July 4 in Weather History

215 events on record, 1727 to 2026

Every tornado, hurricane, flood, blizzard, heat wave, record, earthquake, eruption, tsunami, wildfire and geomagnetic storm on record for July 4, in any year, each linked to its full record.

← July 3TodayJuly 5 →

July 4 on the map

Every event with a place, colored by kind. Tap one to open its record.

  • Tornadoes
  • Hurricanes and tropical storms
  • Floods
  • Severe storms
  • Heat and drought
  • Wildfires
  • Earthquakes
  • Volcanoes
  • Tsunamis
  • Other weather

The most significant

By deaths, damage and strength together, across every archive.

Hurricanes and tropical storms

2005Hurricane Dennis makes landfall

Hurricane Dennis crossed the coast as a depression, 30 kt, central pressure 1010 mb. It killed 42 people in all, by the National Hurricane Center’s count. Hurricane Dennis was a deadly and destructive tropical cyclone that briefly held the record for the strongest Atlantic hurricane ever to form before August. Dennis was the fourth named storm of the record-breaking 2005 Atlantic hurricane season.

Wind at landfall
30 kt
Pressure
1010 mb
Peak wind
130 kt
Deaths
42
Damage
$2.5 billion

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

The full record

Floods

2025Flash Flooding in Texas, July 4, 2025

Tropical Storm Barry moved into and dissipated over eastern Mexico. Moist air from the remnants of Barry moved northward into Texas. Precipitable water values over South-Central Texas increased to near record levels.

Deaths
117
Damage
$205 million
Events
23

The full record

Tornadoes

1945F4 tornado, Polk, Butler counties, Nebraska

An F4 tornado touched down in Polk, Butler counties, Nebraska and tracked 15.7 miles, 400 yards wide at its widest, killing 7 and injuring 12. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: W Rising City, NE.

Rating
F4
Deaths
7
Injuries
12
Path
15.7 mi
Width
400 yd

The full record

Billion-dollar disasters

2003Midwest/Plains Severe Weather (July 2003)

A severe storm disaster that cost $1.5 billion in 2024 dollars and killed 7, on NOAA’s billion-dollar list. It lasted from July 4, 2003 to July 9, 2003.

Losses (2024 dollars)
$1.5 billion
Kind
Severe Storm
Deaths
7

The full record

Heat and drought

1999Heat in Pennsylvania, July 4 to 6, 1999

A very strong and oppressive high pressure system that extended from the surface to aloft gave Eastern Pennsylvania a brutal heat wave that included the entire Independence Day weekend. There were 74 heat related deaths and over 100 reported heat related injuries.

Deaths
74
Injuries
135
Events
10

The full record

Tornadoes

1876F3 tornado, Warren County, Iowa

An F3 tornado touched down in Warren County, Iowa and tracked 19.7 miles, 300 yards wide at its widest, killing 5 and injuring 40. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: N Indianola/Spring Hill, IA.

Rating
F3
Deaths
5
Injuries
40
Path
19.7 mi
Width
300 yd

The full record

Heat and drought

1999Heat in New Jersey, July 4 to 6, 1999

A very strong and oppressive high pressure system that extended from the surface to aloft gave New Jersey a brutal heat wave that included the entire Independence Day weekend. There were seventeen heat related deaths and around 100 reported heat related injuries.

Deaths
17
Injuries
160
Events
20

The full record

By kind

Tornadoes

44 on July 4, oldest first.

1876F3 tornado, Warren County, Iowa

An F3 tornado touched down in Warren County, Iowa and tracked 19.7 miles, 300 yards wide at its widest, killing 5 and injuring 40. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: N Indianola/Spring Hill, IA.

Rating
F3
Deaths
5
Injuries
40
Path
19.7 mi
Width
300 yd

The full record

1884F3 tornado, Hardin County, Iowa

An F3 tornado touched down in Hardin County, Iowa and tracked 2.9 miles, 70 yards wide at its widest. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: N Hubbard, IA.

Rating
F3
Path
2.9 mi
Width
70 yd

The full record

1891F1 tornado, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

An F1 tornado touched down in Rockingham County, New Hampshire and tracked 1.2 miles, 100 yards wide at its widest, killing 3 and injuring 120. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: Hampton Beach, NH.

