The 1930s were known as the Dust Bowl in the Southern Plains. On April 10th, 1935 severe dust storms across Iowa and Kansas closed schools and highways. Dodge City experienced its worst dust storm of record, with dense dust reported from the morning of the 9th until after sunset on the 11th. The sky was almost as dark as night at times during the daylight hours. The thick dust suspended traffic on highways and railroads, and also suspended most businesses in town. Dust storms were recurring features in the spring months of 1936, 1937, 1938 and 1939. The beginning of a wet cycle in 1940 reduced the number and frequency. Soil conservation practices have further limited the occurrence and severity of dust storms, but haven’t limited them entirely.
Mary Knapp, Weather Data Library
mknapp@ksu.edu