

DECEMBER 1ST

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1831...

The coldest December of record in the northeastern U.S. commenced.
Temperatures in New York City averaged 22 degrees, with just four days
above freezing, and at Burlington VT the temperature never did get above
freezing. The Erie Canal was closed the first day of December, and remained
closed the entire month. (David Ludlum)

...1896...

The temperature at Kipp MT rose 30 degrees in just seven minutes, and 80
degrees in a matter of a few hours. A thirty-inch snow cover was melted in
half a day. (The Weather Channel)

...1913...

A six day front range snowstorm began. It produced a record total of 46
inches at Denver CO. (David Ludlum)

...1985...

A storm produced more than six inches of snow from the Northern and Central
Plains to parts of Michigan, with 36.4 inches reported at Marquette MI.
Many roads were blocked by snow. A family was stranded for 25 hours south
of Colome SD. Drifts twelve feet high were reported in north central
Nebraska. (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

A powerful storm hit the northwestern U.S. Winds gusted to 80 mph at Cape
Disappointment WA, and reached 94 mph at Cape Blanco OR. Thunderstorms in
western Washington State produced wind gusts to 60 mph, and dime size hail
at Hoquiam. Stevens Pass, in the Cascade Mountains of Washington, received
seven inches of snow during the morning hours. (The National Weather
Summary) (Storm Data)

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1988...

Squalls in the Great Lakes Region produced up to a foot of snow in
Ashtabula County OH, up to ten inches in Erie County PA, and up to a foot
of snow in western New York State. (Storm Data) (The National Weather
Summary)

...1989...

Heavy snow blanketed the mountains of New Mexico, with 12 inches reported
at the Angel Fire Ski Basin. Strong northerly winds ushering cold air into
the north central U.S. gusted to 55 mph at Devils Lake ND. Low pressure
over the Gulf of Alaska produced wind gusts to 69 mph at Kodiak Island.
(Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

DECEMBER 2ND

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1896...

An early season snow and ice storm struck the southeastern U.S. It produced
11 inches of snow at Charlotte NC, and six inches at Atlanta GA. (David
Ludlum)

...1925...

A late season hurricane caused extensive damage across the Florida
peninsula, then moved off the Georgia coast crossing Cape Hatteras as a
tropical storm. The storm produced whole gales along the Middle Atlantic
and Southern New England coast. Winds gusted to 60 mph at Block Island RI,
and reached 64 mph at Atlantic City NJ. (David Ludlum)

...1950...

A late season tornado killed four persons in Madison County and Bond
County, east of St Louis MO. Three tornadoes touched down in Illinois that
afternoon, compared to just half a dozen tornadoes in the month of December
in 115 years of records up until that time. Thunderstorms also produced
hail which caused more than four million dollars damage in the St Louis
area, it was the most damaging hailstorm of record for Missouri. (David
Ludlum) (The Weather Channel)

...1970...

A tornado, 400 yards in width, touched down about one mile below the summit
of Timpanogos Divide. Trees up to 18 inches in diameter were snapped, and
some of the 38 inch snow cover was carried 1000 feet above the ground as
the tornado traveled one mile. (The Weather Channel)

...1982...

A tornado destroyed a home four miles south of Eastwood MO. The owners were
not injured in that tornado, but ironically one was killed Christmas Eve
when another tornado hit the replacement mobile home on the same site. (The
Weather Channel)

...1987...

A powerful storm over the Gulf of Alaska continued to produced high winds
and heavy rain along the northern and central Pacific coast. Winds gusted
to 80 mph south of Port Orford OR, Stevens Pass WA was blanketed with
sixteen inches of snow, and Blue Canyon CA was soaked with 1.63 inches of
rain. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

...1988...

Squalls in the Great Lakes Region produced ten inches of snow at Union City
PA. Gale force winds gusted to 55 mph at Buffalo NY. (The National Weather
Summary) (Storm Data)

...1989...

Squalls produced heavy snow in the Great Lakes Region. Totals in Upper
Michigan ranged up to 20 inches at Ironwood. Heavy snow and high winds
caused 150 auto accidents in Michigan, resulting in sixteen deaths and 22
injuries. Strong northwesterly winds gusted to 73 mph at Johnstown PA, and
Lowville PA received 20 inches of snow in 36 hours. (The National Weather
Summary) (Storm Data)

DECEMBER 3RD

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1856...

