Northeast Indiana Weather in the 1800's

Northeast Indiana Weather in the Old Days

(compiled by Michael R Hayes, former employee of the National Weather Service at Fort Wayne)

August 1841 - In Paw Paw Township, near Roann, Indiana, a tornado hit a camp meeting. Horses were pinned under fallen trees. There was no mention of injury to people.

December 4, 1841 - Stormy and strong southwest wind at Huntertown.

June 20, 1842 - Frost at Huntertown

February 17 1843 - -17˚ at 2am at Huntertown

November 30, 1843 - 10" of snow at Huntertown

October 17, 1846 - 3" of morning snow at Huntertown

April 18 1847 - 14˚ at sunrise at Huntertown

June 1855 - Several frosts through the 12^th

January 9, 1856 - The temperature fell to -26˚ in Perry Township near Huntertown, Indiana

November 25, 1857 - The morning low was -17˚

July 1, 1859 - Severe thunderstorm at Huntertown

January 1, 1860 - Temperature -18.5˚ at 6am, -2˚ at noon and -9˚ at suppertime in Huntertown

January 1, 1864 - The low temperature for the day in Perry Township, near Huntertown, Indiana, was -21˚. The high that day was -16˚. The remark in Rapin Andrews’ diary was "rough day".

January 29, 1873 - The morning low near Huntertown, Indiana was -34˚. This is the coldest day in recorded history (unofficially) in northeast Indiana. The low in Indianapolis was -13˚ (Indianapolis’ all-time low temperature record is -27˚ set January 19, 1994).

April 10, 1873 - Flooding in northeast Indiana caused several railroad bridges to wash out.

May through July 1875 - Excessive rain occurred in Indiana with much flooding. Indianapolis recorded 13.10" of rain in July.

September 1876 - Dr T C Hunter of Wabash, Indiana kept weather records. This report was in the October 21, 1876 Wabash Plain Dealer: 6 clear days, 4 fair days, 3 cloudy days, 17 rainy days. Warmest temperature 90˚, lowest temperature 35˚.