Every tornado, hurricane, flood, blizzard, heat wave, record, earthquake, eruption, tsunami, wildfire and geomagnetic storm on record for February 17, in any year, each linked to its full record.
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Every event with a place, colored by kind. Tap one to open its record.
By deaths, damage and strength together, across every archive.
Tsunamis
The 1674 Ambon earthquake occurred on February 17 between 19:30 and 20:00 local time in the Maluku Islands. The resulting tsunami reached heights of up to 100 metres (330 ft) on Ambon Island killing over 2,000 people.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Earthquakes
A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Ambon Island, Seram Island, Indonesia. With the tsunami it caused, it killed 2,330 people, injured 41 and did severe (about $5 to $25 million) damage.
Tsunamis
A tsunami with a source recorded as earthquake and landslide struck Banda Sea, Indonesia, with a maximum water height of 100 meters. It killed 2,330 people, injured 41 and did severe (about $5 to $25 million) damage.
Other weather
On February 17, 2006, a massive rock slide-debris avalanche occurred in the Philippine province of Southern Leyte, causing widespread damage and loss of life. The deadly landslide followed a 10-day period of heavy rain and a minor earthquake.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Tornadoes
An F4 tornado touched down in Cass, Caddo Parish counties, Texas and tracked 6.7 miles, 200 yards wide at its widest, killing 21 and injuring 50. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: TX to Rodessa, LA.
Earthquakes
A magnitude 8.3 earthquake struck Sanriku,rikuzen,rikuchu, Japan. With the tsunami it caused, it killed 745 people, destroyed 1,160 houses and did severe (about $5 to $25 million) damage.
Tsunamis
A tsunami caused by a magnitude 8.3 earthquake struck Sanriku, Japan, with a maximum water height of 4.5 meters. It killed 745 people, destroyed 1,160 houses and did severe (about $5 to $25 million) damage.
Earthquakes
A magnitude 8.2 earthquake struck Biak, Supiori, Irian Jaya, New Guinea, Indonesia. With the tsunami it caused, it killed 164 people, injured 423, destroyed 5,043 houses and did $4.2 million in damage.
Tsunamis
A tsunami with a source recorded as earthquake and landslide struck Irian Jaya, Indonesia, with a maximum water height of 7.7 meters. It killed 164 people, injured 432, destroyed 5,043 houses and did $4.2 million in damage.
Winter storms and snow
The President's Day Storm I was ranked category 4, Crippling, on NOAA’s Regional Snowfall Index, strongest in the Southeast. It lasted from February 17, 1979 to February 20, 1979.
Tornadoes
An F3 tornado touched down in Sabine Parish, Natchitoches Parish, Red River Parish, Louisiana and tracked 26 miles, 200 yards wide at its widest, killing 14 and injuring 70. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: S Converse/E Pleaseant Hill to Lake End, LA.
Tornadoes
An F2 tornado touched down in Tensas Parish, Louisiana and tracked 10.3 miles, 150 yards wide at its widest, killing 13 and injuring 100. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: Lake Bruin, LA.
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An F3 tornado touched down in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana and tracked 7.7 miles, 400 yards wide at its widest, killing 2 and injuring 5. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: N Homer/S Homersville, LA.
An F2 tornado touched down in Bradley County, Arkansas and 400 yards wide at its widest, killing 1 and injuring 6. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: S Warren, AR.
An F3 tornado touched down in Sabine Parish, Natchitoches Parish, Red River Parish, Louisiana and tracked 26 miles, 200 yards wide at its widest, killing 14 and injuring 70. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: S Converse/E Pleaseant Hill to Lake End, LA.
An F2 tornado touched down in Tensas Parish, Louisiana and tracked 10.3 miles, 150 yards wide at its widest, killing 13 and injuring 100. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: Lake Bruin, LA.
An F2 tornado touched down in Jasper County, Mississippi, killing 8 and injuring 6. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: E Rose Hill, MS.
An F2 tornado touched down in Warren County, Mississippi and tracked 9.8 miles, 300 yards wide at its widest, killing 5 and injuring 25. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: N Bovina, MS.
An F2 tornado touched down in Jones, Jasper counties, Mississippi and tracked 15.3 miles, killing 1 and injuring 10. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: W Laurel, MS.
