An extremedrought that was accompanied by several intenseheat waves across several portions of the United States and southern Canada developed during mid-spring 1983 and extended through to Autumn 1985.[1]
The United States Drought of 1983 may have started in April.[citation needed] The drought involved numerous states in theMidwest and theGreat Plains. As well, many states experienced aheat wave in the summer months, withtemperatures over 100 °F (38 °C) or higher in multiple areas.[citation needed] Later in 1983 and the two following years, dry conditions began affecting south-centralCanada as well, particularlyAlberta,Manitoba andSaskatchewan. The drought may have been caused under a weak-to-moderateLa Niña which might have developed during mid-spring of 1983.[2]
Almost all the counties in the State ofIndiana[3] and many inIllinois[4] were given a drought disaster declaration because of dangerousheat spells, along with extremely dry conditions. InKentucky, the Drought of 1983 was second to worst in the 20th century. Numeroustrees andshrubs went into dormancy.[5]
Dry conditions also affected parts of the Middle Atlantic between 1983 and 1985.[6] The drought, especially in 1983 – 1985, affectedPennsylvania,Maryland,New Jersey, parts ofNew England and easternNew York State.
In parts of south-central Canada between spring 1983 to early Autumn 1985, drought led to substandard crops, primarily in Alberta, Manitoba and several regions of Saskatchewan.[7] Though June was somewhat wet for these areas, July was almost exactly the opposite, as was August, Autumn and the following two years.[7]
Excessiveheat waves affected numerous portions of the United States from Spring 1983 to mid-Autumn 1985.[8]Missouri,Illinois andKentucky were pummeled by severe heat which killed several hundred people.[9] The heat and dryness also went across theSoutheastern andMid Atlantic areas, includingNew York City.[10] Other affected states wereNebraska,Iowa,[11]Wisconsin,[12]Minnesota andKansas.[13][14]