TODAY Version 3.7 06/24/94 Copyright 1986, 1994 By Patrick Kincaid

Today is Thursday October 8, 2015.
This is the 281st day of the year, there are 84 days left.

On this day...
Weather data after 1990 is PARTIAL. For more current
weather history, go to the National Climate Data Center
website at www.ncdc.noaa.gov
In 1871 Prolonged drought and dessicating winds led to the great
Chicago fire, the Peshtigo horror, and the Michigan fire
holocaust. Fire destroyed more than seventeen thousand
buildings killing more than 200 persons in the city of
Chicago, while a fire consumed the town of Peshtigo WI
killing more than 1100 persons. In Wisconsin, a million
acres of land were burned, and in Michigan, 2.5 million
acres were burned killing 200 persons. "Tornadoes of
fire" generated by intense heat caused houses to explode
in fire, and burned to death scores of persons seeking
refuge in open fields.
In 1901 A deluge at Galveston TX produced nearly twelve inches of
rain in about a six hour period. The rains came
precisely thirteen months after the day of the famous
Galveston hurricane disaster.
In 1982 An unusually early snowstorm hit the northern Black Hills
of Wyoming and South Dakota. The storm produced up to 54
inches of snow, and winds as high as 70 mph. The
snowfall was very much dependent upon topography. Rapid
City, 20 miles away, received just a trace of snow.
In 1987 Unseasonably cold weather prevailed from the Upper
Mississippi Valley to the southeastern U.S. Thirty
cities reported record low temperatures for the date,
including Madison WI with a reading of 22 degrees. The
low of 28 degrees at Evansville IN was the coolest of
record for so early in the season. Hot weather continued
in the southwestern U.S. Phoenix AZ reported a record
high of 104 degrees, and a record tying 116 days of 100
degree weather for the year. Tucson AZ established an
all-time record with 72 days of 100 degree weather for
the year.
In 1988 Snow was reported across parts of northern New England.
Two inches blanketed Mount Snow VT. Warm weather
continued in the northwestern U.S. The afternoon high of
80 degrees at Stampede Pass WA exceeded their previous
record for October by seven degrees.
In 1989 Morning lows in the 20s were reported from the Northern
Plains to the Upper Great Lakes. International Falls MN
and Marquette MI reported record lows of 22 degrees.
Unseasonably warm weather prevailed in central California
as the Oakland Athletics won the American League pennant.
San Luis Obispo CA reported a high of 99 degrees.
In 2001 Hurricane Iris, with 145 mph winds, slammed into Placencia,
Mexico...between Belize City, Belize, and Monkey River
Town...affecting much of the same area that was hit by
Hurricane Mitch in 1998. At one time, the storm had three
eyewalls, reported by Hurricane Hunter aircraft; although
the total area of the storm was rather small.