1887 weather report states it rained toads in Klamath Falls

1887 weather report states it rained toads in Klamath Falls
AP Photo

If you ever find yourself a time machine, heading back to Klamath Falls, Ore. on July 6, 1887 might give quite the experience.

University of Washington research meteorologist Mark Albright has uncovered a peculiar observation from the July, 1887 records of the town: it rained toads.

The official report notes that there were forest fires burning from July 1-14, and that there was a thunderstorm on the 6th -- the only measurable rain of the month.

And below the thunderstorm notation? This odd comment:

"Shower of Toads 6" "

Not sure if that meant there was now a half-foot pile of toads on the ground at the weather station or if the observer was just using quotes similar to how we use "th" today (like "6th") as the monthly summary entries near the top of the page seem to also have quotes after numbers denoting dates.

But reports of falling frogs and fish, while rare, are not unheard of. There have been a few similar reports scattered across the globe and history.

What caused it? Likely a waterspout (a tornado over water) that went over a lake or pond and sucked up a bunch of toads and/or fish, then deposited them some distance away. There was the noted thunderstorm in the area so a tornado/waterspout could easily have been the culprit. Unfortunately, we don't exactly have radar records to go back and check, so we'll just have to take this observer's word for it!