Hi! I will be using this blog to give updates on the progress of my research into weather events from the Laura Ingalls Wilder books. So many of us read these books as children, with their vivid descriptions of weather events ranging from drought and grasshoppers to terrible winters to tornadoes and hail. As a child/teen/adult who was interested in both Laura’s life and the weather, I spent many years wondering how true those events were. Now, as a meteorologist and a climatologist, I have the tools to get specific.
Over time, I will update this site with the latest in my research. So far, my focus has been on The Long Winter, and most of my research likely will focus on that book and that winter. But many fascinating events occurred in Laura’s books, and her descriptions of weather events provide insight into past climate of the Plains, historical responses to weather hazards, and the emotional responses to weather and climate events. I hope to delve into all of these!
This work is connected to my Ph.D. research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the School of Natural Resources, with a specialization in Climate Assessment and Impacts. I am also employed by a particular weather-related government agency, but this account is separate from that work, and any and all information posted here is the responsibility of me and not my employer.
I look forward to sharing the latest in my work and hearing from those who might be interested in the results. I know you’re out there; I’ve met you at the Laurapalooza in 2010 in Mankato, at a presentation at the science museum in Sioux Falls, or perhaps through email contacts. Please don’t hesitate to send your (appropriate and relevant) comments!
Many thanks!
–Barb
Looking forward to reading more!!
Thanks, Rebecca… stay tuned, and hopefully the frequency of my posts will increase!
Barb, this is a wonderful addition to all things Laurati! Thank you so much for doing this. Now, since you are “our” Wilder Weather expert, when, in your opinion, would be the best time of year for a solo adventurer to drive out from NH to, let’s say, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and then all the way across South Dakota to the Black Hills? I’d be using my own car (no flimsy rentals for this girl), a nible little Jetta 1.8T with good snow tires if the weather demands. I’d like to see as much of the countryside as possible but am leary of tornadoes and blizzards. Here in NH we’ve had quite the pile up of snow and ice and I’ve been using this car all winter to drive daily routes through some pretty mountainous terrain, so I trust my car’s integrity in moderately strong winds and upon treacherous surfaces…although I’m not too sure I’d really want to risk too much blizzard activity out West…I hear tell they last for days and days out your way ;). I’m planning a trip out there sometime this year to a few locations and an extended (2 to 4 weeks) trek in 2012 to maximize the experience of the landscape, weather, and some lesser-known Laura-related sites.
Any advice for a gal who’s only once had to negotiate some killer lightening storms in Minnesota?
Thanks, Melanie! I love your adventurous spirit in taking not one, but two significant road trips in the coming years. How fun!
The best time to travel to the Plains depends a lot on what kind of weather you are most trying to avoid :). Most people want to avoid winter weather driving, and if you plan your trip between April and October, you should be safe even in the northern extent of your travel area. You might want to wait this year until after around May to let some of the flooding clear up, as well… we’re expecting a doozy of a flood season again in the Dakotas and Minnesota, which could interfere with some road access. If it was easy to see tornadoes while driving, storm chasers would be much happier 😉 … in other words, I wouldn’t worry too much about stumbling upon one of those in your travels, as the chances of encountering a tornado on accident are quite low. (Trust me, from experience, even the chances of catching one on purpose aren’t all that great!) It does get pretty hot and humid, especially in June and July… so if that bothers you, then it’s also a factor to keep in mind. The mildest, calmest weather is *probably* around September and early October, but of course, every year is different.
I hope this helps! Please keep me posted on your travel plans, especially if your journeys take you through eastern Nebraska!
Hi… I’ve been a Laura fan since I was 9… I’ve always wondered if the Long Winter was accurate as far as that many storms in one winter… I’ve read “The Children’s Blizzard,” about a bad storm in later years… but have never been able to find out any info about how many blizzards that 1880-1881 winter had, or if it really got to -40. “The Children’s Blizzard” is wonderfully documented.. do you have that kind of documentation available to you? I’ve always wondered!
Thanks,
Cindy in Colorado
Hi, Cindy, and welcome to the site! I have indeed assembled a fair amount of documentation about the Long Winter, including train archives, journals, town histories, and even a few pictures. On top of that, there are some weather records from around the area that help paint a picture of the amount (and duration!) of snow and cold that winter. The pieces are coming together nicely into a story, much like they did in Laskin’s book “The Children’s Blizzard”. Stay tuned!
Found you by accident w/ new computer (present).
Moved to Fargo-Moorhead from Dennison, Iowa when 9, 1954. Wow, were the winters different! There, we read Wilder’s books in Grade School. I remember THE LONG WINTER very, very well. Then, the brutal winter of ’65-’66 made me wonder if maybe we weren’t getting close. Served to enhance the reality of Wilder’s books.
I’ll have to take a look at the winter of 1965-66 to see how brutal it was, and in how big of an area. Certainly the winter of 2009-10 made me glad for the comforts of modern conveniences compared to Laura’s days, and the 2009-10 winter didn’t last nearly as long as 1880-81! I’m also curious how the winters in this area have changed through the years, and that’s a topic that I’ll be researching in quite a bit of depth! I’m glad that you stumbled onto this site, and I hope you stay tuned for new research discoveries!
I too stumbled across your site by mistake. Am I glad I did!! :0) I am sooo excited to read what your research has in store for us. Please hurry! 🙂