The Nations Weather

NATIONAL WEATHER SUMMARY:

In the East, a cluster of strong to severe thunderstorms in central and southern Florida caused damage across the peninsula through the day. Severe thunderstorms generated wind gusts of 70 mph in Plantation, Fla. and wind gusts of 60 mph in Miami Lakes, Fla. this morning. A wind gust of 70 mph was observed in Fort Lauderdale and reportedly knocked over a mango tree, and struck a house 250 feet from the tree with mangoes. Rainfall of 1 to 2 inches was common with these storms as well. Elsewhere, a low pressure system produced a few light showers in eastern New England. Rainfall was generally 0.20 inches or less. Daytime heating led to scattered thunderstorms developing over the Tennessee Valley and much of the Southeast during the late morning and early afternoon hours.

In the central United States, thunderstorms developed over western Nebraska and rumbled across the northern Plains. Some of these storms became severe and caused damage through Nebraska, southeastern South Dakota, southern Minnesota, and much of Iowa. A severe storm in Ellsworth, Neb. produced wind gusts as high as 73 mph during the pre-dawn hours, and another severe storm produced destructive wind gusts of 81 mph in Alliance, Neb. during the pre-dawn hours as well. This resulted in large branches being blown off trees and multiple shingles being torn off houses. Activity moved east into Minnesota during the late morning hours. Storms then blossomed over Iowa and produced widespread wind gusts of 60-70 mph and estimated speeds up to 80 mph. In Cedar Rapids, Iowa, reports of downed trees came in across the city with large portions of the city losing power. Late day storms also knocked out power in the Omaha, Neb.-area where an estimated 6,800 people lost power. Any power outages were further complicated by the oppressive heat as warm and muggy weather prevailed across the entire central United States.

Today in the West, an upper-level disturbance produced a few thunderstorms in southern Arizona and southern New Mexico. These storms did not become severe and produced modest amounts of rain. Some severe storms triggered late in the day over portions of northern Colorado and southeastern Wyoming. Sadly, someone lost their life in Crook, Colo. as a wind gust blew over a semi trailer and caused an accident. Winds in the area were estimated in the 60-65 mph range. Otherwise mainly quiet weather was experienced across the West with only a few light showers observed along the Washington and Oregon coasts late in the day with minor rainfall reported.

WEATHER EXTREMES FOR TUESDAY:

HIGHEST TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F)............113 Death Valley, Calif.

HIGHEST HEAT INDEX (DEGREES F).............113 Death Valley, Calif.

LOWEST TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F)..............24 Stanley, Idaho

LOWEST WIND CHILL (DEGREES F)...............24 Stanley, Idaho

HIGHEST WIND GUST (MPH).....................81 Alliance, Neb.

HIGHEST PRECIPITATION (INCHES)............4.94 Hollywood, Fla.

ON THIS DATE IN HISTORY:

In 1946 - 11.72 inches of rain fell at Mellen, Wis. in a 24 hour period. This is the greatest 24 hour rain ever recorded in the state. There was flooding on the Bad and White Rivers.

In 1952 - Hail up to 10 inches in circumference was reported in South Dakota. The large hailstones killed livestock and many people were hurt.

In 1991 - Three and a half inches of rain fell in 28 minutes in Scranton, N.D. One and a half foot drifts of marble size hail were also reported and front end loaders were needed to clear the streets.

Filed by: DTN/Meteorlogix

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