That year, Nov. 11, Armistice Day -- renamed Veterans Day in 1954 -- fell on a Monday, so hunters were out taking advantage of a three-day … Studies and reports following the storm helped change the face of forecasting, for this storm strengthened support to keep weather offices open 24 hours a day. Activity Planner The Upper Midwest is known for its sudden and severe weather changes, especially during spring and fall. An assessment of societal impacts has the potential to help individuals and communities understand and anticipate possible social consequences of an event in regards to human populations. In many areas along the "Father of Waters," November 11 started with blue skies and a balmy 55-degree temperature. Armistice Day 1940 was a perfect opportunity for many individuals to enjoy the mild respite before winter. The blizzard that struck the Midwest in November 1940 was the type of snow storm that engenders legends. What the hunters did not realize was that the ducks were gathering in huge concentrations to seek shelter from the increasingly bad weather. They stood, white and shaking on solid ground, and looked back on a river running 5-foot waves. Organization Briefing The story which followed, written by Gordon McQuarrie OF the Milwaukee Journal, told of the blizzard that came with the ducks and how some hunters Unofficially, it became known as “The day the duck hunters died.” Hundreds did not make it back home that night. Passenger trains were stranded, and roads and highways remained closed for days. Hazardous Weather It is becoming standard practice to weave social science into weather and climate research (Gruntfest & Lazrus, 2009). During the storm low pressure deepened 1-2 millibars per hour over a 24 hour time period. Climate Summaries Before the Armistice Day Blizzard of 1940 the state of Iowa was a leading fruit growing region, second only to Michigan in apple production. And when 4 o'clock rolled around, the hunters discovered it was too rough to get back to the mainland. Some huddled together for warmth under overturned boats. Climate Maps Fire Weather Mar 1, 2016 - Explore Helen Berry's board "1940 - Nov. 11-12 - Armistice Day Blizzard", followed by 240 people on Pinterest. Weather Bureau offices in cities like Davenport and Dubuque provided weather observations which were sent to the district offices via teletype. Past Events Local Forecasts Awareness Weeks, About Us Sorry, the location you searched for was not found. Observation History Armistice Day 1940 was a perfect opportunity for many individuals to enjoy the mild respite before winter. The pleasant weather didn't last long, though, for to the west, a storm was brewing, a storm that earlier had hit the Pacific Northwest with near hurricane-force gusts. On November 8, 1940 storm center remained off the Washington coast producing gale force winds. October brought an Indian summer with warm temperatures, no wind, and little rain. National Weather Service Before the night was over, the wild chill temperature dropped as low as minus 55 degrees. Radar Watches, Warnings, & Advisories Observations The fall of 1940 had been unseasonably warm. Hundreds of duck hunters If one measures the impact of an event by the diversity of the information that remains this storm was indeed memorable. Weather Radio In the Midwest the Chicago District issued weather forecasts for Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. 80 years ago, duck hunters' dream day turns into nightmare with Armistice Day blizzard It was November 11 and 12, 1940 and an unusually warm day as duck hunters all over the Midwest set off for a day … Some tried anyway and managed to make it ashore under their own steam. Many would later comment that they had never seen so many birds, but the birds knew something most of the hunters didn’t. Storms normally weaken as they cross the Rockies, but this storm did not. Hazards Page Across the Midwest hundreds of duck hunters, not dressed for the cold, were overtaken by the storm. Road Reports On Armistice Day, November 11, 1940, thousands of hunters gathered to hunt ducks on the Upper Mississippi River in the Great Plains and Upper Midwest, including Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois. In Iowa this catastrophic event changed agricultural growing practices as apple growers switched from tending orchards to corn and soybean production. Climate/Almanac Data And the Great Armistice Day Storm found a place of infamy as one of the deadliest winter storms ever to hit this country. Gale velocities were measured at 80 mph at Grand Rapids, Michigan, and were estimated to be even higher over the lakes. User-Defined Area Written By: Tracy Briggs / Forum News Service | Nov 12th 2019 - 7am. Armistice Day, the forerunner of our… Quad Cities, IA/IL9040 N Harrison StreetDavenport Municipal AirportDavenport, IA 52806-7326563-386-3976Comments? This storm produced an impact on society due to the death and destruction left in its wake. Weather observations, forecasts and warnings were much different in 1940 and so were the ways people received information. Many would later comment that they had never seen so many birds, but the birds knew something most of the hunters didn’t. In spite of this there was a tremendous incentive for ships to go out during the most dangerous season for their cargoes of coal, grain, and crops were in great demand (Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, 2009). