Historical Weather Events

HISTORICAL WEATHER EVENTS --21 August

From the files of the Aviation Weather Center, Kansas City, MO and Intellicast

...1856...The Charter Oak was an unusually large white oak tree growing from around the 12th or 13th century until it fell during a windstorm on this day in 1856. According to tradition, Connecticut's Royal Charter of 1662 was hidden within the hollow of the tree to thwart its confiscation by the English governor-general. The oak became a symbol of American independence and is commemorated on the Connecticut State Quarter. (National Weather Service files)
...1883...An estimated F5 tornado hit Rochester, MN killing 30 persons, injuring 200, and wrecking 1351 dwellings. This damaging tornado eventually led to the formation of the Mayo Clinic. (David Ludlum) (National Weather Service files)
...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)
...1921...Seattle WA had its heaviest rainstorm for August when 0.59 inches fell in 60 minutes. (Intellicast)
...1938...Thirty-six people were killed and 225 injured when an F4 tornado ripped through Tyler, MN. Total damage was $2 million. (Intellicast)
...1983...The temperature at Fayetteville, NC soared to 110 degrees to establish a state high temperature 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)
...1992...The temperature at Sacramento, CA hit 90 degrees for the fortieth straight day, a record for that city. (Intellicast)
...2007...Hail with diameters of up to 5.25 inches fell in southeastern South Dakota, resulting in considerable damage to roofs of buildings. The largest hailstone had a circumference of 18.00 inches and weighed 1.0 pound, which represents the largest documented hailstone in South Dakota since records began in 1950. (NCDC)