

AUGUST 1ST

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1954...

Mount Rainier in Washington State was still covered with sixteen inches of
snow at the 5500 foot level following a big snow season. (David Ludlum)

...1985...

A nearly stationary thunderstorm deluged Cheyenne WY with rain and hail.
Six inches of rain fell in six hours producing the most damaging flash
flood of record for the state. Two to five feet of hail covered the ground
following the storm, which claimed twelve lives, and caused 65 million
dollars property damage. (Storm Data)

...1986...

A powerful thunderstorm produced 100 mph winds and large hail in eastern
Kansas and southwestern Missouri causing 71 million dollars damage, and
injuring nineteen persons. It was one of the worst thunderstorms of record
for Kansas. Crops were mowed to the ground in places and roofs blown off
buildings along its path, 150 miles long and 30 miles wide, from near
Abilene to southeast of Pittsburg. (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

Record heat gripped parts of the Midwest. A dozen cities reported record
high temperatures for the date, including Lincoln NE with a reading of 105
degrees, Moline IL with an afternoon high of 103 degrees, and Burlington IA
with a reading of 102 degrees. (The National Weather Summary)

...1988...

Two dozen cities in the Upper Midwest reported record high temperatures for
the date, including La Crosse WI with a reading of 105 degrees. Highs of
103 degrees at Milwaukee WI and South Bend IND were records for the month
of August. (The National Weather Summary)

...1989...

Hurricane Chantal made landfall along the Upper Texas coast about sunrise.
Chantal deluged parts of Galveston Island and southeastern Texas with 8 to
12 inches of rain. Unofficial totals ranged up to twenty inches. Winds
gusted to 82 mph at Galveston, and reached 76 mph in the Houston area.
Tides were 5 to 7 feet high. The hurricane claimed two lives, and caused
100 million dollars damage. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

AUGUST 2ND

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1954...

Severe thunderstorms produced golf ball size hail for thirty minutes in
north central Kansas. One drift measured 200 feet long, seventy feet wide
and three feet deep. (The Weather Channel)

...1975...

Record heat gripped New England. Highs of 104 degrees at Providence RI, and
107 degrees at Chester MA and New Bedford MA, established state records.
The heat along the coast of Maine was unprecedented, with afternoon highs
of 101 degrees at Bar Harbor and 104 degrees at Jonesboro. (The Weather
Channel)

...1987...

Hot weather continued in the central U.S. Fifteen cities reported record
high temperatures for the date, including Concordia KS with a reading of
106 degrees, and Downtown Kansas City MO with a high of 105 degrees.
Evening thunderstorms produced severe weather in the Ohio Valley and the
north central U.S. Thunder- storms in South Dakota produced wind gusts to
70 mph at Philip, and hail two inches in diameter at Faulkton. (Storm Data)
(The National Weather Summary)

...1988...

Searing heat continued from the Middle and Upper Mississippi Valley to the
Middle and Northern Atlantic Coast States. Twenty- six cities reported
record high temperatures for the date. Chicago IL reported a record seven
days of 100 degree heat for the year. (The National Weather Summary)

...1989...

Low pressure representing the remains of Hurricane Chantal deluged north
central Texas with heavy rain. Up to 6.50 inches drenched Stephens County,
and Wichita Falls reported 2.22 inches of rain in just one hour. Bismarck
ND reported a record warm morning low of 75 degrees, and record hot
afternoon high of 101 degrees, and evening thunderstorms in North Dakota
produced wind gusts to 78 mph at Lakota. Early evening thunderstorms in
Florida produced high winds which downed trees at Christmas. (Storm Data)
(The National Weather Summary)

AUGUST 3RD

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1885...

A tornado hit Philadelphia and Camden along its eight mile path. (David
Ludlum)

...1970...

Hurricane Celia struck the coast of Texas producing wind gusts to 161 mph
at Corpus Christi, and estimated wind gusts of 180 mph at Arkansas Pass.
The hurricane was the most destructive of record along the Texas coast
causing 454 million dollars damage, and also claimed eleven lives. (David
Ludlum) (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

A severe thunderstorm moved across Cheyenne WY during the mid afternoon.
The thunderstorm produced hailstones up to two inches in diameter causing
more than 37 million dollars damage.

The eastern U.S. sweltered in the heat. A dozen cities reported record high
temperatures for the date, including Paducah KY with a reading of 102
degrees. Beckley WV established an all- time record with an afternoon high
of 93 degrees. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

...1988...

Thunderstorms developing ahead of a slow moving cold front produced severe
weather from the Central High Plains to the Upper Great Lakes Region.
Thunderstorms around Fort Collins CO produced wind gusts to 74 mph along
with marble size hail. Sixteen persons were injured in the storm, most of
whom were accidently locked out of their office building, having evacuated
it when the fire alarm went off, apparently triggered by lightning. (Storm
Data) (The National Weather Summary)

...1989...

Thunderstorms representing what remained of Hurricane Chantal drenched
Wichita KS with 2.20 inches of rain in four hours during the early morning.
Thunderstorms developing in Minnesota produced wind gusts to 85 mph at
Baudette during the afternoon, and softball size hail at Lake Kabetogama,
during the evening. Jamestown ND reported a record hot afternoon high of
103 degrees. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

AUGUST 4TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1882...

A vivid aurora was visible from Oregon to Maine, down the east coast as far
as Mayport FL, and inland as far as Wellington KS. Observers at Louisville
KY noted "merry dancers" across the sky, and observers at Saint Vincent MN
noted it was probably the most brilliant ever seen at that location. (The
Weather Channel)

...1930...

The temperature at Moorefield WV soared to 112 degrees to establish a state
record, having reached 110 degrees the previous day. Widespread drought
after April of that year caused some towns to haul water for domestic use,
and many manufacturing plants were barely operational. (The Weather
Channel)

...1961...

Spokane WA reached an all-time record high of 108 degrees. Kalispell MT set
an all-time record with a reading of 105 degrees. (The Weather Channel)

...1980...

A record forty-two consecutive days of 100 degree heat finally came to an
end at the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. July 1980 proved to be the hottest
month of record with a mean temperature of 92 degrees. There was just one
day of rain in July, and there was no measurable rain in August. There were
18 more days of 100 degree heat in August, and four in September. Hot
weather that summer contributed to the deaths of 1200 people nationally,
and losses from the heat across the country were estimated at twenty
billion dollars. (David Ludlum) (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

A cold front brought relief from the heat to a large part of the Midwest,
while hot weather continued in the south central and eastern U.S. Morning
thunderstorms in Nebraska deluged the town of Dalton with 8.71 inches of
rain, along with hail three inches in diameter, which accumulated up to
four feet deep near the town of Dix. (Storm Data) (The National Weather
Summary)

...1988...

Thunderstorms produced severe weather from eastern Iowa to Lower Michigan
during the afternoon and evening hours, producing golf ball size hail and
spawning several tornadoes. A thunderstorm at Maquoketa IA produced wind
gusts to 75 mph. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

...1989...

