1871 - Prolonged drought and dessicating winds led to the great Chicago fire, the Peshtigo horror, and the Michigan fire holocaust. Fire destroyed more than seventeen thousand buildings killing more than 200 persons in the city of Chicago, while a fire consumed the town of Peshtigo WI killing more than 1100 persons. In Wisconsin, a million acres of land were burned, and in Michigan, 2.5 million acres were burned killing 200 persons. "Tornadoes of fire" generated by intense heat caused houses to explode in fire, and burned to death scores of persons seeking refuge in open fields.
More on this and other weather history
Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. Northwest wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Night: Clear, with a low around 48. North wind 7 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
Day: Sunny, with a high near 63. North wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
Night: Clear, with a low around 41. Northeast wind 3 to 7 mph.
Day: Sunny, with a high near 65. East wind 3 to 8 mph.
Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50.
Day: A slight chance of rain showers after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68.
Night: A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Day: A chance of rain showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 63. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Night: A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Day: A chance of rain showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 62. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Night: A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Day: A slight chance of rain showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 68.
Night: A slight chance of rain showers before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 54.
Alexandria, Va.
(9.5 miles away)
Bellevue, D.C.
(9.9 miles away)
Tue's High Temperature
100 at Rio Grande Village, TX and 5 Miles South Of Yuma, AZ and 6 Miles West Southwest Of Glamis, CA
Wed's Low Temperature
18 at 20 Miles Northwest Of Calpet, WY
Current conditions: We use the nearest available station to your location - including professional MESONET/MADIS and local weather stations - often miles closer than regional airports.
Forecasts: National Weather Service point forecasts predict for your specific area, not broad regional zones, making them far more relevant to your location.