National Weather Summary for Sunday, July 20, 2008

NATIONAL WEATHER SUMMARY:

Yesterday in the East, rain with a few embedded thunderstorms spiraled into areas of southeastern North Carolina and northeastern South Carolina from Tropical Storm Cristobal. There have been localized rain amounts of over 3 inches especially in the Wilmington, North Carolina area yesterday morning. Winds within the heavier shower gusted over 30 mph at times. Meanwhile, a cluster of thunderstorms developed from eastern Michigan through New England yesterday afternoon and evening along a frontal boundary. Numerous severe storms occurred in New England. One inch diameter hail fell in Addison, Vermont yesterday afternoon. Damaging wind gusts from severe thunderstorms downed numerous trees in western and central Massachusetts, as well as New Hampshire. Southward through the Ohio Valley and Tennessee Valley, dry conditions were observed with just a couple of isolated showers and thunderstorms popping up over the Florida Peninsula and activity approaching the Gulf Coast.

In the central United States, thunderstorms brought heavy rain and severe weather yesterday the Dakotas into the Midwest. Storms produced damaging wind gusts in Murdo, South Dakota which flattened two stall garages and also blew over a cemented flag pole. There were numerous reports of tree damage in the town as well. Activity diminished during the morning hours but then redeveloped across eastern South Dakota, central and southern Minnesota, Iowa, and southern Wisconsin. Tornadoes touched down in Sherburne County in Minnesota, and in Kossuth, Carroll, and Marshall Counties in Iowa. Winds gusted to 70 mph due to a severe thunderstorm in Hopkinton, Iowa yesterday evening. Rainfall totals of 1-2" were common from South Dakota through northern Iowa and northern Illinois yesterday. Meanwhile, isolated showers and thunderstorms occurred in the southern Plains yesterday, but no severe weather occurred there.

Across the West yesterday, thunderstorms gained strength rapidly in northeastern Montana as the morning wore on. Golf ball size hail fell near Scobey, Montana by late in the morning as storms turned severe and in Four Buttes, Montana, quarter size hail covered the ground. Storms were moving slowly and producing heavy downpours as well. Meanwhile, southward through the Four Corners, very isolated showers were found in the morning, but showers and thunderstorms multiplied quickly in the afternoon. A severe thunderstorm generated 59 mph wind gusts in Milford, Utah yesterday, but widespread severe weather did not occur. Several storms in New Mexico and Arizona generated heavy rainfall. Along the West Coast, areas of morning fog gave way to fair weather in the afternoon.

WEATHER EXTREMES FOR YESTERDAY:

HIGHEST TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F)............121 Death Valley, CA

HIGHEST HEAT INDEX (DEGREES F).............121 Death Valley, CA

LOWEST TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F)..............25 Stanley, ID

LOWEST WIND CHILL (DEGREES F)...............25 Stanley, ID

HIGHEST WIND GUST (MPH).....................70 Hopkinton, IA

HIGHEST PRECIPITATION (INCHES)............3.40 Wilmington, NC

ON THIS DATE IN HISTORY:

In 1934, the high temperature at Keokuk, Iowa climbed to 118 degrees, which was the highest temperature ever recorded in the state.

In 1965, 18.18" of rain fell at Edgarton, Missouri, setting a 24-hour rainfall record for the state.

In 1989, 5.50" of rain fell near Alexander, Arkansas in just 90 minutes; the resulting flash flood killed one person.

In 1994, the high temperature at Seattle, Washington climbed to 100 degrees, which was the hottest temperature ever recorded in the city.

DTN-Meteorlogix

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