Extreme Weather of 1936

EXTREME WEATHER 90 Years Ago

From the archives of The Crittenden Press

Jan. 3, 1936 -Heaviest Snow For Many Years Strikes County.

The heaviest snow fall in the county for many years fell during Christmas week with an estimated fall of seven inches. The heaviest of the fall was Saturday night and Sunday morning which has been estimated at five to six inches.

Following the cessation of the storm came a decided fall in the temperature with the semi official mark being given as 1 degrees below Monday morning. This marks the coldest snap of the season and also the coldest reported since the sleet and ice of the past February when an official four below was reported.

Motor and rail traffic proceeded at a slow rate for several days but no serious accidents were reported in this section.

Through the state the blizzard was intense and severe with several death being reported from exposure and freeing.

Jan. 24, 1936 – Unreported By Forecaster A New Cold Wave Strikes City and County.

Much suffering in the county by an unreported cold wave which swept down on the city and county Wednesday morning driving the mercury to an unofficial average of three degrees below zero. Early Wednesday morning the thermometer registered a balmy forty and at midnight three degrees below. A two inch snowfall added further to hardships and suffering.

Feb, 28 – Another Blast of Cold Air

Crittenden County felt the icy fingers of another cold wave during the forepart of last week with the mercury being driven down to around the zero mark. This is the most prolonged wave in the history of the county, wherein the temperature has been below the freezing point. The Ohio River has been frozen over for the first time since the winter of 1917 and 1918.

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The weather must have settled down for a spell during March through June for nothing unusual was reported in the Press until July, then come the news of a devastating heat wave and drought.

July 10, 1936 – Many Storms

Kentucky scorching beneath a record breaking heat wave. In many parts of Western Kentucky, Wednesday heavy rains fell, in some cases with the accompaniment of storms. High wind and electrical storms accompanying the rain caused damage to residences and some property. The thermometer reading in Marion ranged from 94 to 106 indoors and the highest outdoor record was 110.

July 31, 1936 – Drought Relief In The County

The Rural Rehabilitation office has been delegated the responsibility of taking applications for Emergency Feed loans for drought stricken farmers of Crittenden and Livingston Counties. Feed loans will be made for maintenance of livestock including work stock, milk, cows, poultry, hogs and sheep.

July 31, 1936 – Shower Strikes City Tuesday Afternoon

The first rainfall in many days visited the city Tuesday afternoon and was of short duration. Rain was not general over the county the showers falling within a radius of approximately a mile and going no farther north than Winlow Park. For the forthcoming week the forecast is that of general showers for the state together with additional rains in Illinois.

The crops in the county are damaged irreparably and few observers believe that these could be saved even in the face of sufficient rainfall. One farmer of long experience in hill land is responsible for the statement that the ground is not so devoid of moisture to cause the searing and burning of the growing crops but the damage has been caused by the hot sun and the winds that have parched the portions above the surface of the soil.

A customary sight is that of wagons loaded with barrels hauling water for the use of families who have exhausted their supply and in some cases this haul is several miles in length. In one case, a lighted cigarette, tossed by a passing motorist was believed to have caused the burning of grass between the highway and the fence thus causing the loss of many posts to one land owner on Highway 60.

August 7, 1936 – Rain Wednesday is Beneficial To Late Crops.

Showers beginning Wednesday afternoon and continuing late into the night did much to relieve suffering from the heat and also proved to be extremely beneficial to the late crops and gardens in the city, county and surrounding community. The arid season of the present year has not been as devastating as that of 1930 in the manner of the soil. The soil this year retained an average amount of moisture with the damage to crops being caused by the hot burning winds from the south and west. In 1930 the damage was caused by the dryness of the soil and the hot burning winds were not in evidence at any time.

August 21 – Excessive heat Continues

The abnormal high temperature continues without abatement throughout the entire state with all time high records being set daily. In addition to the heat the dry period continues with meteorologists forecasting local showers with no moderation of weather.

August 28 – Short Sessions Planned Due to Excessive Heat

Marion City Schools will begin Monday August 31. The opening exercises will be held at Fohs Hall, and will begin at ten o'clock. A program is being planned after which the pupils will be dismissed for the remainder of the day.

Temporarily, especially during the extreme heat, school will start in the morning at 8:20 o'clock and continue until 1:00 o'clock, at which time pupils will be dismissed for the afternoon.

September 4, 1936 – Rain Saturday Shatters Heat Drouth Waves

Rain Saturday morning, Tuesday and Wednesday was of material benefit to farmers of Crittenden and surrounding counties. The rainfall, was general and steady and will aid in preparing ground for fall and winter planting. The downfall of Tuesday and Wednesday was the first of any consequence in two months and was estimated at one inch.

Temperatures were greatly reduced, ranging from 100 degrees and better in several places, all time record reports to the 60's and 70's. The rain of Saturday forced the mercury down to 87 at ten o'clock while the day before at the same hour a reading of 94 was shown.

The past month was the most severe and trying for many years, normal temperatures were reported for the initial ten days but the heat had become record breaking by the 15^th. During the remainder record after record for temperatures were surpassed when the heat wave was finally broken by the showers of the past Saturday.

The section is still short of average rainfall but meteorologists were of the opinion that no dire need would be experienced for the remainder of the year with no severity as that of the past two months.

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