On July 17, 1934 one of the worst heat waves in the history of the nation commenced. Emporia, KS had an AVERAGE daily high of 110.6 °F for the week of July 19 through the 25th, while Manhattan saw an average high during the period of 110 °F. During the last half of the month Manhattan only had two days with highs less than 100: the 26th & 27th. Not surprisingly, those are also the only two days with precipitation in the second half of the month. The warmth in Manhattan wasn’t confined to the highs either. Low temperatures stayed at 80 °F or warmer for thirteen days that month, with July 19th low temperatures dropping only to 87 °F! Now that is HOT.
Mary Knapp, Weather Data Library
mknapp@ksu.edu