An F4 tornado touched down in Cass, Caddo Parish counties, Texas and tracked 6.7 miles, 200 yards wide at its widest, killing 21 and injuring 50. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: TX to Rodessa, LA.
The Rodessa tornado was a destructive tornado that hit the village of Rodessa, Louisiana on February 17, 1938. This F4 tornado left 21 people dead and upwards of 24 people injured.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
An F3 tornado touched down in Lawrence, Giles counties, Tennessee and tracked 10.4 miles, 1,760 yards wide at its widest.
An F3 tornado touched down in Pontotoc, Garvin, Seminole counties, Oklahoma and tracked 73 miles, 300 yards wide at its widest, injuring 11.
An F3 tornado touched down in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma and tracked 16.8 miles, 300 yards wide at its widest, injuring 7.
An F2 tornado touched down in Ashley, Chicot counties, Arkansas and tracked 29.5 miles, 200 yards wide at its widest, killing 3 and injuring 46.
Thunderstorm winds blew down trees in Howey in the Hills and near Tavares.
15-20 Homes were damaged. Large trees and power lines were blown down.
A tornado tore off the roof of a milking facility, two barns and a shed, damaged feed silos and downed power lines in a rural area of eastern Manatee County along State Road 70.
A tornado touched down and blew over several large trees atop homes which caused significant roof damage along Bellini and Picasso Roads near Casey Key.A resident with an anemometer located 50 feet above ground level reported a wind gust of 109 mph at the 1800 block of Casey…
A tornado touched down at Fourth and Johnson Streets in Lake Wales and caused significant roof damage to 25 homes, damaged a few vehicles, downed numerous large tree limbs and power lines along an intermittent path.
A tornadic thunderstorm raced through Spotsylvania Co during the evening of the 17th, knocking down dozens of trees and causing minor property damage along its path.
An EF3 tornado touched down in Autauga, Elmore counties, Alabama and tracked 14.65 miles, 440 yards wide at its widest, injuring 50.
A broken squall line, sparked by an advancing cold front and strong upper level storm, caused severe thunderstorms and tornadoes across Central Alabama.
S. state of Alabama.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
An intense closed upper low was rotating negatively from the southern plains toward the Ohio Valley. A strong cold front in advance of this system was moving across Mississippi into Alabama during the evening of the 17th.
26 tornadoes were recorded on February 17, 2008, in Alabama, Louisiana, Florida, Georgia.
Severe thunderstorms produced numerous reports of damaging wind and one tornado across southeast Alabama.
The long lived supercell that moved through northwest Florida, passed into Alabama producing a tornado along with hail and wind damage.
A long lived supercell thunderstorm moved across northwest Florida producing two tornadoes.
Severe thunderstorms produced several reports of wind damage and a tornado across portions of southwest Georgia.
Severe thunderstorms produced several reports of damaging winds and a tornado over portions of the Florida Panhandle.
A cold front moved across the region, producing a tornado, large hail, and other damaging winds.
Severe thunderstorms developed across sections of southeast Louisiana in advance of a strong upper level system moving across the lower Mississippi Valley.
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Northeast winds up to 40 miles per hour increased the water level at the Toledo Coast Guard Station (Lucas County) to around seven feet above low water datum.
Hurricane Uriah reached its peak of 130 kt (150 mph) with a central pressure of 926 mb, a category 4 storm.
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A strong low pressure system moved from Arkansas to the lower Ohio Valley on the 17th, then proceeded to the eastern Great Lakes on the 18th. Strong southerly flow ahead of the low advected high amounts of moisture toward the Great Lakes from the Gulf of Mexico.
The Peace River along State Road 70 in Arcadia crested at 16.0 feet on the 16th, over five feet above the flood stage of eleven feet.
The Myakka River at Myakka State Park crested at 10.1 feet on the 20th, over three feet above the flood stage of seven feet. Over 20 homes downstream were damaged from floodwaters of the Myakka.
Excessive and prolonged heavy rains fell across the Caddo Lake basin. Caddo Lake rose and crested at a stage of 174.9 feet on the 22nd. The lake remained above the 172 foot flood stage at months end.