A severe blizzard began to rage across Iowa and Kansas. It produced as much
as 16 inches of snow in Iowa. (David Ludlum)

...1926...

Yuma AZ was soaked with 1.10 inch of rain, and by the 10th of the month had
received 4.43 inches, making it the wettest December of record. The average
annual rainfall for Yuma is 3.38 inches. (3rd-10th) (The Weather Channel)

...1983...

Birmingham AL was drenched with 9.22 inches of rain in 24 hours. The rains
caused severe flash flooding which literally submerged traffic. (The
Weather Channel)

...1987...

Stormy weather in the northwestern U.S. finally began to abate, but not
before Gold Beach OR was drenched with 7.94 inches of rain in 24 hours. Low
pressure spread snow from the Upper Mississippi Valley to the Central
Appalachians. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

...1988...

Gale force winds ushered cold air into the northeastern U.S., and produced
snow squalls in the Lower Great Lakes Region. Winds gusted to 48 mph at
Buffalo NY. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1989...

Heavy snow and high winds created blizzard conditions in northern New
England. Snowfall totals in Maine ranged up to 31 inches, at Limestone.
Presque Isle ME reported a record 30 inches of snow in 24 hours, along with
wind gusts to 46 mph. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

DECEMBER 4TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1786...

The first of two great early December storms began. The storm produced 18
inches of snow at Morristown NJ, and twenty inches of snow at New Haven CT.
It also resulted in high tides at Nantucket which did great damage. (David
Ludlum)

...1972...

Winds gusting to 70 mph sent the temperature at Livingston MT plunging from
52 degrees to 18 degrees in just twenty minutes. (The Weather Channel)

...1982...

The temperature in New York City's Central Park reached 72 degrees to
establish a record high for December. The month as a whole was also the
warmest of record. (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

A cold front crossing the Pacific Coast Region brought high winds and heavy
rain to California. Thunderstorm winds gusted to 55 mph at Newport Beach
CA, and Mount Wilson CA was drenched with 2.17 inches of rain in six hours.
Gale force winds prevailed along the Northern Pacific Coast, and winds in
the Tehachapis Mountains of southern California gusted to 60 mph. (Storm
Data) (The National Weather Summary)

...1988...

Gale force winds continued to usher cold arctic air into the northeastern
U.S. Winds gusted to 65 mph at Windsor Locks CT. Up to a foot of snow
blanketed the higher elevations of Vermont. (The National Weather Summary)
(Storm Data)

...1989...

Seventeen cities in the eastern U.S., including nine in Florida, reported
record low temperatures for the date. Lakeland FL reported a record low of
31 degrees, and Watertown NY was the cold spot in the nation with a low of
20 degrees below zero. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

DECEMBER 5TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1886...

A big snowstorm in the southeastern U.S. produced 11 inches at Montgomery
AL, 18.5 inches at Rome GA, and 22.5 inches at Knoxville TN. (Sandra and TI
Richard Sanders - 1987)

...1941...

The temperature at Enosburg Falls soared to 72 degrees to establish a state
record for Vermont for the month of December. (The Weather Channel)

...1953...

A killer tornado hit Vicksburg MS killing 38 persons, injuring 270 others,
and causing 25 million dollars damage, the most damage since the
forty-seven days of continuous shelling the town received in the Civil War.
(David Ludlum)

...1987...

Heavy snow blanketed parts of the north central U.S., and freezing drizzle
produced a coat of ice up to half an inch thick in northwestern Minnesota
and eastern North Dakota. Snowfall totals ranged up to seven inches at
Grand Rapids MN, and 12 inches at Seney MI. High winds in the north central
U.S. gusted to 63 mph at Pellston MI, and reached 70 mph at Makinaw Bridge
MI. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1988...

There was only a "flurry" of activity, as for much of the nation winter
remained on hold. The cold and snow of winter was primarily confined to the
northeastern U.S. Five cities in the north central U.S. reported record
high temperatures for the date, including Norfolk NE with a reading of 65
degrees. (The National Weather Summary)

...1989...

