Powder River Examiner -

Broadus has a new all-time high record high temperature, recorded last Tuesday, June 15th. The new high of 110 was recorded at the official weather station at the courthouse, beating the previous all time high of 108, which was attained on three different dates: on June 20, 1988, July 5, 1937, and July 14, 2002. The previous record for June 15th was 97, in 1987.

Two other days in June have been record daily highs in Broadus, including the 95 degree high on June 3rd, and 104 on June 10th.

In comparison, twelve record daily highs still stand in June from 1988, that sweltering, smoky, and dry year which was seared into the collective memory.

Other official weather stations from around the local area recorded recent highs, and were close to or tied the all time record high.

The Moorhead 9 mile NE station had four days of record daily highs thus far in June, with 93 on June 3rd, 102 on June 10th, 100 on June 14th, and the 109 on June 15th, which shattered the old daily high of 92 in 1959. The 109 degree high matched the all time high, which was also recorded at the station on July 14, 2002, and July 29th, 1959. That station had 8 record highs still standing from 1988.

The Biddle 8 miles SW station had five daily record highs in June in 2021 as of the time of writing, with 93 on June 3rd, 101 on June 4th, 101 on June 10th, 100 on June 14th, and 109 on the 15th. 109 matched the all time high, which was also recorded on July 6th, 1981. This station had nine record highs from 1988 still on the record.

The Powderville 8 miles NNE station now has five days of record daily highs in June of this year, with a 95 degree high on June 3rd, 101 on June 9th, 106 on June 10th, and 107 on June 15th. The all time record high at that station is 110, which was recorded on June 26th, 2012, and July 14th, 2002. That station has an astounding 14 days of record daily highs still standing from 1988.

At the Sonnette station, daily records this month included 93 on June 3rd, 96 on July 14th, and 103, on June 15th.

The all time record high at the station occurred on June 20th 1988, at 105. This station had 13 daily highs in June from 1988.

Anecdotal accounts of temperatures higher than 110 recorded on June 15th came in from around the area, but since they are not “official”, from calibrated thermometers or are located in places which may be influenced by factors such as, say, reflection off a metal roof (as in the thermometer at our office, which sits atop the roof), these less than scientific measurements are not something we rely on for reporting purposes.

With another heat wave in the forecast, more daily records may be up for grabs, and with a lack of moisture in the forecast, comparisons of 2021 and 1988 may become more accurate.