On this date in 1926, the temperature soared to a calendar-day record of 103 degrees, the day after it hit 104, also a record. The Washington Post reported on its front page that it was “the hottest July spell ever recorded” and that four people died. “Washington was the hottest city east of the Rockies … with the exception of Charlotte, N.C.,” The Post wrote.
And on this date in 1969, a calendar-day record 4.35 inches of rain fell, just two days after a record of 1.45 inches on July 20. “A flash thunderstorm dumped more than three inches of rain on the Washington area in less than an hour … causing major flooding in parts of Northern Virginia and Prince George’s County,” the front page of The Post said. High water forced hundreds of families to evacuate their homes near the Alexandria-Arlington border in Virginia and a dozen in Oxon Hill, Maryland.
In Shirlington, Virginia, “an estimated 100 new automobiles stored in the Rosenthal Chevrolet Co. lots were swept down the banks of Four Mile Run,” The Post reported.
And on this date in 1987, a tornado damaged 52 planes, and flipped 20, at Manassas Municipal Airport. The airport “resembled an upended children’s toy box,” The Washington Post reported.
Here are other notables from this day:
- Average high: 90
- Average low: 73
- Record high: 103 (1926)
- Record low: 53 (1890)
- Record rainfall: 4.35 inches (1969)
