1936 North American heat wave
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The 1936 North American heat wave was the most severe heat wave in the modern history of North America. It took place in the middle of the Great Depression and led to catastrophic human suffering and an enormous economic toll. The death toll exceeded 5,000 which made it the deadliest natural disaster of the 20th century in the United States. Agricultural losses were enormous as well as crops were destroyed by the high heat and lack of moisture.
The year 1936 brought significant amounts of extreme weather. The winter was one of the coldest on record, and the summer was one of the hottest.
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[edit] Events
This significant heat wave started in late June, when temperatures across the US exceeded 100°F (38°C). The Midwest experienced some of the highest June temperatures on record. Drought conditions worsened. In the Northeast, temperatures climbed to the mid 90s°F (around 35°C). The South and West started to heat up also, and also experienced drought. The heat wave began to extend into Canada. Moderate to extreme drought covered the entire continent.
July was the peak month, in which temperatures reached all-time record levels - many of which still stand as of 2008. In Steele, North Dakota, temperatures reached 121°F (50°C), which remains North Dakota's record. In Ohio, temperatures reached 110°F (43°C), which nearly tied the previous record set in 1934. The states of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, Minnesota, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Nebraska, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and New Jersey also experienced record highs temperatures. The provinces of Ontario and Manitoba set still-standing record highs above 110°F (above 43°C).
August was the warmest month on record for five states. Many experienced long stretches of 90°F (32°C) or warmer. Drought conditions worsened in some locations. Some states were only slightly above average.
The heat wave and drought largely ended in September, though many states were still drier and warmer than average. Many farmers' summer harvests were destroyed. Grounds and lawns remained parched. Annual temperatures returned to normal in the fall.
[edit] Effect on the environment
As many as 5,000 heat related deaths were reported [1][2]. Many people suffered from heat stroke, and heat exhaustion, particularly the elderly. Unlike today, Air Conditioning was in the early stages of development and was therefore absent from houses and commerical buildings alike. Many of the deaths occured in built up city areas of Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Toronto and other urban areas. Farmers across the continent saw their worst harvest on record, causing corn and wheat prices to rise quickly. Droughts and heat waves were common in the 1930s. The 1930s are remembered as the driest and warmest decade for the US (the Dust Bowl years). But help came in the 1940s with heavy rains.
