

MAY 1ST

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1854...

The Connecticut River reached a level of nearly twenty-nine feet at
Hartford (the highest level of record up until that time). The record
height was reached in the midst of a great New England flood which followed
sixty-six hours of steady rain. (David Ludlum)

...1935...

Snow, ice and sleet brought winter back to parts of southeast Minnesota.
Minneapolis received three inches of snow to tie their May record which was
established in 1892. (1st-2nd) (The Weather Channel)

...1954...

The temperature at Polebridge MT dipped to 5 degrees below zero to esablish
a state record for the month of May. (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

Thunderstorms produced large hail and heavy rain in Texas. Baseball size
hail pounded Dublin, and 3.75 inches of rain soaked Brady. (The National
Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1988...

Strong southerly winds ahead of a cold front crossing the Rocky Mountain
Region gusted to 90 mph at Lamar CO. High winds created blinding dust
storms in eastern Colorado, closing roads around Limon. (The National
Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1989...

Thunderstorms produced heavy rain in the southeastern U.S. Rainfall totals
of 1.84 inches at Charlotte NC and 2.86 inches at Atlanta GA were records
for the date. Strong thunderstorm winds uprooted trees in Twiggs County GA.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1990...

Thunderstorms produced severe weather from northern Alabama to North
Carolina. There were sixty-three reports of large hail or damaging winds,
with hail four inches in diameter reported near Cartersville GA. Ten cities
in the southeastern U.S. reported record high temperatures for the date as
readings warmed into the 90s. Jacksonville FL reported a record high of 96
degrees. Late night thunderstorms over central Texas produced up to ten
inches of rain in southern Kimble County and northern Edwards County. (The
National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

MAY 2ND

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1899...

A storm buried Havre MT under 24.8 inches of snow, an all-time record for
that location. The water equivalent of 2.48 inches was a record 24 hour
total for the month of May. (The Weather Channel)

...1920...

A swarm of tornadoes in Rogers, Mayes and Cherokee Counties in Oklahoma
killed 64 persons. (David Ludlum)

...1929...

Virginia's worst tornado disaster occurred. Six tornadoes, two of which
were west of the Blue Mountains, killed 22 people. Twelve children and a
teacher were killed at Rye Cove, in Scott County. Four schools were
destroyed by the storms. (The Weather Channel)

...1983...

Severe thunderstorms spawned twenty tornadoes across Michigan, Ohio,
Pennsylvania and New York State. The tornadoes caused five deaths. (The
Weather Channel)

...1987...

Thunderstorms in the Lower Mississippi Valley produced golf ball size hail
in northern Louisiana, and wind gusts to 77 mph at Lake Providence LA.
Thunderstorms in Arkansas produced 4.20 inches of rain at Arkadelphia and
4.00 inches at Bismarck. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

...1988...

A powerful storm produced snow and high winds in the Central Rockies and
the Central High Plains Region. Snowfall totals in Colorado ranged up to 12
inches at Strasburg, and winds in southeastern Colorado gusted to 87 mph at
Lamar. Snow and high winds created blizzard conditions in eastern Colorado
and southeastern Wyoming. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1989...

Thunderstorms developing to the north of a warm front produced severe
weather in Oklahoma and Texas. There were 93 reports of severe weather.
Thunderstorm winds gusted to 80 mph at Beattie, and baseball size hail was
reported at Ranger and Breckenridge. Juneau AK reported a record high
temperature of 72 degrees while Honolulu equalled their record low for the
month of May with a reading of 60 degrees. (The National Weather Summary)
(Storm Data)

...1990...

Fourteen cities in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina reported record high
temperatures for the date as readings soared into the 90s. Tampa FL
reported a record high of 97 degrees, and Fort Stewart GA was the hot spot
in the nation with a reading of 100 degrees.

Thunderstorms produced severe weather from northeastern Texas to western
Arkansas during the evening and early nighttime hours. Thunderstorms
spawned a tornado which injured thirteen persons at Paris TX, and produced
baseball size hail at Rio Vista TX. Thunderstorm rains of four to seven
inches caused flash flooding in west central Arkansas, southern and eastern
Oklahoma, and northern Texas. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

MAY 3RD

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1978...

Persistent thunderstorms caused widespread flooding in southeastern
Louisiana and extreme southeastern Mississippi. Rainfall totals of ten to
thirteen and a half inches were reported around New Orleans causing the
worst flooding in thirty years. The water depth reached three to four feet
in several hundred homes, and total property damage was estimated at one
hundred million dollars. (David Ludlum)

...1987...

Thunderstorms produced severe weather in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas.
Softball size hail was reported at Center Point TX, and a tornado caused
three million dollars damage near Satanta KS. Heavy snow blanketed the
foothills of eastern Colorado, with 18 inches reported at Divide. (The
National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1988...

Thunderstorms brought much needed rains to the drought- stricken central
U.S. Evening thunderstorms produced large hail in North Carolina. Baseball
size hail was reported west of Mooresville NC. (The National Weather
Summary) (Storm Data)

...1989...

Thunderstorms produced severe weather in the Southern and Central Plains
Region. Thunderstorm winds gusted to 72 mph at Graford TX, and baseball
size hail was reported at Graham TX and Lake Kemp TX. (The National Weather
Summary) (Storm Data)

...1990...

A stubborn late season storm slowly crawled across southern Colorado the
first three days of the month producing heavy snow from the San Juan
Mountains to the southeast plains. The storm produced up to three feet of
snow in the higher elevations of southern Colorado, and 18 to 22 inches of
snow along the eastern slopes of the Central Mountains of New Mexico.
Pueblo CO reported a record 10.6 inches of snow for the month as a result
of the storm, and a record total for the winter season of 69.6 inches. (The
National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

MAY 4TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1812...

A storm produced snow from Philadelphia to Maine. A foot of snow fell near
Keene NH, and in Massachusetts, nine inches fell at Waltham, located near
Boston. (David Ludlum)

...1917...

A late season snowstorm in northwest Texas produced up to eight inches of
snow in Potter County and Armstrong County. (David Ludlum)

...1922...

Austin TX was hit twice by tornadoes which struck within thirty minutes of
each other. Twelve persons were killed in the tornadoes. (The Weather
Channel)

...1977...

A tornado 500 yards in width struck Pleasant Hill MO severely damaging the
high school and grade school. Only minor injuries were reported among the
more than 1000 teaches and students due to excellent warnings and prior
tornado drills. (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

Thunderstorms produced severe weather in the southeastern U.S., with South
Carolina hardest hit. Thunderstorm winds toppled trees seventy feet high in
Spartanburg County SC, and knocked homes off their foundations near
Bishopville SC. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

...1988...

Thunderstorms produced large hail in North Carolina, but brought welcome
rains to much of the rest of the eastern U.S. Residents of New England
finally saw sunshine after about a week of clouds and rain. (The National
Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1989...

Thunderstorms produced severe weather in the Southern Plains Region and the
Lower Mississippi Valley. Thunderstorms spawned fifteen tornadoes, and
there were 340 reports of large hail and damaging winds. Hail three inches
in diameter, and 9.39 inches of rain, resulted in more than 130 million
dollars damage at Monroe LA. Thunderstorm winds gusted to 100 mph at Epps
LA and Fort Worth TX. A thunderstorm north of Mineral Wells TX produced
high winds which unroofed a nightclub, turning it into a "topless club".
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1990...

Thunderstorms produced severe weather from the Lower Ohio Valley to
Virginia and the Carolinas. A tornado at Augusta Springs VA killed two
people and injured ten others, and another tornado caused 1.7 million
dollars damage at Colonial Heights VA. Temp-eratures soared into the 90s in
northern California. The high of 98 degrees in downtown Sacramento was
their hottest reading of record for so early in the season. (The National
Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

MAY 5TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1917...

