Today in New York Weather History: August 18
1879 (Monday)
3.95" of rain flooded the City from a hurricane that struck North Carolina this morning and moved up the coast during the day. This amount was a record for the date (a record that still stands).
1919 (Monday)
More than twelve inches of rain fell in the past five weeks. During this period, measurable rain fell on twenty-two days. Today's rainfall was the fifth rainstorm of an inch or more. Besides significant rainfall (1.74"), today was very cool, with a high/low of 65°/63°.
1943 (Wednesday)
Today's high of 79° was the first since July 7 that was below 80°. The average high during this nearly six-week period was 87.4° (with 14 days in the 90s). This streak of 41 days surpassed the previous lengthiest streak of 37 days in 1917. However, it would be the record holder for only one year.
1979 (Sunday)
Over the past eight days temperatures were nearly eight degrees below average. However, today's high was just 68°, fifteen degrees below average. Before this cool-down, temperatures had been four degrees above average for the previous four weeks.
1987 (Tuesday)
For the second day in a row the high was 94°, eleven degrees above average. It was the 22nd, and last, 90-degree day of the summer (the average number is 18).
1988 (Thursday)
This was the twenty-first day in a row with above-average temperatures. During these three weeks twelve days had highs in the 90s; the average high/low was 91°/76°, seven degrees warmer than normal.
2009 (Tuesday)
A quick-moving, but severe, thunderstorm struck shortly before 11 PM, and produced a micro-burst that downed more than 500 trees in Central Park and Riverside Park (between West 90th and 106th Streets) - the most destructive storm in the history of these storied parks. 0.64" of rain fell during the short-lived storm. Besides the violent wind and rain, the storm was noteworthy for its vivid lightning and booming thunder. (Photo taken by Melissa Hersh from her rooftop at 106th St. & Riverside Drive.)