Weather History

This Day In Weather History

In 1990, Iowa was hit by an incredible ice storm. Considered by some to be the worst ice storm ever to hit the Hawkeye State during the 20th Century, this wicked winter storm coated most of Western and Central Iowa with 2 to 3 inches of ice. The weight of the ice caused 78 high voltage towers to collapse over a 17-mile stretch near Boone and resulted in $15 million damage. Total damage for the storm was around $50 million. At the height of the storm, around 270,000 were without power in Des Moines which was about two thirds of the city's population. Some rural areas were without power for over a week.

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In 1717, the Great Snow, a meteorological 'grand slam' in that four winter storms overwhelmed the Eastern U.S. in 9 days, finally ended. Many areas were overwhelmed by a phenomenal 5 feet of snow with 4 feet burying Boston! Drifts reached 25 FEET in and around Dorchester, Massachusetts.

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