A quasi-stationary front, bisecting central NC, provided a focus point for scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms. Thanks to a moist and unstable airmass, a few of these storms breached the severe limit, resulting in isolated wind damage, and localized flash flooding.
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 RAH wrote it up.
A quasi-stationary front, bisecting central NC, provided a focus point for scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms. Thanks to a moist and unstable airmass, a few of these storms breached the severe limit, resulting in isolated wind damage, and localized flash flooding.
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 Jul 28, 1:20 PM EST, 10 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Raleigh NC 220 PM EDT Sat Jul 28 2018 .SYNOPSIS... A weak surface front will linger over the eastern half of the Carolinas through Sunday. This boundary will provide a focus for the development of mainly afternoon and evening thunderstorms through early next week. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... As of 1140 AM Saturday... Little change required to the near term forecast. 12Z sfc and morning analysis depict a stalled sfc front roughly along or just east of highway 1, a reflection of a low-mid level trough at 850mb and 700mb. West of the sfc front, dewpoints have lowered into the mid 60s while along and east of the front, sfc dewpoints in the lower 70s were common. This contrast in the low level air mass depicted nicely via the GSO and MHX soundings. GSO sounding depicted a decent layer of drier air in the mid-upper levels of the atmosphere, yielding precip water values slightly below 1.5 inches. In contrast, the MHX sounding was quite wet with precip water values hovering close to 2.2 inches. In the mid-upper levels, a minor s/w was noted over the southern Appalachians. The combination of instability with afternoon heating and the sfc front acting as a focus for convective development will lead to scattered convection, especially between 3 PM and 10 PM. The bulk of the convection will occur along and east of highway 1. Due to the very moist air mass and relatively light steering flow, the heavier showers and storms will be capable of dumping locally excessive rainfall, upwards of two inches in less than an hour. Have updated the HWO to highlight this threat for the eastern half of the forecast area. Temperatures on track to reach the upper 80s NW to the lower 90s south. Convection will begin to wane with loss of heating, though isolated convection may potentially linger past midnight, primarily in vicinity of the I-95 corridor. Otherwise, partial clearing will occur with pockets of fog probable, especially near locations that receive heavy downpours later today. && .SHORT TERM /SUNDAY AND SUNDAY NIGHT/... As of 400 AM Saturday... Weak, 1020 mb high pressure will build east across the nrn middle Atlantic states on Sun, while a preceding surface frontal zone will sharpen offshore the middle Atlantic coast, swwd across the NC Sandhills and cntl/srn Coastal Plain. That boundary will provide a focus for initiation of showers/storms by early afternoon Sun, whose associated outflow will drift nwwd, amidst a larger scale ely flow component around the aforementioned weak high over the nrn middle Atlantic states, and support subsequent multi-cell development across the remainder of cntl NC through the evening. The combination of the ely component to the low level flow, and convection/clouds/ outflow, will likely take the edge off the afternoon heat and humidity, with highs generally in the mid-upr 80s. Muggy with lows in the lwr 70s, with a lingering chance of showers and storms, amidst perturbed swly flow aloft, Sun night. && .LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... As of 220 PM Saturday... Forecast in the longer range remains on track with a very warm and wet pattern likely across central North Carolina Monday through Saturday. A trough will translate across the Mississippi Valley Tuesday and Wednesday and into the Great Lakes/Ohio Valley Thursday before weakening/lifting into New England. Concurrently a strong sub- tropical ridge will build across the western N. Atlantic. Confluent deep layer flow between the two will direct a feed of both Atlantic and Gulf moisture northward along the Appalachians and much of the eastern U.S., with resultant above average probabilities of convection and risk of excessive rainfall over central NC through at least mid-week. Latest model guidance suggests an increasing influence of the western Atlantic ridge that may yield a slightly drier regime by the end of the week. && .AVIATION /18Z SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... As of 205 PM Saturday... The greatest threat for adverse aviation conditions will be in the vicinity of heavy showers and thunderstorms that will occur through this evening, roughly along and east of highway 1. These clusters of convection may affect flight operations in/out of KRDU, KFAY and KRWI. In proximity of the convection, anticipate low end MVFR or IFR ceilings and visibilities. At the sfc, convective wind gusts should be less than 30 kts. Otherwise, VFR conditions should occur with the highest probability in vicinity of the Triad terminals. The bulk of the convection will dissipate within a couple hours of sunset. Overnight, areas of low clouds and fog will develop, resulting in low end MVFR/IFR parameters, mainly due to ceilings, primarily in vicinity of KRWI, KFAY, and possibly KRDU. The low ceilings should lift by 15Z Sunday. The first part of the week will remain unsettled with greater than normal probabilities for MVFR/IFR parameters due to ceilings and scattered-numerous convection. A very moist air mass coupled with an area of low pressure to our west will maintain the less than favorable aviation conditions. && .RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SYNOPSIS...RAH NEAR TERM...WSS SHORT TERM...MWS LONG TERM...MWS/Franklin AVIATION...WSS