A warm Pacific storm system brought high winds and heavy rain to western
Washington and western Oregon. Up to ten inches of rain deluged the western
slopes of the Cascade Mountain Range in Washington State over a three day
period, and 500 persons had to be evacuated due to flooding along the
Skagit River. Up to five inches of rain drenched northwest Oregon, and
winds gusted to 71 mph at Netarts. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm
Data)

DECEMBER 6TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1886...

A great snowstorm hit the southern Appalachain Mountains. The three day
storm produced 25 inches at Rome GA, 33 inches at Asheville NC, and 42
inches in the mountains. Montgomery AL received a record eleven inches of
snow. Columbia SC received one to two inches of sleet. (4th-6th) (David
Ludlum) (The Weather Channel)

...1970...

A windstorm toppled the National Christmas Tree at the White House. (Sandra
and TI Richard Sanders - 1987)

...1987...

Another in a series of storms brought high winds and heavy rain to the
northwestern U.S., with heavy snow in some of the higher elevations. In
northern California, Crescent City was drenched with 2.58 inches of rain,
and winds gusted to 90 mph. Up to fourteen inches of snow blanketed the
mountains of northern California, and snow and high winds created blizzard
conditions around Lake Tahoe NV. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm
Data)

...1988...

The morning low at Bismarck ND was eleven degrees warmer than the record
low of 25 degrees at Meridian MS, and during the afternoon half a dozen
cities in the north central and northwestern U.S. reported record high
temperatures for the date, including Alpena MI with a reading of 57
degrees. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

...1989...

Heavy snow blanketed the Central Rocky Mountain Region. Totals in the
southern foothills of Colorado ranged up to 17 inches at Rye. Arctic air
invaded the north central U.S. Lincoln NE, which reported a record high of
69 degrees the previous afternoon, was 35 degrees colder. International
Falls MN was the cold spot in the nation with a morning low of 9 degrees
below zero, and temperatures in northern Minnesota hovered near zero
through the daylight hours. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

DECEMBER 7TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1740...

In early December two weeks of mild and rainy weather culminated in the
worst flood in fifty years in the Lower Connecticut River Valley. The
Merrimack River swelled to its highest level, and in Maine the raging
waters swept away mills, carried off bridges, and ruined highways. (David
Ludlum)

...1935...

Severe flooding hit parts of the Houston TX area. Eight persons were killed
as one hundred city blocks were inundated. Satsuma reported 16.49 inches of
rain. The Buffalo and White Oak Bayous crested on the 9th. (6th-8th) (The
Weather Channel)

...1987...

Heavy rain fell across eastern Puerto Rico, with 19.41 inches reported at
Las Piedras. Flooding caused five million dollars damage. Another in a
series of storms hit the northwestern U.S., with wind gusts above 100 mph
reported at Cape Blanco OR. While snow and gusty winds accompanied a cold
front crossing the Rockies, strong westerly winds, gusting to 93 mph at
Boulder CO, helped temperatures in western Kansas reach the 60s for the
sixth day in a row. Freezing drizzle in northeastern slowed traffic to 5
mph on some roads in Morrow County. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm
Data)

...1988...

An outbreak of cold arctic air brought up to 18 inches of snow to the
Colorado Rockies, with 14 inches at Boulder CO, and seven inches at Denver.
Heavy snow blanketed New Mexico the following day, with 15 inches reported
near Ruidoso. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

...1989...

A storm moving out of the Central Rocky Mountain Region spread snow across
Kansas and Oklahoma into Arkansas and Tennessee. Snowfall totals ranged up
to 7.5 inches at Winfield KS. Freezing rain on trees and power lines cut
off electricity to 24,000 homes in northeastern Arkansas, and 40,000 homes
in the Nashville TN area were without electricity for several hours. (Storm
Data) (The National Weather Summary)

DECEMBER 8TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1892...

A tremendous ice fall occurred at Gay Hill TX. Ice averaged four to six
inches in diameter. (David Ludlum)

...1938...

The temperature at La Mesa CA soared to 108 degrees to set a U.S. record
for the month of December. (The Weather Channel)

...1963...

Lightning caused the crash of a jet airliner killing 81 persons at Elkton
MD. (Sandra and TI Richard Sanders - 1987)

...1987...

