM Monday... A weak mid-upr level shear axis, and possible remnant MCV now centered near TRI, may linger over sern NC early Thu, with an area of associated mid-high clouds over the Sandhills and srn Coastal Plain to start the day. Otherwise, a ridge axis and associated anticyclonic flow aloft will extend newd across the Carolinas from a sub-tropical ridge centered over the southeast U.S., with a lee surface trough likely to sharpen with diurnal heating over the Piedmont. The lee trough, and lower predictability differential heating and/or outflow boundaries related to the aforementioned MCV, or convection that occurs through early tonight, will likely become foci for isolated to scattered deep convective development once again, as a continued moist/humid boundary layer is strongly heated into the lwr-mid 90s. Given a lack of support aloft, this activity is likely to weaken/dissipate through midnight, with persistence lows again in the lwr-mid 70s. && .LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... As of 212 PM Monday... The overall weather in the extended will be characterized by a gradual increase in the typical diurnal summer convection and temperatures gradually decreasing from near/just above normal to start the period to near/just below normal by the end of the period. The surface piedmont trough will remain over the Carolinas and VA, shifting ever so slightly eastward, through the end of the week. Meanwhile aloft, a trough will amplify while slowly approaching the area. Expect the trough to gradually encroach on and/or move into central NC through the remainder of the week. There continue to be model differences with respect to this system, as the GFS tries to cut off a low over the lower Great Lakes Saturday night/Sunday while the ECMWF remains an open trough. Both are expected to remain to the west and/or north of central NC through Monday and as NC will largely be on the east side of the trough, expect continued moisture advection into the area and increasing aft/eve convection chances to high-end chance for the end of the period. The cloud cover and precipitation should keep temperatures nearly steady or result in a slight decrease through the period and over the weekend. Highs generally in the mid 80s to around 90 degrees and lows in the upper 60s to low 70s. && .AVIATION /18Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... As of 200 PM Monday... Scattered showers and storms are expected to have greatest coverage and intensity near RDU and RWI this afternoon, then mainly south of the Triad, toward AFP and CLT, this evening. Patchy fog and associated ceilings will be possible Tue morning, mainly at RWI and perhaps FAY. Outlook: Scattered, diurnal showers and storms are expected to focus along a lee trough over cntl NC each afternoon-evening, particularly Tue and Wed, followed by increasing convective coverage on Sat, when a cold front is forecast to settle into the region. Otherwise, patchy morning fog/stratus will be possible, mainly at ern TAF sites. && .RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SYNOPSIS...MWS NEAR TERM...MWS SHORT TERM...MWS LONG TERM...KC AVIATION...MWS
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Raleigh NC 214 PM EDT Mon Aug 6 2018 NCZ008>011-025>028-040>043-073>078-083>086-088-089-071815- Granville-Vance-Warren-Halifax-Durham-Franklin-Nash-Edgecombe- Chatham-Wake-Johnston-Wilson-Stanly-Montgomery-Moore-Lee-Harnett- Wayne-Anson-Richmond-Scotland-Hoke-Cumberland-Sampson- 214 PM EDT Mon Aug 6 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central North Carolina. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. Thunderstorms this afternoon will be capable of producing wind gusts up to 50 or 60 mph. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. NCZ007-021>024-038-039-071815- Person-Forsyth-Guilford-Alamance-Orange-Davidson-Randolph- 214 PM EDT Mon Aug 6 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central North Carolina. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
146 PM EDT MON AUG 6 2018
NCZ011-061845-
Halifax NC-
146 PM EDT MON AUG 6 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT CENTRAL HALIFAX COUNTY UNTIL 245
PM EDT...
At 146 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Roanoke Rapids, moving southeast at 25 mph.
Wind gusts up to 35 mph will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Roanoke Rapids, Halifax, Enfield, Weldon, South Weldon, Roanoke
Rapids Lake, Rosemary, Tillery and Lake Gaston.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
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 3648 7777 3649 7771 3647 7764 3644 7762
3641 7755 3637 7755 3635 7758 3634 7759
3632 7757 3630 7754 3632 7744 3629 7741
3626 7741 3624 7738 3615 7750 3616 7768
3647 7787 3650 7782
TIME...MOT...LOC 1746Z 322DEG 23KT 3643 7776
HAINESSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
211 PM EDT MON AUG 6 2018
NCZ011-061845-
Halifax NC-
211 PM EDT MON AUG 6 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT CENTRAL HALIFAX COUNTY UNTIL 245
PM EDT...
At 211 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Roanoke Rapids, moving southeast at 20 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Roanoke Rapids, Halifax, Weldon, South Weldon, Roanoke Rapids Lake,
Rosemary and Tillery.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Seek shelter in a nearby building or vehicle. Wind gusts as high as
50 mph are capable of knocking down small or weakened trees and
blowing around trash cans, potted plants, lawn furniture and other
light outdoor objects.
This thunderstorm is producing an excessive amount of deadly cloud to
ground lightning. Seek shelter indoors and stay away from windows. If
you cannot seek shelter indoors, an enclosed vehicle can provide safe
shelter. Deadly lightning strikes can occur well ahead of an
approaching storm, prior to the arrival of rain and wind.