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Although Armistice Day, 1940 remains best known for its memorable, often tragic, duck hunts—not all wildlife accounts focus on waterfowl. A four mile an hour breeze could start oscillations in the bridge while stronger breezes often had no effect. If trees were planted it would be years before they would be capable of producing fruit. The storm system spawned severe weather including tornadoes, wind, extreme winter weather, and blizzard conditions across the central United States. During the day and into the night severe weather erupted across much of the Midwest. Armistice Day morning in 1940 was warm in La Crosse — 48 degrees at 6 a.m., the cold, hard rain of the preceding few days gone. Tours. Hunters taking advantage of the holiday and extremely mild weather were rewarded with an overabundance of waterfowl. Sunrise/Sunset Tables Drought Monitor For rural communities weather information was limited, but certainly available, since it was common for telephone operators and carriers on rural free delivery mail routes to distribute this information (Whitnah, 1961). So warm that at 7:30 in the morning the temperature at Chicago was 55 degrees Fahrenheit, and at Davenport Iowa the temperature was 54. Safety & Preparedness When the storm exited the region over a foot of snow had fallen, and more than 150 people and thousands of livestock were dead. The general public loved it, but duck hunters hated it. Communities expecting the cargos for their winter supplies were significantly impacted by the loss of food and fuel (Oosting, 2008). This one, the one that baited hunters with a drizzling dawn and beckoning warmth, was rooted far to the north and west. US Dept of Commerce The Tacoma Narrows Bridge, an engineering wonder, had already acquired the name Galloping Gertie due to its motion in the wind. When the storm exited the region over a foot of snow had fallen, and more than 150 people and thousands of livestock were dead. Across the upper Midwest drifts up to 20 feet high buried cars and rescuers had to force long probes into the rock hard drifts in their search for missing people. Road Reports This is what thousands of duck hunters, with their wooden skiffs and their cranky outboards and their canvas caps, found themselves caught in. Around noon, a howling blizzard began making its way across the Upper Mississippi, a blizzard no one would ever forget. In the Quad Cities people awoke to balmy temperatures on November 11th. Center pressure decreased 28.7 mb as Airport Forecasts Satellite No, no one could have imagined the tragedy that befell duck hunters on November 11, 1940. Any event with the potential for folk-lore will produce societal impact. Operational meteorology is both a physical and social science. Few suspected the weather was about to change. It was the day of the Armistice Day Blizzard, and a day that etched itself into the memories of all who lived through it. Text Products, Forecasts The Great Armistice Day Storm of 1940. StormReady Experimental Graphical Hazardous Weather Outlook, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Was intrigued and enjoyed this book. Skies darkened, winds picked up and sprinkles of rain began to fall. Newspaper deliveries were halted; telephone and power lines were damaged as were homes, barns, and outbuildings in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and Michigan. Some hunters drowned, others froze to death when the near 60 degree temperatures plummeted, first to freezing, then into the single digits (Knarr, 1941; Swails, 2005; Washburn, 2008). Survivors on ships that ran aground waited for days on their damaged vessels until winds subsided and rescue boats could be launched from shore. By November 10th the storm system had moved across the Rocky Mountains to redevelop over Trinidad Colorado (Knarr, 1941). River Graphs Submit Report Fall was extremely mild and across the Upper Midwest temperatures were well above normal on the morning of November 11th. Meanwhile pressure was falling over the Pacific Northwest. Initially the system pushed east then it curved northward into the central United States where it would leave a path of icy destruction. East of the center a broad swath of warm air streamed up the Mississippi Valley. Hunters, awed by the site of unending flocks of birds, failed to recognize the impending weather signs that a change was in process. Some of those lucky enough be stranded on islands survived the storm, but lost hands or feet due to severe frost bite. Multiple locations were found. Forecasters must assess the potential for societal impacts when they strive to understand the atmospheric environment, timing of an event, and the social environment in their warning areas. In 1938 a “breakfast forecast” was introduced, and predictions were revised four times a day (4 a.m. & 4 p.m., 10 a.m. & 10 p.m.). In many areas along the "Father of Waters," November 11 started with blue skies and a balmy 55-degree temperature. A few days earlier a strong weather system moving into the Pacific Northwest had taken down the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Contact Information Storm Spotters/Skywarn Please select one of the following: The blizzard that struck the Midwest in November 1940 was the type of snow storm that engenders legends. NWS Armistice Day 1940 was a perfect opportunity for many individuals to enjoy the mild respite before winter. But no one, not even veteran outdoorsmen, had ever experienced what happened on November 11, 1940. The storm was extraordinary in its intensity and suddenness. A few days earlier a strong weather system moving into