A cold front crossing the northwestern U.S. continued to produce high winds
along the coast, and heavy snow blanketed parts of the western U.S.
Snowfall totals in the mountains of western Nevada ranged up to 18 inches
at Heavenly Valley, and near the Boreal Ski Resort, and winds at Reno NV
gusted to 56 mph. Thunderstorms over southern Florida deluged the Florida
Keys with up to five inches of rain. Strong winds, gusting to 48 mph at
Gage OK, ushered wintry weather into the Central High Plains. Goodland KS,
which one day earlier was 63 degrees, was blanketed with two inches of
snow. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1988...

Santa Ana winds buffeted southern California, with gusts to 92 mph reported
at Laguna Peak. The high winds unroofed buildings, and downed trees and
power lines, igniting five major fires, and numerous smaller ones. Damage
was estimated at 15 to 20 million dollars. (The National Weather Summary)
(Storm Data)

...1989...

A winter storm spread snow and freezing rain across much of the Atlantic
Coast Region, from Georgia to New Jersey. Snowfall totals ranged up to
seven inches, at Stanton VA and Tobacco MD. Up to six inches of snow
blanketed the mountains of northern Georgia. More than one hundred auto
accidents were reported in Gwinnett County GA. (The National Weather
Summary) (Storm Data)

DECEMBER 9TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1786...

A second great snowstorm in just five days brought another 15 inches of
snow to Morristown NJ, on top of the eight inches which fell on the 7th and
8th, and the 18 inches which fell on the 4th and 5th. The total snowfall
for the week was thus 41 inches. New Haven CT received 17 inches of new
snow in the storm. Up to four four feet of snow covered the ground in
eastern Massachusetts following the storms. (9th-10th) (David Ludlum) (The
Weather Channel)

...1917...

A severe winter storm struck the Ohio Valley and the Great Lakes Region. It
produced 25 inches of snow and wind gusts to 78 mph at Buffalo NY. The
storm produced 26 inches of snow at Vevay IND, with drifts fourteen feet
high. By the 16th of the month people could walk across the frozen Ohio
River from Vavey into Kentucky. (8th-9th) (David Ludlum) (The Weather
Channel)

...1987...

The fifth storm in nine days kept the northwestern U.S. wet and windy.
Winds along the coast of Washington gusted to 75 mph at Oceans Shores and
at Hoquiam, and the northern and central coastal mountains of Oregon were
drenched with three inches of rain in ten hours, flooding some rivers.
Snowfall totals in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State ranged up to
36 inches in the Methow Valley. High winds in Oregon blew a tree onto a
moving automobile killing three persons and injuring two others at Mill
City. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1988...

A winter storm blanketed the Southern and Central Appalachians with up to
ten inches of snow. Arctic air invaded the north central U.S. bringing
subzero cold to Minnesota and North Dakota. (The National Weather Summary)
(Storm Data)

...1989...

A strong storm produced wind gusts of 40 to 65 mph from the Alaska
Peninsula to the North Gulf Coast of Alaska. Southeasterly winds gusted to
75 mph in the Anchorage hillside. Gusty winds associated with a strong cold
front caused a power outage across much of the island of Hawaii. (The
National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

DECEMBER 10TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1699...

A severe ice storm hit Boston MA causing much damage to orchards. (The
Weather Channel)

...1946...

The temperature at New York City soared to 70 degrees. (David Ludlum)

...1949...

The barometric pressure at Las Vegas NV reached a record low reading of
29.17 inches (987.8 millibars). (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

A cold front brought high winds to the eastern slopes of the Northern and
Central Rockies. Winds gusted to 97 mph at Mines Peak CO. In Wyoming, up to
a foot of snow blanketed the Teton Village Ski Resort, northwest of
Jackson. Strong chinook winds in the Central High Plains Region, gusting to
61 mph at Scottsbluff NE, warmed temperatures to near 70 degrees. (Storm
Data) (The National Weather Summary)

...1988...

Squalls produced heavy snow in the Lower Great Lakes Region. Totals in
northeastern Ohio ranged up to 14 inches at Harpersfield, and totals in
western New York State ranged up to 14 inches at Sodus. In the snowbelt of
Upper Michigan, the Ontonogon area reported two feet of snow in two days.
(Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

...1989...

