1953 — The Year, Heat, especially Aug 22-Sep 5, esp. MO/71, NY/43, TX/41, PA/40 –576
–576 Excessive Heat/insolation; E931, line 53; the year. Public Health Service, Table 49, p. 41:
Jan (1), April (4), May (26), June (181), July (137), Aug (79), Sep (138), Oct (7, Nov (2, Dec (1
Alabama (13) Table 52. Deaths From 256 Selected Causes, by Race
Arizona (19)
Arkansas (13)
California (28)
Delaware ( 1)
District of Columbia (17)
Florida ( 8)
Georgia (10)
Illinois (24) Esp. Chicago: 12 in 12-hrs Sep 1. (AP. “Heat Wave Credited…” 9-2-1953.)
Indiana (12)
Iowa (11)
Kansas ( 9)
Kentucky (10)
Louisiana ( 7)
Maryland (12)
Massachusetts ( 6)
Michigan (17)
Minnesota ( 8)
Mississippi ( 3)
Missouri (71) Esp. St. Louis: 28 by Sep 2. (AP. “Heat Wave Credited…” 9-2-1953.)
Montana ( 2)
Nebraska ( 5)
Nevada ( 1)
New Jersey (33)
New Mexico ( 3)
New York (43) Esp. New York City. (AP. “Heat Wave Credited…” 9-2-1953.)
North Carolina ( 6)
North Dakota ( 3)
Ohio (29) Esp. Cleveland (7). (Schmidlin. Thunder in the Heartland, p. 142.)
Oklahoma (14)
Oregon ( 1)
Pennsylvania (40) Esp. Philadelphia: 15 by Aug 31. (AP. “Long Heat…”, 8-31-1953, 1.)
Rhode Island ( 3)
South Carolina ( 4)
South Dakota ( 1)
Tennessee (18)
Texas (41) Washington ( 2)
Utah ( 1) West Virginia ( 3)
Vermont ( 1) Wisconsin ( 2)
Virginia (31) Wyoming ( 1)
Narrative Information
Multi-State (chronological)
Aug 26-27: “Sunny skies and high temperatures were in prospect again today [Aug 27] in most of the eastern two thirds of the nation….The Midwest baked yesterday [26th] in one of the hottest days of the summer season. Temperatures were in the 90’s and soared above 100 degrees in some areas. It was 103 in Philip, S.D., hotter than in the Southwest desert region. Chadron, Neb., reported a sizzling 101. Record readings for the date were reported in many cities, including 97 in Chicago and 96 in Milwaukee. Chicago’s forecast was for 97 degree readings today and Friday. Water shortages were reported in many Chicago suburbs which receive supplies from Chicago mains. Some industrial and commercial plants halted operations yesterday in suburban Maywood….” (Associated Press. “Midwest Bakes In Heat Wave; No Relief Due.” Corpus Christi Times, TX. 8-27-1953, p. 10.)
Aug 27-28: “More hot and dry weather was in prospect today in wide areas in the eastern half of the nation. No general cooling or rain appeared in sight for at least a couple of days in the hot belt which extended from the Great Plains states to the Atlantic seaboard. Weather records for the date again were broken in many cities Thursday [Aug 27]. Temperatures soared into the 90’s over most of the central part of the country for the third straight day.
“St. Louis and Louisville sweltered in readings of 98. It was 97 in Chicago, Cincinnati and Cleveland. The East also got 90-plus temperatures with 96 in Philadelphia, 94 in Washington and 93 in New Work. Boston escaped hot blasts and reported a cool 69.
“Water shortages continued to plague suburban areas of Chicago. In Detroit the City Water Board appealed to users in the metropolis and 39 adjoining communities receiving water from the Detroit system to stop all nonessential use. Serious drops in pressure were recorded at the system’s three main stations.
“Partly cloudy weather prevailed today along the Gulf Coast, in the northern Rockies and the Pacific Northwest. Light rain was reported in the areas. Temperatures generally were around seasonal levels in most of the Far West.” (Associated Press. “No Break Seen In Heat Wave Scorching East.” Freeport Journal-Standard, IL, 8-28-1953, p. 1.)
Aug 30-31: “The August 1953 heat wave probably will not soon be forgotten. Records written under a stifling air blanket reaching from the Rocky Mountains t the Atlantic Coast should take care of that. Every day brings new records, and the Weather Bureau forecast little if any change through Tuesday [Sep 1]. This is a distressing outlook for eastern United States, where 90-degree plus temperatures were the rule Sunday [Aug 30]…
“Deaths of 17 Pennsylvanians, 15 in Philadelphia, were attributed to the heat.
