The Nations Weather

NATIONAL WEATHER SUMMARY: Thursday, October 23, 2008

In the East, scattered rain showers and isolated thunderstorms hovered over southern Florida through the afternoon and into the overnight period. For most, this resulted in light rainfall with a few lightning strikes. However, very heavy rain fell across the Key West, Florida area and amounted to a record 7.18 inches. This destroyed the old record of 2.54 inches set all the way back in 1898. Meanwhile, isolated rain and light snow showers dwindled away during the afternoon across portions of the Northeast. Little or no rain or snow accumulation occurred. Otherwise, high pressure brought quiet weather conditions to the Great Lakes, the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys, and the Mid-Atlantic.

An eventful weather day occurred in the central United States. Scattered showers and thunderstorms broke out along a cold front across portions of the central and southern Plains, extending into the Lower Mississippi Valley and the Ozarks. A few local storms became strong to severe near Houston, Texas during the afternoon. Golf Ball sized hail fell in portions of Houston. Locally heavy rainfall accompanied a few of these storms to the north. Joplin, Missouri picked up 1.67 inches of rain. Much cooler and blustery conditions build in behind the front across portions of the southern Plains in the afternoon. By late afternoon, readings dropped into the upper 40s and 50s as far south as northern Texas. Winds gusted over 50 mph at times. To the north, scattered rain showers occurred across portions of the northern and central Plains, along with the Upper Midwest. Some of the rain came down heavy at times, with a widespread area of 1-3 inches of rain. Rain showers gradually changed to snow showers across portions of central Nebraska by shortly after midnight. Little accumulation occurred so far, but several inches of snow was expected overnight in spots. This rain and snow was accompanied by strong winds. Winds gusted over 50 mph across scattered portions of the central High Plains.

In the West, strong offshore winds brought hot and dry conditions to portions of California. Highs along the California Coastline surged well into the 80s and 90s, which is well above normal for this time of year. In fact, downtown Los Angeles reported a high of 98 degrees yesterday. Winds gusted to 40-50 mph across portions of the state. Meanwhile, isolated snow showers occurred across the central Colorado mountains. Accumulations were generally minor as this activity was light in nature. Elsewhere, strong high pressure brought dry and cool conditions to the Great Basin, the rest of the Rockies, and the Pacific Northwest.

WEATHER EXTREMES FOR YESTERDAY:

HIGHEST TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F)............101 Miramar, CA

HIGHEST HEAT INDEX (DEGREES F).............101 Miramar, CA

LOWEST TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F)...............7 Stanley, ID

LOWEST WIND CHILL (DEGREES F)...............-8 Leadville, CO

HIGHEST WIND GUST (MPH).....................61 McCook, NE

HIGHEST PRECIPITATION (INCHES)............7.18 Key West, FL

ON THIS DATE IN HISTORY:

In 1761, a violent hurricane struck New England, causing tremendous damage in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

In 1843, Indian summer gave way to unseasonable cold and snow from Pennsylvania to Vermont. Albany, New York received 4 inches of snow and 6 inches of snow fell in Burlington, Vermont. A foot of snow fell in Haverhill, New Hampshire. Higher elevations received even more.

In 1989, a Pacific storm brought heavy rains to northern California and heavy snows to portions of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. 21 inches of snow fell at Donner Summit and three feet of snow fell across the mountains near Lake Tahoe, California.

DTN-Meteorlogix/N Hamblin

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