On this date in 1976, “a violent and destructive thunderstorm raged through the Washington area,” The Washington Post reported on its front page. Tens of thousands of customers lost power as the storm toppled “scores of trees,” The Post wrote. At National Airport, winds gusted to 76 mph, the highest speed since Hurricane Hazel unleashed a 98-mph gust on Oct. 15, 1954.
Here are other notables from this day:
- Average high: 90
- Average low: 73
- Record high: 102 (2024)
- Record low: 56 (1895)
- Record rainfall: 1.82 inches (1921)