The same storm which a day earlier produced eight inches of snow in the
Texas panhandle, produced a foot of snow at Denver CO, their heaviest snow
of record for the month of May. (David Ludlum)

...1930...

The temperature at College Park VA soared from 43 degrees to 93 degrees to
begin an exceptional heat wave. (Sandra and TI Richard Sanders - 1987)

...1987...

Unseasonably hot weather prevailed in the western U.S. A dozen cities in
California reported record high temperatures for the date. Afternoon highs
of 93 degrees at San Francisco, 98 degrees at San Jose, 100 degrees at
Sacramento, and 101 degrees at Redding, were the warmest of record for so
early in the season. The high of 94 degrees at Medford OR was also the
warmest of record for so early in the season. (The National Weather
Summary)

Parts of the western U.S. were in the midst of a blistering May heat wave.
The reading of 100 degrees in Downtown Sacramento CA was their earliest of
record. Sacramento CA established daily record highs on nine of eleven days
between the 4th and the 14th. (The Weather Channel)

...1988...

A stubborn low pressure system continued to drench the eastern U.S. with
rain. Thunderstorms again produced large hail in North Carolina. (The
National Weather Summary)

...1989...

Thunderstorms swept across Georgia and the Carolinas during the late
afternoon and evening hours spawning seventeen tornadoes. A tornado at
Toccoa GA injured 15 persons, and a tornado at Chesnee SC killed two
persons and injured 35 others. Five tornadoes in North Carolina accounted
for five deaths, 88 injuries, and sixty million dollars damage.
Thunderstorms also produced baseball size hail at Lake Murray SC, and wind
gusts to 78 mph at Brooklyn MD. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1990...

A strong Pacific cold front moving rapidly inland caused weather conditions
at the east end of the Strait of Juan de Fuca in Washington State to
quickly change from sunny and calm to westerly winds of 60 mph and ten-foot
waves. Three recreational fishing boats capsized in heavy seas off Port
Angeles resulting in five deaths. In California, temperatures soared above
90 degrees across much of the state. The high of 101 degrees in downtown
Los Angeles was eight degrees hotter than their previous record for the
date. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

MAY 6TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1933...

Charleston SC was deluged with 10.57 inches of rain, an all- time 24 hour
record for that location. (The Weather Channel)

...1975...

A massive tornado hit Omaha NE killing three persons, injuring 133 others,
and causing 150 million dollars damage. The tornado struck during the late
afternoon moving northeastward through the industrial and residential areas
of west central Omaha, and lifting over the northern section of the city.
The twister, which cut a swath ten miles long and as much as a quarter of a
mile wide, was the mostly costly in U.S. history up til that time. (David
Ludlum)

...1987...

Eighteen cities in California and Oregon reported record high temperatures
for the date. Highs of 91 degrees at Portland OR, 101 degrees at Medford
OR, and 104 degrees at Sacramento CA, were the warmest of record for so
early in the season. (The National Weather Summary)

...1988...

A major storm brought high winds to the western half of the country. A wind
gust of 74 mph at Pueblo CO broke their May record established just four
days earlier, and winds in the Arapahoe Ski Basin area of Colorado reached
85 mph. In North Dakota, the high winds reduced visibilities to near zero
in blowing dust closing many roads. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm
Data)

...1989...

Sixteen cities in the north central U.S. reported record low temperatures
for the date. Morning lows of 17 at Bismarck ND and 26 at Minneapolis MN
were the coldest of record for so late in the season. A reading of 43
degrees at the start of the Kentucky Derby was the coldest in 115 years of
records. Light snow was reported in the Upper Midwest, with an inch
reported at Chicago IL. (The National Weather Summary)

...1990...

Snow and high winds prevailed behind a Pacific cold front crossing the
northwestern U.S. Wind gusts above 50 mph were reported in southeastern
Idaho, and heavy snow blanketed the Cascade Mountains of Washington State,
with twelve inches reported at Stampede Pass. (The National Weather
Summary)

MAY 7TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1840...

A powerful tornado wrecked many boats at the Natchez Landing in
Mississippi, then plowed through the city on the bluff. The tornado killed
317 persons, and caused a million dollars damage. The force of the storm
caused houses to burst open. The tornado was the most deadly and
destructive in early American history. (David Ludlum)

...1964...

The temperature at White Mountain 2, located in California, dipped to 15
degrees below zero to set a record for May for the continental U.S. (The
Weather Channel)

...1987...

Thirty-one cities in the western U.S. reported record high temperatures for
the date. Highs of 93 degrees at Portland OR and San Jose CA were the
warmest of record for so early in the season. The high of 92 degrees at
Quillayute WA was a record for the month of May. The temperature at
Sacramento CA hit 105 degrees. (The National Weather Summary)

...1988...

A powerful storm in the north central U.S. produced up to three feet of
snow in the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming and the mountains of south central
Montana. Up to five inches of rain drenched central Montana in less than 24
hours, and flash flooding in Wyoming caused a million dollars damage.
(Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

...1989...

Thirty-two cities in the central and eastern U.S. reported record low
temperatures for the date, and 24 hour snowfall totals of 7.2 inches at
Buffalo NY and 10.7 inches at Rochester NY were records for the month of
May. While northerly winds ushered unseasonably cold air into the eastern
U.S., temperatures warmed rapidly in the Great Plains Region, reaching the
90s in Kansas. The temperature at Manhattan KS soared from a low of 30
degrees to a high of 88 degrees. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm
Data)

...1990...

Gale force winds lashed the northern and central Pacific coast. A wind gust
of 52 mph at Eureka CA established a record for the month of May. Strong
winds over northeastern Colorado, associated with a fast moving Pacific
cold front, gusted to 63 mph at Peetz. Snow developed over the northwest
mountains of Wyoming late in the day, and Yellowstone National Park was
whitened with 6 to 14 inches. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

MAY 8TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1784...

A deadly hailstorm in South Carolina hit the town of Winnsborough. The
hailstones, measuring as much as nine inches in circumference, killed
several persons, and a great number of sheep, lambs and birds. (David
Ludlum)

...1803...

A freak spring storm produced heavy snow from southern Indiana to New
England. The storm made sleighing possible in Massachusetts, but also
ruined shade trees in Philadelphia. (David Ludlum)

...1981...

The Dallas/Fort Worth area experienced its worst hailstorm of record as
baseball to grapefruit size hail, accompanied by 100 mph winds, caused
nearly 200 million dollars damage. Hail accumulated eight inches deep at
Cedar Hill TX. (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

Twenty-eight cities in the northwestern U.S. reported record high
temperatures for the date. The record high of 95 degrees at Redding CA was
their fifth in a row, and the record high of 102 degrees at Hanover WA was
just one degree shy of their record for May. (The National Weather Summary)

...1988...

Thunderstorms in the Mississippi Valley spawned a total of 57 tornadoes,
including 24 in Wisconsin, and a record 22 tornadoes in one day in Iowa.
There were also more than 200 reports of large hail and damaging winds.
Baseball size hail was reported at Terre Bonne Mo. At Rockford IL one
person was temporarily trapped inside a portable toilet toppled by
thunderstorm winds gusting to 80 mph. Fortuntely, not a single person was
killed in the "Mother's Day" tornado outbreak. (The National Weather
Summary) (Storm Data)

...1989...

Twenty-one cities in the eastern U.S. reported record low temperatures for
the date. Lows of 28 degrees at Asheville NC and 31 degrees at Greer SC
were records for May. (The National Weather Summary)

...1990...

Thunderstorms produced severe weather in northwestern and north central
Kansas during the evening and night. Thunderstorms produced hail three
inches in diameter at Brewster, and wind gusts to 92 mph south of Wakeeney.
Thunderstorms over northwest Iowa deluged the town of Boone with five
inches of rain flooding basements and leaving some areas under four feet of
water. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

MAY 9TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1966...

