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OCTOBER 8TH
HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS
...1871...
Prolonged drought and dessicating winds led to the great Chicago fire, the
Peshtigo horror, and the Michigan fire holocaust. Fire destroyed more than
seventeen thousand buildings killing more than 200 persons in the city of
Chicago, while a fire consumed the town of Peshtigo WI killing more than
1100 persons. In Wisconsin, a million acres of land were burned, and in
Michigan, 2.5 million acres were burned killing 200 persons. "Tornadoes of
fire" generated by intense heat caused houses to explode in fire, and
burned to death scores of persons seeking refuge in open fields. (David
Ludlum) (The Weather Channel)
...1889...
Frost may have formed on the pumpkins as temperatures dropped to record lows of 
31 at Louisville and 23 at Bowling Green. (NWS Louisville)
...1901...
A deluge at Galveston TX produced nearly twelve inches of rain in about a
six hour period. The rains came precisely thirteen months after the day of
the famous Galveston hurricane disaster. (David Ludlum)
...1982...
An unusually early snowstorm hit the northern Black Hills of Wyoming and
South Dakota. The storm produced up to 54 inches of snow, and winds as high
as 70 mph. The snowfall was very much dependent upon topography. Rapid
City, 20 miles away, received just a trace of snow. (The Weather Channel)
...1987...
Unseasonably cold weather prevailed from the Upper Mississippi Valley to
the southeastern U.S. Thirty cities reported record low temperatures for
the date, including Madison WI with a reading of 22 degrees. The low of 28
degrees at Evansville IN was the coolest of record for so early in the
season. Hot weather continued in the southwestern U.S. Phoenix AZ reported
a record high of 104 degrees and a record tying 116 days of 100 degree
weather for the year. Tucson AZ established an all-time record with 72 days
of 100 degree weather for the year. (The National Weather Summary)
...1988...
Snow was reported across parts of northern New England. Two inches
blanketed Mount Snow VT. Warm weather continued in the northwestern U.S.
The afternoon high of 80 degrees at Stampede Pass WA exceeded their
previous record for October by seven degrees. (The National Weather
Summary)
...1989...
Morning lows in the 20s were reported from the Northern Plains to the Upper
Great Lakes. International Falls MN and Marquette MI reported record lows
of 22 degrees. Unseasonably warm weather prevailed in central California as
the Oakland Athletics won the American League pennant. San Luis Obispo CA
reported a high of 99 degrees. (The National Weather Summary)