Thunderstorms produced severe weather from eastern Nebraska and
northeastern Kansas to the Great Lakes Region, with 150 reports of large
hail or damaging winds during the afternoon, evening, and nighttime hours.
Thunderstorms produced tennis ball size hail at Claremont MN, and wind
gusts to 75 mph at Milwaukee WI. Thunder- storms representing what once was
Hurricane Chantal produced five inches of rain at Grant MI, and deluged
Chicago IL with more than three inches of rain in three hours. (Storm Data)
(The National Weather Summary)

AUGUST 5TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1843...

A spectacular cloudburst near Philadelphia turned the small creeks and
streams entering the Delaware River into raging torrents. As much as
sixteen inches of rain fell in just three hours. Flooding destroyed
thirty-two county bridges, and caused nineteen deaths. It is believed that
several small tornadoes accompanied the torrential rains, one of which
upset and sank more than thirty barges on the Schuylkill River. (David
Ludlum)

...1961...

The temperature at Ice Harbor Dam WA soared to 118 degrees to equal the
state record established at Wahluke on the 24th of July in 1928. The
afternoon high of 111 degrees at Havre MT was an all-time record for that
location. (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

Severe thunderstorms raked eastern South Dakota. The thunder- storms
spawned half a dozen tornadoes, produced softball size hail at Bowdle, and
produced wind gusts to 90 mph south of Watertown. Hot weather continued in
eastern Texas. Afternoon highs of 100 degrees at Houston and 106 degrees at
Waco equalled records for the date. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm
Data)

...1988...

Thunderstorms produced severe weather from Indiana and Lower Michigan to
Pennsylvania and New York State during the day. Thunderstorms in Michigan
produced wind gusts to 80 mph at Ashley, Hastings and Lennon. (The National
Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1989...

Thunderstorms produced severe weather in Oklahoma, and from Iowa to the
Upper Ohio Valley, with 216 reports of large hail or damaging winds between
early Saturday morning and early Sunday morning. Thunderstorms moving
across Iowa around sunrise produced extremely high winds which caused ten
million dollars damage to crops in Carroll and Greene Counties.
Thunderstorm winds at Jefferson IA reached 102 mph. Afternoon thunderstorms
produced tennis ball size hail at Bay Mills WI. (Storm Data) (The National
Weather Summary)

AUGUST 6TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1890...

Thunderstorms left four inches of hail covering the ground in Adair County
and Union County in Iowa. The hail drifted into six foot mounds, and in
some places remained on the ground for twenty- six days. (The Weather
Channel)

...1918...

Unusually hot weather began to overspread the Atlantic Coast States, from
the Carolinas to southern New England. The temp- erature soared to an
all-time record high of 106 degrees at Washington D.C., and Cumberland and
Keedysville hit 109 degrees to establish a state record for Maryland.
Temperatures were above normal east of the Rockies that month, with
readings much above normal in the Lower Missouri Valley. Omaha NE reached
110 degrees. (David Ludlum)

...1959...

A bucket survey showed that thunderstorms dropped 16.70 inches of rain on
parts of Decatur County IA. The total was accepted as Iowa's 24 hour
rainfall record. (The Weather Channel)

...1986...

Evening thunderstorms produced wind gusts to 100 mph at Winner SD damaging
two hundred homes. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1987...

Afternoon thunderstorms deluged Milwaukee WI with 6.84 inches of rain,
including more than five inches in two hours, breaking all previous
rainfall records for the city. Floodwaters were four feet deep at the
Milwaukee County Stadium, and floodwaters filled the basement of the main
terminal at the airport. Flooding caused 5.9 million dollars damage, and
claimed the life of one person.

Death Valley CA reported a morning low of 97 degrees. A midday thunderstorm
deluged Birmingham AL with nearly six inches of rain in one hour. (The
National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1988...

Severe thunderstorms produced large hail and damaging winds in Pennsylvania
and New York State. A cold front crossing the northwestern U.S. produced
wind gusts to 66 mph at Livingston MT. (The National Weather Summary)
(Storm Data)

...1989...

Thunderstorms developing ahead of a cold front produced severe weather from
northwestern Texas to the Southern Appalachians, and in the northeastern
U.S. There were 136 reports of large hail or damaging winds during the day
and evening. Thunderstorms in the Southern Plains Region produced tennis
ball size hail northwest of Buffalo OK, and wind gusts to 100 mph at Pampa
TX. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

AUGUST 7TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1904...

A flash flood near Pueblo CO washed a train from the tracks killing 89
passengers. A bridge, weakened by the floodwaters sweeping through the
valley below, gave way under the weight of the train dashing all but the
sleeping cars into the torrent drowning the occupants. Rail service was
frequently interrupted in the Rocky Mountain Region and southwestern U.S.
that summer due to numerous heavy downpours which washed out the railroad
beds delaying trains as much as five days. (David Ludlum) (The Weather
Channel)

...1918...

Philadelphia PA established an all-time record with a high of 106 degrees.
New York City experienced its warmest day and night with a low of 82
degrees and a high of 102 degrees. Afternoon highs of 108 degrees at
Flemington NJ and Somerville NJ established state records for the month of
August. (The Weather Channel) (Sandra and TI Richard Sanders - 1987)

...1984...

El Paso TX normally receives 1.21 inches of rain in August. They got it in
forty-five minutes, with four more inches to boot, during a storm which
left Downtown El Paso under five feet of water. (The Weather Channel)

...1986...

A rare outbreak of seven tornadoes occurred in New England. One tornado
carved its way through Cranston RI and Providence RI causing twenty
injuries. Rhode Island had not reported a tornado in twelve years, and
three touched down in 24 hours. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

...1987...

Morning thunderstorms drenched Goldsboro NC with 3.37 inches of rain. Late
morning thunderstorms in Arizona produced dime size hail, wind gusts to 50
mph, and two inches of rain, at Sierra Vista. (The National Weather
Summary) (Storm Data)

...1988...

A dozen cities in the central U.S. reported record high temperatures for
the date, including Waco TX with a reading of 107 degrees. The record high
of 88 degrees at Marquette MI was their twenty-third of the year. Afternoon
and evening thunder- storms produced severe weather in Nebraska, Minnesota
and Wisconsin, with wind gusts to 81 mph reported at McCool NE. (The
National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1989...

Forty cities in the central U.S. reported record low temperatures for the
date, including Valentine NE with a reading of 40 degrees, and Belcourt ND
with a low of 37 degrees. Martin SD was the cold spot in the nation with a
morning low of 30 degrees. Unseasonably hot weather prevailed over Florida
and Washington State, with record highs of 100 degress at Daytona Beach FL,
101 degrees at Walla Walla WA, and 103 degrees at Hanford WA. (The National
Weather Summary)

AUGUST 8TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1878...

The temperature at Denver CO soars to an all-time record high of 105
degrees. (The Weather Channel)

...1881...

A cloudburst and flash flood occurred at Central Springs CO and Idaho
Springs CO. (David Ludlum)

...1882...

