The 1942 Smethport Storm: Unraveling its World Record | WxYz (Weather Whys?)

Learn about a real-life weather mystery and its impact today on engineering, safety, and meteorologists’ understanding of extreme weather storms. On July 17 to 18, 1942, Port Allegheny, Pennsylvania experienced an astonishing 30.8 inches of rain in just 6 hours—setting a record that still stands today. This video explores the storm’s impact and first-hand accounts of the unfathomable rainfall totals. Also​​ included is a modern analysis of the storm with digital modeling to validate the event’s intensity.