“Some communities faced serious water shortages for domestic consumption as a result of brassy, rainless skies; many banned use of water for sprinkling and automobile washing; Lawns burned up, trees and crops suffered, and the dryness of vegetation posed the threat of grass and brush fires in rural areas….
“Aug. 30 all-time temperature records were set by the dozens. The Weather Bureau in Chicago said it might be a bit cooler in the northern tip of New England today, and temperatures may drop into the 80s in northern portions of Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin….Possible brief showers in Lower Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, Western Illinois and Wisconsin were expected only to add the further discomfort of humidity.
“The long hot, dry spell–it has been eight consecutive days of 90 degrees or higher in Chicago–apparently has directly caused little loss of life. Only Pennsylvania reported heat deaths Sunday. Chicago police and Fire Department rescue squads treated 38 persons overcome by the heat…Flint, Mich., had four prostrations and Baltimore one. The Weather Bureau said this low rate of human casualties was due to low humidity.
“New Aug. 30 heat records set Sunday included: Washington 99.3; Boston 98; Portland, Maine, 95; Louisville 98.4; Baltimore 99; Philadelphia 100; Pittsburgh 96; Cleveland 96; Toledo 98; Columbus 100; Albany 98; Syracuse and Binghamton, N.Y., New York City 95.9; Chicago 96.1; Hartford, Conn., 97, and Richmond, Va., 101. The hottest spots were Waldorf, Md., and Strasburg, Va.–both with 103.
“For Chicago it was the fifth straight day of temperature records, and the 18th straight day of no measureable precipitation. It was Washington’s hottest day of 1953. It was Detroit’s and New York’s second consecutive record temperature for the date. It’s been 90 of above in Detroit for six days.” (AP. “Long Heat Wave Causes 17 Deaths in Pennsylvania.” Freeport Journal-Standard, IL, 8-31-1953, p. 1.)
Sep 1: “A cool front from Canada moved into the Upper Midwest today but promised no relief for the rest of the nation’s ‘tropical belt,’ seared by the summer’s worst heat wave. United States forecasters said a cool front over North Dakota would extend southward into Central Iowa’s parched cornfields Wednesday [Sep 2], pushing temperatures down 10 to 15 degrees. The front, moving slowly eastward and southward, already was spreading over northwestern Minnesota and South Dakota. Scattered showers and thundershowers preceded it. The front was due to hit south-eastern Minnesota and Wisconsin tonight. But forecasters said it was doubtful whether the front, composed of cooler Canadian air, would extend as far south even as sweltering Chicago, where the temperature climbed toward a record for the eighth day in a row.
“It’s not the humidity, it’s the heat. There was plenty of humidity, too, today, but it couldn’t touch the record-breaking, collar-wilting heat that has blistered most of the nation for more than a week with no quick relief in sight. In the nation’s big cities simmering asphalt, brick and concrete caught and held the sun’s heat like Dutch ovens, and there was no real relief even in the early morning hours.
“President Eisenhower slept snug under blankets at his mountain fishing retreat at Fraser, Colo., where the temperature reached 26 degrees Monday, but the aides he left behind in low-lying Washington sweltered in record-breaking 100-degree heat. More than 20,000 government workers in the capital were sent home early and the Weather Bureau forecast another 100 reading today.
“A score of cities east of the Rockies matched or bettered Washington’s heat. At Des Moines, Ia., it was so hot an air conditioning system in a bank ‘burned’ out. Along Chicago’s Halsted Street, drinkers carried chairs and their beer out to the sidewalk to catch the tiny breeze stirring off Lake Michigan. An all-time heat record was set in Newark, N.J., where the mercury soared to 100 degrees for the fourth straight day, and dozens of other heat marks were set elsewhere. All Connecticut state offices at Hartford were ordered closed an hour and a half early because of the heat, and Cleveland, O., dispensed with the 11:30 p.m. city park closing time so that hundreds of heat sufferers could camp out for the night….
“Some temperatures in the heat belt were Beloit, Wis. 101, Madison, Wis., 100, Clinton and Davenport, Ia., 100, Louisville, Ky., and Huntington, W.Va., 101, Philadelphia 100, Rapid City, S.D. 99, Indianapolis, Ind., 97, Boston 96 and Detroit 95.” (United Press. “No Quick Relief In Sight From Blistering Heat.” Illinoian-Star, Beardstown. IL. 9-1-1953, p. 1.)
