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.
More on this and other weather history
Day: Sunny, with a high near 57. South wind around 1 mph.
Night: Widespread frost after midnight. Clear. Low around 32, with temperatures rising to around 34 overnight. South wind around 3 mph.
Day: Widespread frost before 9am. Sunny, with a high near 60. South wind 5 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
Night: A slight chance of rain showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. South wind around 7 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Day: A slight chance of rain showers before 7am. Partly sunny, with a high near 62. West wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. North wind around 6 mph.
Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. East wind 3 to 7 mph.
Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. Southeast wind around 8 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
Day: A slight chance of rain showers after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 64. Southeast wind around 12 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Night: A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. Southeast wind 8 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Day: A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65. South wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Night: A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. North wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Day: A chance of rain showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 63. East wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Night: A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. Southeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tue's High Temperature
100 at Rio Grande Village, TX and 5 Miles South Of Yuma, AZ and 6 Miles West Southwest Of Glamis, CA
Wed's Low Temperature
18 at 20 Miles Northwest Of Calpet, WY
Current conditions: We use the nearest available station to your location - including professional MESONET/MADIS and local weather stations - often miles closer than regional airports.
Forecasts: National Weather Service point forecasts predict for your specific area, not broad regional zones, making them far more relevant to your location.