Heavy rainfall in addition to melting snow caused flooding across parts of north central Illinois.
Unseasonably cold weather prevailed for the first ten days of the month with temperatures averaging 11.4 below normal.
A strong trough and associated Pacific cold front swept into Southern California from the west, bringing strong winds, heavy snow and rain. The storm was noteworthy for the strong prefrontal southerly winds that produced significant tree damage over the coast and valleys.
Storms brought additional rain and widespread flooding and debris flows, as well as mountain snow.
A surface front stalled near Kauai, along with an upper trough, brought heavy rain and thunderstorms to parts of the Aloha State, and flash flooding to Kauai.
As an arctic air mass continued to build southward across the South on February 17th, another wave of precipitation overspread this cold air mass across much of Mississippi.
As an arctic air mass continued to build southward across the South on February 17th, another wave of precipitation overspread this cold air mass across northeast Louisiana.
A southeastward-moving surface cold front across southern Lower MI and northern IN approached northwest OH during the early morning of the 17th.
Rain overspread the region through the day ahead of a low pressure system moving through the Ohio Valley. Rainfall amounts of 1.5 to 2.5 inches produced widespread flooding.
A storm system pushed across the region during February 17-18, 2022. Warm air pushed northward into the region along with periods of rainfall before a cold front brought the return of windy and colder weather.
Several rounds of heavy rain and thunderstorms moved across the region on the 17th. Rainfall of 3 to 5 inches created pockets of road flooding, along with flash flooding of creeks that affected several dwellings. Larger rivers rose out of their banks in subsequent days.
A winter storm mid-February brought several days of continued heavy snow, rain, and gusty winds. Periods of chain controls were observed in the mountains with local reports of flooding and minor wind damage.
From the evening of February 16th to the morning of February 22nd, a strong South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ) moved over Tutuila, Aunu'u, and the Manu'a islands of American Samoa, bringing sustained heavy rainfall and high winds across the territory.
A small sedan attempted to ford Tres Pinos Creek along Browns Valley Road near Paicines on the night of February 17, with first responders responding to the scene during the night.
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More than 15 semi-trailers were overturned. Chicken processing plant damaged. One mobile home was distroyed. Large trees and power lines were blown down.
A strong cold front swept across southern New England from late Friday morning through the afternoon hours of 17 February 2006, producing high winds across most of Massachusetts.
Low pressure deepened as it tracked northeast into southern Ontario. The strong winds associated with the low downed trees and power lines throughout western New York and the north country. Damage from falling trees to buildings and automobiles was extensive.
More than 60,000 homes and businesses lost power. Dozens of trees fell on homes or cars, and several roads were closed because of fallen trees. A county road worker suffered serious leg injuries after being hit by a falling tree.
A strong area of low pressure over southern Lower Michigan during the evening hours of February 16th passed to the north of Lake Erie during the early morning hours of the 17th.
Damaging west winds followed along and a couple of hours after a strong cold frontal passage across Morris County. Farther south the same cold front produced a line of showers and thunderstorms that produced damaging winds in the central part of the state.
A very strong cold front raced across New Hampshire and western Maine on Friday, the 17th of February. Wind gusts of 60 mph or more were common with and following the frontal passage.
Damaging northwest winds followed along and a couple of hours after a strong cold frontal passage across the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos during the late morning of the 17th. Lower velocity, but still strong winds continued into the afternoon.
Low pressure moved through the eastern Great Lakes and St Lawrence Valley region during early Friday morning (the 17th), while an accompanying arctic front barreled across the southern Champlain Valley into the western slopes of the Green Mountains of Vermont during the late…
A strong cold front swept across southern New Hampshire from late Friday morning through Friday afternoon on 17 February 2006. This cold front produced high winds that brought down trees, power poles, and wires across Cheshire and Hillsborough counties.
A very strong cold front raced across New Hampshire and western Maine on Friday, the 17th of February. Wind gusts of 60 mph or more were common with and following the frontal passage.
Low pressure moved through the eastern Great Lakes and St Lawrence Valley region during early Friday morning (the 17th), then an accompanying arctic front barreled across the Champlain Valley of New York during the mid to late morning hours.
