The 1983 United States drought, also known as the US Drought of 1983, was an extreme drought that was accompanied by heat waves across several portions of the United States.
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Overview
The United States Drought of 1983 started in late spring. It involved numerous states in the Midwest and the Great Plains. In many states, from June to September, incredibly intense heat happened in which temperatures were over 100 °F (38 °C) or higher in multiple areas.
Midwestern States
Almost all the counties in the State of Indiana and many in Illinois were given a drought disaster declaration because of dangerous heat spells, along with extremely dry conditions. In Kentucky, the Drought of 1983 was second to worst in the 20th century. Numerous trees and shrubs went into dormancy.
Related heat wave
Excessive heat waves affected numerous portions of the United States in Summer 1983. Missouri, Illinois and Kentucky were pummeled by severe heat which killed several hundred people. The heat also went across the Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic areas, including New York City. Other affected states were Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota and Kansas.