Record snows fell in the northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania,
including 3.1 inches at Pittsburgh PA and 5.4 inches at Youngstown OH. Snow
also extended across parts of New York State, with eight inches reported in
the southern Adirondacks. (The Weather Channel)

...1977...

A late season snowstorm hit parts of Pennsylvania, New York State, and
southern and central New England. Heavier snowfall totals included 27
inches at Slide Mountain NY and 20 inches at Norwalk CT. At Boston it was
the first May snow in 107 years of records. The heavy wet snow caused
extensive damage to trees and power lines. The homes of half a million
persons were without power following the storm. (9th-10th) (David Ludlum)
(The Weather Channel)

...1985...

Lightning struck some trees about 150 yards away from a home in Alabama,
and followed the driveway to the home. The charge went through the house
and burned all the electrical outlets, ruined appliances, and blasted a
hole in the concrete floor of the basement. (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

Unseasonably warm weather spread from the Pacific Northwest to the Upper
Mississippi Valley. Fifteen cities reported record high temperatures for
the date. It was the fourth day of record warmth for Eugene OR and Salem
OR. (The National Weather Summary)

...1988...

A massive cyclone in the central U.S. produced severe thunder- storms from
eastern Texas to the Upper Ohio Valley. A strong (F-3) tornado ripped
through Middleboro KY causing more than 22 million dollars damage.
Thunderstorms in east central Texas produced hail three and a half inches
in diameter at Groesbeck, and near Fairfield. (The National Weather
Summary) (Storm Data)

...1989...

Thunderstorms developing ahead of a cold front in the south central U.S.
produced golf ball size hail and wind gusts to 62 mph at Mira LA, and
during the morning hours drenched Stuttgart AR with five inches of rain.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1990...

Thunderstorms produced severe weather in the central U.S. during the
evening hours, mainly from southeastern Missouri to southwestern Indiana.
Severe thunderstorms spawned four tornadoes, including two strong (F-2)
tornadoes in southern Illinois. Strong thunderstorm winds gusted to 85 mph
at Orient IL, and to 100 mph at West Salem. Thunderstorms drenched
northeastern Illinois with up to 4.50 inches of rain. (The National Weather
Summary) (Storm Data)

MAY 10TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1905...

A deadly tornado hit the town of Snyder OK killing 87 persons. The tornado
leveled 100 homes in Snyder, and destroyed many others. The large and
violent tornado killed a total of 97 persons along its 40 miles path across
southwestern Oklahoma. Its roar could reportedly be heard up to twelve
miles away. (David Ludlum) (The Weather Channel)

...1966...

Morning lows of 21 degrees at Bloomington-Normal IL and Aurora IL
established a state record for the month of May. (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

Summer-like "Father's Day" type weather prevailed in the north central and
western U.S. for "Mother's Day", as seventeen cities reported record high
temperatures for the date. Jamestown ND soared to a record high of 96
degrees. Thunderstorms along the Central Gulf Coast deluged Lillian AL with
14.5 inches of rain, and nearby Perdido Key FL with 12.8 inches of rain.
(Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

...1988...

Thunderstorms produced hail and high winds over the Atlantic Coast Region
and the Gulf Coast States marking the end of a five day episode of severe
weather associated with a cyclone tracking out of the Great Basin into
southeastern Canada. (The National Weather Summary)

...1989...

Thunderstorms developing ahead of a cold front crossing the Plateau Region
produced wind gusts to 75 mph at Butte MT, and gusts to 77 mph at Choteau
MT. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1990...

A spring storm produced heavy snow in Upper Michigan and eastern Wiscosin.
Totals ranged up to 12 inches at Marquette MI, with eight inches reported
at Muskego WI and Hartford WI. The heavy wet snow, and winds gusting to 35
mph, damaged or destroyed thousands of trees, and downed numerous power
lines. Total damage from the storm was more than four million dollars.
(Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

MAY 11TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1953...

A tornado hit Waco TX killing 114 persons and burying some downtown streets
under five feet of fallen bricks. (The Weather Channel)

...1966...

The 1.6 inch snow at Chicago IL was their latest measurable snow of record.
Previously the record was 3.7 inches on the 1st and 2nd of May set in 1940.
(The Weather Channel)

...1970...

A very powerful tornado struck the city of Lubbock TX killing 26 persons,
injuring more than 500 others, and causing 135 million dollars damage. It
was the most destructive tornado of record up until that time, and came on
the 17th anniversary of the twister which struck Waco TX killing 114
persons. A second tornado killed two others persons in Lubbock, and the two
tornadoes damaged or destroyed nearly a quarter of the city. (David Ludlum)
(The Weather Channel)

...1987...

Early morning thunderstorms produced up to four inches of rain in southern
Texas, with flooding reported from Maverick County to Eagle Pass. Evening
thunderstorms in northern Illinois produced golf ball size hail and wind
gusts to 70 mph. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

...1988...

Unseasonably warm weather prevailed in the southwestern U.S. Reno NV
reported a record high of 89 degrees. (The National Weather Summary)

...1989...

Afternoon and evening thunderstorms produced severe weather in the High
Plains Region. Thunderstorm winds gusted to 71 mph at Gillette WY, and
baseball size hail was reported at Pecos TX and Fort Stockton TX. Fort
Stockton TX was deluged with 7.75 inches of rain in less than two hours.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1990...

Unseasonably cold weather followed in the wake of a spring storm in the
north central U.S. Seven cities reported record low temperatures for the
date, including Madison WI with a reading of 29 degrees.

Thunderstorms produced severe weather in Kansas, Oklahoma and the northern
half of Texas. Severe thunderstorms spawned four tornadoes in Texas, and
produced high winds which overturned four mobile homes northwest of Abilene
TX injuring ten persons. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

MAY 12TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1934...

A dust storm darkened skies from Oklahoma to the Atlantic coast. (David
Ludlum)

...1971...

Duststorms suddenly reduced visibilities to near zero on Interstate Highway
10 near casa Grande AZ. Chain reaction accidents involving cars and trucks
resulted, killing seven persons. (The Weather Channel)

...1972...

In Texas, A cloudburst dumped sixteen inches of rain north of New Braunfels
sending a thirty foot wall of water down Blueders Creek into the Comal and
Guadalupe Rivers washing away people, houses and automobiles. The flood
claimed 18 lives and caused more than twenty million dollars damage. (The
Weather Channel)

...1982...

A late season snowstorm struck the Front Range of the Colorado Rockies. The
storm produced 46 inches of snow at Coal Creek Canyon, located near
Boulder. (David Ludlum)

...1987...

A heat wave persisted in central California. Afternoon highs of 100 degrees
at Fresno CA and 102 degrees at Sacramento CA were records for the date.
(The National Weather Summary)

...1988...

Unseasonably warm weather prevailed in the western U.S. Eight cities
reported record high temperatures for the date, including Pendleton OR with
a high of 92 degrees and Phoenix AZ with a reading of 106 degrees. (The
National Weather Summary)

...1989...

Showers and thunderstorms associated with a low pressure system stalled
over New York State drenched Portland ME with 4.50 inches of rain in 24
hours. Rains of 5 to 7 inches soaked the state of Maine over a four day
period causing 1.3 million dollars damage. (The National Weather Summary)
(Storm Data)

...1990...

Thunderstorms produced severe weather from eastern Texas and the Central
Gulf Coast States into Missouri and Illinois. Thunderstorms spawned six
tornadoes, including one which injured four persons at Doloroso MS.
Thunderstorms also produced hail three inches in diameter west of Vicksburg
MS, and wind gusts to 83 mph in southern Illinois, north of Vevay Park and
at the Coles County Airport. High winds and heavy rain caused 1.6 million
dollars crop damage in Calhoun County IL, and in southeastern Louisiana,
Saint Joseph was deluged with eight inches of rain. (The National Weather
Summary) (Storm Data)

MAY 13TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1930...

