On this date in 1948, an F3 tornado moved through Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, destroying 52 aircraft. Attempting to learn a lesson from the tornado, the people in charge of the base ordered forecasters to look into the future to see if a tornado was possible. Another tornado crossed the prepared base on March 25, causing minimal damage due to accurate forecasting.

WEDNESDAY'S WEATHER EXTREMES:
   HIGHEST TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F).........................84 El Centro, Calif.
   HIGHEST HEAT INDEX (DEGREES F)..........................85 Hollywood, Fla.
   LOWEST TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F)..........................-18 Rugby, N.D.
   LOWEST WIND CHILL (DEGREES F)...........................-46 Eagle, Alaska
   HIGHEST WIND GUST (MPH).................................77 Mt. Washington, N.H.
   HIGHEST PRECIPITATION (INCHES)..........................1.69 Blue Canyon, Calif.