Rating
F1
Deaths
3
Injuries
120
Path
1.2 mi
Width
100 yd

The full record

1945F4 tornado, Polk, Butler counties, Nebraska

An F4 tornado touched down in Polk, Butler counties, Nebraska and tracked 15.7 miles, 400 yards wide at its widest, killing 7 and injuring 12. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: W Rising City, NE.

Rating
F4
Deaths
7
Injuries
12
Path
15.7 mi
Width
400 yd

The full record

1994Tornadoes and Damaging Winds in Wisconsin, July 4, 1994

A series of squall lines with severe thunderstorms produced five tornadoes and violent wind gusts to 77 mph. A tornado set down in Dickeyville (Grant County) and traveled three miles damaging five homes, two sheds, and two farms. Damage was about $200,000.

Damage
$7.5 million
Strongest
F2
Events
22

The full record

1995Tornadoes and Hail in Oklahoma, July 4, 1995

Late afternoon and evening thunderstorms in southern and central Oklahoma produced large hail, severe winds, and one tornado. The tornado was reported three miles north of Ravia in Johnston County, where several large trees were downed and the roof was blown off a barn.

Damage
$311,000
Strongest
F1
Events
69

The full record

2011Tornadoes and Hail in North Dakota, July 4, 2011

By late in the afternoon of the 4th, temperatures had risen into the 80s to low 90s with dew points in the low 70s. This created an extremely unstable airmass over eastern North Dakota and the northwest quarter of Minnesota.

Damage
$490,000
Strongest
EF2
Events
16

The full record

2016Tornado in Kentucky, July 4, 2016

A warm front lifted north of northeast Kentucky during the morning hours, into central Ohio and northern West Virginia. A round of predawn showers associated with the front deposited around a half inch of rain.

Injuries
5
Damage
$500,000
Strongest
EF2
Events
1

The full record

2018Tornadoes and Hail in North Dakota, July 4, 2018

During the early morning hours of July 4th, surface low pressure had set up over north central South Dakota, with an east-to-west warm front extending eastward from the low along the North Dakota/South Dakota border into west central Minnesota.

Damage
$306,000
Strongest
EF2
Events
29

The full record

Hurricanes and tropical storms

5 on July 4, oldest first.

2005Hurricane Dennis makes landfall

Hurricane Dennis crossed the coast as a depression, 30 kt, central pressure 1010 mb. It killed 42 people in all, by the National Hurricane Center’s count. Hurricane Dennis was a deadly and destructive tropical cyclone that briefly held the record for the strongest Atlantic hurricane ever to form before August. Dennis was the fourth named storm of the record-breaking 2005 Atlantic hurricane season.

Wind at landfall
30 kt
Pressure
1010 mb
Peak wind
130 kt
Deaths
42
Damage
$2.5 billion

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

The full record

2025Tropical Storm Chantal

Tropical Storm Chantal was a tropical cyclone that impacted the Southeastern United States in July 2025. Chantal originated from a decaying frontal boundary over Florida.

Ended
July 7, 2025
Where
East Coast of the United States

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

The full record

Floods

15 on July 4, oldest first.

2009Flash Flooding and Hail in Tennessee, July 4 to 5, 2009

A cold front approached the Mid-South on Independence Day 2009. Showers and thunderstorms developed out ahead of the front during the late afternoon and early evening hours on the 4th. The storms continued into the morning hours of July 5th before dissipating.

Deaths
1
Damage
$70,000
Strongest
50 kt wind
Events
10

The full record

2013Flash Flood and Damaging Winds in South Carolina, July 4, 2013

Numerous thunderstorms developed again over Upstate South Carolina during the afternoon and evening hours of the 4th. A few of the storms caused a little wind damage. A few areas of flash flooding also affected the region as the airmass over the region was exceptionally moist.

Deaths
1
Strongest
50 kt wind
Events
7

The full record

2015Flash Flooding and Damaging Wind in New Mexico, July 4, 2015

Abundant moisture allowed for thunderstorms to develop during the afternoon and evening on the 4th across western and central New Mexico. The combination of heavy rains from slow moving storms and antecedent moisture caused flash flooding to occur in parts of western New Mexico.

Deaths
1
Damage
$550,000
Strongest
56 kt wind
Events
3

The full record

2015Heavy Rain in West Virginia, July 4, 2015

Rounds of showers and thunderstorms occurred on the 3rd. A frontal boundary extended east from a weak low pressure moving up the Ohio River Valley. The low pressure crossed into West Virginia early on the 4th. Local small downpours occurred with 1 to 2 inches of rain.

