My Ratzlaff ancestors had many adjustments to make upon
their arrival in the United States, not least of which was adjustment to the
climate of central Kansas.
Volhynia lies farther north than Kansas; Ostrog is at
latitude 50.33 North, while Newton, KS is at 38.04 North. This is a difference of more than 800
miles. Ostrog is at a latitude similar
to Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada). While
Volhynia and Kansas both are land-locked areas experiencing continental
climates, there exist large differences in the two area’s climates. Climate in Kansas is characterized by large
seasonal temperature differences, severe summer thunderstorms, and steady
southerly winds. Volhynia on the other
hand experiences lower levels of termperature variation from season to season,
greater distribution of rainfall and highly variable, light breezes (in
comparison to Kansas).
Temperatures in Volhynia are, on the average, about 10
degrees cooler than central Kansas. In
February in Ostrog, a typical day’s low is 17 degrees (Fahrenheit) with a high
of 27 degrees. In July, an Ostrog day’s
low is typically 59 with a high around 79.
Central Kansas’ averages are somewhat higher. A January day will see 21 for a low and 40
for a high, while a July day will see 71 for a low and 93 for a high. Record highs in central Kansas are well over
110 degrees while record highs in Volhynia are only in the 90s. Record low temperatures for the two areas are
actually quite similar although lower temperatures are experienced for a longer
time period in Volhynia.
Wind in central Kansas is well documented; Wichita, KS may
actually be windier than the “Windy City” of Chicago, IL. Wind in Kansas is dominated by southerly
winds that average 10-14 miles per hour throughout spring and summer. Northerly winds in Kansas are experienced at
times, usually in fall and winter. Wind
direction in Ostrog is distributed much more evenly, with westerly winds at 5-9
mph being the most common. Wind in
Ostrog, however, is much more likely to be light and from any direction.
Ostrog sees more snowfall than does central Kansas. Ostrog is likely to have snow on the ground
from November through March whereas snow rarely lasts that long in Kansas. Central Kansas gets most of its moisture from
thunderstorms that occur in the spring and summer, some of which can be
severe. Ostrog sees relatively few
thunderstorms. Furthermore, while
Volhynia may see the occasional tornado, central Kansas (in the heart of “tornado
alley”) experiences literally dozens of tornados every year. Overall, central Kansas receives more
precipitation over the course of the year and is relatively more humid. Ostrog will see an annual average of 23.5
inches of precipitation while central Kansas will receive almost 40 inches. Volhynia, however, will have many more days
with precipitation than will Kansas.
Volhynia’s precipitation will be spread over 168 days whereas Kansas’
will be spread over just 89 days. This
also points to the fact that central Kansas is a very sunny area; Wichita, KS,
will receive more than 220 days per year of sun, while Volhynia will receive
far fewer. Summer days in Kansas can be
muggy with a very high dew point whereas in Volhynia these muggy conditions are
less frequent.
Daylight in Volhynia is different from Kansas since it’s at
a more northerly latitude. Daylight
during a Volhynian summer day will last from 5am until 9:30pm, whereas in
Kansas that same day will only last from 6am until 9pm. In winter, however, the shortest Volhynian
daylight will last from 9am until just 5pm whereas in Kansas that same day will
last from 8am until 5pm.
In short, the Kansas climate is hotter, wetter and windier
than Volhynia. Kansas gets it
precipitation in short, severe bursts and its days are dominated by sunny
skies. Volhynia experiences light,
variable breezes, with mild precipitation distributed over longer periods of
time. Extremely long days and a lower
dew point and humidity level make for pleasant summertimes in Volhynia. My Ratzlaff ancestors arriving in Kansas,
would have had to adjust to the severe thunderstorms and tornados of the spring
and summer and probably would have missed the lower temperatures and long
summer days of Volhynia. On the other
hand, they may have enjoyed the shorter winters and higher number of sunny days
in central Kansas.