A man was killed when caught in an open field during a hailstorm northwest
of Lubbock TX. It was the first, and perhaps the only, authentic death by
hail in U.S. weather records. (David Ludlum)

...1981...

A tornado 450 yards in width destroyed ninety percent of Emberson TX.
People did not see a tornado, but rather a wall of debris. Homes were
leveled, a man in a bathtub was hurled a quarter of a mile, and a 1500
pound recreational vehicle was hurled 500 yards. Miraculously no deaths
occurred in the tornado. (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

A cold front brought an end to the early season warm spell in the north
central U.S., but not before the temperature at Sioux City IA soared to a
record warm 95 degrees. Strong southwesterly winds ahead of the cold front
gusted to 52 mph at Marais MI. Evening thunderstorms produced golf ball
size hail at Rockford MN, and wind gusts to 75 mph at Belmond IA. (Storm
Data) (The National Weather Summary)

...1988...

Strong winds along a cold front ushering cold air into the northwestern
U.S. gusted to 69 mph at Myton UT. Temperatures warmed into the 80s ahead
of the cold front, as far north as Montana. (The National Weather Summary)
(Storm Data)

...1989...

Thunderstorms developing along a warm front produced severe weather in the
Southern Plains Region during the afternoon and night. A thunderstorm at
Killeen TX produced wind gusts to 95 mph damaging 200 helicopters at Fort
Hood causing nearly 500 million dollars damage. Another thunderstorm
produced softball size hail at Hodges TX. (The National Weather Summary)
(Storm Data)

...1990...

Thunderstorms developing ahead of a cold front spawned ten tornadoes from
eastern Wyoming to northern Kansas, including seven in western Nebraska.
Thunderstorms forming ahead of a cold front in the eastern U.S. spawned
five tornadoes from northeastern North Carolina to southern Pennsylvania.
Thunderstorms over southeast Louisiana deluged the New Orleans area with
four to eight inches of rain between 7 AM and Noon. (The National Weather
Summary) (Storm Data)

MAY 14TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1896...

The mercury plunged to 10 degrees below zero at Climax CO. It was the
lowest reading of record for the U.S. during the month of May. (David
Ludlum)

...1898...

A severe thunderstorm, with some hailstones up to 9.5 inches in
circumference, pounded a four mile wide path across Kansas City MO.
South-facing windows were broken in nearly every house in central and
eastern parts of the city, and several persons were injured. An even larger
hailstone was thought to have been found, but it turned out to be a chunk
of ice tossed out the window of a building by a prankster. (The Kansas City
Weather Almanac) (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

Seven cities across the western U.S. reported record high temperatures for
the date as unseasonably hot weather made a comeback. The record high of
103 degrees at Sacramento CA was their ninth in eleven days, and also
marked a record seven days of 100 degree heat for the month. Their previous
record was two days of 100 degree heat in May. (The National Weather
Summary)

...1988...

Sunny and dry weather prevailed across the nation. Temperatures warmed into
the 80s and lower 90s in the Great Plains Region and the Mississippi
Valley. (The National Weather Summary)

...1989...

Thunderstorms developing along a stationary front produced severe weather
in south central Texas and the Southern High Plains Region during the
afternoon and evening hours. Thunderstorms produced softball size hail at
Spearman TX and Hitchcock TX. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1990...

Thunderstorms developing ahead of a cold front produced severe weather from
northwest Texas to western Missouri. Severe thunder- storms spawned
seventeen tornadoes, including nine in Texas. Four tornadoes in Texas
injured a total of nine persons. Thunderstorms in Texas also produced hail
four inches in diameter at Shamrock, and hail four and a half inches in
diameter near Guthrie. Thunder- storms over northeastern Kansas produced
more than seven inches of rain in Chautauqua County between 9 PM and
midnight. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

MAY 15TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1834...

The Northern Atlantic Coast States were in the midst of their greatest May
snowstorm of record. The hills around Newbury VT were covered with two to
three feet of snow. (David Ludlum)

...1968...

A tornado touched down southwest of Anchorage AK. It was the second of just
three tornadoes reported in Alaska since 1950. (The Weather Channel)

...1972...

The worst ice jam flooding of memory for long-time residents took place
along the Kuskokwim River and Yukon River in Alaska. It was the first time
since 1890 that the two rivers "flowed as one". The towns of Oscarville and
Napaskiak were completely inundated. (15th-31st) (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

Unseasonably warm weather returned to the north central U.S. Seven cities
reported record high temperatures for the date, including Janestown ND with
a reading of 96 degrees. Thunderstorms in Utah produced five inches of rain
south of Bicknell. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1988...

Thunderstorms in Oklahoma produced wind gusts to 80 mph in Oklahoma County,
and baseball size hail at Pawnee. Hail piled up to a depth of 18 inches
south of Pawnee. Hail damage in Oklahoma was estimated at close to 25
million dollars. Thunderstorms in the Upper Midwest produced golf ball size
hail around Cleveland OH, and wind gusts to 83 mph at Angola IND. (Storm
Data) (The National Weather Summary)

...1989...

Thunderstorms developing along and north of a stationary front produced
severe weather in the south central U.S. Thunderstorms spawned eleven
tornadoes, and there were 145 reports of large hail and damaging winds.
Softball size hail caused 2.1 million dollars damage at Sherman TX. (The
National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1990...

Thunderstorms produced severe weather from the Central Plains Region and
Oklahoma to Indiana and western Kentucky. Thunderstorms spawned fifteen
tornadoes, including seven in Oklahoma, and there were 165 reports of large
hail or damaging winds. A tornado killed one person, injured a dozen
others, and caused four million dollars damage at Stillwater OK. Another
tornado injured eight persons at Foyil OK. Thunderstorms in Oklahoma also
produced wind gusts to 92 mph at Oologah Lake, and softball size hail at
Canton and north of Oakwood. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

MAY 16TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1874...

The Mill Creek disaster occurred west of Northhampton MA. Dam slippage
resulted in a flash flood which claimed 143 lives, and caused a million
dollars property damage. (David Ludlum)

...1924...

The temperature at Blitzen OR soared to 108 degrees to set a state record
for the month of May. The record was later tied at Pelton Dam on the 31st
of May in 1986. (The Weather Channel)

...1952...

High winds in the Wasatch Canyon of Utah struck Ogden and Brigham City.
Winds at Hill Air Force Base gusted to 92 mph. (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

It was a summer-like day as thunderstorms abounded across the nation.
Thunderstorms in Texas drenched Guadelupe County with more than three
inches of rain resulting in flash flooding. (The National Weather Summary)
(Storm Data)

...1988...

Afternoon and evening thunderstorms developing ahead of a cold front
produced severe weather from Florida to New York State. Unseasonably warm
weather prevailed in the north central U.S. Havre MT reported a record high
of 95 degrees. (The National Weather Summary)

...1989...

Thunderstorms developing ahead of a cold front produced severe weather in
the south central U.S. Thunderstorms spawned twenty tornadoes, and there
were 180 reports of large hail and damaging winds. A tornado at Cleburne TX
caused 30 million dollars damage. A violent (F-4) tornado touched down near
Brackettville TX, and a strong (F-3) tornado killed one person and injured
28 others at Jarrell TX. Thunderstorms also produced softball size hail at
Shamrock TX. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1990...