the Pacific Northwest had taken down the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Mariners, aware of the dangers on the Great Lakes, paid close attention to the weather. View Local Storm Reports On November 7, 1940 winds of 35 to 45 mph caused center span to undulate 3-5 feet and the bridge failed before the center of the storm system reached shore. Climate Graphs See more ideas about armistice day, blizzard, day. But during the Armistice Day storm many of the crews were unaware that the winds would shift until their ships were struck broadside by the full force of the wind. Little did they know the most infamous duck hunt in American history was about to unfold. Glossary The fall of 1940 had been unseasonably warm. On November 10 the fast-moving storm crossed the Rocky Mountains in just two hours on its way to the Midwest. Freezing, they made their way to high ground when possible, and tried to make the best of a terrible situation. A tornado was reported one mile west of Davenport Iowa, 2-3 inches of heavy rain fell over the Mississippi Valley, and heavy snow began to fall across Minnesota and Western Iowa. Many businesses and schools were closed due to the Armistice Day holiday; and duck hunters were pleased by the opportunity to take to the fields and streams. Icy winds killed hundreds of apple trees, and planting a new orchard was expensive. Little did they know the most infamous duck hunt in American history was about to unfold. Distribution methods ranged from reports in newspapers, on cards displayed in the lobbies of public buildings, radio broadcasts, or by telegraph. To … They were getting out of the way of an approaching storm. Weather-Ready Nation Wayne Miller, a 16-year-old at the time, rode out the storm’s fury on the family farm located in northwest Iowa’s Emmet County, … When the storm exited the region over a foot of snow had fallen, and more than 150 people and thousands of livestock were dead. FARGO — Widely considered to be one of the worst blizzards in the recorded history of the Midwest, the Armistice Day blizzard, which happened 79 years ago this week, cost 154 people their lives and forever changed how weather would be forecast here. Shooting conditions were perfect. Meteorologically the Armistice Day Storm is noteworthy for its rapid intensification and widespread damage. All NOAA. Hundreds of duck hunters lost boats, gear and guns as 15 foot swells and 70 -80 mph winds swept down channels and marshy backwaters. When the temperature first began to plummet, most duck hunters were pleased. Snow and Ice Probabilities Hourly Forecast Graphs On November 7, 1940, the low pressure system that later developed into the storm was affecting the Pacific Northwest and produced the 40 mph (64 km/h) winds that destroyed the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Until the collapse on November 7, 1940 the bridge had been the 3rd longest suspension span in the world. Duck hunting had been good in the fall of 1940. In 1940 the threat of war was growing and the nation was preparing for hard times. Please Contact Us. the storm moved approximately 825 miles in a 24 hour period. The storm rapidly intensified. So warm that at 7:30 in the morning the temperature at Chicago was 55 degrees Fahrenheit, and at Davenport Iowa the temperature was 54. Generations have based their understanding of extreme winter weather against the storm that struck on Armistice Day 1940. Climate Normals/Averages As every waterfowler knows, it takes “bad” weather to kickstart the migration each autumn. In 1940 long range forecasting was introduced. Anything that endures as part of a culture from one generation to another is considered a seminal event; and the societal impacts of such an event can change lives and change history. Food supplies were needed to get through the winter, and coal was essential for heating. Until 1934 the Weather Bureau offices operated 12-15 hours a day with two basic observations taken at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Social Media There were no satellite images and few upper air observations. Rain started and temperatures fell rapidly. Others walked round and round to keep from freezing. I imagine the Armistice Day Blizzard of 1940 is the stuff of legend in Minnesota and nearby regions, but living in the MidAtlantic, I never heard of it. On the weather maps, note two cold fronts and the broad current of moist warm air. Winds came suddenly then masses of ducks arrived flying low to the ground (Washburn, 2008). Historians note storms were responsible for many shipwrecks, and November storms were known to strike with incredible fury (Oosting, 2008). Weather Bureau forecasts, which were issued mid morning and mid evening, were brief and general. The Armistice Day Blizzard Story Recalls How Men Died 14 Years Ago On Nov. 13, 1940, The Winona Republican-Herald/s banner was this tragic line: "THE DUCKS CAME AND MEN DIED TRAGEDY OF RIVER BOT- TOMS. Seasons (Equinoxes/Solstices), Past Weather The fall of 1940 was a mild one in the Midwest. During the storm three large ships sank near Pentwater, Michigan and 58 lives were lost. The consequences of societal impact alter the ways in which people live, work, play, relate to one another, organize to meet their needs and generally cope as members of society. Text Products The longer we accumulate weather records the more likely we are to find extreme weather events. The next day, more than 50 duck hunters were found dead by rescuers, their frozen bodies recovered from marshes, lakes, potholes, ponds