SEPTEMBER 4TH
HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS
...1644...
The Reverend John Campanius Holm, a Lutheran Minister, took the first known 
systematic weather observation without the aid of instruments in Wilmington, 
Delaware. Mr. Holm is considered by some to be the first weatherman in America. 
Each year the National Weather Service awards 25 John Campanius Holm awards 
across the United States to volunteer cooperative observers whom have 
exemplified dedication to creating an accurate daily climate record.
...1939...
A thunderstorm deluged Washington D.C. with 4.4 inches of rain in two
hours. September of that year was very dry across much of the nation, and
Washington D.C. received more rain in that two hour period than most other
places in the country that entire month. (David Ludlum)
...1970...
The greatest natural disaster of record for Arizona occurred. Unprecedented
rains caused rivers in central Arizona to rise five to ten feet per hour,
sweeping cars and buildings as far as 30 to 40 miles downstream. Flooding
claimed the lives of 23 persons, mainly campers, and caused millions of
dollars damage. Water crested 36 feet above normal near Sunflower AZ.
Workman's Creek was deluged with 11.40 inches of rain in 24 hours to
establish a state record. Moisture from Pacific Tropical Storm Norma led to
the severe flooding. (4th-6th) (The Weather Channel)
...1986...
An unusually strong dust devil moved across the Flagstaff Pulliam Airport.
The dust devil blew open the doors of the National Weather Service office
scattering papers and bringing down a ceiling-mounted light fixture. (Storm
Data)
...1987...
Thunderstorms developing along a stationary front produced heavy rain
across the Southern Atlantic Coast States. Up to eight inches was reported
north of Charleston SC. Serious flooding was reported in Monks Corner SC.
Seven cities in the northeastern U.S. reported record low temperatures for
the date. Houlton ME dipped to 32 degrees. (The National Weather Summary)
(Storm Data)
...1988...
The western U.S. experienced another day of record heat. The afternoon high
of 91 degrees at Stampede Pass WA established an all-time record for that
location, and Los Angeles CA equalled their all-time record high with a
reading of 110 degrees. A record high of 107 degrees at San Diego CA was
their hottest reading in 25 years. Red Bluff CA was the hot spot in the
nation with an afternoon reading of 118 degrees. (National Weather Summary)
...1989...
Overnight thunderstorm rains of four and a half to seven inches drenched
eastern Nebraska during the morning hours, pushing creeks out of their
banks, and flooding fields, country roads and city streets. Totals ranged
up to 6.97 inches south of Creston. It was also a soggy Labor Day for
northern Florida. Jacksonville reported 6.82 inches of rain, and evening
thunderstorms produced 2.75 inches of rain in one hour at Sandlewood.
(Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)