Weather History for July 17
Explore significant weather events that occurred on this date throughout history,
including hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, floods, and extreme temperature records.
1934 —
One of the worst heat waves in the history of the nation commenced. During the last two weeks of the month extreme heat claimed 679 lives in Michigan, including 300 in Detroit alone. (The Weather Channel)
1941 —
A prolonged heat wave over Washington State finally came to an end. Lightning from untimely thunderstorms was responsible for 598 forest fires. (David Ludlum)
1952 —
Thunderstorms helped the temperatur at Key West, FL, to dip to 69 degrees, to equal their July record established on the first of July in 1923. (The Weather Channel)
1957 —
On a warm and sunny day at Wilmington, DE, with a high of 86 degrees, a dust devil suddenly appeared. It tore most the roof off one house, and stripped shingles from a neighboring house. A TV aerial was toppled, and clothes were blown off clothes lines. (The Weather Channel)
1987 —
Slow moving thunderstorms caused flooding on the Guadalupe River in Texas resulting in tragic loss of life. A bus and van leaving a summer youth camp stalled near the rapidly rising river, just west of the town of Comfort, and a powerful surge of water swept away 43 persons, mostly teenagers. Ten drowned in the floodwaters. Most of the others were rescued from tree tops by helicopter. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1988 —
A dozen cities in the eastern U.S., and six others in California, reported record high temperatures for the date. Downtown San Francisco, CA, with a high of 103 degrees, obliterated their previous record high of 82 degrees. Philadelphia, PA, reported a record five straight days of 100 degree heat, and Baltimore, MD, reported a record eight days of 100 degree weather for the year. Afternoon and evening thunderstorms produced severe weather along the Middle Atlantic Coast, and over southern New England. (The National Weather Summary)
1989 —
Thunderstorms produced severe weather from South Dakota to Lousiana, with 126 reports of large hail and damaging winds during the day and night. Thunderstorms in Nebraska produced hail four inches in diameter in Frontier County, and at North Platte, causing millions of dollars damage to crops in Frontier County. Thunderstorms in Oklahoma produced wind gusts to 90 mph at Peggs. Tahlequah OK was drenched with 5.25 inches of rain. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)
About Weather History
Weather has always played a significant role in shaping human history. From devastating hurricanes
and tornadoes to record-breaking temperatures and historic blizzards, extreme weather events have
left lasting impacts on communities across the United States and around the world.
This collection documents notable weather events that occurred on July 17
throughout recorded history. These events include tropical storms and hurricanes, tornado outbreaks,
severe thunderstorms, winter storms and blizzards, flooding events, heat waves and cold snaps,
and other significant meteorological phenomena.
Types of Events Documented
- Tropical Systems: Hurricanes, tropical storms, and their impacts
- Severe Weather: Tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, and damaging winds
- Winter Weather: Blizzards, ice storms, and record snowfall
- Temperature Extremes: Heat waves, cold outbreaks, and record temperatures
- Flooding: Flash floods, river flooding, and coastal flooding
- Other Events: Droughts, wildfires influenced by weather, and unique phenomena
Understanding historical weather patterns helps us appreciate the power of nature and the importance
of weather preparedness. Browse through different dates to discover what weather events shaped history
on any given day of the year.
