The Dust Bowl drought period in the Great Plains lasted roughly from 1930 to 1936, with some drought conditions persisting in parts of the High Plains for as long as eight years, extending into the late 1930s and around 1940. The most severe dust storms and soil erosion occurred mainly between 1934 and 1935, but the overall drought and its effects spanned nearly a decade

. In summary:

• Main drought period: 1930 to 1936
• Severe dust storms peak: 1934-1935
• Some drought conditions lasted until around 1939-1940
• Total duration approximately 8-10 years in some regions