An extreme drought that was accompanied by several intense heat waves across several portions of the United States and southern Canada developed during mid-spring 1983 and extended through to Autumn 1985.[1]

Overview

The United States Drought of 1983 may have started in April. The drought involved numerous states in the Midwest and the Great Plains. As well, many states experienced a heat wave in the summer months, with temperatures over 100 °F (38 °C) or higher in multiple areas. 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 which might have developed during mid-spring of 1983.[2]

Midwestern States

Almost all the counties in the State of Indiana[3] and many in Illinois[4] were given a drought disaster declaration because of dangerous heat spells, along with extremely dry conditions. In Kentucky, the Drought of 1983 was second to worst in the 20th century. Numerous trees and shrubs went into dormancy.[5]

Northeastern States

Dry conditions also affected parts of the Middle Atlantic between 1983 and 1985.[6] The drought, especially in 1983 – 1985, 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 substandard crops, primarily in Alberta, Manitoba and several regions of Saskatchewan.[7] Though June was somewhat wet for these areas, July was almost exactly the opposite, as was August, Autumn and the following two years.[7]

Excessive heat waves affected numerous portions of the United States from Spring 1983 to mid-Autumn 1985.[8] Missouri, Illinois and Kentucky were pummeled by severe heat which killed several hundred people.[9] The heat and dryness also went across the Southeastern and Mid Atlantic areas, including New York City.[10] Other affected states were Nebraska, Iowa,[11] Wisconsin,[12] Minnesota and Kansas.[13][14]

References

  1. ↑ Stevens, William K. (10 November 1985). "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.
  5. ↑ "The Top Ten Heat Events". NOAA. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  6. ↑ Xeflide, Seth (January 2010). "The Surface Water Resource Potential of New Jersey". The Montclair State University. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  7. 1 2 Chinook (PDF). Summer 1984 http://cmosarchives.ca/Chinook/ch0603.pdf. Retrieved May 12, 2022. {{cite magazine}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  8. ↑ The National Climate Program Act and Climate Change. Washington DC: US Government Printing Office. 1988. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  9. ↑ "St. Louis Bears Brunt of Heat Wave as U.S. Toll Rises". 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. ↑ Joe Lauer (19 July 2012). "Will We Have Enough Corn". WCM Newsletter. Retrieved Dec 12, 2020.
  13. ↑ Chaston, Peter R. (1984). "A Long and Hot Summer". Weatherwise. 37 (1): 18. Bibcode:1984Weawi..37a..18C. doi:10.1080/00431672.1984.9933224.
  14. ↑ Chaston, Peter R. (1984). "Long Hot Summer". Weatherwise. Tandfonline. 37: 18. Bibcode:1984Weawi..37a..18C. doi:10.1080/00431672.1984.9933224.
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