An August snowstorm was reported by a ship on Lake Michigan. A thick cloud
reportedly burst on the decks covering them with snow and slush six inches
deep. Snow showers were observed at shore points that day. (David Ludlum)
(The Weather Channel)

...1983...

The temperature at Big Horn Basin WY reached 115 degrees to establish a
state record. (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

Thunderstorm rains in eastern Nebraska sent the Wahoo River and Ithica
River above flood stage. Thunderstorm rains in western Iowa sent the
Nishnabotna River over flood stage. Up to seven inches of rain deluged the
Council Bluffs area Friday evening and Saturday morning. Thunderstorms
produced 4.4 inches of rain in three hours Friday evening, along with golf
ball size hail. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1988...

Thunderstorms developing along a slow moving cold front produced severe
weather from central Kansas to southern Wisconsin late in the day.
Thunderstorms in Iowa produced hail three inches in diameter at Vinton, and
produced wind gusts to 75 mph at Donohue and near Mount Pleasant. (The
National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1989...

A total of ninety-nine cities in the central and eastern U.S. reported
record low temperatures for the date, including Alpena MI with a reading of
40 degrees. Mount Mitchell NC was the cold spot in the nation with a
morning low of 35 degrees. Early evening thunderstorms around Las Vegas NV
produced wind gusts to 116 mph. The high winds damaged or destroyed about
eighty- two aircraft at Henderson Sky Harbor Airport and McCarran
International Airport, causing fourteen million dollars damage. (Storm
Data) (The National Weather Summary)

AUGUST 9TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1878...

The second most deadly tornado in New England history struck Wallingford CT
killing 34 persons, injuring 100 others, and completely destroying thirty
homes. The tornado started as a waterspout over a dam on the Quinnipiac
River. It was 400 to 600 feet wide, and had a short path length of two
miles. (The Weather Channel)

...1969...

A tornado hit Cincinnati OH killing four persons and causing fifteen
million dollars property damage. The tornado moved in a southeasterly
direction at 40 to 50 mph. (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

Florida baked in the summer heat. Nine cities reported record high
temperatures for the date, including Jacksonville with a reading of 101
degrees. Miami FL reported a record high of 98 degrees. (The National
Weather Summary)

...1988...

Tropical Storm Beryl deluged Biloxi with 6.32 inches of rain in 24 hours,
and in three days drenched Pascagoula MS with 15.85 inches of rain.
Afternoon and evening thunderstorms produced severe weather in the Southern
Plains Region and over the Central High Plains Region. Thunderstorms in
Oklahoma produced wind gusts to 92 mph at Harrah. (The National Weather
Summary) (Storm Data)

...1989...

Evening thunderstorms in Arizona deluged Yuma with record torrential rains
for the second time in two weeks. The rainfall total of 5.25 inches at the
Yuma Quartermaster Depot established a state 24 hour record, and was nearly
double the normal annual rainfall. Some of the homes were left with four
feet of water in them.

Seventy-six cities in the south central and eastern U.S. reported record
low temperatures for the date. Lake Charles LA equalled their record for
August with a low of 61 degrees. Canaan Valley WV was the cold spot in the
nation with a low of 32 degrees. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm
Data)

AUGUST 10TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1856...

The Isle Derniere (Last Island) disaster occurred off the coast of
Louisiana. A storm tide drowned 140 vacationers as a five foot wave swept
over Low Island during a hurricane. (The Weather Channel)

...1882...

Sandusky OH noted a four minute snow squall during the morning, frost was
reported in the suburbs of Chicago, and a killing frost was reported at
Cresco IA. (The Weather Channel)

...1898...

The temperature at Pendleton OR climbed all the way to 119 degrees at set a
state record. (The Weather Channel)

...1924...

Colorado's deadliest tornado killed a woman and nine children in one house
along its twenty-mile path east southeast of Thurman. Mennonite men had
left the farm to provide possible aid, as the 200-yard wide storm was first
seen while far away. (The Weather Channel)

...1936...

The temperature soared to 114 degrees at Plain Dealing LA, and reached 120
degrees at Ozark AR, to establish record highs for those two states. (The
Weather Channel)

...1980...

Hurricane Allen came ashore above Brownsville TX dropping fifteen inches of
rain near San Antonio, and up to 20 inches in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.
Tidal flooding occurred along the South Texas coast. Hurricane Allen packed
winds to 150 mph, and also spawned twenty-nine tornadoes. Total damage from
the storm was estimated at 750 million dollars. (David Ludlum)

...1987...

Unseasonably hot weather continued in the southeastern U.S. Ten cities in
Florida, Georgia and South Carolina reported record high temperatures for
the date. Macon GA hit 101 degrees. A tropical depression deluged
southeastern Texas and southwestern Louisiana with torrential rains. (The
National Weather Summary)

...1988...

Citizens of Bluefield WV, where the Chamber of Commerce provides free
lemonade on days when the temperature warms into the 90s, were able to
celebrate their record high of 90 degrees. Eight other cities also reported
record high temperatures for the date, including Bismarck ND with a reading
of 102 degrees. (The National Weather Summary)

...1989...

Thirty-eight cities in the south central and southeastern U.S. reported
record low temperatures for the date, including Asheville NC with a reading
of 48 degrees, and Victoria TX with a low of 63 degrees. Oklahoma City OK
reported a record cool afternoon high of 71 degrees, and the daily high of
64 degrees at Raleigh NC established a record for August. In Arizona, a
record sixty-four day streak of 100 degree days at Phoenix came to an end.
(The National Weather Summary)

AUGUST 11TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1940...

A major hurricane struck Savannnah GA and Charleston SC causing the worst
inland flooding since 1607. (David Ludlum)

...1944...

The temperature at Burlington VT soared to an all-time record high of 101
degrees. (The Weather Channel)

The "Dog Days" officially come to an end on this date, having begun the
third day in July. Superstition has it that dogs tend to become mad during
that time of the year. (The Weather Channel)

...1980...

Clouds and moisture from Hurricane Allen provided a brief break from the
torrid Texas heatwave, with daily highs mostly in the 70s to lower 90s.
(The Weather Channel)

...1987...

An early evening thunderstorm in Wyoming produced hail up to two inches in
diameter from Alva to Hulett. Snow plows had to be used to clear Highway 24
south of Hulett, where hail formed drifts two feet deep. (The National
Weather Summary)

...1988...

Moisture from what remained of Tropical Storm Beryl resulted in torrential
rains across eastern Texas. Twelve and a half inches of rain deluged
Enterprise TX, which was more than the amount received there during the
previous eight months. Philadelphia PA reported a record forty-four days of
90 degree weather for the year. Baltimore MD and Newark NJ reported a
record fourteen straight days of 90 degree heat. (The National Weather
Summary)

...1989...

One of the most severe convective outbreaks of record came to a climax in
southern California after four days. Thunderstorms deluged Benton CA with
six inches of rain two days in a row, and the flooding which resulted
caused more than a million dollars damage to homes and highways.
Thunderstorms around Yellowstone Park WY produced four inches of rain in
twenty minutes resulting in fifteen mudslides. Thunderstorms over Long
Island NY drenched Suffolk County with 8 to 10 inches of rain. Twenty-three
cities in the southeastern U.S. reported record low temperatures for the
date. It was, for some cities, the fourth straight morning of record cold
temperatures. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

AUGUST 12TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1778...

