Drought: The Drought of 1930-1931
Kentucky's worst drought during the past century occurred in 1930-31. Much of the southeastern United States suffered severe to extreme conditions from a drought that was centered east of Kentucky. Daily and monthly temperature and precipitation records for Bowling Green document the extreme conditions of the drought and make the case for what could happen again throughout the Barren River Area. As Kentuckians ushered in the new year, there was no hint of the devastating drought that would soon develop. Bowling Green received over 47 inches of precipitation in 1929, and the average annual temperature was near normal. Starting in late February of 1930, the weather pattern became noticeably warmer and drier than normal (Table 2). Less than two inches of precipitation fell in both March and April. As a precursor of things to come, the daily high temperature reached 92°F on April 11, the first of three consecutive days at 90°F or above. The month of May brought more than three inches of rain and gave farmers some hope for their crops. But, the reality of the drought set in as summer arrived. Precipitation remained well below normal, and above normal temperatures baked the dry earth. The temperature peaked at 101°F on June 22nd and reached at least 100°F on 15 days in July, including Bowling Green's record high temperature of 113°F on July 28th. The heat wave continued into August with seven consecutive days of high temperatures from 102°F to 110°F. The despair felt by residents across the region was summarized well by a news reporter in Russellville, who commented:
The hot weather persisted into the early fall. October 12th was the last day of the year on which the temperature exceeded 90°F. But while the temperature began to drop during the fall, precipitation amounts remained well below normal, with less than two inches of rain in both September and October. Table 4-2. Precipitation in inches, Bowling Green.
As the year ended, the magnitude and impact of the drought were obvious. Precipitation totals for the year included 30.5 inches at Bowling Green, 27.6 inches at Franklin, and 25.4 inches at Munfordville. At the same time, summer temperatures were generally well above average, with Bowling Green recording an average temperature of 83.5°F in July, some 4.5°F above normal. The conditions were devastating for farmers. They were forced to sell livestock to save their herds. Farmers were urged to salvage corn and other crops to feed livestock. Many crops were lost. Winter precipitation combined with lower evaporation rates often brings an end to drought conditions, but that was not the case as the calendar turned to 1931. The dry conditions of December 1930 continued through January of 1931, as both months recorded less than three inches of precipitation. While precipitation amounts increased from February through April, they were not adequate to replenish ground water to normal levels. Streams remained low. The summer of 1931 started much like that of the year before. From mid June through early August there were 16 days with high temperatures at 100°F or above, and precipitation totals remained below normal. Relief finally arrived in August when several precipitation events brought more than six inches of rain, and temperatures returned to more normal levels. The relief was short lived however, as September brought a stretch of 20 days with no more than a trace of precipitation and high temperatures at 100°F or above on five days. Finally, beginning in mid November, climatic conditions began returning to normal.
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