A strong cold front brought very strong and gusty winds to the Mid-Atlantic on February 17. Wind gusts up to 50 mph occurred across the region. Scattered power outages occurred due to downed trees or powerlines across the area.
A strong cold front moved across Upstate New York during the morning of the 17th, bringing high winds across Upstate New York along and behind the frontal passage.
Low pressure moved through the eastern Great Lakes and St Lawrence Valley region during early Friday morning (the 17th). Meanwhile, an accompanying arctic front barreled across Northern New York during the mid morning hours.
A strong area of low pressure over southern Lower Michigan during the evening hours of February 16th passed to the north of Lake Erie during the early morning hours of the 17th. A cold front trailing this low moved into Northwest Pennsylvania around 4 a.m. on the 17th.
Low pressure moved through the eastern Great Lakes and St Lawrence Valley region during early Friday morning (the 17th). An accompanying arctic front barreled across the Champlain Valley of Vermont during the mid to late morning hours.
A strong pressure gradient brought non-thunderstorm damaging winds to the higher elevations of east Tennessee on the 17th. Strong winds in the valley was responsible for one death in Loudon County.
During the early morning hours of February 17th, the southern half of the area saw a line of showers and thunderstorms move through. This line brought gusty winds to many areas with scattered severe thunderstorms across the Highway 84 corridor.
Very strong winds developed across much of western Utah on February 17 and 18. These winds caused significant damage in some locations, particularly with the passage of the cold front on February 18.
A strong pressure gradient in advance of a cold front helped to produce strong and gusty south winds on the 18th. This resulted in multiple trees and power lines being knocked down across the area, causing a few spotty power outages.
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Snowstorm of February 17, 1924 was ranked category 1, Notable, on NOAA’s Regional Snowfall Index, strongest in the Northeast. It lasted from February 17, 1924 to February 21, 1924.
Snowstorm of February 17, 1952 was ranked category 2, Significant, on NOAA’s Regional Snowfall Index, strongest in the Northeast. It lasted from February 17, 1952 to February 18, 1952.
The President's Day Storm I was ranked category 4, Crippling, on NOAA’s Regional Snowfall Index, strongest in the Southeast. It lasted from February 17, 1979 to February 20, 1979.
A disturbance moved through northern Utah leaving heavy snowfall in most locations. The Alta ski resort once again led the way with 16". In the southern mountains, Duck Creek Village had 9". Highest in the valleys was along the Bountiful Bench where 6" of snow accumulated.
The third coastal storm in less than 3 weeks struck mainly coastal areas from Onslow to Hyde County. Up to 5 inches of rain fell along the coast . Belhaven had almost three feet of water standing in low-lying streets and City Hall was flooded.
The same storm mentioned in the narrative above produced heavy snow across much of central and parts of northern Iowa. The thunderstorms that were over southern Iowa moved northeast, with the precipitation changing over to snow in central Iowa.
The seasons first winter storm moved across the Rockies during the day on the 17th. By evening a strong low pressure moved into Kansas. Very strong winds in the low levels of 40 to 55 knots drew moisture north from the Gulf of Mexico.
An avalanche killed a man as he was snowmobiling with friends in the mountains north of Cle Elum. According to reports, a 200 foot wide slide occurred about 8 miles northeast of Salmon La Sac Road in the North Fork Teanaway area.
A storm system over western New York combined with another system which reorganized off the southern New England coast and then moved east. These systems spread light snow across the area from the early morning hours into the afternoon of February 17th.
With an exceptionally strong high pressure system over New England, a low pressure system developed off the Mid Atlantic Coast. Periods of light snow developed as northeast winds increased to around 15 mph across the NYC Metro area Sunday afternoon, February 16th.
Around a tenth of an inch of freezing rain fell. A three vehicle accident occurred over an icy bridge onHwy 15. A woman was killed with two other injuries. Many schools and businesses were either closed or opened late.
A coastal storm moved slowly up the east coast on the 16th and early on the 17th. Late on the 17th the storm picked up speed to be well off the northeast coast. Snow spread into the southern Catskills of New York during the evening of the 16th.
A coastal storm moved slowly up the east coast on the 16th and early on the 17th. Late on the 17th the storm picked up speed to be well off the northeast coast. Snow spread into northeast Pennsylvania during the evening of the 16th.
