Monday,  November 19, 2012 • Vol. 13--No. 124 • 12 of 33 •  Other Editions

Today in Weather History

1981: A storm system moved from southeast Nebraska through Iowa on the 18th and spread rain and sleet as well as a few thunderstorms into southern Minnesota. Rain and sleet began changing over to snow during the afternoon on the 18th and continued through the 19th. The heaviest snowfall was in the Minneapolis area. The 10.4 inches of snow reported from the National Weather Service office in the Twin Cities was the heaviest snowfall recorded at the office since March 22nd, to the23rd, 1965 when 13.6 inches fell. The storm knocked out power and phones to many in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Damage was also done to the Humber H. Humphrey Metrodome, where the weight of the heavy snow caused the newly inflated, fabric dome collapsed and ripped.

1996: Widespread freezing rain spread a layer of ice across a large area before changing over to snow during the period of November 19-20. Snowfall amounts were generally 1 to 3 inches in central South Dakota, 3 to 7 inches across north central South Dakota, 5 to 6 inches in west central Minnesota, and 4 to 12 inches across northeast South Dakota. Travel was difficult and several schools were closed or delayed. Mail delivery was also slowed or delayed for a day or two. Several, mainly minor accidents, resulting in several minor injuries, occurred as a result of the ice and snow covered roads. Two Milbank buses slid into ditches. Strong north winds resulted in near-blizzard conditions across northeast South Dakota on the 20th. Some snowfall totals included; 12.0 inches in Clear Lake and near Milbank; 10.1 inches near Mellette; 9.0 inches in Browns Valley; 8.3 inches near Big Stone City; 8.0 inches in Faulkton; and 7.0 inches in Britton and Conde.

1921: The Columbia Gorge ice storm finally came to an end after blocking the Columbia River Highway at the Dalles with 54 inches of snow, sleet, and glaze.

1798: This marked the beginning of the Long Winter of 1789-99, as eighteen inches of snow fell in New York City on this date.

1981: The Hubert Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, MN was damaged by the weight of heavy snow. Almost a foot of snow was reported, which weighed heavily on the newly-inflated roof, causing it to tear and collapse. After completely deflating, the rip was repaired, and the roof was re-inflated. The roof would collapse again a few more times, most recently on December 12, 2010 when 17 inches of snow fell.

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