Sep 2: “The eastern half of the nation broiled today under a relentless sun with no sign of general relief. The heat wave, nearly two weeks old in some sections east of the continental divide, has taken a heavy toll. At least 59 deaths attributed directly to the heat. Thousands of other persons suffered from temporary heat prostration. A serious water shortage in many sections because of the lack of rain. Millions of dollars lost in wasted crops and livestock sold earlier than normal to beat drought conditions. A serious blow to already crippled harm income.
“In New York City the heat produced a sharp alarming rise over normal summertime deaths. During the 24 hours ending at 9 a.m. Tuesday, there were 414 deaths, the department of health reports. The daily average when temperatures were normal was 85. The above average total was definitely attributed to the heat.
“New heat records piled up in most states almost from the start of the prolonged heat spell. In Chicago, where there has been no measurable rain for 21 days, each 24-hour period produced a new record for the last week. Other Midwest cities, among them Milwaukee and Detroit, had new high readings….
“Some cool air moved into northern parts of Minnesota. It was expected to move slowly across northern sections of Wisconsin, Michigan and Iowa by tomorrow. But hot and humid weather was predicted for today and tomorrow for areas south and east of the slowly advancing cooler air mass. And in Washington, the Weather Bureau forecast hot and dry weather was the outlook for the northeast part of the country during September.
“Temperature records toppled again yesterday in nearly every section of the swelter-belt. It was the same in many cities yesterday as it has been for more than a week — readings in the high 90s and in some cities above 100….The stifling heat in offices and factories brought early closing in many cities again yesterday.
“The hottest cities yesterday were Louisville and Jackson, Tenn., with 103 while Chicago’s 101 marked the eighth straight day of temperatures above 95. It also was 101 in Cleveland, 2 degrees below the city’s hottest day in history.
“In St. Louis, two members of the American Legion collapsed and died during the 10-hour parade as temperatures soared to 101. About 150 other paraders and marchers were overcome by the heat. There have been 28 heat prostration deaths in St. Louis this summer.
“Of the 50 deaths attributed to the heat, there were 12 in Chicago in a 12-hour period yesterday, the hottest Sept. 1 on record. The death toll in Illinois was 14.
“Seventeen persons died in Pennsylvania from heat exhaustion or heart conditions aggravated by hot weather. There were 6 in New York; 3 in Texas; 2 each in Michigan, Missouri and Massachusetts, and 1 each in Indiana, Maine, Wisconsin and Maryland.
“Most of the major cities in the eastern half of the country have new records for consecutive days of high temperature and readings for the date for the last several days. It was 102 in Cincinnati yesterday; 100 in Indianapolis and Nashville, 99 in Washington and Columbus, Ohio; 98 in Milwaukee and Detroit; 97 in Philadelphia, Kansas City, Des Moines, Pittsburgh and Omaha. New York’s 94 was a record for th date and the eighth straight day above 90.” (Associated Press. “Heat Wave Credited With the Deaths of 58. No Sigh of Relief As Eastern Half of US Broils Under Relentless Sun.” Sedalia Democrat, MO, 9-2-1953, p. 1.)
Sep 3-4: “Welcome temperature drops from 20 to 30 degrees in six hours brought relief Thursday night [Sep 3] in the Midwest and the South to millions who had suffered for 11 days under an unprecedented heat wave. But the East and much of the Mississippi Valley continued under the hot, Humid air blanket. The cool air brought a 30 degree temperature drop in Omaha, Neb., from 96 to 66. In Duluth, Minn., the early Thursday evening temperature dropped to 69, in Denver to 60.
“Along with the temperature slide, ran came through the area from Wisconsin, southward into Iowa, northwest Illinois, Missouri and northeast Texas. The upper Ohio Valley, too, had a few showers.
“In contrast to some of the lower temperatures, Cleveland had a maximum Thursday of 101 for the third successive day. Other maximum temperatures included New York, 92, Chicago 97, St. Louis 97 and Atlanta 90.
“Throughout New York State, temperatures Thursday, only slightly below those of Wednesday, broke new records throughout the state. Albany had a 99–a new mark for the date, and Buffalo had 98, just a little below the all-time mark of 98.6 in 1948. Similar conditions prevailed in other eastern states.
“Behind the welcome change was a shocking toll of at least 119 dead from causes attributed to the heat. Thousands upon thousands of other persons collapsed from the heat, but were revived.
