Dear Tom,
A book on the Depression called “The Worst Hard Times” mentioned dust clouds moving across the country in May, 1934. Did they affect Chicago?
Paula Coughlan
Dear Paula,
During the 1930’s “Dust Bowl” much of the Plains and Midwest were locked in extreme drought. On May 10, 1934, clouds of dust originating in the High Plains were swept into Chicago by strong northwest winds gusting up to 52 m.p.h. The choking dust cut off sunlight, at times lowering the visibility below one mile. The strong winds sifted the dust into homes, buildings, and automobiles, not only causing great discomfort, but also creating health problems for the population. The air was so dry that by late afternoon the city’s dew point had dropped to a desert-like 18(degrees), which when combined with the 72(degrees) temperature produced a record low 13% humidity–a value since tied, but never broken.
———-
Tom Skilling is chief meteorologist at WGN-TV. His forecasts can be seen Monday through Friday on WGN-TV News at noon and 9 p.m.
Write to: ASK TOM WHY, 2501 Bradley Pl., Chicago, IL 60618 or asktomwhy@wgntv.com (Mail volume precludes personal response.)
WGN-TV meteorologists Steve Kahn, Richard Koeneman and Paul Dailey plus weather producer Bill Snyder contribute to this page
