50 Years Ago

[kar999]

In my local paper for 50 Years ago today. Originally published: July 18, 1955 Express & Star

Lightning struck five houses and killed two cows during the long dry thunderstorm that burst over the town like a firework display last night.

No personal injuries were reported. The cows, valuable dairy Shorthorns, were struck at a farm as they sheltered near a hedge.

They leaned on a barbed-wire and the lightning ran along the wire.

After an hour of picturesque, silent and harmless sheet lightning, the storm developed higher voltage, particularly over north-west Wolverhampton.

One resident, whose house was struck, said: "I thought the world had come to an end.

"The rooms filled up with soot and chippings. We sat up the rest of the night, scared to go out until the lightning stopped."

[Mondy]

Bloody wimps! I'd have been out there with my old Rolleiflex camera photographing the lightning and dead cows

[Weather-history]

Its the 50th anniversary of the Martinstown deluge when 279.4mm fell in 24 hours on the town, the largest 24 hour rainfall total ever recorded in the UK

[kar999]

That's 11 inches!!

I wonder Mr Data, if the whole of the UK had storms/downpours that night.

Edited July 18, 2005 by kar999

[Weather-history]

That's 11 inches!!

I wonder Mr Data, if the whole of the UK had storms/downpours that night.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No it was pretty localised so to speak

July 1955 was actually a pretty dry month with an England and Wales rainfall average of 26.1mm

Its ironic that the biggest 24hr total ever recorded in the UK should occur during the driest July for 44 years!

[kar999]

the driest July for 44 years! 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Causing water shortages as well. Never mind hosepipe bans, just turn off the supply! :lol:

From the Express and Star:

Another scorcher - and water crisis. Originally published: July 14, 1955

As the whole of Britain sweltered in the heat wave once again, Wolverhampton today faced its first water crisis for nearly 15 years.

On the tenth day of sun and no rain came this warning: unless the present excess daily demand for water is checked restrictions may have to be imposed from tomorrow night.

Similar warnings came from most parts of the West Midlands and there was bad new for the children too - pop supplies are nearing exhaustion.

The water restrictions, if imposed, would be the first since a bitter frost in the early years of the war caused widespread fractures in the undertaking's supply system.

W'ton water cuts begin tonight Originally published: July 15, 1955

As there has been no break in the hot weather - and as a fine weekend is forecast - large areas of South Staffordshire will be without water from 6pm tonight until 6am tomorrow.

Mr BL McMillan, borough water engineer, told the Express & Star today: "Last night we managed to save about 500,000 gallons by reducing the pressure in a number of districts.

"We shall be shutting off supplies to as many private houses as possible."

The times would be approximate because members of the water department staffs had to go round the supply area operating valves.

Not all private houses would be cut off because the department had to maintain water supplies to hospitals and certain industries.

Mr McMMillan said the cut would be repeated night by night until the demand for water returned to more normal levels.

[kar999]

And from the same source for 1 August 50 years ago: Express & Star

Driest July in Wolverhampton for 20 years

Originally published: August 1, 1955

In Wolverhampton's driest July for 20 years, which ended yesterday, only a little over half an inch of rain was recorded.

The month's 0.55in failed to lower the record of July 1937, when only 0.37in of rain fell. The dry warm spell, which has lasted since July 4, has been broken only once.

There is a drought in Wolverhampton. It is now 15 days since a measurable amount of rain fell. A drought begins officially after 15 days without rain.

July is frequently a wet month, as flower show arrangers have known to their cost.

The wettest recorded day in Wolverhampton was in July 1927. On the day before the floral fete opened, 3.7in of rain fell and the ducks from the pool in the West Park were found swimming near the bandstand.

[Weather-history]

Overall for England and Wales, it was the driest July since 1911.

Indeed since July 1955, only July 1977 has been drier.

[kar999]

Historic weather is very interesting. Those endless long dry sunny summer school holidays never really existed. You just think they did!

Edited August 2, 2005 by kar999