&&
LAT...LON 3648 7768 3648 7765 3644 7762 3642 7759
3642 7755 3637 7755 3634 7759 3631 7757
3630 7755 3631 7750 3632 7744 3629 7741
3626 7741 3625 7738 3619 7745 3615 7762
3644 7781 3648 7776 3649 7773
TIME...MOT...LOC 1811Z 307DEG 16KT 3642 7766
HAINESSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
213 PM EDT MON AUG 6 2018
NCZ011-027-028-061915-
Edgecombe NC-Nash NC-Halifax NC-
213 PM EDT MON AUG 6 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN NASH...NORTHWESTERN
EDGECOMBE AND SOUTHWESTERN HALIFAX COUNTIES UNTIL 315 PM EDT...
At 213 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 14
miles south of Littleton, or 14 miles southwest of Halifax, moving
southeast at 20 mph.
Wind gusts up to 40 mph will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Enfield, Whitakers, Glenview, Battleboro and Medoc Mountain State
Park.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Seek shelter in a nearby building or vehicle. Wind gusts as high as
40 mph are capable of knocking down tree limbs and blowing around
trash cans, potted plants, lawn furniture and other light outdoor
objects.
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 3623 7798 3634 7783 3616 7753 3604 7756
3601 7772
TIME...MOT...LOC 1813Z 307DEG 16KT 3624 7783
HAINESSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
312 PM EDT MON AUG 6 2018
NCZ011-028-062015-
Edgecombe NC-Halifax NC-
312 PM EDT MON AUG 6 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN EDGECOMBE AND
SOUTHEASTERN HALIFAX COUNTIES UNTIL 415 PM EDT...
At 311 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10
miles south of Halifax, moving east at 10 mph.
Wind gusts up to 40 mph will be possible with this storm.
Heavy rain and minor flooding will also be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Scotland Neck, Enfield, Whitakers, Hobgood, Speed, Leggett and
Tillery.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Seek shelter in a nearby building or vehicle. Wind gusts as high as
40 mph are capable of knocking down tree limbs and blowing around
trash cans, and other light outdoor objects.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3607 7733 3600 7741 3595 7737 3584 7741
3608 7773 3611 7771 3615 7770 3613 7772
3616 7774 3628 7770 3624 7738 3621 7738
3618 7731 3616 7730
TIME...MOT...LOC 1911Z 285DEG 10KT 3617 7765
WSSSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Raleigh NC 340 PM EDT MON AUG 6 2018 NCZ041-042-077-062030- Johnston NC-Harnett NC-Wake NC- 340 PM EDT MON AUG 6 2018 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN HARNETT...SOUTH CENTRAL WAKE AND SOUTHWESTERN JOHNSTON COUNTIES UNTIL 430 PM EDT... At 340 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Garner, or 15 miles southeast of Cary, moving southeast at 10 mph. Wind gusts up to 40 mph will be possible with this storm. Heavy rain and minor flooding will also be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Garner, Fuquay-Varina, Angier, Coats, Four Oaks, Coats Crossroads and Lake Benson. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Seek shelter in a nearby building or vehicle. Wind gusts as high as 40 mph are capable of knocking down tree limbs and blowing around trash cans, and other light outdoor objects. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. && LAT...LON 3563 7878 3570 7858 3538 7827 3543 7885 TIME...MOT...LOC 1940Z 335DEG 10KT 3560 7865 WSS
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Raleigh NC 409 PM EDT MON AUG 6 2018 NCZ026-027-041>043-062115- Nash NC-Johnston NC-Franklin NC-Wake NC-Wilson NC- 409 PM EDT MON AUG 6 2018 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHWESTERN NASH...EAST CENTRAL WAKE...NORTHEASTERN JOHNSTON...NORTHWESTERN WILSON AND SOUTH CENTRAL FRANKLIN COUNTIES UNTIL 515 PM EDT... At 409 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Bunn, or 14 miles south of Louisburg, moving southeast at 10 mph. Wind gusts up to 40 mph will be possible with this storm. Heavy rain and minor flooding and deadly cloud to ground lightning will also be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Zebulon, Bailey, Bunn, Spring Hope, Middlesex, Sims, Pilot, Emit, Buckhorn Reservoir and New Hope. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Seek shelter in a nearby building or vehicle. Wind gusts as high as 40 mph are capable of knocking down tree limbs and blowing around trash cans, and other light outdoor objects. Locally heavy rain will quickly reduce visibility and result in ponding of water on roadways, standing water in low lying areas, and minor flooding of creeks, streams, and areas of poor drainage. Drivers are urged to slow down and use extra caution to avoid hydroplaning, especially in urban areas where prolonged heavy rain can quickly lead to flooding. && LAT...LON 3588 7838 3601 7823 3582 7789 3567 7824 TIME...MOT...LOC 2009Z 311DEG 10KT 3590 7824 WSS
The Raleigh/Durham radar (KRAX), 17 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:16 UTC.
4 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Two trees were reported down at the intersection of Highway 210 and Berea Chruch Road.
Power lines were reported down.
One tree was reported down between Highway 42 and Siler city Glendon Road and Walter Oldham Road.
One tree was reported down on Siler City Glendon Road, south of Tyson Creek Church Road.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in North Carolina in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in North Carolina, August 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: 780145, 780146, 780147, 780148.