Millions of dollars in crops, livestock and pasture were lost by farmers, who earlier in the year took financial losses when market prices fell.
“The cool air first hit the Rocky Mountain states late Wednesday night, bringing snow, sleet and ice. Temperatures plummeted 30 degrees and more. It pushed eastward and southward Thursday, in many cases accompanied by rain.
“The Midwest, now mostly the scorched ‘breadbasket of America,’ got the beneficial rain and winds Thursday before noon. Slowly and unyieldingly the cool air-rain moved forward, ever widening until it had encompassed most of the section from the Continental Divide and down to New Mexico and eastward to Ohio. The temperature drops were generally gradual. From early morning highs of 80 to 90 degrees, the cool air forced the readings down to the comfortable 70s.
“But beyond the cool front, in the East, the populace broiled under the blazing sun.” (AP. “Midwest, South Get Relief From Heat; East Still Bakes.” Joplin Globe, MO, 9-4-1953, 7A.)
Sep 5: “Washington, Sept. 5 (AP)–Most of the nation from the Rockies to the Atlantic sweltered this week under the worst heat wave and drought since dust storms swirled across the Midwest in the middle 30s. It was too soon today to assess all the damage, but an Associated Press survey showed losses from scorched corn fields, browned pastures and thinned livestock seemed certain to run into billions of dollars.
“Deaths from heat prostration or other causes aggravated by the steaming temperatures passed the 119 mark….
The first step in stoking nature’s boiler came about Aug. 15, innocently enough. A cool, dry air mass spread southward from Canada. But instead of moving on, it strangely came to a standstill, and was heated by the sun and by compression of air tumbling down from higher altitudes. By last Monday, two weeks latter, the heat wave was in full swing. Temperatures above 100 were recorded at points as far apart as Pierre, S.D., and Richmond, Va. The next day, Tuesday, the mercury climbed above 100 in parts of at least 10 states. And the hot, dry air clung tenaciously.
“Many cities had readings above 95 for more than 10 straight days. Some topped the 100 mark for three or more days in a row, as daily records toppled throughout the area, some all-time high marks were set….Reports at the National Weather Bureau said it was the most extensive, persistent and damaging heat wave and drought since the ‘dust bowls’ of the 30’s drove thousands of farmers from the Midwest.
“Raleigh, N.C., had the driest July and August in history. Temperatures went to 107 for two straight days in Portsmouth, Ohio. Louisville, Ky., broke September records with three straight days at 103 or above. All-time records were broken with 104 at Port Huron, Mich., and 101 at Hartford, Conn….” (Associated Press. “Heat Wave Damages Midwest Farm Crops.” Big Spring Herald, TX. 9-6-1953, p. 4.)
Illinois
Skilling/2009: “Unlike this month’s record-threatening chilly waning days, 56 years ago Chicago was embroiled in an unprecedented late-season heat wave that rewrote the record books. The city logged a record 11 consecutive days of 90 degrees or higher temperatures and established new record highs on 10 straight days. Four of those records have since been tied, but none broken. The heat wave continued into September and gained steam with back-to-back 101-degree highs on Sept. 1 and 2. In addition to the hot and humid days, the nights were warm and muggy with the mercury never dropping below 66 from Aug. 25 to Sept. 3. Cooler weather finally arrived Sept. 4 as a cold front with showers and thunderstorms passed through.” (Skilling. “Aug. 25-Sept. 3, 1953: Heat wave set 10 straight record highs.” Chicago Tribune, 8-30-2009.)
Aug 26: “Chicago (AP)–Chicago’s millions are sweltering in a late August heat wave. It was 95.2 degrees yesterday and a top of 95 was expected again today.” (Associated Press. “Chicago Heat Wave.” Abilene Reporter-News, TX, 8-26-1953, 7A.)
Aug 27: “A heat wave toasted most of the nation today and created a fire and health menace in populous Chicago suburbs by virtually drying up water supplies….A 97-degree reading snapped an all-time Chicago heat record for Aug 26, the second temperature record to fall there this week….” (United Press. “Heat Wave Hits U.S.” Moline Daily Dispatch, IL. 8-27-1953, p. 1.)
Aug 28-29, Dixon: “Temperatures in Dixon yesterday [Aug 28] registered a sizzling 96 at 2 p.m. in one of the summer’s hottest days. A high of 97 is expected today. The heat wave shows no sign of breaking. Sunny skies, with no rain, is indicated for the weekend and will stretch across the U.S. covering an area from the Rockies to the Atlantic coast. The last August heat spell continued to break temperature records for the date in many cities all over the nation….” (Dixon Evening Telegraph, IL. “Mercury Hits 96; and There’s More to Come.” 8-29-1953, p. 6.)