A Rhode Island hurricane prevented an impending British-French sea battle,
and caused extensive damage over southeast New England. (David Ludlum)

...1933...

The temperature at Greenland Ranch in Death Valley CA hit 127 degrees to
establish a U.S. record for the month of August. (The Weather Channel)

...1936...

The temperature at Seymour TX hit 120 degrees to establish a state record.
(The Weather Channel)

...1955...

During the second week of August hurricanes Connie and Diane produced as
much as 19 inches of rain in the northeastern U.S. forcing rivers from
Virginia to Massachusetts into a high flood. Westfield MA was deluged with
18.15 inches of rain in 24 hours, and at Woonsocket RI the Blackstone River
swelled from seventy feet in width to a mile and a half. Connecticut and
the Delaware Valley were hardest hit. Total damage in New England was 800
million dollars, and flooding claimed 187 lives. (David Ludlum)

...1987...

Early afternoon thunderstorms in Arizona produced 3.90 inches of rain in
ninety minutes at Walnut National Monument (located east of Flagstaff),
along with three inches of pea size hail, which had to be plowed off the
roads. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1988...

Fifteen cities in the northeastern U.S. reported record high temperatures
for the date. Youngstown OH reported twenty-six days of 90 degree weather
for the year, a total equal to that for the entire decade of the 1970s.
(The National Weather Summary)

...1989...

Thunderstorms were scattered across nearly every state in the Union by late
in the day. Thunderstorms produced wind gusts to 75 mph at Fergus Falls MN,
and golf ball size hail and wind gusts to 60 mph at Black Creek WI. In the
Chicago area, seven persons at a forest preserve in North Riverside were
injured by lightning. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

AUGUST 13TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1831...

A blue sun was widely observed in the southern states. The phenomena was
believed to have pre-staged Nat Turner's slave uprising. (David Ludlum)

...1919...

High winds and heavy rain struck the Middle Atlantic Coast Region. In New
Jersey, winds gusted to 60 mph at Atlantic City, and nine inches of rain
fell at Tuckerton. The wind and rain leveled crops and stripped trees of
fruit causing several million dollars damage. (David Ludlum)

...1980...

The afternoon high at New York City was just 89 degrees. But there were
fifteen days of 90 degree heat during the month, their hottest August of
record. (The Weather Channel)

...1985...

Hail larger than golf balls, driven by 70 mph winds, moved down crops,
stripped trees, and broke windows, near Logan KS. Road graders cleared
three foot drifts of hail on Kansas Highway 9 east of Logan. (The Weather
Channel)

...1987...

Thunderstorms deluged the Central Gulf Coast States with torrential rains.
Thunderstorms in Mississippi drenched Marion County with up to 15 inches of
rain during the morning hours, with 12.2 inches reported at Columbia.
Floodwaters swept cars away in the Lakeview subdivision of Columbia when
the the Lakeview Dam broke. Flash flooding caused more than three million
dollars damage in Marion County. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm
Data)

...1988...

A dozen cities in the northeastern U.S. reported record high temperatures
for the date. Lansing MI reported a record 35 days of 90 degree weather for
the year, Detroit MI reported a record 37 days of 90 degree heat for the
year, and Williamsport PA reported a record 38 days of 90 degree weather
for the year. (The National Weather Summary)

...1989...

Thunderstorms developing in a tropical airmass over the northeastern U.S.
soaked Connecticut and Massachusetts with four to eight inches of rain over
the weekend, between the 11th and 13th of the month. Hartford CT received
7.70 inches of rain. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

AUGUST 14TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1936...

Temperatures across much of eastern Kansas soared above 110 degrees. Kansas
City MO hit an all-time record high of 113 degrees. It was one of sixteen
consecutive days of 100 degree heat for Kansas City. During that summer
there were a record 53 days of 100 degree heat, and during the three summer
months Kansas City received just 1.12 inches of rain. (The Kansas City
Weather Almanac)

...1987...

Slow moving thunderstorms deluged northern and western suburbs of Chicago
IL with torrential rains. O'Hare Airport reported 9.35 inches in 18 hours,
easily exceeding the previous 24 hour record of 6.24 inches. Flooding over
a five day period resulted in 221 million dollars damage. It was Chicago's
worst flash flood event, particularly for northern and western sections of
the city. Kennedy Expressway became a footpath for thousands of travelers
to O'Hare Airport as roads were closed. The heavy rains swelled the Des
Plaines River above flood stage, and many persons had to be rescued from
stalled vehicles on flooded roads. (13th- 14th) (The National Weather
Summary) (Storm Data) (The Weather Channel)

...1988...

Eighteen cities in the northeastern U.S. reported record high temperatures
for the date, and the water temperature at Lake Erie reached a record 80
degrees. Portland ME reported a record fourteen straight days of 80 degree
weather. Milwaukee WI reported a record 34 days of 90 degree heat for the
year. Afternoon and evening thunderstorms resulted in about fifty reports
of severe weather in the northeastern U.S. One person was killed at
Stockbridge MI when a tornado knocked a tree onto their camper. (The
National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1989...

Afternoon thunderstorms in Illinois soaked the town of Battendorf with 2.10
inches of rain in thirty minutes. Evening thunderstorms in Montana produced
wind gusts to 66 mph at Hobson. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

AUGUST 15TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1787...

Tornadoes were reported in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and
New Hampshire. Wethersfield CT was hard hit by the tornado outbreak. (David
Ludlum)

...1946...

Saint Louis MO was deluged with a record 8.78 inches of rain in 24 hours.
(The Weather Channel)

...1967...

The "sundance fire" in northern Idaho was started by lightning. Winds of 50
mph carried firebrands as much as ten miles in advance to ignite new fires,
and as a result, the forest fire spread twenty miles across the Selkirk
Mountains in just twelve hours, burning 56,000 acres. The heat of the fire
produced whirlwinds of flame with winds up to 300 mph which flung giant
trees about like matchsticks. (David Ludlum)

...1987...

Thunderstorms developing ahead of a sharp cold front produced severe
weather in the Upper Midwest during the afternoon and evening hours, with
Minnesota and eastern South Dakota hardest hit. A thunderstorm in west
central Minnesota spawned a tornado at Eagle Lake which killed one person
and injured eight others. A thunder- storm in eastern South Dakota produced
softball size hail at Warner. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1988...

Thirty five cities in twenty states in the north central and northeastern
U.S. reported record high temperatures for the date, including Lamoni IA
and Baltimore MD, where the mercury hit 105 degrees. Temperatures 100
degrees or above were reported in twenty-two states. Pierre SD was the hot
spot in the nation with a high of 114 degrees. Bluefield WV reported eight
straight days of record heat. (The National Weather Summary)

...1989...

