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This week marks the 80th anniversary of the start of Minnesota's 


It began July 4, 1936, in southern Minnesota and spread north over the next 12 to 15 days, according to University of Minnesota climatologist Mark Seeley. Temperatures soared over 100 degrees across the region for days on end. 


Over at the Star Tribune, meteorologist 


It was so bad that many people chose to sleep outside. 


It wasn't much better elsewhere across the country — the July 1936 heat wave killed an estimated 900 people in Minnesota and about 5,000 nationwide. 

 came at one of the worst moments, too: The country was in the midst of the Great Depression and was also suffering from severe drought. 

University of Minnesota climatologist Mark Seeley 

 Wednesday to discuss the Great Heat Wave of 1936. Listen to that discussion at the link above.

Gallery

Nancy Yang

Author

This week marks the 80th anniversary of the start of Minnesota's worst heat wave. It was so bad that many people chose to sleep outside.

Today marks the 80th anniversary of the start of Minnesota's worst-ever heat wave. It started in southern counties with many observers reporting daytime temperatures over 100°F.  The heat spread north over the next 12-15 days.  Even northern communities reported temperatures close to 100°F, and nighttime temperatures remained in the 80s in many areas.  There was no respite from the heat, and many people chose to sleep outside.  It is estimated that this heat wave caused over 900 deaths in Minnesota, and several thousand deaths across the nation.
University of Minnesota Climatologist Mark Seeley joins us to talk about it.

A look back at the relentless heat wave of July 1936

People sleeping outside during St. Paul heat wave

St. Paul Daily News | Courtesy of Minnesota Historical Society

People sleep outside during the 1936 heat wave

People slept outside to beat the heat in July 1936

Courtesy of Minnesota Historical Society

Holden Congregation members pray during drought

Drought farmers working on farm-to-market road

Solving the heat problem, the St. Paul Daily News

Photos: A look back at the relentless heat wave of July 1936

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