Deaths
1
Events
1

The full record

20242024 Lekki flood

On 4 July 2024, heavy rainfall caused flooding in Lekki, a city in Lagos State, Nigeria. The flooding caused significant damage to residential areas in Ibeju-Lekki and other affected locations.

Where
Lekki
Country
Nigeria

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

The full record

2025Flash Flooding in Texas, July 4, 2025

Tropical Storm Barry moved into and dissipated over eastern Mexico. Moist air from the remnants of Barry moved northward into Texas. Precipitable water values over South-Central Texas increased to near record levels.

Deaths
117
Damage
$205 million
Events
23

The full record

Severe storms

18 on July 4, oldest first.

1969Ohio Fireworks Derecho

The Ohio Fireworks Derecho, was a severe wind event that took place during the evening hours of July 4 1969. It affected the northern half of the state of Ohio as well as portions of Pennsylvania, southern Michigan, northern West Virginia and extreme southwestern New York.

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

The full record

1997Hail and Damaging Winds in Virginia, July 4, 1997

A supercell thunderstorm that travelled from Tazewell County to southern Pittsylvania County during the evening hours on the 4th produced damaging winds and hail up to golf ball size and slightly injured 5 people.

Injuries
5
Damage
$2.6 million
Strongest
1.75 in hail
Events
31

The full record

1998Damaging Wind in Florida, July 4, 1998

ASOS at Marathon Airport recorded 50 knots at 1620 EDT. The C-MAN at Sombrero Key recorded 59 knots. A storm spotter estimated wind gusts of 65 knots. Signs and trees were downed throughout the Marathon area. Several boats were swamped.

Deaths
1
Strongest
65 kt wind
Events
1

The full record

1999Boundary Waters – Canadian derecho

The Boundary Waters–Canadian Derecho was an international derecho that occurred during the afternoon and evening hours of July 4 and the early morning hours of July 5, 1999. It traveled 1,300 miles (2,092 km) and lasted 22 hours.

Ended
July 5, 1999
Where
Canada
Countries
Canada, United States

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

The full record

2001Hail in Nebraska, July 4, 2001

Large hail fell over parts of Scottsbluff, NE, damaging many cars and buildings as well as causing some minor injuries from broken glass.

Injuries
12
Damage
$50 million
Strongest
3 in hail
Events
1

The full record

2006Hail in Washington, July 4, 2006

A severe thunderstorm formed over the Lower Columbia Basin, and tracked north through Adams and Lincoln counties. Severe hail damage was done to crops across portions of Adams and Lincoln counties. Crops damaged included wheat, alfalfa, potatoes, and barley.

Damage
$28 million
Strongest
1.25 in hail
Events
3

The full record

2012Hail and Damaging Winds in Ohio, July 4 to 5, 2012

A cold front moved across the Upper Ohio Valley on July 4th. Scattered showers and thunderstorms developed ahead of this front. A few of the stronger thunderstorms became severe. Large hail was reported over portions of Summit County.

Damage
$7.5 million
Strongest
2.5 in hail
Events
44

The full record

2023Damaging Winds and Lightning Strike in Florida, July 4, 2023

SW steering flow pushed the dominant west coast sea breeze inland with a merger between the Highway 301 and St. Johns River basin during the evening. A moist and unstable airmass near the collision produced a few strong to pulse severe storms.

Deaths
1
Injuries
3
Damage
$41,000
Strongest
50 kt wind
Events
6

The full record

2023Hail and Damaging Winds in Nebraska, July 4, 2023

An upper level trough was over the northern Rocky Mountains and Northern Plains and was bringing a cold front south through Nebraska during the afternoon and evening hours of Independence Day. Temperatures heated up in advance of the front with dewpoints mostly in the 60s.

Damage
$6.7 million
Strongest
2.5 in hail
Events
19

The full record

Heat and drought

33 on July 4, oldest first.

19111911 Eastern North America heat wave

The 1911 Eastern North America heat wave was an 11-day severe heat wave that killed at least 380 people, though estimates have put the death toll as high as 2,000 people. The heat wave began on July 4 and did not cease until July 15.

