Weather: 1886 and Now

We may think it's hot today, but temperatures in 1886 were just as warm:

The real difference is moisture. Take a look below at what rain fell in 1886 compared to now:

Last year (blue dots) we had almost 300mm = 30cm = 12 inches of rain.
This year (red line) we have about 250mm = 10 inches of rain.

In 1886 (black dots), they had only received four inches of rain by now - July 27. We do know that crop failures occurred in 1886. People starved. How did they manage?

See References for monthly weather comparisons.