5 Things to Know Today: August 2, 2012

1. The weather

The National Weather Service says we can expect a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Skies will be partly sunny, with a high near 90. Thursday night there will be a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Skies will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 66.

2. Gas prices

According to DetroitGasPrices.com, the lowest reported gasoline price in the White Lake area as of Wednesday night was $3.85 per gallon at the  gas station. In Highland, the Mobil station on Highland Road had the lowest gas price, $3.83.

3. On this day in history

According to History.com, in 1985, strong and sudden wind gusts cause a plane crash at the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport in Texas that kills 135 people. The rapid and unexpected formation of a supercell, an extremely violent form of thunderstorm, led to the tragedy. The crew of 191 saw lightning north of the airport, but did not abort the landing. As the plane flew into strong headwinds, the pilot slowed the thrust, expecting an updraft to hold the plane's altitude. Instead, there was a sudden downward wind shear, with a blast of wind from the tail. The Lockheed plane is relatively heavy and was not able to thrust quickly in response. The pilot lost control of the plane and it hit the ground 6,000 feet short of the runway. The plane hit a car, killing the driver, and then skidded into two water tanks. One hundred thirty-five people lost their lives and another 15 suffered serious injury in the crash. The subsequent investigation revealed that the weather had changed drastically in the eight minutes prior to the crash. A fast-growing supercell formation had caused unpredictable winds. The pilots also should have been more prudent, given what they could see of the developing storm as they approached the airport.

4. In the news

Leo's Coney Island , read why on White Lake-Highland Patch.

5. Add Your Events to Patch

Have an event you want to share with the community? Add your own event to White Lake Patch's calendar.