Ended
July 15, 1911
Where
Canada
Countries
Canada, United States

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

The full record

1999Heat in Pennsylvania, July 4 to 6, 1999

A very strong and oppressive high pressure system that extended from the surface to aloft gave Eastern Pennsylvania a brutal heat wave that included the entire Independence Day weekend. There were 74 heat related deaths and over 100 reported heat related injuries.

Deaths
74
Injuries
135
Events
10

The full record

1999Heat in New Jersey, July 4 to 6, 1999

A very strong and oppressive high pressure system that extended from the surface to aloft gave New Jersey a brutal heat wave that included the entire Independence Day weekend. There were seventeen heat related deaths and around 100 reported heat related injuries.

Deaths
17
Injuries
160
Events
20

The full record

1999Heat in New York, July 4 to 6, 1999

An extremely hot and humid airmass covered the region from July 4th through July 6th.On Sunday July 4th, temperatures soared into the mid and upper 90s. The combination of high temperatures and moderate humidity caused most heat indices to range from 100 to 105 degrees.

Deaths
33
Events
15

The full record

1999Heat in Maryland, July 4 to 7, 1999

High pressure sat off the Mid-Atlantic coast from the 4th through the 7th, acting like a heat pump drawing in extremely warm and humid air. Temperatures on the 4th through early on the 7th were oppressively hot, and extremely humid conditions added to the misery.

Deaths
15
Injuries
241
Events
14

The full record

1999Heat in District of Columbia, July 4 to 7, 1999

High pressure sat off the Mid-Atlantic coast from the 4th through the 7th, acting like a heat pump drawing extremely warm and humid air into the region. Temperatures on the 4th through early on the 7th were oppressively hot, and extremely humid conditions added to the misery.

Deaths
3
Injuries
140
Events
1

The full record

1999Heat in Delaware, July 4 to 6, 1999

A very strong and oppressive high pressure system that extended from the surface to aloft gave Delaware a brutal heat wave that included the entire Independence Day weekend. There were four heat related deaths, two in New Castle County, two in Sussex County.

Deaths
4
Injuries
10
Events
4

The full record

1999Heat in Michigan, July 4 to 5, 1999

Hot and extremely humid weather rolled into southeast Michigan for the Fourth of July holiday weekend. High temperatures climbed into the 90s across the area, with dew points well into the 70s.

Injuries
52
Events
17

The full record

2003Heat in Pennsylvania, July 4 to 9, 2003

A Bermuda high pressure system at both the surface and aloft gave Southeastern Pennsylvania a six day run of high temperatures in the 90s and dew point temperatures in the 70s. The two hottest days were July 4th and 5th.

Deaths
4
Events
5

The full record

2003Heat in Missouri, July 4 to 5, 2003

Oppressive conditions covered the area from July 4th through July 5th. The combination of heat and humidity drove afternoon heat indices into the 105 degree range. An 86 year old Bates county male died of heat related causes.

Deaths
1
Events
17

The full record

2010Heat in Nevada, July 4 to 12, 2010

Five people died of heat-related causes in the Las Vegas Valley between July 4th and July 12th. Although this July was the hottest calendar month on record in Las Vegas, temperatures were below locally defined Excessive Heat Warning criteria during this part of the month.

Deaths
5
Events
1

The full record

2010Heat in Maryland, July 4 to 8, 2010

A ridge of high pressure aloft along with a southwest flow around surface high pressure resulted in hot and humid conditions during the Fourth of July through the 8th. Max temperatures were in the 90s and 100s across most locations.

Deaths
1
Injuries
32
Events
3

The full record

2010Heat in Michigan, July 4 to 8, 2010

A five day heat wave occured from July 4th-July 8th. High temperatures climbed into the lower 90s across most areas, producing heat indices in the mid 90s to around 100 degrees. Little relief occured during the overnight hours as lows hovered at or above 70 degrees.

Deaths
2
Events
7

The full record

2012Heat in Maryland, July 4 to 8, 2012

The combination of continued heat and more humidity returned to the Eastern Shore starting on Independence Day and lasted until the 7th in the northern half of the Eastern Shore and the 8th in the southern half of the Eastern Shore.

Deaths
2
Events
5

The full record

2018Heat in Missouri, July 4 to 5, 2018

Unseasonably hot and humid weather settled over Missouri during the Fourth of July holiday period. Highs were in the mid 90s with heat index values between 100 and 110. As a result, at least 100 people suffered heat-related illnesses at various outdoor events.