An unstable snowpack resulted in an increased number of avalanches across the region.
A 26 year old snowmobiler was killed in an avalanche about 15 miles west of Jackson near Palisades Peak. The victim was buried under 8 or 9 feet of snow.
A strong low pressure system lifted northeast out of the southern U.S. on the night of the 16th through the daytime hours of the 17th.
A 970 mb low in the central Bering Sea on the afternoon of the 17th tracked to the southern Chukchi Sea on the afternoon of the 18th, and then along the arctic coast on the 19th. This storm system brought heavy snow and blizzard conditions to much of northern Alaska.
The 2010 Kohistan avalanche occurred in the Kohistan District, North West Frontier Province, Pakistan on February 17, 2010, striking the village of Bagaro Serai and killing at least 38 people.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
An elderly woman was found dead of exposure in Westport Connecticut on Thursday morning.
A strong front and moist westerly flow in its wake produced heavy snow in the Cascades. 3 different avalanches killed 4 and injured one.
Rapidly intensifying low pressure tracked from the southeast coast to a location southeast of Cape Cod during the night of the 16th. The low further intensified while tracking to Nova Scotia during the 17th.
A fast moving area of low pressure raced east across the lower Great Lakes during the evening hours of February 17th and the morning hours of the 18th. Snow associated with this low began over Northeast Ohio during the evening of the 17th.
Strong Winds caused large numbers of power outages. A majority of these outages were along the Sierra Nevada foothills. Snow up to 12 to 17 inches fell in the Sierra, causing a period of travel difficulties over Sierra passes.
A 30 year old Utah man was skiing at Rock Springs Canton, a back country ski area south of Jackson Hole Ski Resort. He was skiing in an area called Ralph's Slide when a triggered an avalanche. The man was partially buried and was pronounced dead at the scene from head trauma.
Icy roads from freezing rain and light snow likely played a part in a car crash that killed 2 people and injured another Sunday afternoon, February 17th.
A slow moving low pressure area brought a prolonged period of light to moderate snowfall. Lake enhanced snow contributed to the overall totals for the counties bordering Lake MI.
Showers and winds diminished across the area during the evening of February 17 as skies cleared out.
A deep upper level low pressure system moved into the Great Basin on February 17, 2019 and forced moist southwest flow over New Mexico through the 18th and 19th.
The third significant winter storm in a week moved into the area during the late evening hours of February 17th. What began as snow, transitioned to a wintry mix in some areas as the night progressed.
A group of 9 snowmobilers were riding in the Squaw Creek Drainage and triggered a slab avalanche. One person was buried under 4 to 5 feet of avalanche debris with three others buried up to their necks. The man was excavated and given CPR but did not survive.
A weak disturbance ahead of the main trough brought light snow to northeast Arkansas and the Missouri Bootheel during the early morning hours of Wednesday, February 17th. Meanwhile, another potent mid-level trough approached the Lower Mississippi Valley.
A winter storm brought heavy snow to eastern Kentucky on February 17th and 18th 2021. Storm total snowfall amounts varied from as little as an inch to as much as 6 inches in a couple of locations. Many locations around the area received 3.5 to 4 inches of snow from this storm.
A third winter storm in a short span of time impacted West Virginia with snow and freezing rain, this time on February 17th through the 18th.
After a major winter storm brought significant freezing rain, sleet, and snow to Middle Tennessee earlier in the week, another winter storm from Wednesday February 17 into Thursday February 18, 2021, brought the most widespread, heavy snowfall Middle Tennessee had seen in 5…
Periods of moderate to heavy snow moved through the area during the morning hours on February 17. The highest totals were generally in the 5 to 10 inch range.
A winter storm moved across northwest Indiana on February 17th producing a period of heavy snow during the afternoon and evening. Winds were gusting to 30 mph producing widespread blowing and drifting snow. Numerous traffic accidents were reported.
On February 17, 2026, an avalanche struck north of Lake Tahoe in California, United States, around Frog Lake and Castle Peak. The avalanche occurred amid a heavy, multi-day snowstorm in the area.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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Baltimore Oriole's pitcher Steve Bechler, collapsed and died while participating in conditioning drills. The medical examiner determined that the death was due to heat but that ephedrine pills taken three hours earlier had contributed to the death.
