National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Unsettled Weather in the West; Wintry Mix and Ice Accumulation Possible in Iowa and Vicinity

Significant low elevation rain and higher elevation snow is expected across central California and the Pacific Northwest into the Rockies through the weekend. A wintry mix and some ice accumulation will impact portions of the Central Plains through the Upper Midwest through Saturday. Widespread rain is forecast across the Southern Plains into the Mid-Mississippi and Ohio valleys this weekend. Read More >

Weather History Archive

Weather History - October 4th

Local and Regional Events:

October 4, 2005:

An intense low-pressure system developed over the Central Rockies and moved through the Northern Plains, bringing heavy snow to much of the northern Black Hills and far northwest South Dakota. Precipitation started as rain during the day and changed over to snow during the late afternoon and early evening, mixed with freezing rain and sleet. Heavy snow fell during the night and ended in the morning. Snowfall amounts were generally in the 6 to 12-inch range, with locally more substantial amounts across northern and western Harding County. The heavy, wet snow resulted in many downed trees, large branches, and power lines, which caused numerous power outages and some minor property damage. A few locations had some of the highest daily snowfall amounts ever recorded in October. Camp Crook received 12 inches of snow, which tied the daily record for snow in October. Redig also tied its record for most snowfall in one day in October with 9 inches. Lemmon had its second-highest daily total snowfall for October (6.5 inches). Bison received 6 inches, which was tied for the 3rd highest daily total in October. Spearfish tied for the 8th highest daily snow total for October with 7 inches.

 

U.S.A and Global Events for October 4th:

1777: The Battle of Germantown was fought in a morning fog that grew denser with the smoke of battle, causing great confusion. Americans firing at each other contributed to the battle’s loss. Click HERE for more information from Tom Moore at the website, weatherconcierge.com

Oct 4, 1777 Battle of Germantown

 

1957: The world's first artificial satellite, Sputnik, was launched on October 4th, 1857 by the Soviet Union. Sputnik was about the size of a beach ball and weighed 183.9 pounds. It took about 98 minutes to orbit Earth on an elliptical path. Click HERE for more information from NASA.

 

1987: A storm brought record snows to the northeastern U.S. Snowfall totals ranged up to 21 inches at North Springfield, VT. It was the earliest snow of record for some locations. The storm claimed 17 lives in central New York State, injured 332 persons, and in Vermont caused seventeen million dollars damage. The six-inch snow at Albany, NY, was their earliest measurable snow in 117 years of records. Click HERE for more information from the NWS Office in Boston, MA. 

Oct 4, 1987 Eastern NY Snow

 

2005: Hurricane Stan, a minimal Category 1 Hurricane with 75 mph maximum sustained surface winds, made landfall near Punta Roca Partida, Mexico, at 4 AM EDT on this day. While not a particularly strong hurricane, the torrential rains caused flooding and landslides, which resulted in 1,513 deaths in Guatemala. Click HERE for more information from the History Channel.

Oct 4, 2005 Hurricane Stan

Oct 4, 2005 Hurricane Stan Satellite

Hurricane Stan moved southwest at 12 mph with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph and gusts of 92 mph. GOES-12 from NOAA Satellite and Information Service.

 

2013: While western South Dakota was dealing with a crippling blizzard, the tri-state region of Nebraska, South Dakota, and Iowa saw several tornadoes, including an EF-4. This violent tornado started 2 miles southwest of Climbing Hill, Iowa, flattening corn crops and snapping tree trunks. As the tornado moved northeast, it intensified and struck a farmstead approximately 5 miles west-northwest of Correctionville, Iowa. Sheds and other buildings were severely damaged or destroyed, with the residence being severely damaged. The tornado continued to increase in both size and magnitude as it continued on its trek northeast. The tornado reached its maximum intensity 2.5 miles south of Pierson, Iowa, when this mile-wide tornado struck two farmsteads. Numerous outbuildings and barns were destroyed, with farm equipment being tossed over 400 yards. It was here that the tornado was rated EF-4. The tornado stayed southeast of Pierson, Iowa, and to the west of Washta, Iowa. Before lifting, the tornado produced more tree damage and downed power poles and lines 2 miles west of Washta, Iowa. Click HERE for more information from the NWS Office in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Click HERE for more This Day in Weather History from the Southeast Regional Climate Center.