Injuries
106
Events
3

The full record

Records set

2 on July 4, oldest first.

Wildfires

44 on July 4, oldest first.

1997Timber Creek Fire

The Timber Creek Fire was discovered on July 4, 1997, in Alaska, and burned 27,900 acres; the cause was recorded as natural.

When
July 4, 1997
Acres
27,900

The full record

1997Lockwood Fire

The Lockwood Fire was discovered on July 4, 1997, in Alaska, and burned 6,860 acres; the cause was recorded as natural.

When
July 4, 1997
Acres
6,860

The full record

1999Tolovana River 2 Fire

The Tolovana River 2 Fire was discovered on July 4, 1999, in Alaska, and burned 17,986 acres; the cause was recorded as natural.

When
July 4, 1999
Acres
17,986

The full record

1999Pah Rah Fire

The Pah Rah Fire was discovered on July 4, 1999, in Washoe County, Nevada, and burned 10,600 acres; the cause was recorded as human.

When
July 4, 1999
Acres
10,600

The full record

2001Maggie Creek Fire

The Maggie Creek Fire was discovered on July 4, 2001, in Elko County, Nevada, and burned 11,455 acres; the cause was recorded as natural.

When
July 4, 2001
Acres
11,455

The full record

2001Notch Butte Fire

The Notch Butte Fire was discovered on July 4, 2001, in Owyhee County, Idaho, and burned 11,198 acres; the cause was recorded as natural.

When
July 4, 2001
Acres
11,198

The full record

2001Big Stick Fire

The Big Stick Fire was discovered on July 4, 2001, in Harney County, Oregon, and burned 9,601 acres; the cause was recorded as natural.

When
July 4, 2001
Acres
9,601

The full record

2001Winecup Fire

The Winecup Fire was discovered on July 4, 2001, in Elko County, Nevada, and burned 9,363 acres; the cause was recorded as natural.

When
July 4, 2001
Acres
9,362.6

The full record

2003Rattlesnake Canyon Fire

The Rattlesnake Canyon Fire was discovered on July 4, 2003, in Washington, and burned 10,500 acres; the cause was recorded as arson/incendiarism.

When
July 4, 2003
Acres
10,500

The full record

2004Crazy Fire

The Crazy Fire was discovered on July 4, 2004, in Alaska, and burned 52,056 acres; the cause was recorded as natural.

When
July 4, 2004
Acres
52,056

The full record

2004Rock Creek Fire

The Rock Creek Fire was discovered on July 4, 2004, in Alaska, and burned 37,363 acres; the cause was recorded as natural.

When
July 4, 2004
Acres
37,363

The full record

2004Runt Fork Fire

The Runt Fork Fire was discovered on July 4, 2004, in Alaska, and burned 24,120 acres; the cause was recorded as natural.

When
July 4, 2004
Acres
24,120

The full record

2006Doe 1 (Mid-Valley) Fire

The Doe 1 (Mid-Valley) Fire was discovered on July 4, 2006, in Nye County, Nevada, and burned 8,500 acres; the cause was recorded as natural.

When
July 4, 2006
Acres
8,500

The full record

2007Zaca Fire

The Zaca Fire was discovered on July 4, 2007, in Santa Barbara County, California, and burned 240,207 acres; the cause was recorded as equipment and vehicle use.

When
July 4, 2007
Acres
240,207

The full record

2007Fool Creek Fire

The Fool Creek Fire was discovered on July 4, 2007, in Teton County, Montana, and burned 60,038 acres; the cause was recorded as natural.

When
July 4, 2007
Acres
60,038

The full record

2009Crash Creek Fire

The Crash Creek Fire was discovered on July 4, 2009, in Alaska, and burned 29,060 acres; the cause was recorded as natural.

When
July 4, 2009
Acres
29,060.4

The full record

2009Eagle Creek 2 Fire

The Eagle Creek 2 Fire was discovered on July 4, 2009, in Alaska, and burned 9,736 acres; the cause was recorded as natural.

When
July 4, 2009
Acres
9,735.9

The full record

2010Nanielik Creek Fire

The Nanielik Creek Fire was discovered on July 4, 2010, in Alaska, and burned 6,538 acres; the cause was recorded as natural.