Thunderstorms produced severe weather from eastern Oklahoma and
northeastern Texas to the Upper Ohio Valley. Thunderstorms spawned
seventeen tornadoes, including a twister which killed one person and
injured another north of Corning AR. There were 128 reports of large hail
or damaging winds. Strong thunderstorm winds killed one person and injured
six others at Folsomville IN, and injured another five persons in
southeastern Hardin County KY. In Arkansas, baseball size hail was reported
near Fouke and near El Dorado. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

MAY 17TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1883...

A three day flood in the Black Hills of western South Dakota resulted in a
million dollars damage at Rapid City. (David Ludlum)

...1979...

A reading of 12 degrees at Mauna Kea Observatory established an all-time
record low for the state of Hawaii. (The Weather Channel)

...1983...

A golfer playing the Fox Meadows Course in Memphis TN was struck by a bolt
of lightning that went through his neck, down his spine, came out a pocket
containing his keys, and went into a nearby tree. Miraculously, he
survived! (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

A summer-like weather pattern continued, with warm temperatures and
scattered thunderstorms across much of the nation. A cold front in the
north central U.S. produced a sharp contrast in the weather across the
state of Minnesota during the afternoon. At the same time Duluth was 50
degrees with rain and fog, Mankato was 95 degrees with sunny skies. (The
National Weather Summary)

...1988...

Thunderstorms produced large hail and damaging winds over the Carolinas
during the afternoon and evening. A "thunderstorm of a lifetime" in
northern Spartanburg County SC produced hail for forty-five minutes,
leaving some places knee-deep in hail. (The National Weather Summary)
(Storm Data)

...1989...

Thunderstorms ravaged the south central U.S. with severe weather for the
third day in a row. Thunderstorms spawned another nineteen tornadoes, for a
total of fifty tornadoes in three days. A strong (F-2) tornado injured 14
persons and caused two million dollars damage at Apple Springs TX. Baseball
size hail was reported at Matador TX. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm
Data)

...1990...

Thunderstorms developing along a cold front produced severe weather in New
York State during the late morning and afternoon. A tornado injured one
person at Warren, and wind gusts to 80 mph were reported at Owego. Evening
thunderstorms over southwest Texas produced wind gusts to 80 mph at Marfa,
along with golf ball size hail which accumulated to a depth of ten inches.
Late night thunderstorms over southwest Texas proudced up to seven inches
of rain in western Crockett County. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm
Data)

MAY 18TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1825...

A tornado (said to have crossed all of the state of Ohio) smashed into the
log cabin settlement of Burlington, northeast of Columbus. (David Ludlum)

...1960...

Salt Lake City UT received an inch of snow. It marked their latest
measurable snowfall of record. (The Weather Channel)

...1980...

Mount Saint Helens (in Washington State) erupted spewing ash and smoke
sixty-three thousand feet into the air. Heavy ash covered the ground to the
immediate northwest, and small particles were carried to the Atlantic
coast. (David Ludlum)

...1987...

Thunderstorms in Kansas, developing along a cold front, spawned tornadoes
at Emporia and Toledo, produced wind gusts to 65 mph at Fort Scott, and
produced golf ball size hail in the Kansas City area. Unseasonably hot
weather prevailed ahead of the cold front. Pomona NJ reported a record high
of 93 degrees, and Altus OK hit 100 degrees. (The National Weather Summary)
(Storm Data)

...1988...

Low pressure anchored over eastern Virginia kept showers and thunderstorms
over the Middle Atlantic Coast Region. Flash flooding was reported in
Pennsylvania. Up to five inches of rain drenched Franklin County PA in 24
hours. (The National Weather Summary)

...1989...

Thunderstorms developing ahead of a cold front produced severe weather from
the Central Gulf Coast States to the Lower Missouri Valley during the day
and evening. Thunderstorms spawned sixteen tornadoes, and there were 74
reports of large hail and damaging winds. (The National Weather Summary)
(Storm Data)

...1990...

Thunderstorms produced severe weather in the central U.S. spawning a
sixteen tornadoes, including a dozen in Nebraska. Thunderstorms also
produced hail four inches in diameter at Perryton TX, wind gusts to 84 mph
at Ellis KS, and high winds which caused nearly two million dollars damage
at Sutherland NE. Thunderstorms deluged Sioux City IA with up to eight
inches of rain, resulting in a record flood crest on Perry Creek and at
least 4.5 million dollars damage. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm
Data)

MAY 19TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1780...

The infamous "dark day" in New England tradition. At noon it was nearly as
dark as night. Chickens went to roost, and many persons were fearful of
divine wrath. The phenomena was caused by forest fires to the west of New
England. (David Ludlum)

...1955...

Lake Maloya NM received 11.28 inches of rain in 24 hours to establish a
state record. (The Weather Channel)

...1975...

Thunderstorms produced golf ball size hail and wind gusts to 110 mph in
Minnesota, between Fridley and Hugo. Fifty persons were injured. The hail
and high winds destroyed fifty mobile homes, and a dozen aircraft, and also
destroyed a third of the Brighton Elementary School. (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

Thunderstorms in Texas produced thirteen inches of rain northwest of
Lavernia. The heavy rain, along with golf ball size hail, destroyed eighty
percent of the crops in the area, while high winds toppled trees. Golf ball
size hail was also reported south of Dallas and around San Antonio. Up to
eight inches of rain drenched Guadelupe County. (The National Weather
Summary) (Storm Data)

...1988...

Severe thunderstorms in southwest Texas produced hail as large as tennis
balls around Midland, with the hail accumulating up to a foot deep. Showers
and thunderstorms in the Middle Atlantic Coast Region produced 3.5 inches
of rain near Schuylkill PA. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1989...

Thunderstorms developing ahead of a cold front spawned ten tornadoes from
Illinois to Tennessee during the afternoon and night. Snow, wind and cold
prevailed in the Northern Plateau Region and the Northern Rockies. Dixie ID
was blanketed with nine inches of snow, winds gusted to 87 mph at Choteau
MT, and the temperature at Crater Lake OR dipped to 11 degrees. (Storm
Data) (The National Weather Summary)

...1990...

Thunderstorms deluged Hot Springs AR with thirteen inches of rain in nine
hours resulting in a devastating flood. Two waves of water, four to six
feet deep, swept down Central Avenue flooding stores and the famous
bathhouses on Bathhouse Row. Water released from Lake Hamilton devastated
the area between it and Remmel Dam. The 500 foot Carpenter Dam Bridge
across Lake Catherine was completely washed away, as were cabins and mobile
homes near the lake, many of which flowed right over the top of Remmel Dam.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

MAY 20TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1894...

A record late snow of two to eight inches whitened parts of central and
eastern Kentucky. Lexington KY received six inches of snow. (The Weather
Channel)

...1916...

A tornado struck the town of Codell KS. A tornado struck the town on the
same day the following year (1917), and a third tornado hit Cordell on May
20th in 1918. (The Weather Channel)

...1957...

A tornado touched down to the southwest of Kansas City and traveled a
distance of seventy-one miles cutting a swath of near total destruction
through the southeastern suburbs of Ruskin Heights and Hickman Mills. The
tornado claimed the lives of forty-five persons, and left hundreds
homeless. It was the worst weather disaster of record for Kansas City.
About all that remained of one house was a small table and a fish bowl
atop, with the fish still swimming about inside the bowl, rather
unconcerned. (The Kansas City Weather Almanac)

...1987...

Thunderstorms in southern Texas produced grapefruit size hail, near the
town of Dilley ("by dilly"), and produced wind gusts to 73 mph at Lake
Amistad. The large hail broke windows, killed small animals, and damaged
watermelon. Thunderstorms developing along a warm front produced severe
weather from Indiana to the Dakotas. Thunderstorms produced baseball size
hail at Denver IA, and wind gusts to 80 mph in southern Henry County IL.
(Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

...1988...