Heavy snow fell across the northern and central mountains of Colorado, with
24 inches reported at Steamboat Springs. Six to twelve inches of snow fell
in the Denver and Boulder area delaying plane flights and snarling traffic.
Heavy snow also spread across the Central Plains into the Mississippi
Valley. Winner SD received 11 inches of snow, and more than ten inches of
snow was reported north of Sioux City IA. (The National Weather Summary)
(Storm Data)

DECEMBER 11TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1932...

Very cold weather prevailed along the West Coast. San Francisco received
0.8 inch of snow, and at the airport the temperature dipped to 20 degrees.
At Sacramento CA, the mercury dipped to 17 degrees to establish an all-time
record low for that location. Morning lows were below freezing from the 9th
to the 15th at Sacramento, and the high on the 11th was just 34 degrees.
The cold wave dealt severe damage to truck crops and orange groves in the
Sacramento Valley. (David Ludlum) (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

Low pressure over southwestern Ontario, Canada, brought snow and gusty
winds to the North Central U.S. Winds gusted to 62 mph at Riverton WY. Snow
and high winds in eastern North Dakota reduced visibilities to less than
one hundred feet at times. Warm weather prevailed across the Southern
Plains Region. Half a dozen cities reported record high temperatures for
the date, including Del Rio TX with a reading of 89 degrees. Laredo TX and
Kingsville TX tied for honors as hot spot in the nation with afternoon
highs of 92 degrees. (The National Weather Summary)

...1988...

Arctic cold invaded the central and eastern U.S. Sault Ste Marie MI
reported a record low of 14 degrees below zero, and International Falls MN
was the cold spot in the nation with a low of 25 degrees below zero.
Temperatures remained below zero all day over parts of eastern Upper
Michigan and northern New England. (The National Weather Summary)

...1989...

Strong Santa Ana winds developed across southern California and parts of
central California. Winds in Kern County of central California gusted to
100 mph near Grapevine. The high winds reduced visibilities to near zero in
the desert areas, closing major interstate highways east of Ontario CA.
(Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

DECEMBER 12TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1882...

Portland OR was drenched with 7.66 inches of rain, a record 24 hour total
for that location. (12th-13th) (The Weather Channel)

...1960...

The first of three Middle Atlantic snowstorms produced a foot of snow at
Baltimore MD. A pre-winter blizzard struck the northeastern U.S. producing
wind gusts as high as 51 mph, along with 16 inches of snow at Nantucket MA,
and 20 inches at Newark NJ. (David Ludlum)

...1969...

The worst tornado of record for western Washington State tracked south of
Seattle, traveling five miles, from Des Moines to Kent. The tornado, 50 to
200 yards in width, began as a waterspout over Puget Sound. One person was
injured and the tornado caused half a million dollars damage. (The Weather
Channel)

...1987...

While a developing winter storm began to spread snow across New Mexico into
Colorado, high winds ushered unseasonably cold air into the southwestern
states. Winds in California gusted to 60 mph in the Sacramento River Delta,
and in the San Bernardino Valley. (The National Weather Summary)

...1988...

Cold arctic air spread from the Great Lakes Region to the Appalachian
Region. Twenty-five cities, mostly in the northeastern U.S., reported
record low temperatures for the date. The low of 12 degrees below zero at
Albany NY was their coldest reading of record for so early in the season.
Saranac Lake NY was the cold spot in the nation with a low of 28 degrees
below zero. (The National Weather Summary)

...1989...

A winter storm produced snow from northern Mississippi to the Middle
Atlantic Coast, with 10.5 inches reported at Powhatan VA. Heavy snow
whitened the Black Hills of South Dakota, with 36 inches reported at Deer
Mountain. Thirteen cities in the north central U.S., from Minnesota to
Texas, reported record low temperatures for the date, including Duluth MN
and Yankton SD with morning lows of 22 degrees below zero. (The National
Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

DECEMBER 13TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1915...

A heavy snowstorm kicked off the snowiest winter in modern records for
western New England. (The Weather Channel)

...1962...

