Weather can be unpredictable and sometimes downright astonishing. From unexpected snowstorms to record-breaking heatwaves, these extreme weather events have left people in awe. Here are 14 insane weather events that you won’t believe actually happened.
1. The Year Without a Summer (1816)
In 1816, volcanic eruptions, particularly the eruption of Mount Tambora in Indonesia, caused a dramatic drop in global temperatures. This led to widespread crop failures and food shortages, especially in the Northern Hemisphere, as snow fell in June and frost occurred in July and August.
2. The Great Blizzard of 1888
One of the most severe blizzards in U.S. history, the Great Blizzard of 1888 dumped up to 50 inches of snow in parts of the Northeast. Winds of up to 45 mph created massive snowdrifts, paralyzing cities and causing over 400 deaths.
3. The Tri-State Tornado (1925)
The deadliest tornado in U.S. history, the Tri-State Tornado, struck Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana on March 18, 1925. It traveled over 219 miles, lasted about 3.5 hours, and caused 695 deaths, making it a devastating and unparalleled weather event.
4. The Dust Bowl (1930s)
During the 1930s, severe dust storms swept across the American Midwest, caused by drought and poor farming practices. The Dust Bowl devastated agriculture, displaced thousands of families, and led to significant economic hardship during the Great Depression.
5. The Heatwave of 1936
The summer of 1936 brought a record-breaking heatwave to North America, with temperatures reaching as high as 121°F in Manitoba, Canada. The extreme heat caused thousands of deaths and widespread crop failures.
6. The Galveston Hurricane (1900)
The deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history, the Galveston Hurricane, struck Texas in 1900. With winds up to 145 mph and a storm surge that inundated the island city of Galveston, it killed an estimated 8,000 people.
7. The Blizzard of 1972 (Iran)
In February 1972, a blizzard in Iran dumped up to 26 feet of snow, burying entire villages. The storm killed approximately 4,000 people, making it one of the deadliest blizzards in recorded history.
8. The Bhola Cyclone (1970)
The Bhola Cyclone hit East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and the West Bengal area of India in November 1970. It is estimated to have killed 300,000 to 500,000 people, making it the deadliest tropical cyclone ever recorded.
9. The Ice Storm of 1998
In January 1998, a massive ice storm struck northeastern North America, coating surfaces with up to 4 inches of ice. The storm caused widespread power outages, extensive tree damage, and at least 35 deaths.
10. The European Heatwave (2003)
The summer of 2003 saw a deadly heatwave sweep across Europe, leading to over 70,000 deaths. Temperatures soared above 104°F in many regions, causing severe health issues and impacting agriculture.
11. The Super Outbreak (2011)
In April 2011, the United States experienced the largest tornado outbreak in recorded history. Over four days, 362 tornadoes touched down across 21 states, resulting in 324 deaths and widespread destruction.
12. The Great Smog of London (1952)
In December 1952, London was engulfed in a thick smog caused by air pollution. The Great Smog of London lasted for five days, causing respiratory problems and leading to an estimated 12,000 deaths.
13. The Hurricane of 1780
The deadliest Atlantic hurricane on record, the Great Hurricane of 1780, devastated the Caribbean in October 1780. It killed approximately 22,000 people as it swept across Barbados, St. Lucia, and Martinique.
14. The Boxing Day Tsunami (2004)
Although primarily a seismic event, the Boxing Day Tsunami of December 26, 2004, was caused by an undersea megathrust earthquake off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The resulting tsunamis killed over 230,000 people across 14 countries, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in history.