In the summer of 1935, the Midwest was gripped by one of the most intense heat waves during the Dust Bowl, with Chicago recording a blistering 109°F and Milwaukee reaching 104°F. This heat wave was not an isolated event but part of a larger environmental crisis affecting the central United States throughout the 1930s. The combination of extreme drought and soaring temperatures devastated agricultural activities, hampering crop yields and exacerbating an already dire situation for farmers in the Great Plains region. As soils turned to dust and major crops like wheat withered, countless families faced economic hardship and food scarcity. The Dust Bowl dramatically reshaped the demographic landscape of the Midwest as many families migrated westward in search of better living conditions.

The causes of the Dust Bowl extended beyond mere drought; they involved a complex interplay of climatic, ecological, and human factors. Unsustainable farming practices, including over-plowing and the destruction of natural grasses, stripped the land of its protective cover, which combined with the drought to create the infamous dust storms. The federal government's response included various New Deal programs, aimed at both relief for affected populations and reforms to ensure better agricultural practices. The human toll of both the drought and heat added to the growing discontent among farmers, who rallied for reforms and assistance.

As the temperatures reached unprecedented highs, public health concerns also surged. Heat-related illnesses became prevalent among those without access to adequate shade or cooling facilities. Efforts to provide relief involved local organizations and government initiatives aimed at safeguarding vulnerable populations. The consequences of this heat wave, coupled with the broader conditions of the Dust Bowl, continued to reverberate through the agricultural landscape of the Midwest for years to come. By highlighting the environmental challenges and economic difficulties of the time, it underscored the urgent need for sustainable farming practices and better management of natural resources in the face of changing climatic conditions.