Monday,  July 15, 2013 • Vol. 15--No. 002 • 14 of 32

Today in Weather History

1885: The first of three damaging tornadoes hit 7 miles NNE of Highmore and moved to the northeast. Two small homes were destroyed before the funnel turned to the east, then northeast and north before lifting. This tornado was estimated to have F2 strength and was seen in all directions for 20 miles. The second tornado appeared to be motionless 3 miles east of Harrold, and then moved east to Holabird where it destroyed two homes and dissipated. A third tornado, this one with an estimated F3 strength, formed to the west of Highmore and moved east into town, then lifted about 4 miles east of town. Three homes were destroyed and about 20 other buildings were damaged at Highmore. A farmer was killed 2 miles east of town. Losses totaled about $55,000, which included many new buildings, including a church and a skating rink.

1986: Thunderstorms brought locally heavy rainfall to portions of Walworth to Marshall Counties. Three inches of rain in an hour and a half was reported in extreme northwest Marshall County. The highest rainfall amount was seven inches southeast of Bowdle. The rains caused lowland flooding, with water over several roads in Marshall County, including Highway 10, two miles east of Britton. In Britton, 3.86 inches of rain was reported.

1881: A family of tornadoes, likely up to F5 in strength, was on the ground for 40 miles in southern Minnesota. Five farms had every building completely swept away. One of the tornadoes was about to pass just to the west of New Ulm, but then turned and plowed into the town. Twenty people were killed along the entire path length, including six in New Ulm.

1983: The Big Thompson Creek in Colorado flooded for the second time in 7 years, claiming 3 lives and filling the town of Estes Park with 8 to 10 feet of water.

1995: An unusually strong cluster of thunderstorms (a derecho) raced at more than 70 mph through New York and New England during the early morning hours. Major wind damage occurred across the Adirondacks, where thousands of trees were toppled. Three fatalities occurred. Winds reached 92 mph in Otis, MA and small tornadoes occurred at Greenfield and Huntington.

2003: It was the hottest night in history for a city known for its sizzling temperatures as the mercury in Phoenix, AZ managed to fall to only 96 degrees.

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