Evening thunderstorms in eastern New Mexico produced wind gusts to 66 mph
at Clovis. Evening thunderstorms in West Texas produced baseball size hail
around Hereford, Dimmitt, Ware and Dalhart. (The National Weather Summary)
(Storm Data)

AUGUST 16TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1777...

The Battle of Bennington, delayed a day by rain, was fought. The rain
delayed British reinforcements, and allowed the Vermont Militia to arrive
in time, enabling the Americans to win a victory by defeating two enemy
forces, one at a time. (David Ludlum)

...1909...

A dry spell began in San Bernardino County of southern California that
lasted until the 6th of May in 1912, a stretch of 994 days! Another dry
spell, lasting 767 days, then began in October of 1912. (The Weather
Channel)

...1916...

Altapass NC was deluged with 22.22 inches of rain in 24 hours to establish
a state record. (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

Afternoon and evening thunderstorms developing along a cold front produced
severe weather from Oklahoma to Wisconsin and Lower Michigan. Thunderstorms
in central Illinois produced wind gusts to 80 mph at Springfield which
toppled two large beer tents at the state fair injuring 58 persons.
Thunderstorms also drenched Chicago IL with 2.90 inches of rain, making
August 1987 their wettest month of record. (The National Weather Summary)
(Storm Data)

...1988...

Thunderstorms developing along a slow moving cold front produced severe
weather from North Dakota to Lower Michigan during the day. Nine tornadoes
were sighted in North Dakota, and thunderstorms also produced hail three
inches in diameter at Lakota ND, and wind gusts to 83 mph at Marais MI.
Thirty-seven cities in the northeastern U.S. reported record high
temperatures for the date, including Rockford IL with a reading of 104
degrees. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1989...

Late afternoon and evening thunderstorms in the Central High Plains Region
produced golf ball size hail at La Junta CO, Intercanyon CO, and Custer SD.
Afternoon thunderstorms over South Texas drenched Brownsville with 2.60
inches of rain. Fair skies allowed viewing of the late evening full lunar
eclipse from the Great Lakes Region to the Northern and Central Plains
Region, and across much of the western third of the country. (The National
Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

AUGUST 17TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1915...

A hurricane hit Galveston TX with wind gusts to 120 mph and a twelve foot
storm surge. The storm claimed 275 lives, including forty-two on Galveston
Island, with most deaths due to drowning. Of 250 homes built outside the
seawall (which was constructed after the catastrophic hurricane of 1900),
just ten percent were left standing. (The Weather Channel)

...1969...

Camille, the second worst hurricane in U.S. history, smashed into the
Mississippi coast. Winds gusted to 172 mph at Main Pass Block LA, and to
190 mph near Bay Saint Louis MS. The hurricane claimed 256 lives, and
caused 1.3 billion dollars damage. Several ocean going ships were carried
over seven miles inland by the hurricane. The hurricane produced winds to
200 mph, and a storm surge of 24.6 feet. Complete destruction occurred in
some coastal areas near the eye of the hurricane. (David Ludlum) (The
Weather Channel)

...1987...

Evening thunderstorms produced severe weather in the Northern and Central
Plains Region. One thunderstorm spawned a tornado near Fairbury NE, along
with baseball size hail and wind gusts to 100 mph, causing severe crop
damage west of town. Ten cities in the eastern U.S. reported record high
temperatures for the date. Syracuse NY hit 97 degrees for the first time in
twenty-two years. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1988...

Fifty-five cities, from the Middle Mississippi Valley to the Middle
Atlantic Coast Region, reported record high temperatures for the date.
Beckley WV reported an all-time record high of 96 degrees, and Baltimore MD
hit 104 degrees, marking their thirteenth day of the year with 100 degree
heat. Chicago IL equalled a record with 46 days of 90 degree weather for
the year. Thunderstorms produced severe weather from Wisconsin to New
Jersey. Thunderstorms in New Jersey produced high winds which gusted to 92
mph at Wrightstown, and blew down a circus tent at Lavallette injuring
fourteen persons. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1989...

Morning thunderstorms produced three to six inch rains in Oklahoma, and the
Arkalatex area of Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana. Tom OK was soaked with
5.98 inches of rain, and Foreman AR received 5.55 inches. Evening
thunderstorms produced high winds in the Wasatch Front of northern Utah.
Thunderstorm winds gusted to 66 mph at Salt Lake City, and flash flooding
caused up to two million dollars damage to a marina on Lake Powell. (Storm
Data) (The National Weather Summary)

AUGUST 18TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1925...

During the late morning hours a severe hailstorm struck southeastern Iowa
completely destroying crops along a path six to ten miles wide and 75 miles
long. The hail also injured and killed poultry and livestock, and caused a
total of 2.5 million dollars damage. The hailstorm flattened fields of corn
to such an extent that many had to leave their farms in search of other
work. It was one of the worst hailstorms of record for the nation. (The
Weather Channel)

...1983...

Hurricane Alicia ravaged southeastern Texas. The hurricane caused more than
three billion dollars property damage, making it one of the costliest
hurricanes in the history of the U.S. Just thirteen persons were killed,
but 1800 others were injured. The hurricane packed winds to 130 mph as it
crossed Galveston Island, and spawned twenty-two tornadoes in less than 24
hours as it made landfall. (The Weather Channel) (Storm Data)

...1987...

Thirteen cities in the eastern U.S. reported record high temperatures for
the date, including Orlando FL with a reading of 98 degrees, and Portland
ME with a high of 94 degrees. Newark NJ reached 90 degrees for the
thirty-sixth time of the year, their second highest total of record. (The
National Weather Summary)

...1988...

Twenty-two cities, from the Carolinas to the Upper Ohio Valley, reported
record high temperatures for the date, pushing the total number of daily
record highs since the first of June above the 1100 mark. Afternoon highs
of 102 degrees at Greensboro NC and 105 degrees at Raleigh NC equalled
all-time records. Evening thunderstorms in Montana produced wind gusts to
75 mph at Scobey. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1989...

Thunderstorms over the Middle Atlantic Coast Region and the Upper Ohio
Valley produced torrential rains in eastern Virginia during the late
morning and afternoon hours. Totals ranged up to twelve inches at Yorktown.
Williamsburg VA was deluged with 10.78 inches of rain between 6 AM and 10
AM, with 6.72 inches reported in just two hours. Flash flooding caused
nearly twelve million dollars damage in Accomack County VA. Early evening
thunderstorms in the Central High Plains Region produced walnut size hail
and wind gusts to 80 mph around Casper WY. Thunderstorms produced locally
heavy rains in the Yellowstone Park area, causing fifteen mudslides. (The
National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

AUGUST 19TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1788...

A small but powerful hurricane inflicted great havoc upon forests along a
narrow track from New Jersey to Maine. A similar storm track today would
cause extreme disaster in the now populated area. (David Ludlum)

...1969...

'Never say die' Camille let loose a cloudburst in Virginia resulting in
flash floods and landslides which killed 151 persons and cause 140 million
dollars damage. Massies Hill VA received 27 inches of rain. (David Ludlum)

...1986...

