Today in Weather History
for July 4 

July 4, 1776 
Thomas Jefferson paid for his first thermometer, and signed the Declaration of Independence. According to his weather memorandum book, at 2 PM it was cloudy and 76 degrees. (David Ludlum) 

July 4, 1911 
The northeastern U.S. experienced sweltering 100 degree heat. The temperature soared to 105 degrees at Vernon, VT, and North Bridgton ME, and to 106 degrees at Nashua NH, to establish all-time records for those three states. Afternoon highs of 104 at Boston, MA, 104 at Albany, NY, and 103 at Portland, ME, were all-time records for those three cities. (The Weather Channel) 

July 4, 1956 
A world record for the most rain in one minute was set at Unionville, MD, with a downpour of 1.23 inches. (The Weather Channel) (The National Severe Storms Forecast Center) 

July 4, 1987 
Thunderstorms around the country provided extra fireworks for Independence Day. Thunderstorms produced wind gusts to 82 mph at Clearwater, KS, eight inches of rain in four hours at Menno SD, and three inches of rain in just fifteen minutes at Austin, KY. Morning thunderstorms drenched Oneonta AL with 8.6 inches of rain, their greatest 24 hour total in thirty years of records. The heavy rain caused mudslides and serious flooding, claiming two lives. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data) 

July 4, 1988 
Thunderstorms produced heavy rain over the Central Gulf Coast Region for the second day in a row. Monroe, LA, was deluged with 3.75 inches in two hours. Aberdeen and Rapid City, SD, reported record high temperatures for the date, with readings of 105 degrees. (The National Weather Summary) 

July 4, 1989 
Independence Day was hot as a firecracker across parts of the country. Nineteen cities, mostly in the north central U.S., reported record high temperatures for the date, including Williston ND with a reading of 107 degrees. In the southwestern U.S., highs of 93 at Alamosa, CO, 114 at Tucson, AZ, and 118 at Phoenix, AZ, equaled all-time records for those locations. (The National Weather Summary) 

July 4, 1994
Tropical Storm Alberto dumped copious amounts of rain across north and central Georgia from July 3rd to 7th. More than 10 inches of rain fell with some areas even receiving more than 20 inches! In Clayton County, almost 500 people had to be evacuated from their homes while in Henry County, 300 animals had to be evacuated from a flooded animal shelter. In Monroe County, a woman survived by clinging to a tree for 10 hours after her car was swept away by flood waters. 

With days of rain across the state, Tropical Storm Alberto affected 4th of July activities. In Peachtree City, for example, the fireworks were cancelled and did not take place until much later in the year. (NWS Atlanta)

Data courtesy of WeatherForYou

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