and rivers from Ontario to Illinois and from Iowa to Michigan. A wealth of weather observational records which had been accumulated since the 1800’s were basically underutilized until computers improved the ability to record and retrieve data. In the end, 49 people died in the Armistice Day blizzard in Minnesota, many of them duck hunters trapped in remote bottom land along the Mississippi when … Text Products During the next 6 hours the storm center moved to vicinity of Iowa Falls, Iowa. A major blizzard caught the upper Midwest totally off guard. Cold wave warnings which were prepared for citrus fruit growers, cranberry, tobacco interests, and iron ore shippers were based upon forecasters recognizing a particular weather pattern and its potential effect. Armistice Day 1940 Watching the storm intensify, ice forming around the edge of the pothole and snow collecting on the struggling decoys, our conversation turned to a similar day: Nov. 11, 1940. By the time the rain, sleet, then heavy snow reduced the visibility to zero, hunters lost their opportunities to return safely to shore. This longer forecast, which covered 5 days and which was issued twice a week, was based upon upper air pressure data and correlated with past weather patterns (Whitnah, 1961). Little did they know the most infamous duck hunt in American history was about to unfold. Climate Records Instead, it tapped moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and cold air lurking over Canada, and the two combined into an explosive pattern. It had rained overnight and early morning temperatures were in the 50s (Swails, 2005). Over time public perceptions are changed partly due to massive growth in media coverage, but also because real-time media with gripping images bring storm and disasters into our living rooms. It was on that day, Monday, November 11, 1940, that one of the most powerful and tragic storms ever to hit the upper midwest struck. Winter Storm Severity Index (WSSI), Current Conditions A story based on facts from the historical Armistice Day blizzard of 1940 that took the lives of dozens of duck hunters in the upper Mississippi River valley. Rivers and Lakes Text Products Many hunters decided to stay until they could take a limit of birds (and they were big limits in those days) or until shooting hours were over at 4 p.m. During the excitement of the hunt, the ferocity of the wind and cold air was ignored. Questions? Officially, it was named the Armistice Day Storm (Blizzard). Most of the world knows the Midwestern blizzard of November 11, 1940, as the Armistice Day Storm. Office History Briefing The economic impacts to apple growers were so significant that the landscape across Iowa was permanently changed when orchards were transformed into fields of faster growing crops like corn and soybeans (Friese, 2008). On Armistice Day, November 11, 1940, thousands of hunters gathered to hunt ducks on the Upper Mississippi River in the Great Plains and Upper Midwest, including Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois. Ask any midwestern duck hunter born before 1930 where they were during the Armistice Day Blizzard and they will be able to tell you. Bob Steffes is 16 years old and is excited about playing for his town's summer baseball team. That Armistice Day lives in infamy in the rich history of waterfowling. Fall was extremely mild and across the Upper Midwest temperatures were well above normal on the morning of November 11th. The observations were transmitted via telegraph. Please try another search. During the next few days search parties retrieved frozen hunters from islands and the icy waters. All of them suffered. Until the collapse on November 7, 1940 t. unters taking advantage of the holiday and extremely mild weather were rewarded with an overabundance of waterfowl. River Graphs Evidence of the Armistice Day Blizzard is recorded in newspaper clippings, photos, museum collections, and stories of this event have been captured in cookbooks, journal articles, and passed on through family oral traditions. Sunrise/Sunset Tables, Preparedness By the time the storm was centered over Lake Superior the barometer reading had plummeted to 28.57 inches of mercury. Space Weather During the modernization of 1934 card punching of weather data began and phone calls to Weather Bureau offices increased to about 100 phone requests a day for climate information (Whitnah, 1961). The Armistice Day Storm remains noteworthy to society because it was a seminal event that continues to impact humans. As the storm’s center passed near Winterset Iowa, a ferocious ice storm delivered a devastating blow to the apple industry. They were getting out of the way of an approaching storm. Fascinating to learn of such a storm that came up so fast, knocking temperatures from nearly 60° down to well below zero in a … Forecast Discussion Migration Alert: Northeast Waterfowlers Hope for Strong Finish, Migration Alert: Mississippi Duck Numbers Increase Following Cold Front, Migration Alert: Southeast Missouri Hunters Continue to Deal with Tough Conditions. West of the center blizzards raged across South Dakota and a widespread ice storm across Nebraska left hundreds of people impacted by the storm. Seventy years later the Armistice Day Blizzard remains the second most requested bit of information from the Minnesota State Climatologist office (Boulay, 2009). Thousands of ducks started funneling into the river valley, and the gunning got better and better. No one at all.
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