Thunderstorms in the south central U.S. produced wind gusts to 70 mph at
Omaha NE, and wind gusts to 80 mph at Midland TX and Dallas TX.
Temperatures in California soared into the 90s and above 100 degrees. San
Jose CA reported a record high of 97 degrees. (The National Weather
Summary) (Storm Data)

...1989...

Pre-dawn thunderstorms produced large hail in eastern Oklahoma and
northwestern Arkansas. Later in the morning thunderstorms in North Carolina
produced dime size hail at Hanging Dog. Thunder- storms also produced
severe weather from the Lower Mississippi Valley to the Central Plains
Region later that day and night, with baseball size hail reported around
Lawn TX, Novice TX, and Eola TX. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm
Data)

...1990...

Thunderstorms produced severe weather across the southeastern quarter of
the nation through the day and night. Severe thunder-storms spawned six
tornadoes, including one which injured two persons at Algoma MS and another
which injured nine persons at Rogersville MO. There were 119 reports of
large hail or damaging winds. Thunderstorms produced baseball size hail at
Houston MO and damaging winds which killed one person at Toccoa GA. (Storm
Data) (The National Weather Summary)

MAY 21ST

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1860...

A swarm of tornadoes occurred in the Ohio Valley. Tornadoes struck the
cities of Louisville KY, Cincinnati OH, Chillicothe OH and Marietta OH
causing a million dollars damage. (David Ludlum)

...1895...

The temperature at Norwalk OH dipped to 19 degrees to set a state record
for the month of May. (The Weather Channel)

...1896...

The mercury soared to 124 degrees at Salton CA to establish a U.S. record
for May. (Sandra and TI Richard Sanders - 1987)

...1980...

The temperature at Williston ND reached 102 degrees to set a record for
May, and the next day the mercury hit 106 degrees. (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

Severe thunderstorms, developing along a sharp cold front crossing the
central U.S., produced 60 mph winds and golf ball size hail at Sedalia MO,
and drenched Hagerstown IND with six inches of rain in one hour.
Temperatures soared into the 90s ahead of the cold front. Paducah KY hit 94
degrees for the second day in a row. Light snow blanketed Montana, with
three inches reported at Butte. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1988...

Severe thunderstorms swept across southern Louisiana during the morning
hours spawning six tornadoes, and producing wind gusts to 88 mph at
Jennings. Thunderstorms also produced five inches of rain in two hours at
Lake Charles, causing local flooding. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm
Data)

...1989...

Thunderstorms moving southeastward across the Central Plains Region into
Oklahoma and Arkansas produced severe weather through the day and night.
Thunderstorms spawned just four tornadoes, but there were 243 reports of
large hail and damaging winds. Baseball size hail was reported at Augusta
KS, and thunderstorm winds gusted to 98 mph at Johnson KS. (The National
Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1990...

Thunderstorms produced severe weather across the southeastern U.S. for the
second day in a row. Severe thunderstorms spawned five tornadoes, including
one which injured a person at Richmond KY. There were eighty-seven reports
of large hail or damaging winds, with hail three inches in diameter
reported at Austin TX. Thunderstorms produced up to five inches of rain in
Macon County GA, and heavy rains left nearly eight feet of water over roads
near Stepstone KY. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

MAY 22ND

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1876...

Denver CO was drenched with 6.53 inches of rain in 24 hours, an all-time
record for that location. (The Weather Channel)

...1911...

The temperature at Lewiston ME soared to 101 degrees. It was the hottest
temperature ever recorded in New England during the month of May. (David
Ludlum)

...1987...

A powerful tornado virtually wiped the small southwest Texas community of
Saragosa off the map. The twister destroyed eighty- five percent of the
structures in the town killing thirty persons and injuring 121 others in
the town of population 183. The tornado hurled trucks and autos through
adobe and wood- frame homes, with some vehicles blown 500 feet. (The
National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1988...

Thunderstorms produced severe weather over the Central Gulf Coast States.
Tennis ball size hail was reported at Ripley MS. Showers and thunderstorms
in southern Missouri produced 3.20 inches of rain at Springfield to easily
surpass their rainfall record for the date. (The National Weather Summary)
(Storm Data)

...1989...

Unseasonably hot weather continued in southern Texas and parts of the
southwestern U.S. Seven cities reported record high temperatures for the
date, including El Paso TX with a reading of 100 degrees. Presidio TX was
the hot spot in the nation with a high of 111 degrees. (The National
Weather Summary)

...1990...

Late afternoon and evening thunderstorms developing ahead of a cold front
in the north central U.S. produced severe weather from northwestern Kansas
to central Minnesota and southeastern North Dakota. There were twenty-nine
reports of damaging winds, or dime to golf ball size hail. Strong
thunderstorm winds gusted to 69 mph at Alexandria MN. Showers and
thunderstorms over eastern North Carolina soaked Wilmington with 2.91
inches of rain, which established a record for the date. (The National
Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

MAY 23RD

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1882...

An unusual late season snow blanketed eastern Iowa, with four to six inches
reported around Washington. (David Ludlum) (The Weather Channel)

...1953...

The temperature at Hollis OK soared from a morning low of 70 degrees to an
afternoon high of 110 degrees to establish a state record for the month of
May. (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

It was a busy day for thunderstorms in the central U.S. Thunderstorms
produced wind gusts to 65 mph at Shreveport LA and golf ball size hail at
Marfa TX. Hobart OK received 3.55 inches of rain in the morning, and
another 4.03 inches of rain that evening. Thunderstorms in Nebraska
produced 8.5 inches of rain in two hours north of Potter, and 7.5 inches of
rain in ninety minutes north of Minatare. Thunderstorms in Colorado
produced five inches of hail at Greeley. (The National Weather Summary)
(Storm Data)

...1988...

Thunderstorms produced severe weather across much of the eastern U.S. Golf
ball size hail was reported in Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South
Carolina and Ohio. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

...1989...

Severe thunderstorms developing along a cold front resulted in 98 reports
of large hail and damaging winds in the Northern Plains and Upper
Mississippi Valley. Golf ball size hail caused a million dollars damage
around Buffalo City WI, baseball size hail was reported at Northfield MN
and Randolph MN, and thunderstorm winds gusted to 95 mph at Dunkerton IA.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

Unseasonably hot weather continued in the south central U.S. Pueblo CO
equalled their May record with a high of 98 degrees, and the high of 106
degrees at Midland TX marked a record six straight days of 100 degree heat.
(The National Weather Summary)

...1990...

A cold front crossing the western U.S. produced snow over parts of Oregon,
California, Nevada, Idaho and Utah, with five inches reported at Austin NV,
and four inches at Crater Lake National Park in Oregon. Strong winds behind
the cold front sharply reduced visibilities in blowing dust over central
California, and two multi-vehicle accidents resulted in one death and
eighteen injuries. In northern Idaho, a cloud-burst washed tons of topsoil,
and rocks as large as footballs, into the valley town of Culdesac. (The
National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

MAY 24TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1894...

Six inches of snow blanketed Kentucky. Just four days earlier as much as
ten inches of snow had fallen across Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia. Six
days earlier a violent storm had wrecked nine ships on Lake Michigan.
(David Ludlum)

...1930...

A tornado touched down near the town of Pratt KS and traveled at the
incredibly slow speed of just 5 mph. (The Weather Channel)

...1940...

Hail fell near Ada OK to a depth of six to eight inches, and rainfall
runoff left drifts of hail up to five feet high. (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

Severe thunderstorms in southwest Texas spawned a couple of tornadoes near
Silverton, and produced golf ball size hail east of the town of Happy.
Thunderstorms also produced large hail and damaging winds in Louisiana and
Texas. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

...1988...

Thunderstorms produced severe weather in the southeastern U.S. Thunderstorm
winds gusted to 88 mph at Columbia NC. Baseball size hail was reported near
Tifton GA. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1989...