The temperature at San Antonio TX soared to an all-time record high of 108
degrees. (Sandra and TI Richard Sanders - 1987)

...1987...

Thunderstorms moving out of southeastern Nebraska spread severe weather
into eastern Kansas and western Missouri during the day. Thunderstorms in
Nebraska produced hail three inches in diameter at Albion, and high winds
which downed a large tent at Waterloo injuring a dozen persons.
Thunderstorms in Kansas produced baseball size hail northwest of Topeka,
and wind gusts to 80 mph at Fulton. Ten persons were injured in a
thunderstorm at Princeton KS, and damage to crops in southern Franklin
County KS was estimated at 3.5 million dollars. (Storm Data) (The National
Weather Summary)

...1988...

Raleigh NC reported a record hot temperature reading of 103 degrees.
Afternoon thunderstorms in Oklahoma produced wind gusts to 75 mph in
southern Pittsburgh County. Thunderstorms in Indiana produced 4.50 inches
of rain at Morgantown. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

...1989...

Early morning thunderstorms deluged southeastern Delaware with six to ten
inches of rain in four to six hours, with local reports of 13 to 20 inches
of rain. Twenty-six major roads were closed or damaged, and fourteen
bridges were washed out. Flooding caused nearly four million dollars damage
to local businesses. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

AUGUST 20TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1886...

The town of Indianola TX was completely destroyed by a hurricane, and never
rebuilt. (David Ludlum)

...1910...

The "big blow up" of forest fires finally came to an end in Idaho. A record
dry August fueled 1736 fires which burned three million acres destroying
six billion board feet of timber. The fires claimed the lives of 85
persons, 78 of which were fire fighters, and consumed the entire town of
Wallace. The smoke spread a third of the way around the world producing
some dark days in the U.S. and Canada. The forest fires prompted federal
fire protection laws. (David Ludlum)

...1987...

Half a dozen cities in the Central Plains Region reported record high
temperatures for the date, including Pueblo CO with a reading of 102
degrees, and Goodland KS with a high of 104 degrees. Hill City KS reached
106 degrees. (The National Weather Summary)

...1988...

Sheridan WY reported a record hot temperature reading of 100 degrees.
Evening thunderstorms produced golf ball size hail near Fortuna ND, and
wind gusts to 70 mph near Webster SD. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm
Data)

...1989...

Early morning thunderstorms produced heavy rain in southeast Kansas and
northeastern Oklahoma, with up to six inches reported around Tulsa OK. Some
roads in the Tulsa area were closed by water 10 to 12 feet deep. Evening
thunderstorms produced severe weather in northern Oklahoma and southern
Kansas. Thunderstorms produced winds gusts to 75 mph in Major County OK,
and hail two inches in diameter at Jennings KS. (The National Weather
Summary) (Storm Data)

AUGUST 21ST

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1883...

A tornado hit Rochester MN killing 31 persons and wrecking 1351 dwellings.
(David Ludlum)

...1888...

A tornado swarm occurred in Maryland and Delaware. Many waterspouts were
seen over Chesapeake Bay. (Sandra and TI Richard Sanders - 1987)

...1918...

A tornado struck Tyler MN killing 36 persons and destroying most of the
business section of the town resulting in a million dollars damage. (David
Ludlum)

...1983...

The temperature at Fayetteville NC soared to 110 degrees to establish a
state record. (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

Early morning thunderstorms produced severe weather in eastern Iowa and
west central Illinois. Thunderstorms produced wind gusts to 82 mph at
Moline IL, and tennis ball size hail at Independence IA. Rock Island IL was
drenched with 3.70 inches of rain. Total damage for the seven county area
of west central Illinois was estimated at twelve million dollars. (National
Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1988...

Thunderstorms spawned several tornadoes in Iowa, produced wind gusts to 63
mph in the Council Bluffs area, and drenched Sioux Center IA with up to
6.61 inches of rain. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

...1989...

Afternoon and evening thunderstorms produced severe weather from Kansas to
Minnesota and North Dakota. Thunderstorms in Minnesota produced baseball
size hail from Correll to north of Appleton. Thunderstorms in north central
Kansas produced wind gusts higher than 100 mph at Wilson Dam. Thunderstorms
around Lincoln NE produced baseball size hail and up to five inches of
rain, and Boone NE was deluged with five inches of rain in an hour and a
half. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

AUGUST 22ND

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1816...

The growing season for corn was cut short as damaging frosts were reported
from North Carolina to interior New England. (David Ludlum)

...1923...

The temperature at Anchorage AK reached 82 degrees, a record for August for
the location which was later tied on the 2nd in 1978. (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

A cold front lowered temperatures 20 to 40 degrees across the north central
U.S., and produced severe thunderstorms in Ohio and Lower Michigan. An
early morning thunderstorm near Sydney MI produced high winds which spun a
car around 180 degrees. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1988...

Afternoon highs of 88 degrees at Astoria OR and 104 degrees at Medford OR
were records for the date, and the number of daily record highs across the
nation since the first of June topped the 2000 mark. (The National Weather
Summary)

...1989...

Evening thunderstorms in the central U.S. produced golf ball size hail at
May City IA, and wind gusts to 66 mph at Balltown IA. Lightning struck a
barn in Fayette County IA killing 750 hogs. Evening thunderstorms in
Montana produced wind gusts to 70 mph at Havre. (The National Weather
Summary) (Storm Data)

AUGUST 23RD

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1906...

Thunderstorms deluged Kansas City MO with six inches of rain during the
early morning, including nearly three inches in thirty minutes. (The Kansas
City Weather Almanac)

...1921...

Denver CO was drenched with 2.20 inches of rain in one hour, a record for
that location. (The Weather Channel)

...1933...

The Chesapeake-Potomac hurricane moved over Norfolk VA and Washington D.C.
A tide seven feet above normal flooded businesses in Norfolk, and damage in
Maryland was estimated at seventeen million dollars. (David Ludlum)

...1970...

Dry thunderstorms ignited more than one hundred fires in the Wenatchee and
Okanogan National Forests of Washington State. Hot, dry, and windy weather
spread the fires, a few of which burned out of control through the end of
the month. More than 100,000 acres burned. (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

A cold front brought autumn-like weather to the Northern and Central Plains
Region. Afternoon highs were in the 50s and 60s across parts of Colorado,
Kansas and Nebraska that just two days earlier were in the 90s or above 100
degrees. Thunderstorms produced locally heavy rain in New Mexico, Texas,
Oklahoma and Arkansas. (The National Weather Summary)

...1988...

Thunderstorms produced hail an inch in diameter, wind gusts to 64 mph, and
2.62 inches of rain at Tucson AZ resulting in three million dollars damage.
Cool weather prevailed in the northeastern U.S. Hartford CT reported a
record low of 42 degrees. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1989...

