1983–85 North American drought

A severe and very intense drought developed across North America during mid-spring 1983. It had several strong heat waves across large sections of the United States and southern Canada. The intense heat spells and conditions of drought lasted until Autumn 1985.[1] Several places (the Quad Cities, St. Louis, Kansas City and Cedar Rapids being some of them) recorded their all time highest temperature in these areas.

Summary

The North American Drought of 1983–85 might have begun in April 1983. Dry conditions severely affected a number of states across the Midwest and the Great Plains. Many states also experienced a heat wave in the summer months of the first drought year. Temperatures were 100 °F (38 °C) or higher in multiple areas.[source?] Later in 1983 and the two following years, dry conditions began affecting south-central Canada as well, particularly Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The drought may have been caused under a weak-to-moderate La Niña. That spell may have developed during the mid-spring of 1983.[2]

Midwestern States

Almost all the counties in the State of Indiana[3] and large sections in Illinois[4] were given a drought disaster declaration because of dangerous heat spells. Very dry conditions were also present alongside the heat. In Kentucky, the Drought of 1983 was second to worst in the 20th century. A large number of trees and shrubs became dormant during the drought and heat.[5]

Northeastern States

From 1983 to 1985 dry conditions also affected parts of the Middle Atlantic.[6] The drought during those two plus years affected Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, parts of New England and eastern New York State.

Canada

In parts of south-central Canada between spring 1983 to early Autumn 1985, drought led to poor crops. That was mainly in Alberta, Manitoba and several regions of Saskatchewan.[7] June 1983 was somewhat wet for these areas. In July it was almost the opposite. August, Autumn and the following two years were also mainly hot and dry in the same areas.[7]

Very intense heat waves affected large areas of the United States from Spring 1983 to mid-Autumn 1985.[8] Missouri, Illinois and Kentucky were hit by severe heat.[9] The heat and dryness also stretched across the Southeastern and Mid Atlantic areas. They included Newark, New Jersey, Philadelphia and New York City.[10] Other affected states were Nebraska, Iowa,[11] Wisconsin,[12] Minnesota and Kansas.[13][14] There were 500 to 700 deaths due to the heat.

References

  1. ↑ "Outside of NYC, Drought is Fading". The New York Times. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  2. ↑ Xeflide, Seth (January 2010). "A 1983-84 La Niña Animation". The Physical Sciences Laboratory. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  3. ↑ Malcolm, Andrew H. (1983-09-03). "U.S. Drought Disaster Declared by U.S." New York Times. Retrieved 2009-04-13.
  4. ↑ "Droughts in Illinois" (PDF). NWS. Retrieved March 30, 2013.[permanent dead link]
  5. ↑ "The Top Ten Heat Events". NOAA. Retrieved 2009-04-20. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  6. ↑ Xeflide, Seth (January 2010). "The Surface Water Resource Potential of New Jersey". The Montclair State University. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Summer 1984" (PDF). Chinook Magazine. Retrieved May 12, 2022. {{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  8. ↑ "The National Climate Program Act". Google. 1988. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  9. ↑ "St. Louis Bears Brunt of Heat Wave as U.S. Toll Rises". The New York Times. 24 July 1983. Retrieved 2009-04-15.
  10. ↑ "The 1983 Drought". Globalenergy. Retrieved Sep 4, 2019.
  11. ↑ "The Great Drought of 1983". UPI. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  12. ↑ "Will We Have Enough Corn". University of Wisconsin-Madison. Retrieved Dec 12, 2020. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  13. ↑ Chaston, Peter R. (1984). "A Long and Hot Summer". Weatherwise. 37: 18. doi:10.1080/00431672.1984.9933224.
  14. ↑ Chaston, Peter R. (1984). "Long Hot Summer". Weatherwise. 37. Tandfonline: 18. doi:10.1080/00431672.1984.9933224.