Thunderstorms developing ahead of a cold front produced severe weather
across the Upper Midwest through the day and night. Thunderstorms spawned
30 tornadoes, and there were 158 reports of large hail and damaging winds.
A strong (F-3) tornado caused five million dollars damage at Corning IA,
and a powerful (F-4) tornado caused five million dollars damage at Traer
IA. Thunderstorm winds gusting to 88 mph killed one person and injured five
others at Stephensville WI. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1990...

Severe thunderstorms spawned two dozen tornadoes from Montana to Oklahoma.
Four tornadoes carved a 109-mile path across central Kansas. The third of
the four tornadoes blew 88 cars of an 125-car train off the track, stacking
them three to four cars high in some cases, and the fourth tornado caused
3.9 million dollars damage. The third tornado injured six persons who were
trying to escape in vehicles. A woman was "sucked out" of a truck and said
that at one time she was "airborne, trying to run but my feet wouldn't
touch the ground". She also saw a live deer "flying through the air". (The
National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

MAY 25TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1917...

A tornado ripped through southeast Kansas, traveling 65 mph. The average
speed was a record for any tornado. (The Weather Channel)

...1955...

Two tornadoes struck the town of Blackwell OK within a few minutes time
during the late evening. The tornadoes killed 18 persons and injured more
than 500 others. Early the next morning a tornado virtually obliterated the
small community of Udall KS killing 80 persons and injuring 270 persons.
More than half the persons in the community were killed or injured by the
tornado. (David Ludlum) (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

Thunderstorms spawned fifteen tornadoes in West Texas. One thunderstorm
spawned a powerful tornado near Gruver TX, along with golf ball size hail
and 75 mph winds. A man on a boat on Lake Bistineau in northwest Louisiana
was struck and killed by lightning, while the other three persons in the
boat were unharmed. The man reportedly stood up in the boat and asked to be
struck by lightning. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1988...

Unseasonably cool weather prevailed in the Upper Midwest. Marquette MI
reported a record low of 26 degrees. Thunderstorms in the north central
U.S. produced wind gusts to 62 mph at Idaho Falls ID, and produced 4 inches
of rain in less than four hours in northern Buffalo County. (The National
Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1989...

Thunderstorms developing ahead of a strong cold front produced severe
weather from Oklahoma to Ohio through the day and night. Thunderstorms
spawned nine tornadoes, and there were 155 reports of large hail and
damaging winds. Hail three and a half inches in diameter was reported at
Dittmer MO, and thunderstorm winds gusting to 90 mph caused twenty million
dollars damage at Rockville IN. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1990...

Evening thunderstorms spawned four tornadoes in Kansas and Missouri, and
there were three dozen reports of large hail or damaging winds.
Thunderstorms produced hail two inches in diameter at Cole Camp, and wind
gusts to 72 mph at Rosebud. Heavy thunder- storm rains produced flash
flooding in central Missouri. Flood- waters swept through Washington State
Park southwest of Saint Louis, and nearly one hundred persons had to be
rescued from water as much as twenty feet deep. The floodwaters swept away
a number of vehicles, some were carried as much as four miles away. (The
National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

MAY 26TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1771...

A famous Virginia flood occurred as heavy rains in the mountains brought
all rivers in the state to record high levels. (Sandra and TI Richard
Sanders - 1987)

...1917...

A tornado touched down near Louisiana MO about noon and remained on the
ground for a distance of 293 miles, finally lifting seven hours and twenty
minutes later in eastern Jennings County IN. The twister cut a swath of
destruction two and a half miles wide through Mattoon IL. There were 101
persons killed in the tornado, including 53 at Mattoon, and 38 at
Charleston IL. Damage from the storm totalled 2.5 million dollars. (David
Ludlum)

...1984...

Thunderstorms during the late evening and early morning hours produced 6 to
13 inches of rain at Tulsa OK in six hours (8.63 inches at the airport).
Flooding claimed fourteen lives and caused 90 million dollars property
damage. 4600 cars, 743 houses, and 387 apartments were destroyed or
severely damage in the flood. (Storm Data) (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

Thunderstorms in southwest Iowa spawned five tornadoes and produced up to
ten inches of rain. Seven inches of rain at Red Oak forced evacuation of
nearly 100 persons from the town. Record flooding took place in southwest
Iowa the last twelve days of May as up to 17 inches of rain drenched the
area. Total damage to crops and property was estimated at 16 million
dollars. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1988...

There was "frost on the roses" in the Upper Ohio Valley and the Central
Appalachian Mountain Region. Thirteen cities reported record low
temperatures for the date, including Youngstown OH with a reading of 30
degrees. Evening thunderstorms in North Dakota produced wind gusts to 75
mph at Jamestown. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

...1989...

Thunderstorms in produced large hail in eastern Oklahoma during the
pre-dawn hours, and again during the evening and night. Hail two inches in
diameter was reported near Prague, and thunder- storm winds gusted to 70
mph near Kenefic. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

...1990...

Thunderstorms produced severe weather from eastern Colorado to western
Arkansas and northeastern Texas. Severe thunderstorms spawned three
tornadoes, and there were eighty-eight reports of large hail or damaging
winnds. Evening thunderstorms over central Oklahoma spawned strong
tornadoes east of Hinton and east of Binger, produced hail three inches in
diameter at Minco, and produced wind gusts to 85 mph at Blanchard. (Storm
Data) (The National Weather Summary)

MAY 27TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1896...

A massive tornado struck Saint Louis MO killing 306 persons and causing
thirteen million dollars damage. The tornado path was short, but cut across
a densely populated area. It touched down six miles west of Eads Bridge in
Saint Louis and widened to a mile as it crossed into East Saint Louis. The
tornado was the most destructive of record in the U.S. up until that time.
It pierced a five-eighths inch thick iron sheet with a two by four inch
pine plank. A brilliant display of lightning accompanied the storm. (David
Ludlum) (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

Severe thunderstorms in West Texas produced baseball size hail at Crane,
hail up to three and a half inches in diameter at Post, and grapefruit size
hail south of Midland. Five days of flooding commenced in Oklahoma.
Thunderstorms produced 7 to 9 inches of rain in central Oklahoma. Oklahoma
City reported 4.33 inches of rain in six hours. Up to six inches of rain
caused flooding in north central Texas. (The National Weather Summary)
(Storm Data)

...1988...

Sunny and warm weather prevailed across much of the nation to kick off the
Memorial Day weekend. Afternoon thunderstorms in southern Florida caused
the mercury at Miami to dip to a record low reading of 69 degrees. (The
National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1989...

Unseasonably hot weather prevailed in the southeastern U.S. Ten cities
reported record high temperatures for the date as readings soared into the
90s. Lakeland FL reported a record high of 99 degrees, and Biloxi MS
reported a temperature of 90 degrees along with a relative humidity of 75
percent. (The National Weather Summary)

...1990...

Thunderstorms produced severe weather from north central Texas to the
Central Gulf Coast Region. Severe thunderstorms spawned four tornadoes, and
there were eighty-one reports of large hail or damaging winds. Late
afternoon thunderstorms over southeast Louisiana produced high winds which
injured twenty-seven persons at an outdoor music concert in Baton Rouge,
and high winds which gusted to 78 mph at the Lake Ponchartrain Causeway.
(Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

MAY 28TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1942...

The latest snowstorm of record for the state of Iowa left ten inches at
LeMars, eight inches at Cherokee, and 7.5 inches at Waukon. Afternoon highs
were in the lower 30s in parts of northwestern Iowa. (The Weather Channel)

...1947...

