WEATHER HISTORY

On January 31, 1949, San Antonio recorded its all-time record low temperature as a blanket of snow cover the city.

On January 31, 1949, San Antonio recorded its all-time record low temperature as a blanket of snow cover the city.

It’s been 7 years since baseball sized hail tore through San Antonio

It was on this day in 2016, that massive hail fell across the city of San Antonio.

1936: Singer-songwriter Buddy Holly is born under the birth name Charles Hardin Holley in Lubbock, Texas. Holly would go on to become one of rock 'n' roll's pioneers despite a brief career cut short by his tragic death at age 22. Appropriately referred to as the “The Day the Music Died,” weather likely contributed to a commuter flight crash that killed rock n’ roll musicians Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper -- whose real name was J.P. Richardson, and Ritchie Valens, along with pilot Roger Peterson. (Repertoire Records)1936: Singer-songwriter Buddy Holly is born under the birth name Charles Hardin Holley in Lubbock, Texas. Don McLean later famous addressed the plane crash in his 1971 song “American Pie” labeling it the “Day the Music Died”.

Inauguration Day is historic for obvious reasons and Wednesday promises to be no different. That falls in between some of the extremes seen on Inauguration Day in Washington D.C. It’s also fair to say that weather has had a big impact on the historic event. The first inauguration held outside occurred in 1817 when President James Monroe was sworn into office. After that, Inauguration Day was moved to January 20th. 4, 1909Cold weather and sicknessIn addition to the extremes, the weather has also been connected to sickness on Inauguration Day.

It was a day, for anyone who lived in San Antonio during the mid-80s, will remember for a lifetime. January 12 marks the anniversary of the 1985 snowstorm. 1985 Snow stormSnow totals form the 1985 snowstorm. With a deep layer of cold air firmly in place an upper level low approached from the west. This upper level low tapped into high level Pacific moisture, much like what we might see in the spring.

It was on this day in 1903 that Wilbur and Orville Wright made their famous flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Courtesy of National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City, NCAs you might imagine, weather played a role in the event. Weather Bureau in Kitty Hawk. Courtesy of National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City, NC and the National Park ServiceDosher kept in contact with the Wright Brothers as their attempts continued over the next few years. On December 17, 1903, Orville used the Weather Bureau office to send a telegraph announcing the famous flight.

It was on this day in 2017, that widespread snowfall fell across Central and South Texas. As the cold air settled into the area, a storm system helped to develop areas of snow. The Hill Country saw accumulations in the morning, while San Antonio and points south saw winter weather during the nighttime hours. Officially San Antonio International Airport picked up 1.9″ of snow. It was the largest snowfall since the record-setting 1985 snow event and it ranks as the second earliest measurable snowfall for San Antonio since records have been kept (earliest was November 23, 1957).

It was on this day in 2015, that an EF-2 tornado touched down in Floresville. The tornado did significant damage, including to the city’s high school. Also on this day in 1917, San Antonio saw its earliest freeze, when temperatures dropped all the way to 32°.

It was on this day in 1871, that the Great Chicago Fire began. It was a fire that would last nearly three days and result in a 4 by 3/4 mile wide swath of destruction. The fire was claimed to have started in a barn owned by the O’Leary family. A popular legend says that Catherine O’Leary was milking a cow and the cow kicked over a lantern. This O’Leary family denied the story and said they were in bed at the time.

It was on this day in 2005, that San Antonio saw its latest 100 degree day. The temperatures soared to 104° at San Antonio International Airport. The average last 100 degree day is August 24th, meaning this record may stand for a while.

On this day in 1988, Hurricane Gilbert would spawn 40 tornadoes across Texas, 9 of which affected San Antonio.

It was on this day in 2017, that Hurricane Harvey made landfall near Rockport as a category 4 storm. It ranks as one of the costliest storms in United States history, after sitting over Texas for many days and creating historic flooding. Winds reached up to 130 mph, while rainfall totals nearing 60 inches near Houston.

It was on this day in 1992, that Hurricane Andrew made landfall in South Florida. It remains the most destructive storm in Floridas history and is one of only four category 5 hurricanes to strike the United States. Winds would reach as high as 165 mph.

After seeing a devastating hurricane just 11 years earlier, Indianola, Texas, a thriving port town, took a direct hit from the 1886 storm. A storm surge of 15 feet destroyed nearly everything in the town, while a fire resulted in additional damage. The hurricane killed 46 people in Indianola (the storm in 1875 killed nearly 400). Indianola was never rebuilt, allowing Galveston to become Texass main port.

