The Role of the Weather
The weather on January 15, 1919, played a significant role in the molasses flood’s intensity. The day before the disaster, temperatures in Boston had risen above freezing, causing the molasses in the tank to warm and expand. This increase in temperature contributed to the pressure buildup within the already compromised tank structure. When the tank burst, the relatively mild conditions allowed the molasses to flow rapidly through the streets. Had the temperature been colder, the molasses might have been more sluggish, potentially reducing the extent of the devastation. Thus, the weather was an unwitting accomplice in the unfolding tragedy.