On this date in 2011, numerous record high temperatures were measured across the region. Oklahoma City made it up to 80 degrees, while Wichita Falls saw the mercury rise to 84 degrees. While these are definitely not the warmest temperatures we have seen ever seen in February, they were very different than the temperatures seen just a week earlier, when both locations set record low temperatures of minus 5 and 3 degrees, respectively. Nowata, Oklahoma reached 79 degrees, which was a 110-degree swing in temperature over record lows seen on the 10th.
From the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma.
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A series of arctic cold fronts moved through South Florida on President's Day Weekend and produced freezing temperatures across much of South Florida on the mornings of February 17th and 19th.
Low temperatures dropped into the single digits on February 18th, with a low temperature of 7 recorded at Chicago O'Hare Airport. One person died in Chicago due to cold exposure.
Arctic air plunged into the Mid-South from the middle to latter part of February. Highs remained below freezing while low temperatures dropped into the single digits. A few locations even recorded temperatures below zero.
The death of a 2 year old child occurred when she spent the night outdoors of an apartment in Tomah (Monroe County). Temperatures in the Tomah area are believed to have been in the single digits above zero for most of the early morning hours of February 17th.
A 72 year-old man died after being found lying in his driveway. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner determined the probable cause of death as hypothermia.
Cool morning temperatures near normal across Southeastern Arizona. The Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that cold and hypothermia was a contributing factor in the cause of death for an individual one in Tucson.
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McIntosh recorded -58°F, South Dakota’s all-time minimum temperature, as the State Climate Extremes Committee lists it.
Meadowlands 1NNW recorded 88 inches, Minnesota’s all-time maximum snow depth, as the State Climate Extremes Committee lists it (a tie with an earlier value).
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The Napau Fire was discovered on February 17, 1992, in Hawaii, and burned 4,700 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Unnamed Fire was discovered on February 17, 1992, in Martin County, Florida, and burned 1,005 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Cr 359 Fire was discovered on February 17, 1995, in Texas, and burned 9,410 acres.
The Unnamed Fire was discovered on February 17, 1997, in Comanche County, Kansas, and burned 6,000 acres.
The T-Four Fire was discovered on February 17, 1999, in New Mexico, and burned 5,000 acres.
The Johnny Fire was discovered on February 17, 2000, in De Baca County, New Mexico, and burned 42,212 acres; the cause was recorded as railroad operations and maintenance.
The Unnamed Fire was discovered on February 17, 2000, in Okeechobee County, Florida, and burned 1,100 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Leyry Fire was discovered on February 17, 2001, in Brevard County, Florida, and burned 1,500 acres; the cause was recorded as equipment and vehicle use.
The Hill Country - 6 Fire was discovered on February 17, 2004, in Blanco County, Texas, and burned 1,000 acres; the cause was recorded as debris and open burning.
The Unnamed Fire was discovered on February 17, 2007, in Hawaii County, Hawaii, and burned 1,500 acres.
The Elena Fire was discovered on February 17, 2009, in Roger Mills County, Oklahoma, and burned 2,400 acres; the cause was recorded as arson/incendiarism.
The Savanna Lake Complex was discovered on February 17, 2009, in Dorchester County, Maryland, and burned 1,238 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Speedway Two Fire was discovered on February 17, 2010, in Miami-Dade County, Florida, and burned 1,400 acres; the cause was recorded as arson/incendiarism.
The Moore County Fire was discovered on February 17, 2011, in Moore County, Texas, and burned 7,943 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Krimes Fire was discovered on February 17, 2011, in Putnam County, Florida, and burned 1,237 acres; the cause was recorded as debris and open burning.
The Harper Road Fire was discovered on February 17, 2011, in Tom Green County, Texas, and burned 1,044 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Bear Fire was reported on February 17, 2016, in Osage County, Oklahoma, and burned 6,131 acres.
