The Nations Weather

NATIONAL WEATHER SUMMARY:

In the East yesterday, an upper level disturbance brought rain showers and thunderstorms from the Carolinas down through Florida. A few strong to marginally severe storms hit southern Florida, producing frequent lightning, penny to quarter size hail, and wind gusts up to 60 mph. Rainfall amounts of generally up to 0.50 inch were reported; however, a few places reported over an inch of rain. Homestead, FL received 1.25 inches of new rainfall. To the north, a frontal boundary brought rain showers from the Great Lakes to New England. Rainfall amounts of generally up to 0.30 inches were reported. Fair weather dominated the rest of the Eastern United States.

Across the Central United States, a storm system generated rain showers and thunderstorms across the Plains, Upper Midwest, and Mississippi Valley through the day and into the overnight hours. Severe weather was reported throughout the Central and Southern Plains and the Mid Mississippi Valley. Tornadoes hit portions of Iowa, Nebraska, and Missouri, while large hail and damaging wind gusts were found from Nebraska to Iowa and down into Texas. Hail up to one inch in diameter was generally reported; however, northeastern Missouri got hit with hail from two to four inches in diameter. The largest hail stone was reported in Gallatin, Missouri, coming in at four inches. Strong wind gusts of 60 to 80 mph caused downed power lines and trees, as well as structural damage. The highest wind gust of 80 mph was felt at Jamesport, Missouri, and caused a car to blow off the highway. Rainfall amounts reached in excess 2 inches, with Marshalltown, Iowa getting pounded with 2.25 inches in 15 minutes.

In the West, a frontal boundary brought rain showers and mountain snow from the Intermountain West to the Northern Rockies, and down through the Great Basin and the Central Rockies. Rainfall amounts of up to 0.50 inches were reported, with snowfall accumulations of generally 3 to 10 inches found in the mountains. Record low maximum temperatures were also recorded in the north. Sheridan, Billings, and Miles City, Montana all set new records, topping out 44, 47, and 48 degrees respectively. Rain showers and thunderstorms impacted portions of Wyoming and Colorado, with severe weather reported. A few tornadoes touched down across eastern Wyoming and northeastern Colorado. Hail up to 3 inches in diameter and strong wind gusts of up to 75 mph also caused damage across the area.

WEATHER EXTREMES FOR YESTERDAY:

HIGHEST TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F)............102 Wink, TX

HIGHEST HEAT INDEX (DEGREES F).............104 Alice, TX

LOWEST TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F)..............29 Grand Canyon, AZ

.............................................. Mullan Pass, ID

LOWEST WIND CHILL (DEGREES F)...............24 Cut Bank, MT

.............................................. Mullan Pass, ID

HIGHEST WIND GUST (MPH).....................80 Jamesport, MO

HIGHEST PRECIPITATION (INCHES)............2.25 Marshalltown, IA

ON THIS DATE IN HISTORY:

In 1953, the worst tornado in Michigans history hit Flint, Michigan. The tornado was rated as an F5, destroying 200 houses and killing 116 people.

In 1974, there was a tornado outbreak in Oklahoma and Kansas. A total of 26 tornadoes were reported, with 22 in Oklahoma and 4 in Kansas. Tulsa, Oklahoma was hit by two F3 tornadoes that day, and also received 10 inches of rainfall.

In 1995, large hail pounded Crane, Texas. The hail measured 4 inches in diameter and lasted for 10 minutes. DTN/Meteorlogix

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