What happened in the summer of 1936?
The 1936 North American heat wave was one of the most severe heat waves in the modern history of North America. It took place in the middle of the Great Depression and Dust Bowl of the 1930s and caused catastrophic human suffering and an enormous economic toll.
What caused the 1936 heat wave?
Without the vegetation and soil moisture, the Plains acted as a furnace. The climate of that region took on desert qualities, accentuating its capacity to produce heat. A strong ridge of high pressure set up over the west coast and funneled the heat northward across the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes.
Where was the worst heat wave in history?
On 30 June, Death Valley, California hit 54.0 °C (129.2 °F) which is the hottest temperature ever recorded on Earth during the month of June. It was five degrees shy of the world record highest temperature measured in Death Valley, which was 57 °C (134 °F), recorded in July 1913.
How long did the drought last?
The drought came in three waves: 1934, 1936, and 1939–1940, but some regions of the High Plains experienced drought conditions for as many as eight years.
What was the average temperature during the Dust Bowl?
During meteorological summer (June-August), the average temperature for the Lower 48 was 74.0°F, 2.6°F above average, nominally eclipsing the extreme heat of the Dust Bowl in 1936 by nearly 0.01°F and essentially tying 1936 for the warmest summer on record.
How does the Dust Bowl affect us today?
New study finds a Dust Bowl-scale drought would be comparably destructive for U.S. agriculture today, despite technological advances.
What are some famous heat waves?
Please let us know if we may include your comments or experiences here on this page.
- The Summer of ’36. July – August 1936.
- Kentucky’s Hottest Day. July 28, 1930.
- 1901 Heat Wave. July.
- Kentucky’s Warmest Year. 2007.
- 1954 Extreme Drought. 1954.
- The 57 Day Drought. 1921.
- 1991 Drought. 1991.
- Water Shortage and Drought. 1983.
Was there a drought in 1936?
The drought of 1936 affected many states throughout the Midwest. Deaths and damage were reported in as many as 10 states. As of July 16, 1936, 3,848 deaths were reported in these 10 states.
How cold was the winter of 1936?
The winter of 1936 was a memorable occasion that surpassed even these earlier storms. Temperatures dropped to 30 degrees below zero in late January and did not rise above zero for thirty-six days. This 1936 North American cold wave ranks among the most intense in the recorded history of North America.
What was the worst drought ever?
Dust Bowl”
The 1930s “Dust Bowl” drought remains the most significant drought—meteorological and agricultural—in the United States’ historical record.