The Rocking Chair Ranch Fire was reported on February 17, 2016, in Childress County, Texas, and burned 3,000 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Quinton Fire was reported on February 17, 2016, in Pittsburg County, Oklahoma, and burned 1,070 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Chockie Fire was reported on February 17, 2017, in Atoka County, Oklahoma, and burned 1,500 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Matador Fire was reported on February 17, 2020, in Cottle County, Texas, and burned 2,272 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
In the midday of the 17th, west-southwesterly winds began gusting up to close to 70 MPH ahead of a cold front. Behind the front high winds continued.
A strong upper level weather system moved across the High Plains region and brought down very strong winds to the surface from the late morning to the late afternoon on February 17, 2026. Many locations across the Oklahoma Panhandle observed wind gusts o 60mph or greater.
A strong upper level weather system moved across the High Plains region and brought down very strong winds to the surface from the late morning to the late afternoon on February 17, 2026.
Strong mid-upper level trough ejected into the Plains early on February 17 which led to a rapid deepening of a surface cyclone. Strong winds developed behind the cold frontal passage, leading to numerous high wind reports across central and western Kansas.
The Ranger Road Fire was reported on February 17, 2026, in Beaver County, Oklahoma, and burned 283,283 acres.
The Lavender Fire was reported on February 17, 2026, in Oldham County, Texas, and burned 18,423 acres.
The 8 Ball Fire was reported on February 17, 2026, in Armstrong County, Texas, and burned 13,500 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Stevens Fire was reported on February 17, 2026, in Texas County, Oklahoma, and burned 12,894 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Andrew Lane Fire was reported on February 17, 2026, in Seward County, Kansas, and burned 7,217 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The County Rd 169 Fire was reported on February 17, 2026, in Elbert County, Colorado, and burned 5,586 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Smith Fire was reported on February 17, 2026, in Harding County, New Mexico, and burned 3,797 acres.
The Side Road Fire was reported on February 17, 2026, in Texas County, Oklahoma, and burned 3,680 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The 43 Fire was reported on February 17, 2026, in Woodward County, Oklahoma, and burned 2,159 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Rawlins Co TP Fire was reported on February 17, 2026, in Rawlins County, Kansas, and burned 1,521 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Rawlins Co TP Fire was reported on February 17, 2026, in Rawlins County, Kansas, and burned 1,521 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The County Road 89 Fire was reported on February 17, 2026, in Weld County, Colorado, and burned 1,092 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
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An earthquake struck Van, Turkey. It did severe (about $5 to $25 million) damage.
A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Ambon Island, Seram Island, Indonesia. With the tsunami it caused, it killed 2,330 people, injured 41 and did severe (about $5 to $25 million) damage.
A magnitude 8.3 earthquake struck Sanriku,rikuzen,rikuchu, Japan. With the tsunami it caused, it killed 745 people, destroyed 1,160 houses and did severe (about $5 to $25 million) damage.
An earthquake struck San Cristobal,tachira (Lobatera), Venezuela. It killed few people (about 1 to 50).
A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck Papua New Guinea.
A magnitude 8.2 earthquake struck Biak, Supiori, Irian Jaya, New Guinea, Indonesia. With the tsunami it caused, it killed 164 people, injured 423, destroyed 5,043 houses and did $4.2 million in damage.
A magnitude 5.4 earthquake struck Baghan, Iran. It killed 1 person and injured 30.
A magnitude 3.1 earthquake struck Paonia, Colorado, United States.
A magnitude 5.4 earthquake struck Esfahan, Kohgiluyeh, Boyer-Ahmad, Iran. It killed 2 people, injured 63 and did $10 million in damage.
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Soufriere Guadeloupe erupted. The eruption caused a tsunami.
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A tsunami caused by a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Aegean Sea, Greece.
The 1674 Ambon earthquake occurred on February 17 between 19:30 and 20:00 local time in the Maluku Islands. The resulting tsunami reached heights of up to 100 metres (330 ft) on Ambon Island killing over 2,000 people.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
A tsunami with a source recorded as earthquake and landslide struck Banda Sea, Indonesia, with a maximum water height of 100 meters. It killed 2,330 people, injured 41 and did severe (about $5 to $25 million) damage.
A tsunami struck Southwest Scotland, United Kingdom.
A tsunami caused by a magnitude 8.3 earthquake struck Sanriku, Japan, with a maximum water height of 4.5 meters. It killed 745 people, destroyed 1,160 houses and did severe (about $5 to $25 million) damage.