Thunderstorms produced heavy rain with flash flooding in West Virginia.
Pickens WV reported 4.80 inches of rain in 24 hours. Evening thunderstorms
in Mississippi deluged Alta Woods with 4.25 inches of rain in less than an
hour. Thunderstorms also produced heavy rain in southeastern Kentucky, and
flooding was reported along Big Creek and along Stinking Creek. The
Stinking Creek volunteer fire department reported water levels 12 to 14
feet above bankfull. Fort Worth TX hit the 100 degree mark for the first
time all year. Strong winds ushering cool air into northwest Utah gusted to
70 mph, raising clouds of dust in the salt flats. (The National Weather
Summary) (Storm Data)

AUGUST 24TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1906...

A cloudburst deluged Guinea VA with more than nine inches of rain in just
forty minutes. (David Ludlum)

...1968...

Lightning struck the Crawford County fairgrounds in northwest Pennsylvania
killing two persons and injuring 72 others. (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

Autumn-like weather prevailed across the north central and northeastern
U.S. Seven cities reported record low temperatures for the date, including
Saint Cloud MN with a low of 37 degrees. Temperatures in Florida soared to
98 degrees at Pensacola and 99 degrees at Jacksonville. Thunderstorms
produced heavy rain in the Southern High Plains Region, with 5.40 inches at
Union NM, and 7.25 inches reported west of Anthony NM. (The National
Weather Summary)

...1988...

Thunderstorms in the Delaware Valley of eastern Pennsylvania produced wind
gusts to 95 mph around Philadelphia, and gusts to 100 mph at Warminster. A
tropical depression drenched the Cabo Rojo area of southwestern Puerto Rico
with up to ten inches of rain. San Juan received 5.35 inches of rain.
(Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

...1989...

Late afternoon and evening thunderstorms produced severe weather in eastern
Montana and western sections of the Dakotas. Thunderstorms in Montana
produced wind gusts to 76 mph at Jordan, and golf ball size hail at Rock
Springs, which collected three to four feet deep in ditches. Lewiston ID
reported a record 1.50 inches of rain for the date, and a record rainfall
total for August of 2.63 inches. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm
Data)

AUGUST 25TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1885...

A severe hurricane struck South Carolina causing 1.3 million dollars damage
at Charleston. (David Ludlum)

...1940...

New Jersey experienced its coldest August morning of record, with lows of
32 degrees at Layton and Charlotteburg. (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

Morning thunderstorms produced heavy rain in eastern Nebraska and
southwestern Iowa. Stanton IA reported 10.50 inches of rain. Water was
reported up to the handle of automobiles west of Greenwood NE. Rainfall
totals for a two day period ranged from 7 to 14 inches across southwestern
Iowa. Crop damage was in the millions for both states. Subsequent flooding
of streams in Iowa the last week of August caused millions of dollars
damage to crops, as some streams crested ten feet above flood stage. (Storm
Data)

...1988...

Seven cities in California reported record high temperatures for the date,
including Sacramento with an afternoon reading of 104 degrees.
Thunderstorms produced locally heavy rains in Arizona. Chino Valley was
drenched with 2.50 inches of rain in just thirty minutes washing out a
couple of streets in town. (The National Weather Summary)

...1989...

Morning thunderstorms drenched Spencer IN with 4.10 inches of rain in three
hours causing extensive street flooding. Evening thunderstorms in eastern
Kansas produced up to six inches of rain around Emporia, and four inches of
rain in just forty-five minutes near Parsons, and also produced wind gusts
to 70 mph at Lake Melvern. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

AUGUST 26TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1883...

Krakatoa Volcano exploded in the East Indies. The explosion was heard more
than 2500 miles away, and every barograph around the world recorded the
passage of the air wave, up to seven times. Giant waves, 125 feet high and
traveling 300 mph, devastated everything in their path, hurling ashore
coral blocks weighing up to 900 tons, and killing more than 36,000 persons.
Volcanic ash was carried around the globe in thirteen days producing blue
and green suns in the tropics, and then vivid red sunsets in higher
latitudes. The temperature of the earth was lowered one degree for the next
two years, finally recovering to normal by 1888. (David Ludlum)

...1949...

A hurricane made landfall at Delray Beach. Winds reached 153 mph at the
Jupiter Lighthouse before the anemometer failed. The hurricane caused 45
million dollars damage to crops, and also caught the Georgia and South
Carolina coast resulting in another two million dollars damage. (David
Ludlum)

...1965...

Late night severe thunderstorms associated with an unusually strong late
summer cold front produced 100 mph winds straight line winds in the Chicago
area and northwest Indiana. In Lake County IND, high winds derailed a train
near Crown Point, and left a canoe suspended among telephone lines. Two
nights later the temperature at Midway Airport in Chicago dipped to 43
degrees, establishing a record for the month of August. (Storm Data) (Hugh
Crowther)

...1976...

A weak tornado touched down briefly in the Hockley Hills near Kiana AK,
about 29 miles north of the Arctic Circle. (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

Showers and thunderstorms drenched northern Illinois during the morning and
afternoon hours pushing August rainfall totals for Chicago, Moline and
Peoria to new all-time highs for any month of the year. By the end of
August, Chicago had received 17.10 inches of rain, which easily surpassed
the previous record of 14.17 inches established in September 1961. (The
National Weather Summary)

...1988...

A dozen cities in Texas, Colorado and California reported record high
temperatures for the date, including readings of 100 degrees at Pueblo CO,
106 degrees at Wichita Falls TX, and 109 degrees at Redding CA. Afternoon
thunderstorms in Utah deluged the town of Beaver with more than an inch of
rain in twenty minutes. (The National Weather Summary)

...1989...

Anchorage AK was soaked with a steady rain, and the 24 hour total of 4.12
inches smashed their previous 24 hour precipitation total of 2.10 inches.
It also pushed their rainfall total for the month past their previous
record for August. (The National Weather Summary)

AUGUST 27TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1893...

The first of three great hurricanes that year struck South Carolina
drowning more than 1000 persons in a tidal surge at Charleston. (David
Ludlum)

...1964...

Hurricane Cleo battered Miami and the South Florida area. It was the first
direct hit for Miami in fourteen years. Winds gusted to 135 mph, and the
hurricane caused 125 million dollars damage. (David Ludlum)

...1970...

Elko NV was deluged with 3.66 inches of rain in just one hour, establishing
a state record. (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

Washington D.C. soared to a record hot 100 degrees, while clouds and rain
to the north kept temperature readings in the 50s in central and
southeastern New York State. (The National Weather Summary)

...1988...

Afternoon thunderstorms produced locally heavy rains in the southwestern
U.S. Thunderstorms in eastern New Mexico produced wind gusts to 75 mph near
the White Sands Missile Range, and produced three inches of rain in two
hours near the town of Belen. (National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1989...

Afternoon and evening thunderstorms produced severe weather in southeastern
Nebraska, eastern Kansas and Missouri. Thunderstorms produced baseball size
hail south of Belleville KS, and tennis ball size hail south of Lincoln NE.
Thunderstorms produced golf ball size hail and wind gusts to 70 mph at
Saint Joseph MO. Thunder- storms in North Dakota deluged the town of Linton
with six inches of rain in one hour. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm
Data)

AUGUST 28TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1898...

