Events 1936 North American heat wave

summer (june–august) 1936 precipitation, in inches. record wettest , driest based on 112 yr period of records, 1895-2006.

the heat wave started in late june, when temperatures across exceeded 100 °f (38 °c). midwest experienced of highest june temperatures on record. drought conditions worsened. in northeast, temperatures climbed mid 90s °f (around 35 °c). south , west started heat also, , experienced drought. heat wave began extend canada. moderate extreme drought covered entire continent. dry , exposed soil contributed directly heat happens in desert areas extreme heat entered air radiation , direct contact.

july peak month, in temperatures reached all-time record levels—many of still stand of 2012. in steele, north dakota, temperatures reached 121 °f (49 °c), remains north dakota s record. in ohio, temperatures reached 110 °f (43 °c), tied previous record set in 1934. states of texas, oklahoma, kansas, arkansas, minnesota, michigan, north dakota, south dakota, pennsylvania, louisiana, nebraska, wisconsin, west virginia, , new jersey experienced record high temperatures. provinces of ontario , manitoba set still-standing record highs above 110 °f (43 °c). chicago midway airport recorded 100 °f (38 °c) or higher temperatures on 12 consecutive days july 6–17, 1936. later summer in downstate illinois, @ mount vernon temperature surpassed 100 °f (38 °c) 18 days running august 12–29, 1936.

some stations in american midwest reported minimum temperatures @ or above 90 °f (32 °c) such 91 °f (33 °c) @ lincoln, nebraska on july 25, 1936; next , recent time known have happened handful of 90 °f (32 °c) minimums during similar heat wave in late june 1988 far less intense of 1936. highest nightly low temperature outside of desert south-west 94 °f (34 °c) @ atchison, kansas during heat wave of july 1934.

august warmest month on record 5 states. many experienced long stretches of daily maximum temperatures 100 °f (38 °c) or warmer. drought conditions worsened in locations. states above average.

the heat wave , drought largely ended in september, though many states still drier , warmer average. many farmers summer harvests destroyed. grounds , lawns remained parched. annual temperatures returned normal in fall.