Back in Time | Aspen

“Back in Time” is contributed by the Aspen Historical Society and features excerpted articles and images from past Snowmass Sun/Aspen Times issues. We can’t rewrite history, but we can learn from it! Visit archiveaspen.org to view the vast Aspen Times photographic collection in the AHS Archives.

“Light rains break rising temperature,” The Aspen Times announced on Aug. 1, 1940.

“The weatherman seems to have difficulty in sending rain of any lasting benefit this summer. In spite of promising clouds, nearly every afternoon for the past week, showers, for the most part, have been light and of a local nature. Sharp lightning and heavy thunder Saturday night seemed to announce that the dry spell was about to be broken, but the rainfall in Aspen measured only .15 inches, while down the valley no rain fell. Another light shower fell in the city Tuesday evening, with heavier rain falling in the high country. The recent light rains, while being of slight benefit to growing crops and gardens, temporarily reduce the hazard of fire in the forest and keep the temperature near normal in spite of the heat wave that has swept the rest of the country. The highest temperature in Aspen this summer was recorded Wednesday and Thursday when the thermometer reached 90. By Sunday, the high reading had dropped to a cool 70. Streams in the county are lower than for several years due to the snow being gone from the hills a month earlier than usual and because the lack of rain has caused a heavier drain on them for irrigation.”

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