From the Archives: Heavy Rain Falls Downtown
- Renee Glass
- Aug 23, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 25
Due to a combination of geographic and topological features, Springfield, Missouri is home to some of the most varied weather in the United States. The city's meteorological unpredictability was on full display on the afternoon of September 5, 1927, when heavy rain struck downtown—and only downtown. A staff writer for the Springfield Leader reported on the highly isolated downpour the following day.
While sections of Springfield sweltered under a burning sun yesterday afternoon, pedestrians in the business district were scurrying for shelter in a rainstorm which was termed by W. W. Talbot, local observer, as "strictly local."
For 20 minutes a heavy rain fell through the business district, while only light rains were reported in adjacent sections. More distant parts of the city had none.
At the federal building the weather station records showed one-quarter of an inch of rain, while a few blocks north at the baseball park there was only a light shower for a few seconds. The Modern Woodmen celebrations at Doling Park was not marred by rain in any way.
A light shower was reported in the neighborhood of the State Teachers College, while residents south of Grand avenue said there was no rain.
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Note
This blog article was originally published August 23, 2024 by Renee Glass. It was republished with minor edits March 24, 2026 by Brandon Broughton.
Resources
"Heavy Rain Falls Downtown As Rest of City Swelters." The Springfield Leader, 6 Sept. 1927, p. 1.