A storm produced heavy snow across Wisconsin, with ten inches reported at
Gay Mills. The snow damaged fruit and other trees, and downed power lines.
The storm was followed by the coldest weather of the month for much of the
High Plains Region and Missouri Valley. Williston ND reported a low of 21
degrees the morning of the 28th, and the next morning Cheyenne WY reported
a morning low of 16 above zero. (David Ludlum)

...1987...

Thunderstorms produced torrential rains in Oklahoma and northern Texas.
Lake Altus OK was deluged with nine inches of rain. Up to eight inches
drenched northern Texas, and baseball size hail was reported north of
Seminole and at Knickerbocker. Ten to 13 inch rains soaked central Oklahoma
the last five days of May resulting in an estimated 65 million dollars
damage, and forcing several thousand persons to evacuate their homes, many
by boat or helicopter. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1988...

A sharp cold front began to usher cold, wet and windy weather into the
western U.S. Thunderstorms in the Great Plains Region produced wind gusts
to 80 mph near Brookings SD. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

...1989...

Unseasonably hot weather continued in Florida. Five cities reported record
high temperatures for the date. The record high of 98 degrees at Lakeland
FL was their fifth in a row. Thunderstorms produced severe weather in
Florida late in the day, with golf ball size hail reported at Kissimmee.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1990...

Two to five inches of rain over southeastern Ohio on the 28th and 29th
capped an exceptionally wet month of May, and triggered widespread
flooding. Flooding which resulted claimed three lives, and caused millions
of dollars damage. Numerous roads in southeast Ohio were flooded and
impassable, and many other roads were blocked by landslides. (Storm Data)

MAY 29TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1877...

A "terrific" two day long sandstorm (sand) blasted Yuma AZ. (28th-29th)
(The Weather Channel)

...1951...

A massive hailstorm, from Wallace to Kearney County in Kansas, caused six
million dollars damage to crops. (David Ludlum)

...1953...

A tornado, 600 yards wide at times, killed two persons on its 20 mile path
from southwest of Fort Rice ND into Emmons County. Nearly every building in
Fort Rice was damaged. The Catholic church was leveled, with some pews
jammed four feet into the ground. (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

Thunderstorms in West Texas produced softball size hail at Lamesa, and hail
up to twelve inches deep east of Dimmitt. Thunderstorms also spawned seven
tornadoes in West Texas, including one which injured three persons at
Wolfforth. Thunderstorms deluged the Texas Hill Country with up to eleven
inches of rain. Severe flooding along the Medino, Hondo, Seco, Sabinal and
Frio rivers caused more than fifty million dollars damage. (Storm Data)
(The National Weather Summary)

...1988...

A powerful cold front brought snow and high winds to parts of the western
U.S. Austin NV was blanketed with ten inches of snow, and winds gusted to
75 mph at the Mojave Airport in California. Strong southerly winds and
unseasonably warm weather prevailed in the north central U.S. Glasgow MT
equalled their record for the month of May with a high of 102 degrees.
(Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

...1989...

Wintry weather gripped parts of the northwestern U.S. for the second day in
a row. Great Falls MT was blanketed with 12 inches of snow, which pushed
their total for the winter season to a record 117.4 inches. Six inches of
snow whitened the Cascade Mountains of Oregon. (The National Weather
Summary) (Storm Data)

...1990...

Afternoon and evening thunderstorms produced severe weather from north
central Colorado to the northern half of Texas. Severe thunderstorms
spawned four tornadoes, and there were seventy reports of large hail or
damaging winds. Midday thunderstorms produced wind gusts to 90 mph at
Hobart OK, and produced up to three and a half inches of rain in eastern
Colorado in four hours. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

MAY 30TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1879...

A major outbreak of severe weather occurred in Kansas and western Missouri.
In Kansas, tornadoes killed eighteen persons at Delphos, and thirty persons
at Irving. Two tornadoes struck the town of Irving within a few minutes
time virtually wiping the small Kansas community off the map. The second
tornado was perhaps two miles wide, and exhibited multiple vortices. (David
Ludlum) (The Weather Channel)

...1948...

A railroad bed acting as a dam gave way during a flood along the Columbia
River destroying the town of Vanport OR. The nearly 19,000 residents
escaped with little more than the clothes on their backs. (David Ludlum)

Twenty carloads of glass were needed in Denver CO to replace that destroyed
by a severe hailstorm. (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

Unseasonably warm weather prevailed across the eastern U.S. Eighteen
cities, from Virginia to Ohio and Michigan, reported record high
temperatures for the date. Afternoon highs of 97 degrees at Baltimore MD
and Washington D.C., and 98 degrees at Newark NJ, were records for the
date. (The National Weather Summary)

...1988...

Memorial Day heralded heavy snow in some of the mountains and higher passes
of Wyoming, closing roads in Yellowstone Park. McDonald Pass MT was
blanketed with eight inches of snow, while the temperature at Miles City MT
soared to 94 degrees. A "supercell" thunderstorm in west Texas produced
baseball size hail in Bailey and Lamb counties, and up to five inches of
rain in less than an hour. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1989...

Thunderstorms produced severe weather from the Upper Mississippi Valley to
the Upper Ohio Valley during the day. A powerful (F-4) tornado injured
three persons and caused a million dollars damage at New Providence IA.
Baseball size hail was reported at Blue Earth MN. (The National Weather
Summary) (Storm Data)

...1990...

Thunderstorms developing along a warm front spawned fourteen tornadoes in
northeastern Texas during the late afternoon and evening hours. The
thunderstorms also produced baseball size hail near Marshall, wind gusts to
77 mph at Commerce, and up to five inches of rain. Thunderstorms over
southwestern Kansas produced up to six inches of rain. (The National
Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

MAY 31ST

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1889...

The Johnstown disaster occurred, the worst flood tragedy in U.S. history.
Heavy rains collapsed the South Fork Dam sending a thirty foot wall of
water rushing down the already flooded Conemaugh Valley. The wall of water,
traveling as fast as twenty-two feet per second, swept away all structures,
objects and people. 2100 persons perished in the flood. (David Ludlum)

...1941...

Thunderstorms deluged Burlington KS with 12.59 inches of rain to establish
a 24 hour rainfall record for the state. (The Weather Channel)

...1985...

Severe thuunderstorms spawned forty-one tornadoes across the Lower Great
Lakes Region and southeastern Ontario which killed 74 persons. (Storm Data)

...1987...

Thunderstorms in New England produced wind gusts up to 90 mph at Worcester
MA and Northboro MA, and hail an inch and a half in diameter at Williston
VT. Unseasonably hot weather prevailed in the northeastern U.S. The
afternoon high of 94 degrees at Portland ME was a record for the month of
May. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

...1988...

Hot and humid weather prevailed in the eastern U.S. Thirteen cities
reported record high temperatures for the date. Cape Hatteras NC reported
their first ninety degree day in May in 115 years of records. "Dust buster"
thunderstorms in northwest Texas drenched Amarillo with more than three
inches of rain. (The National Weather Summary)

...1989...

Thunderstorms produced severe weather and torrential rains in northern
Indiana, northern Ohio and southern Lower Michigan. Saint John IND was
drenched with four inches of rain in two hours, and Woodland MI was deluged
with two inches in twenty minutes. Pittsburgh PA reported a record 6.55
inches of rain for the month of May, with measurable rain reported on
twenty-five days during the month. (The National Weather Summary)

...1990...

Afternoon and evening thunderstorms developing along a warm front produced
severe weather from northwest Texas to southeastern Louisiana. The
thunderstorms spawned sixteen tornadoes, including thirteen in northwest
Texas. One tornado hit the town of Spearman TX causing more than a million
dollars damage, and seven other tornadoes were reported within twenty-five
miles of Spearman. Thunderstorms over northwest Texas also produced
baseball size hail at Monahans, and wind gusts to 80 mph at Paducah. (The
National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
