The summer day of rain, hail and snow, 1816

Occasionally almanackists get it right. In March, 1816, Robert B Thomas, founder and editor (1792 - 1846) of the Farmer's Almanac, in New England, USA, was ill in bed with influenza. A Boston printer's devil (office boy) was sent to his bedside to obtain copy for the July, 1816 weather forecast.

He was so ill he sent the boy away, saying that the printer could insert whatever information he liked. The printer did just that, and for July 13, the height of the northern summer, he predicted 'Rain, hail and snow'.

On his recovery, Thomas was aghast to see such a forecast and ordered the proof sheets destroyed. Some, however, found their way into circulation ...

Categories: almanac, weather, usa