(Little Ice Age of the 1500's) N. American exploration by the Spanish; did they keep any records on climate?

Question

Where could I find texts, logs, recordings, or current authors who address this topic in detail as it relates only to N.Am. I have all I need of the effects of the Little Ice age on Europe.

I am mainly interest in those explorers who came into the southwest region. I have alot of information of dates, locations and general routes they took but nothing recorded on the weather or climate conditions they encountered here.

Thanks,

ED

Answer 1

spects it was a bit chilly

Answer 2

Sixteenth century records will not have the accurate observational data made possible by the invention of the thermometer, barometer, and other instruments, so we have to depend on anecdotal evidence and reconstructions using proxy data such as tree rings and lake sediments.

It is well-known that the sixteenth century was a time of widespread drought in Mexico. "Conflict And Cooperation: Water, Floods, And Social Response In Colonial Guanajuato, Mexico" is available online (link below) and would be a good starting point. The bibliogrphy contains many references.

Also below is a link to the abstracts of two papers "Reconstructing the climate of Mexico from historical records" and " Climate and cultural history in the Americas: An overview"

Both require subscription or payment to view online, but you can check with your local library for availability.