5 Memorable Weather Events on Veterans Day of the Past

Veteran's Day is set aside on November 11 for Americans to remember those who bravely gave their all and those who came home to help make the country a better place.

The government initially called it Armistice Day, with the date set to commemorate the end of World War I, which officially ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.

The name was changed in 1954 to include all veterans because the original idea was to honor only those serving in World War I. Throughout history, there have been many powerful storms on this day.

Veterans Day 1911

Many parts of the United States saw drastic temperature changes on Veterans Day 1911. A strong storm front separated warm, humid air from frigid, arctic air.

In Rock County, Wisconsin, it snowed less than 60 minutes after the area experienced an F4 tornado. One of the first places to experience the storm was Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where temperatures fell from 55 to –3 degrees in two hours.

Later in the day, temperatures in Kansas City fell 65 degrees in 14 hours. The next morning, residents woke to a record low of 6 degrees.

In Springfield, Missouri, the record daily high of 80 degrees and the record daily low of 13 degrees on the same day. Springfield temperatures fell 40 degrees in 15 minutes between 3:45 and 4 p.m.

Meanwhile, the storm hit overnight in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Residents enjoyed a daytime high of 85 degrees on November 11 and woke up the following day to a low of 15 degrees on November 12. The wind howled behind the front, with Tulsa experiencing a dust storm.

Veterans Day 1940

Duck hunters along the Mississippi River wore short sleeves while hunting on Armistice Day morning along the Mississippi River in Iowa and Missouri as temperatures were in the 40s and 50s.

Forecasters said temperatures would drop later in the day and that a few snow flurries might fall towards evening. Then, a strong nor'easter hit starting about late morning.

Barometric pressure fell to 28.92 inches in Charles City, Iowa, 28.72 inches in La Crosse, Wisconsin and 28.66 inches in Duluth, Minnesota, some of the lowest pressure readings ever recorded in this area.

Up to 26.6 inches of snow fell in parts of Minnesota, accompanied by winds up to 50 miles per hour. Over 150 people were killed by the storm, which also claimed over 1,000 head of cattle and over 1 million turkeys.

Blizzard of 1987

On November 9, 1987, the Washington D.C. area saw 70 degree temperatures. Forecasters said that up to 1 inch of snow might fall on November 11, while other forecasters called for it only to drizzle.

In the early morning hours of November 11, snow flurries arrived in the early morning hours as the storm moved up the Atlantic Seacoast. By mid-morning, up to 3 inches of snow was falling per hour.

By mid-afternoon, 12 inches of snow blanketed Washington, D.C. Areas of Prince George County received 18 inches of snow. Some meteorologists got so fooled by this storm that came in two waves that they thought the storm was over when the first wave that left only a light dusting was over.

This storm was particularly memorable because Washington, D.C, usually sees less than 0.1 inches of snow in November. It did not snow in Washington D.C, yet the snowstorm broke records for being the snowiest month in the city's history.

Blizzard of November 1998

On November 10, 1998, the barometric pressure in many areas of Minnesota dipped lower than ever. In Minneapolis, the pressure dipped to 28.62 inches, while in Albert Lee and Austin, Minnesota, the pressure dropped to 28.83 inches.

Snow accompanied the barometric pressure in many areas, including over 10 inches in Madison, Wisconsin, while residents in Montevideo, Minnesota, saw 8 inches. Gusty winds accompanied the snow.

At St. Cloud State University, wind gusts of 64 miles per hour were recorded, while people in Mankato, Minnesota, had to endure winds up to 62 miles per hour.

Veterans Day 2002 Tornado Outbreak

Snowstorms make the news on Veterans Day, but that is not the only type of weather to wreak havoc on Veterans Day activities. Forecasters warned people on November 7 that there was a slight risk of tornadic activity, but they did not foresee the tornado outbreak, which started on November 9, 2002.

When the outbreak was over, there were 76 confirmed tornados. The most severe of these storms hit on November 10 in northwest Ohio. There, the storm left a 53-mile path of destruction, killing four.

The total, however, could have been much worse as 60 people in the Van Wert Theater were led to safety after the facility's manager heard warnings on the radio.

The weather on Veterans Day can be quite unpredictable. Therefore, make sure that you stay weather-aware.

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