the Battle of Gettysburg Resource Center
Weather During the Battle of Gettysburg
last revised 10/05/04
"The entire period of the invasion is remarkable for being one of clouds, and, for that season of the year, of low temperature. From June 15th until July 22nd, 1863, there was not an entirely clear day."
"On the evening of June 25th at 8 p.m. a rain began . . . This rain continued at intervals until Saturday June 27th, at 7 a.m., the perception being in inches 1.280. At all the observations made on Saturday and Sunday, and until the nine o'clock observation of Monday night, the entire sky was covered with clouds. On the day before the battle, both at 7 a.m., and 2 p.m., the obscuration was again complete, with cumulo-stratus clouds moving from SSE. At 9 p.m., only four-tenths of the heavens were covered. . . . the records of the wind are those of almost entire calm."
Temperatures For The Days Prior To The Battle |
|||
| 7 A.M. | 2 P.M. | 9 P.M. | |
| June 25 | 59 | 51 | 63 |
| June 26 | 60 | 63 | 62 |
| June 27 | 61 | 63 | 67 |
| June 28 | 63 | 67 | 68 |
| June 29 | 66 | 72 | 69 |
| June 30 | 68 | 79 | 71 |
Dr. Jacobs recorded the following details of the weather for the days of the battle, including June 30:
- June 30:
- Complete Cloud cover all day, partly cleared by 9 p.m. Wind was calm.
- July 1:
- The entire sky was covered with clouds all day,
cumulo-stratus at 7a.m. and 2 p.m., cirro-stratus at 9 p.m. A very gentle warm
southern breeze, (2 mph).
Thermometer: 7 am - 72; 2 pm - 76; 9 pm - 74 - July 2:
- At 8 am, sky still covered (cumulo stratus). At 2pm,
3/10 clear. At 9 p.m. cirrus clouds. Wind same as preceeding day
Thermometer: 7 am - 74; 2 pm - 81; 9 pm - 76 - July 3:
- At 8am, sky again completely covered with cumulo-stratus
clouds, at 2pm, sky only 4/10 covered, but with cumulus or the thunderclouds of summer;
at 9pm, 7/10 cumulus. Wind SSW, very gentle. Thunderstorm in
neighborhood at 6 pm. The thunder seemed tame, after the artillery firing of
the afternoon.
Thermometer: 7am - 73; 2pm - 87; 9pm - 76 - July 4:
- Rain showers at 6 am, from 2:15 until 4 pm, and at 4 am on July 5 totaling 1.39 inches . Thermometer: 7 am - 69; 2 pm - 72; 9 pm - 70
There were slight showers on the 5th and the 7th, and on the 8th a rain from 3 am to 11:30 am measured 1.3 inches.
The maximum temperature for the month of July 1863 was 87 degrees (at the time of Pickett's Charge). On eleven days of the month the maximum temperature was in the seventies, on one day (the 17th) it was only 62 degrees.
This helps us imagine what the weather was like during certain parts of the battle. For instance, during Buford's fight on the first morning, it was completely cloudy, slight breeze, and in the mid-70's. During the 20th Maine fight, it was mostly sunny, slight breeze, and in the low 80's. During Pickett's Charge, it was mostly sunny, no breeze, muggy due to the impending storm, and 87 degrees
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