How bad was the drought in 1988?

This multi-year drought began in most areas in 1988 and continued into 1989 and 1990 (in certain areas). The drought caused $60 billion in damage ($131 billion 2021 USD) in United States dollars, adjusting for inflation). The concurrent heat waves killed 4,800 to 17,000 people in the United States.

What caused the drought of 1988?

Dry Times in North America. The Pacific La Niña was intense in 1988. Scientists observed a series of processes that the cold surface temperature anomaly set into motion that made it directly responsible for the severe North American drought in the Great Plains region (Trenberth and Guillemot 1996; Mo et al.

What was the weather like in summer 1988?

The summer of 1988 was the hottest in more than a century, with one of the all-time longest heat waves. Now it’s barely remembered. Scorching heat. The entire summer had twice the average number of days with highs of 90 or above.

Where did the drought of 1988 happen?

Do you remember 1988? It was a year of horrendous drought and summer heat in Illinois and across much of our country.

What was the height of the drought in 1988?

During the summer of 1988, the drought led to many wildfires in forested western North America, including the Yellowstone fires of 1988. At its peak, the drought covered 45% of the United States.

When was the longest drought in Illinois history?

Since 2000, the longest duration of drought (D1–D4) in Illinois lasted 54 weeks beginning on May 24, 2005, and ending on May 30, 2006. The most intense period of drought occurred the week of July 31, 2012, where D4 affected 8.39% of Illinois land. Explore Historical Drought Maps 2000 – Present (Weekly)

What was the worst drought in the United States?

The North American Drought of 1988 ranks among the worst episodes of drought in the United States. This multi-year drought began in most areas in 1988 and continued into 1989 and 1990 (in certain areas). The drought caused $60 billion in damage ($130 billion in 2018 United States dollars, adjusting for inflation).

When did the drought end in the Midwest?

For multiple reasons, the catastrophic drought continued across the Upper Midwest and northern Great Plains states during 1989, not officially ending until 1990. Dry conditions continued during 1989, affecting Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, eastern Nebraska, Kansas, and certain portions of Colorado.