When
July 4, 2010
Acres
6,538

The full record

2011Wildfire in Texas, July 4 to 15, 2011

The 337 Fire began on July 4th approximately 5 miles northwest of Mineral Wells. This fire was contained on July 15th and burned a total of 932 acres. A camper, a deer camp, and some outbuildings were lost in the fire.

Deaths
1
Damage
$32,000
Events
2

The full record

2013Bison Fire

The Bison Fire was discovered on July 4, 2013, in Douglas County, Nevada, and burned 24,140 acres; the cause was recorded as natural.

When
July 4, 2013
Acres
24,140

The full record

2014Mcrae Complex

The Mcrae Complex was reported on July 4, 2014, in Coconino County, Arizona, and burned 14,376 acres; the cause was recorded as natural.

When
July 4, 2014
Acres
14,376

The full record

2014Mgc Complex

The Mgc Complex was reported on July 4, 2014, in Washington County, Utah, and burned 12,192 acres; the cause was recorded as natural.

When
July 4, 2014
Acres
12,192

The full record

2014Monticello Fire

The Monticello Fire was reported on July 4, 2014, in Napa County, California, and burned 6,488 acres.

When
July 4, 2014
Acres
6,488

The full record

2015Munsatli 2 Fire

The Munsatli 2 Fire was reported on July 4, 2015, in Yukon-Koyukuk County, Alaska, and burned 100,524 acres; the cause was recorded as natural.

When
July 4, 2015
Acres
100,524

The full record

2015Sethkokna 2 Fire

The Sethkokna 2 Fire was reported on July 4, 2015, in Yukon-Koyukuk County, Alaska, and burned 11,357 acres; the cause was recorded as natural.

When
July 4, 2015
Acres
11,357.2

The full record

2017Dry Gulch Fire

The Dry Gulch Fire was reported on July 4, 2017, in Elko County, Nevada, and burned 55,329 acres; the cause was recorded as natural.

When
July 4, 2017
Acres
55,328.7

The full record

2021Tamarack Fire

The Tamarack Fire was a wildfire that burned 68,637 acres (27,776 ha), primarily in the Mokelumne Wilderness in Alpine County, California, Douglas County, Nevada and Lyon County, Nevada, as part of the 2021 California wildfire season.

Where
Humboldt–Toiyabe National Forest
Country
United States

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

The full record

2021Tamarack Fire

The Tamarack Fire was reported on July 4, 2021, in Alpine County, California, and burned 68,637 acres; the cause was recorded as natural.

When
July 4, 2021
Acres
68,637

The full record

2021Batterman Rd Fire

The Batterman Rd Fire was reported on July 4, 2021, in Douglas County, Washington, and burned 14,100 acres; the cause was recorded as human.

When
July 4, 2021
Acres
14,100

The full record

2022Hot Springs Creek Fire

The Hot Springs Creek Fire was reported on July 4, 2022, in Yukon-Koyukuk County, Alaska, and burned 17,873 acres; the cause was recorded as natural.

When
July 4, 2022
Acres
17,872.9

The full record

2022Biederman Fire

The Biederman Fire was reported on July 4, 2022, in Southeast Fairbanks County, Alaska, and burned 6,714 acres; the cause was recorded as natural.

When
July 4, 2022
Acres
6,714

The full record

2025Dragon Bravo Fire

The Dragon Bravo Fire was a megafire at the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. The wildfire was started by lightning.

Where
Grand Canyon
Country
United States

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

The full record

2025Dragon Bravo Fire

The Dragon Bravo Fire was reported on July 4, 2025, in Coconino County, Arizona, and burned 145,504 acres; the cause was recorded as natural.

When
July 4, 2025
Acres
145,504

The full record

2025Bartlett Fire

The Bartlett Fire was reported on July 4, 2025, in Humboldt County, Nevada, and burned 6,168 acres; the cause was recorded as natural.

When
July 4, 2025
Acres
6,167.7

The full record

2026Chelan Hills Fire

The Chelan Hills Fire was reported on July 4, 2026, in Douglas County, Washington, and burned 9,861 acres; the cause was recorded as human.

When
July 4, 2026
Acres
9,861

The full record

Earthquakes

11 on July 4, oldest first.

Volcanoes

2 on July 4, oldest first.

Tsunamis

5 on July 4, oldest first.