It was on this day in 1956, that the Edwards Aquifer (at the J-17 well) hit its lowest point of 612.5 feet. It occurred during one of the worst droughts in South Texas history. The Edwards Aquifer is now highly regulated, keeping levels from going that low again.

It was on this day in 1936, that Seymour, Texas recorded a high temperature of 120. It remains the hottest temperature ever reported in Texas (it would be tied in 1994 in Monahans).

It was on this day in 1980 that Hurricane Allen made landfall just north of Brownsville. The hurricane achieved Category 5 status three separate times (the only Atlantic hurricane to do so). It also ranks as one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes with sustained winds near 190 mph at its peak. When Allen made landfall, it had weakened to a Category 3 storm. Still, it brought damaging winds and torrential rainfall.

It was on this day in 2003, that Hurricane Claudette struck the Coastal Bend of Texas, making landfall near Port O Connor. Claudette moved west, tracking just south of San Antonio. The storm would bring heavy rain and strong winds, causing damage around the area.

It was on this day in 2002 that heavy rain began to fall around South Central Texas. The rains would not stop for several days, resulting in rising rivers and widespread damage.

On this day in 2010, 7 to 12 inches of rainfall fell around South Texas in just under 18 hours. As a result, the Guadalupe River flooded its banks and swept away homes, businesses, and roads around New Braunfels and Gruene. Pictures are courtesy of the National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio.

It was on this day in 1935, that a giant cloud of dust enveloped the Great Plains. It was the peak of the of the Dust Bowl and the day would become known as “Black Sunday”.

It was on this day in 1979, that a massive, 1.5 mile wide, F4 tornado ripped though Wichita Falls, Texas. It remains the 5th deadliest tornado in Texas history.

This Day in Weather History: April 9, 2020Published: April 9, 2020, 10:59 amIt was on this day in 1953 that a tornado was detected on radar for the first time.

Softball size hail left behind widespread damage in Del Rio and Brackettville. In addition a tornado touched down in Medina County, destroying a home.

TIROS 1 was launched from Port Canaveral, Florida on this date in 1960. It was an experimental step to see if satellites could be useful in studying the earth and predicting the weather. Weather forecasts would never be the same, with satellite data becoming an indispensable part of weather prediction.

It was a busy, Spring day in South Texas as storms erupted along a cold front. While storms can generally produce hail this time of year, this event was unusual because so many received large hail. Places like Crystal City and Knippa saw damage, after baseball size hail pounded the area. Around San Antonio, Alamo Heights, Leon Springs, and Castle Hills also reported large hail.

It was on this day in 1964 that a magnitude 9.2 earthquake struck Alaska, near Anchorage. It remains the strongest earthquake on record in North America and the second strongest in world history. The damage in Alaska was significant, while a subsequent tsunami caused even more damage across the Pacific.

This Day in Weather History: March 25thPublished: March 25, 2020, 8:51 amIt was on this day in 1948, that the first 'tornado warning' was issued.

After spending 15 pivot years in space, the Russian Space Station Mir fell out of orbit and back to Earth on this day in 2001. It would burn up over the South Pacific.

Justin Horne is a meteorologist and reporter for KSAT 12 News. Copyright 2020 by KSAT - All rights reserved. If you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241.

Justin Horne is a meteorologist and reporter for KSAT 12 News. Copyright 2020 by KSAT - All rights reserved. If you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241.

Justin Horne is a meteorologist and reporter for KSAT 12 News. Copyright 2020 by KSAT - All rights reserved. If you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241.

This Day in Weather History: February 7thPublished: February 7, 2020, 9:24 amIt was on this day in 1933, that the largest rogue wave ever recorded was seen in the Pacific Ocean.

Justin Horne is a meteorologist and reporter for KSAT 12 News. Copyright 2020 by KSAT - All rights reserved. If you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241.

Justin Horne is a meteorologist and reporter for KSAT 12 News. Copyright 2020 by KSAT - All rights reserved. If you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241.

This Day in Weather History: January 23rdPublished: January 23, 2020, 9:24 amIt was on this day in 1971, that the coldest temperature ever recorded in the United States occurred in Prospect Creek, Alaska.

It was on this day in 1985, that the coldest presidential inauguration in history took place.

Justin Horne is a meteorologist and reporter for KSAT 12 News. Copyright 2020 by KSAT - All rights reserved. If you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241.

This Day in Weather History: January 7thPublished: January 7, 2020, 9:15 amIt was on this day in 1986 that Del Rio received over 8" of snow. This occurred just one year after the 1985 record snowfall.

SAN ANTONIO – It was on this day in 1883 that times zones were used for the first time in North America. The idea was implemented by the railroad companies. It would later be officially adopted by the United States in 1918.