Missouri
Aug 27: “Central Missouri’s late August heat wave moved into its sixth day today as the mercury hit 96 degrees at 1 p.m. Today was the sixth day in a row, and the 16th day this month, that the temperature moved above the 90 mark. The high for yesterday, and for Tuesday, was 97 degrees about 4 p.m., but it appeared that that mark would be surpassed today. The high for Monday was 94; for Sunday, 93; and for last Saturday 91. And there was little chance of relief in sight. The forecast for Jefferson City and Central Missouri calls for continued fair weather through tomorrow. The high tomorrow again will be in the 90s, with a low in the upper 60s slated for tonight.” (Jefferson City Post-Tribune, MO. “August Heat Wave Moves into Sixth Day; Is 96 at 1 P.M.” 8-27-1953, p. 1.)
Sep 4: “St. Louis (AP) — Cooling rains have broken the heat wave in Missouri and brought some relief from the state’s worst drought in 17 years. The cool front moved into the northwestern part of the state first and by this morning had extended into Southeast Missouri, where it was raining.
“High temperatures yesterday ranged from 75 at St. Joseph to 99 at Malden in Southeast Missouri, the weather bureau here ranged from 49 at St. Joseph to the upper 60s in the Missouri boot-heel. The cool weather is expected to last four or five days….The St. Louis temperature skidded from a high of 96 late yesterday to a low of 57 this morning.” (Associated Press. “Cooling Rains Break Missouri Heat Wave.” Daily Sikeston Standard, MO. 9-4-1953, p. 1.)
New York
Barron/2013: “….In 1953, New York baked for 12 all-but-unbearable days in a row. From Aug. 24 to Sept. 4, the high temperature in Central Park was never less than 90 degrees, and the nights seemed almost as warm. Consolidated Edison, which prepared a PowerPoint presentation on past heat waves in anticipation for this one, calculated that the average high temperature for those 12 days was 95 degrees. The peak was a scalding, scorching 102 on Sept. 2. The city simmered, sizzled and stewed. “In Times Square,” The New York Times reported, “the warmth was glare and pressure and sogginess all in one.” Children guzzled at water fountains in parks and pranced in front of open fire hydrants, and golfers played through on the fiery fairways….” (Barron. “When New York Baked for 12 Sweltering Days.” New York Times, 7-19-2013.)
Pennsylvania
Aug 29: “Philadelphia (AP)–The heat wave that has gripped Philadelphia and the East for one week–and there’s no relief in sight, yet–was blamed today for the deaths of 10 persons here. The mercury climbed to 98 yesterday, equaling the all-time high for the date set in 1948. The Weather Bureau records cover 82 years.” (Associated Press. “10 Deaths Blamed On East Heat Wave.” Galveston Tribune, TX, 8-29-1953, p. 1.)
Texas
Aug 24: “At long last the rains came to San Antonio! The rains also ended for good, it seems, the dismal prospect that 1953 would be the driest year in San Antonio’s history. And the rainfall began to cut down somewhat on San Antonio’s 10.11 inches deficiency for the year….The heavy rain also dealt a death blow to the summer’s heat. The Weather Bureau said there may be other warmish days, but no heat the like of which San Antonio has experienced this summer is expected to recur. The weather bureau said the rains would provide cool nights for the city, even if the day-time temperature does rise….The rainfall kept the afternoon’s high temperature down to a cool 88 degrees to bring San Antonio its coolest day of the month, and only the second day of August during which the temperature has dropped below 90 degrees. The previous low temperature for the month was recorded Aug. 21 with 89 degrees….” (San Antonio Express, TX. “Downfall Deals ‘Death Blow’ To Heat Wave.” 8-25-1953, p. 1.)
Wisconsin
Aug 25: “An August heat wave was in the making here [Janesville] today as the mercury climbed toward the 90s through the morning, reaching 87 by noon, and the weatherman predicted a high that may reach 92 for tomorrow. An extended forecast, covering the next five days, advises that temperatures through Sunday will be four to seven degrees above normal. Though the warm spell is a change from the past week, it is not unusual for late August has frequently brought Janesville temperatures of over 100. In 1947, for example, a 21-day heat wave ended on Aug. 24.[1] In 1948 the maximum temperature on this date was 104….” (Janesville Daily Gazette, WI. “Late August Heat Wave Hits.” 8-25-1953, p. 1.)