Space weather and aurora

5 on July 4, oldest first.

1939G3 (Strong) Geomagnetic Storm of July 4, 1939

A G3 (strong) geomagnetic storm began July 4, 1939, reached Kp 7+ and lasted 30 hours, with a daily Ap as high as 94; at that Kp the aurora may be seen from about 48 degrees geomagnetic latitude.

When
July 4 to 5, 1939
Peak Kp
7+
Storm level
G3

The full record

1957G3 (Strong) Geomagnetic Storm of July 4, 1957

A G3 (strong) geomagnetic storm began July 4, 1957, reached Kp 7+ and lasted 27 hours, with a daily Ap as high as 56; at that Kp the aurora may be seen from about 48 degrees geomagnetic latitude.

When
July 4 to 5, 1957
Peak Kp
7+
Storm level
G3

The full record

1974G5 (Extreme) Geomagnetic Storm of July 4, 1974

A G5 (extreme) geomagnetic storm began July 4, 1974, reached Kp 9- and lasted 54 hours, with a daily Ap as high as 130; at that Kp the aurora may be seen from about 42 degrees geomagnetic latitude.

When
July 4 to 6, 1974
Peak Kp
9-
Storm level
G5

The full record

Billion-dollar disasters

2 on July 4, oldest first.

2019Colorado Hail Storms (July 2019)

A severe storm disaster that cost $1.2 billion in 2024 dollars, on NOAA’s billion-dollar list. It lasted from July 4, 2019 to July 5, 2019.

Losses (2024 dollars)
$1.2 billion
Kind
Severe Storm

The full record

Other weather

29 on July 4, oldest first.

1996Rip Current in Florida, July 4 to 8, 1996

In addition to two drownings along Navarre Beach during the long fourth of July weekend, rescuers also reported six near drownings and twenty-nine other swimmers had to be resuced when they were overtaken by the strong rip currents and rough surf.

Injuries
35
Events
1

The full record

1996Rip Current in Florida, July 4 to 8, 1996

During the long fourth of July weekend, Life Guards at Pensacola Beach reported they had to rescue twenty-three swimmers from the strong rip currents and rough surf. All of the people rescued were treated and released at the scene.

Injuries
23
Events
1

The full record

1999Rip Current in Alabama, July 4, 1999

A thirty-three year old male drowned in heavy surf while swimming with friends on West Beach in Gulf Shores. The body was found the next day. Red flags, which warn of dangerous surf conditions, were flying at the time of the drowning.

Deaths
1
Events
1

The full record

2002Lightning Strike in Florida, July 4, 2002

Two men walking through a nursery in the Redlands were affected by lightning. One man was killed instantly and the other injured and treated at a local hospital. It had just started raining at the time the lightning struck.

Deaths
1
Injuries
1
Events
1

The full record

2003Rip Currents in California, July 4 to 5, 2003

A 16 year old boy slipped off his body-board and drowned in a rip current off La Jolla Shores. Rescue operations were made difficult by the large crowds at the beach. In San Diego County, an estimated 490,000 people went to the beaches to celebrate the Fourth of July.

Deaths
1
Events
2

The full record

2006Rip Current in Michigan, July 4, 2006

A favorable onshore flow across southeastern Lake Michigan, resulted in waves ranging from 2 to as much as 6 feet at times. This allowed for several occurrances of rip currents along the shores adjacent to Berrien County.

Deaths
1
Injuries
4
Events
1

The full record

2010Rip Current in Texas, July 4, 2010

Two young men became caught in a moderate longshore swell or rip current near Public Beach Access Point #2 on South Padre Island on July 4th. One of the men drowned, and the other was rescued but in critical condition and unconscious at the time.

Deaths
2
Events
1

The full record

2015Rip Current in Texas, July 4, 2015

A 21 year old man from San Antonio swam out approximately 50 yards near Horace Caldwell Pier. Strong rip currents pulled him under. Rescue crews searched for the individual for 48 hours without success.

Deaths
1
Events
1

The full record

2023Rip Current in Puerto Rico, July 4, 2023

Enhanced trade winds were affecting the local area as a robust tropical wave approaches the region. Seas were locally choppy, but conditions only warranted a low rip current risk along southwestern Puerto Rico.

Deaths
1
Events
1

The full record

Every day of the year

Sources

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.