Weather History

This Day In Weather History

In 1976, a wild wind storm known as the Columbus Day Big Blow pummeled the Pacific Northwest. The storm contained sustained winds reaching 75 mph and gusts around 100 mph. Perhaps the most damaging windstorm ever to occur west of the Cascades.  This event destroyed an estimated 3.5 billion board feet of timber, killed 48, and caused around $210 million damage.  Adjusting for inflation, this is approximately $1.8 billion dollars today.

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In 1979, the largest and most violent typhoon in history roared into the record books in multiple ways. At peak intensity just after it passed Guam, Super Typhoon Tip was 1,380 MILES IN DIAMETER, NEARLY HALF THE SIZE OF THE UNITED STATES. The lowest central pressure was 25.69 inches; the lowest central pressure in history. Peak 1-minute sustained winds were measured at 190 mph, easily a Category 5 rating. It's lifespan from formation to dissipation was from October 4th to October 24th during which 99 people died. "Tip" struck the Philippines, the Korean Peninsula, Japan, Far Eastern Russia and the Aleutians.
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