Sources
Associated Press. “10 Deaths Blamed On East Heat Wave.” Galveston Tribune, TX, 8-29-1953, p. 1. Accessed 6-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/galveston-tribune-aug-29-1953-p-1/
Associated Press. “Chicago Heat Wave.” Abilene Reporter-News, TX, 8-26-1953, 7A. Accessed 6-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/abilene-reporter-news-aug-26-1953-p-32/
Associated Press. “Heat Wave Credited With the Deaths of 58. No Sigh of Relief As Eastern Half of US Broils Under Relentless Sun.” Sedalia Democrat, MO, 9-2-1953, p. 1. Accessed 6-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sedalia-democrat-sep-02-1953-p-1/
Associated Press. “Heat Wave Damages Midwest Farm Crops.” Big Spring Herald, TX. 9-6-1953, p. 4. Accessed 6-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/big-spring-daily-herald-sep-06-1953-p-4/
Associated Press. “Long Heat Wave Causes 17 Deaths in Pennsylvania.” Freeport Journal-Standard, IL, 8-31-1953, p. 1. Accessed 5-30-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/freeport-journal-standard-aug-31-1953-p-1/
Associated Press. “Midwest Bakes In Heat Wave; No Relief Due.” Corpus Christi Times, TX. 8-27-1953, p. 10. Accessed 6-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/corpus-christi-times-aug-27-1953-p-10/
Associated Press. “Midwest, South Get Relief From Heat; East Still Bakes.” Joplin Globe, MO, 9-4-1953, 7A. Accessed 6-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/joplin-globe-sep-04-1953-p-7/
Associated Press. “No Break Seen In Heat Wave Scorching East.” Freeport Journal-Standard, IL, 8-28-1953, p. 1. Accessed 5-30-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/freeport-journal-standard-aug-28-1953-p-1/
Barron, James. “When New York Baked for 12 Sweltering Days.” New York Times, 7-19-2013. Accessed 5-30-2019 at: https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/07/19/when-new-york-baked-for-12-sweltering-days/
Associated Press. “Cooling Rains Break Missouri Heat Wave.” Daily Sikeston Standard, MO. 9-4-1953, p. 1. Accessed 6-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sikeston-daily-standard-sep-04-1953-p-1/
Dixon Evening Telegraph, IL. “Mercury Hits 96; and There’s More to Come.” 8-29-1953, p. 6. Accessed 5-30-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/dixon-evening-telegraph-aug-29-1953-p-6/
Janesville Daily Gazette, WI. “Late August Heat Wave Hits.” 8-25-1953, p. 1. Accessed 5-30-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/janesville-daily-gazette-aug-25-1953-p-1/
Jefferson City Post-Tribune, MO. “August Heat Wave Moves into Sixth Day; Is 96 at 1 P.M.” 8-27-1953, p. 1. Accessed 6-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/jefferson-city-post-tribune-aug-27-1953-p-1/
Public Health Service, U.S. Dept. of Health, Education, and Welfare. Vital Statistics of the United States 1953 Volume II Mortality Data. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1955. Accessed 6-3-2019 at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/vsus/vsus_1939_1964.htm
San Antonio Express, TX. “Downfall Deals ‘Death Blow’ To Heat Wave.” 8-25-1953, p. 1. Accessed 6-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/san-antonio-express-aug-25-1953-p-1/
Schmidlin, Thomas W. and Jeanne Appelhans Schmidlin. Thunder in the Heartland: A Chronicle of Outstanding Weather Events in Ohio. Kent State University Press, 1996, 362 pages. Partially digitized by Google at: http://books.google.com/books?id=QANPLARGXFMC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q=&f=false
Skilling, Tom. “Aug. 25-Sept. 3, 1953: Heat wave set 10 straight record highs.” Chicago Tribune, 8-30-2009. Accessed 5-30-2019 at: https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2009-08-30-0908030041-story.html
United Press. “Heat Wave Hits U.S.” Moline Daily Dispatch, IL. 8-27-1953, p. 1. Accessed 5-30-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/moline-daily-dispatch-aug-27-1953-p-1/
United Press. “No Quick Relief In Sight From Blistering Heat.” Illinoian-Star, Beardstown. IL. 9-1-1953, p. 1. Accessed 5-30-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/beardstown-illonian-star-sep-01-1953-p-1/
[1] One can access our “write-up” for the August 1947 heat wave via the Spreadsheet.