Torrents of rain accompanied by a furious wind upset the rain gage at Fort
Mohave AZ. However, water in a wash tub set out on the mesa, clear of
everything, measured eight inches after the 45 minute storm. (The Weather
Channel)

...1911...

Saint George GA was deluged with 18.00 inches of rain in 24 hours to
establish a state record. (The Weather Channel)

...1959...

Lieutenant Colonel William Rankin bailed out of his plane at a height of
46,000 feet into a violent thunderstorm, and lived to write about the 45
minute journey (which normally would have been a thirteen minute descent).
He described it as one of the most bizarre and painful experiences
imaginable. (The Weather Channel)

...1971...

Heavy rains from Tropical Storm Doria caused devastating floods in central
and northeast New Jersey resulting in 138 million dollars damage. In
southeastern Pennsylvania, high winds downed trees and power lines, and in
New York City, heavy rains flooded streets and subways. (David Ludlum)

...1986...

The temperature at Apalachicola FL dipped to 62 degrees to shatter their
previous August record by four degrees, having tied their August record
high of 99 degrees on the 2nd of the month. (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

Severe thunderstorms broke the heat in the southeastern U.S. and the Gulf
Coast Region, but not before seven cities reported record high temperatures
for the date. The severe thunderstorms produced wind gusts to 80 mph
downing large trees around Horse Shoe NC, and pelted southeastern Meridian
MS with hail two inches in diameter. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm
Data)

...1988...

Tropical Storm Chris spawned a tornado near Manning SC which killed one
person, and spawned three tornadoes in North Carolina. Chris produced one
to two foot tides, and three to six inch rains, over coastal South
Carolina. Severe thunderstorms in New York State and Vermont, developing
ahead of a cold front, spawned a tornado which killed one person at Hector
NY, produced tennis ball size hail at Brandon VT, and produced wind gusts
to 80 mph at Lyndonville VT. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1989...

Early morning thunderstorms in Nebraska produced 4.50 inches of rain around
McCook, and 4.65 inches near Auburn and Brownville. Showers in Montana
pushed the rainfall total for the month at Havre past the previous August
record of 3.90 inches. (The National Weather Summary)

AUGUST 29TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1962...

Hackberry LA was deluged with twenty-two inches of rain in 24 hours,
establishing a state record. (The Weather Channel)

...1965...

A national record for the month of August was established when 2.5 inches
of snow fell atop Mount Washington NH. Temperatures in New England dipped
to 39 degrees at Nantucket MA, and to 25 degrees in Vermont. For many
location it was the earliest freeze of record. (David Ludlum)

...1987...

Some of the most powerful thunderstorms in several years developed over the
piedmont of North Carolina, and marched across central sections of the
state during the late afternoon and evening hours. Baseball size hail was
reported around Albemarle, while thunderstorm winds downed giant trees
around High Falls. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1988...

Cool air invaded the north central U.S. Ten cities reported record low
temperatures for the date, including Bismarck ND with a reading of 33
degrees. Deerfield, a small town in the Black Hills of South Dakota,
reported a low of 23 degrees. The remnants of Tropical Storm Chris drenched
eastern Pennsylvania with up to five and a half inches of rain, and
produced high winds which gusted to 90 mph, severely damaging a hundred
boats in Anne Arundel County MD. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm
Data)

...1989...

Evening thunderstorms produced destructive lightning in West Virginia. The
lightning caused widepsread damage, particularily in Doddridge County.
Numerous trees were downed closing many roads. Fire companies had a
difficult time tending to the many homes and trailers on fire. Anchorage AK
reported a record 9.60 inches of rain for the month of August. The average
annual precipitation for Anchorage is just slighty more than fifteen
inches. Three day rainfall totals in northwest Missouri ranged up to 8.20
inches at Maryville. (The National Weather Summary)

AUGUST 30TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1776...

General Washington took advantage of a heavy fog to evacuate Long Island
after a defeat. Adverse winds kept the British fleet from intervening.
(David Ludlum)

...1839...

A hurricane moved from Cape Hatteras NC to offshore New England. An unusual
feature of the hurricane was the snow it helped produce, which whitened the
Catskill Mountains of New York State. Considerable snow was also reported
at Salem NY. (The Weather Channel)

...1982...

A tropical depression brought torrential rains to portions of southern
Texas. Up to twelve inches fell south of Houston, and as much as eighteen
inches fell southeast of Austin. The tropical depression spawned fourteen
tornadoes in three days. (David Ludlum)

Record cold gripped the northeastern U.S. Thirty-one cities in New England
reported record lows, and areas of Vermont received up to three inches of
snow. (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

Eight cities in California and Oregon reported record high temperatures for
the date, including Redding CA and Sacramento CA where the mercury hit 100
degrees. (The National Weather Summary)

...1988...

Thunderstorms drenched Georgia and the Carolinas with heavy rain, soaking
Columbia SC with 4.10 inches in three hours. Fresno CA was the hot spot in
the nation with a record high of 109 degrees. Duluth MN tied their record
for the month of August with a morning low of 39 degrees. (The National
Weather Summary)

...1989...

Thunderstorms developing ahead of a cold front produced large hail in
Montana and North Dakota during the evening and early nighttime hours. Hail
three inches in diameter was reported 20 miles south of Medora ND, and
thunderstorms over Dawson County MT produced up to three inches of rain.
Thunderstorms produced golf ball size hail at Roundup MT, Dazey ND and
Protection KS. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

AUGUST 31ST

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1915...

The temperature at Bartlesville OK dipped to 38 degrees to establish a
state record for the month of August. (The Weather Channel)

...1954...

Hurricane Carol swept across eastern New England killing sixty persons and
causing 450 million dollars damage. It was the first of three hurricanes to
affect New England that year. (David Ludlum)

...1971...

The low of 84 degrees and high of 108 degrees at Death Valley CA were the
coolest of the month. The average daily high was 115.7 degrees that August,
and the average daily low was 93.4 degrees. (The Weather Channel)

...1984...

Lightning ignited several forest fires in Montana, one of which burned
through 100,000 acres of timber and grassland. (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

Eight cities in Washington and Oregon reported record high temperatures for
the date, including Eugene OR and Portland OR with afternoon highs of 102
degrees. The high of 102 degrees at Portland smashed their previous record
for the date by twelve degrees. Frost was reported in South Dakota.
Aberdeen SD established a record for the month of August with a morning low
of 32 degrees, and Britton SD dipped to 31 degrees. (The National Weather
Summary)

...1988...

August ended on a relatively mild and tranquil note for most of the nation.
Forest fires in the northwestern U.S. scorched 180,000 acres of land during
the last week of August. (The National Weather Summary)

...1989...

Thunderstorms developing along a stationary front spread severe weather
from Minnesota to Indiana through the course of the day and night.
Thunderstorms in Minnesota produced baseball size hail near Saint Michael
and Hutchinson, and drenched Moose Lake with nine inches of rain in six
hours. Tucson AZ hit 100 degrees for a record 79th time in the year,
surpassing a record established the previous year. (The National Weather
Summary) (Storm Data)