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED National Weather Service Raleigh NC 1033 AM EDT Sat Jul 28 2018 NCZ021>023-038-039-073-074-083-084-290945- Forsyth-Guilford-Alamance-Davidson-Randolph-Stanly-Montgomery-Anson- Richmond- 1033 AM EDT Sat Jul 28 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central North Carolina. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. An unsettled and wetter than average pattern over the Appalachians and eastern U.S. may result in episodes of heavy rainfall and flooding in central NC Sunday through Wednesday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. NCZ007>011-024>028-040>043-075>078-085-086-088-089-290945- Person-Granville-Vance-Warren-Halifax-Orange-Durham-Franklin-Nash- Edgecombe-Chatham-Wake-Johnston-Wilson-Moore-Lee-Harnett-Wayne- Scotland-Hoke-Cumberland-Sampson- 1033 AM EDT Sat Jul 28 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central North Carolina. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. A very moist and unstable air mass will provide an atmosphere ripe for the development of scattered showers and thunderstorms this afternoon through this evening. Thanks to relatively light steering winds, the heavier showers and storms will produce locally excessive rainfall. Rainfall amounts of up to two inches in less than an hour may occur with the stronger storms. This will lead to flooding of streets and poor drainage areas. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. An unsettled and wetter than average pattern over the Appalachians and eastern U.S. may result in episodes of heavy rainfall and flooding in central NC Sunday through Wednesday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
1058 AM EDT SAT JUL 28 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0800 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 WNW LILLINGTON 35.40N 78.83W
07/27/2018 HARNETT NC 911 CALL CENTER
THUNDERSTORM WINDS DOWNED SEVERAL TREES ONTO
POWERLINES ALONG 421, TEMPORARILY BLOCKING
THE ROADWAY.
&&
JJMSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
205 PM EDT SAT JUL 28 2018
NCZ041-042-281830-
Johnston NC-Wake NC-
205 PM EDT SAT JUL 28 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN WAKE AND
NORTHWESTERN JOHNSTON COUNTIES UNTIL 230 PM EDT...
At 203 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong slow moving
thunderstorm near Garner, or 9 miles southeast of Raleigh, moving
southeast at 10 mph.
Wind gusts up to 40 mph, intermittent lightning strikes, and pockets
of heavy rainfall will be possible with this storm. Heavy rainfall
rates will likely reduce visibility on the roads, and may result in
ponding or flooding, especially in urban areas or poor drainage
areas. Use extra caution, especially if you are traveling.
Locations impacted include...
Garner and Clayton.
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.
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 3571 7863 3580 7844 3572 7832 3558 7853
3569 7863
TIME...MOT...LOC 1803Z 310DEG 8KT 3572 7855
MORROWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
217 PM EDT SAT JUL 28 2018
NCZ086-088-281915-
Hoke NC-Cumberland NC-
217 PM EDT SAT JUL 28 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN CUMBERLAND AND
NORTHEASTERN HOKE COUNTIES UNTIL 315 PM EDT...
At 216 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong slow
moving thunderstorm near Fort Bragg, moving east at 10 mph.
Wind gusts up to 40 mph, intermittent lightning strikes, and pockets
of heavy rainfall will be possible with this storm. Heavy rainfall
rates will, at times, reduce visibility, making travel hazardous.
Localized flooding will also be possible under the heaviest
downpours.
Locations impacted include...
Fayetteville, Fort Bragg, Pope AFB, Spring Lake, Eastover and Bonnie
Doone.
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.
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 3501 7913 3505 7923 3514 7922 3517 7913
3517 7912 3518 7911 3517 7910 3518 7910
3521 7902 3523 7877 3498 7882
TIME...MOT...LOC 1816Z 274DEG 8KT 3512 7906
MORROWThe Raleigh/Durham radar (KRAX), 10 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:31 UTC.
5 thunderstorm wind, 1 lightning, 1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
A 41 year old male was struck by lightning and was taken to the hospital to be treated for his injuries. The victim subsequently passed away from his injuries.
Thunderstorm winds downed several trees onto roadways across the eastern half of the county. These trees primarily came down on Hood Swamp Road and Parkerstown Road.
Heavy rainfall caused ditches and culverts to overflow onto roadways across southern portions of the Goldsboro city limit.
Tree reported down on power-line at Wendell Boulevard and Rolesville Road.
Tree down across roadway at Wendell Boulevard and Industrial Drive.
One tree was blown down along Wendell Boulevard and N Oakwood Avenue.
Numerous trees and power-lines were blown down throughout the city limits of Wendell.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lightning, Wake | 2018-08-15 | 41 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
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, 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: 776801, 776802, 776800, 776804, 776805, 776806, 776807.