A tsunami with a source recorded as volcano struck Marie-Galante Island, Guadeloupe.
A tsunami struck Azores, Portugal, with a maximum water height of 10 meters.
A tsunami struck Central Chile, with a maximum water height of 1.5 meters.
A tsunami with a source recorded as earthquake and landslide struck Irian Jaya, Indonesia, with a maximum water height of 7.7 meters. It killed 164 people, injured 432, destroyed 5,043 houses and did $4.2 million in damage.
A tsunami with a source recorded as landslide struck Svalbard, Norway, with a maximum water height of 0.3 meters.
4 on February 17, oldest first.
A G3 (strong) geomagnetic storm began February 17, 1943, reached Kp 7- and lasted 6 hours, with a daily Ap as high as 41; at that Kp the aurora may be seen from about 52 degrees geomagnetic latitude.
A G3 (strong) geomagnetic storm began February 17, 1961, reached Kp 7- and lasted 30 hours, with a daily Ap as high as 51; at that Kp the aurora may be seen from about 52 degrees geomagnetic latitude.
A G3 (strong) geomagnetic storm began February 17, 1993, reached Kp 7- and lasted 6 hours, with a daily Ap as high as 36; at that Kp the aurora may be seen from about 52 degrees geomagnetic latitude.
A G3 (strong) geomagnetic storm began February 17, 1998, reached Kp 7- and lasted 9 hours, with a daily Ap as high as 36; at that Kp the aurora may be seen from about 52 degrees geomagnetic latitude.
9 on February 17, oldest first.
A stationary storm over the northeast Pacific centered 1,200 miles north-northeast of Hawaii, generated large north swells that caused high surf and surges for Hilo Harbor. The U.S.C.G. Cutter Kiska sustained $100,000 in damage while moored in the Radio Bay area of Hilo Harbor.
On February 17, 2006, a massive rock slide-debris avalanche occurred in the Philippine province of Southern Leyte, causing widespread damage and loss of life. The deadly landslide followed a 10-day period of heavy rain and a minor earthquake.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Twenty (20) vehicle chain reaction accident on Interstate 295 between U.S. highway 1 (Kings Highway) and Prichard road. Accident occurred near 02:00 EST when a truck stopped in the roadway due to rapidly reduced visibility due to fog.
After 10:00 am Sunday 18 February 2007, 2 bodies were found and 1 lost at sea along the mouth of Aoa village harbor which lies to the north to northeast of Tutuila Island of American Samoa.
Strong winds across the waters in Maalaea Bay in Maui caused difficulties for swimmers and surfers. County lifeguards were involved in assisting numerous beach-goers. One individual perished (direct) in the water because of the strong wind.
Dense fog blanketed much of north central Wisconsin for a good share of February 17th. A nine vehicle accident at the intersection of State Highway 29 and County Road P east of Owen (Clark County) was responsible for the death of one person and injuries to nine others.
Surface high pressure ridge affected the region. Showers were observed along the north coast of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Large breaking waves and dangerous rip currents affected the north facing coasts of Puerto Rico and the Northern U.S.
On this date in 2021, the high temperature at Oklahoma City official climbed above 20 degrees Fahrenheit, to reach 22 degrees, for the first time since the 8th of the month. The 8 consecutive days of temperatures at or below 20 degrees was a record stretch for Oklahoma City. It broke the record of 5 consecutive days back in December of 1983.
From the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma.
Strong, gusty north winds rapidly developed in the wake of a cold front the evening of February 17th and persisted for 2 hours. Winds gusted to 36 knots at Rincon del San Jose. The winds capsized a 16 foot Jon Boat boat near Port Mansfield in the Laguna Madre.
Gathered from this site’s archives: the tornado record (NOAA SPC, and Grazulis before 1950), IBTrACS and the National Hurricane Center, NOAA NCEI’s Storm Events Database, Regional Snowfall Index, billion-dollar disasters list, State Climate Extremes Committee and hazard databases, USGS, NIFC, GFZ Potsdam’s Kp index (CC BY 4.0), the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma, and Wikidata (CC0), with article leads from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0, each credited where it appears. Rebuilt 2026-09-24.