Wednesday,  March 13, 2013 • Vol. 14--No. 237 • 7 of 41 •  Other Editions

Today in Weather History

1971: During an evening thunderstorm in Moody County, South Dakota, lightning destroyed a transformer plant in Coleman. Damages were estimated at $250,000.

• 1997: A winter storm began with widespread freezing drizzle, creating icy roadways and walkways, before changing over to snow. Before the snow was over, 2 to 8 inches had fallen on an already expansive and deep snowpack. The winds accelerated to 20 to 40 mph, resulting in widespread blowing and drifting snow. Visibilities were reduced to near zero at times, making travel treacherous. Many roads again became blocked by snowdrifts and several were closed. Many area schools were again closed, adding to an already substantial total of days missed for the winter season. Some people were stranded, and had to wait out the storm. Some airport flights were canceled. The icy roads and low visibilities resulted in several vehicle mishaps as well. There was a rollover accident west of Mobridge and an overturned van 7 miles west of Webster. On Interstate-29 there were several rollover accidents, including vehicles sliding off of the road. Some snowfall amounts included, 4 inches at Timber Lake, Mobridge, Eureka, Leola, Britton, and Clark, 5 inches at Leola, 6 inches at Waubay and Summit, and 8 inches at Pollock.


• 1990: A large F5 tornado went through Hesston, KS. It was on the ground for more than two hours and 47 miles and was, at times, three fourths of a mile wide. A personal check flew from Hesston to Blaine, a distance of 115 miles! As the Hesston tornado dissipated, a new F5 touched down alongside it that also grew to 3/4 mile wide along a 22 mile path.

• 2003: A flight from Hawaii to San Francisco flew into severe turbulence about an hour before landing. Five flight attendants and five passengers suffered cuts and bruises when the Boeing 767 made a sudden drop in altitude. Meteorologists said the plane was likely flying near a storm front that was approaching California.

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