11/11/11

Yes, another history lesson... On November 10-11, 1911, the central U.S. experienced what can only be described as "freak" weather.

Oklahoma City recorded a record high... and a record low... on the same date (83 and 17 degrees on Nov. 11). Kansas City went from 76 to 11. On the 10th, Rapid City, South Dakota fell from 62 to -13, a 75-degree freefall. Even more mind-blowing is that Rapid City's temperature fell that quickly in merely two hours.

A tornado destroyed buildings, including a schoolhouse, just west of Bloomington, Illinois (see graphic - photo from the Pantagraph). Closer to home, Rockford fell from 74 balmy degrees to a frigid 12. The situation north of Rockford up around Orfordville and Janesville was much more severe. An F4 tornado caused a half-million dollars in damage and killed nine people. To make matters worse, the temperature plummeted from 72 in the afternoon to near zero by midnight. Rescue and recovery were hampered not only by such cold conditions, but a blizzard set in that night, as well.

It's difficult to even begin to imagine such a weather event.