A severe Florida freeze occurred. Morning lows reached 35 degrees at Miami,
18 degrees at Tampa, and 12 degrees at Jacksonville. It was the coldest
December weather of the 20th century and caused millions of dollars damage
to crops and foliage. In Georgia, the morning low of 9 degrees below zero
at Blairsville established a state record for the month of December. (David
Ludlum) (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

A major winter storm produced high winds and heavy snow in the Southern
Rockies and the Southern High Plains. Snowfall totals in New Mexico ranged
up to 25 inches at Cedar Crest, with up to three feet of snow reported in
the higher elevations. Winds of 75 mph, with gusts to 124 mph, were
reported northeast of Albuquerque NM. El Paso TX was buried under 22.4
inches of snow, including a single storm record of 16.8 inches in 24 hours.
The snowfall total surpassed their previous record for an entire winter
season of 18.4 inches. Record cold was experienced the next three nights as
readings dipped into the single numbers. High winds ushering unseasonably
cold air into the southwestern U.S. gusted to 100 mph at Grapevine CA. (The
National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1988...

Low pressure off the Atlantic coast produced up to a foot of snow in
eastern Nassau County and western Suffolk County of southeastern New York
State. Mild weather prevailed across the western half of the country. Nine
cities reported record high temperatures for the date, including Goodland
KS with a reading of 74 degrees. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm
Data)

...1989...

Strong northwesterly winds, ushering bitterly cold arctic air into the
central U.S., produced squalls with heavy snow in the Great Lakes Region.
Snowfall totals in Upper Michigan ranged up to 24 inches at Manistique.
Nine cities in Arkansas and Texas reported record low temperatures for the
date, including Calico Rock AR with a reading of 4 degrees above zero.
(Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

DECEMBER 14TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1924...

The temperature at Helena MT plunged 79 degrees in 24 hours, and 88 degrees
in 34 hours. The mercury plummeted from 63 above to 25 below zero. At
Fairfield MT the temperature plunged 84 degrees in just 12 hours, from 63
at Noon to 21 below zero at midnight. (David Ludlum)

...1987...

A powerful storm spread heavy snow from the Southern High Plains to the
Middle Mississippi Valley, and produced severe thunderstorms in the Lower
Mississippi Valley. During the evening a tornado hit West Memphis TN
killing six persons and injuring two hundred others. The tornado left 1500
persons homeless, and left all of the residents of Crittendon County
without electricity. Kansas City MO was blanketed with 10.8 inches of snow,
a 24 hour record for December, and snowfall totals in the Oklahoma
panhandle ranged up to 14 inches. Strong winds, gusting to 63 mph at Austin
TX, ushered arctic cold into the Great Plains, and caused considerable
blowing and drifting of snow. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

...1988...

Blowing snow was reported in western Kansas, as snow and gusty winds
plagued the Central Rockies and Central High Plains. Colorado Springs CO
reported thirteen inches of snow. Low pressure in Wisconsin brought heavy
snow to the Lake Superior snowbelt area, with 22 inches reported at
Marquette MI. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

...1989...

High winds and heavy snow prevailed from Montana to Colorado. Snowfall
totals in Wyoming ranged up to 20 inches at Burgess Junction, leaving up to
48 inches on the ground in the northeast sections of the state. Wind gusts
in Colorado reached 87 mph south of the town of Rollinsville. Strong
northwesterly winds continued to produce heavy snow squalls in the Great
Lakes Region. Totals in northeastern Lower Michigan ranged up to 29 inches
at Hubbard Lake, with 28 inches reported at Posen. Two day totals in
northeastern Wisconsin ranged up to thirty inches. (Storm Data) (The
National Weather Summary)

DECEMBER 15TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1839...

The first of triple storms hit Massachusetts Bay. The storm produced whole
gales, and more than 20 inches of snow in interior New England. There was
great loss of life at Gloucester MA. (David Ludlum)

...1901...

An intense cold front swept across the eastern U.S. The cold front produced
heavy rain in Louisiana, and heavy snow in the northeastern U.S. (David
Ludlum)

...1945...

A record December snowstorm buried Buffalo NY under 36.6 inches of snow,
with unofficial totals south of the city ranging up to 70 inches. Travel
was brought to a halt by the storm. (14th-17th) (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

A major winter storm hit the Great Lakes Region, intensifying explosively
as it crossed northern Illinois. High winds and heavy snow created blizzard
conditions in southeastern Wisconsin. Winds gusted to 73 mph, and snowfall
totals ranged up to 17 inches at LaFarge. The barometric pressure at
Chicago IL dropped three quarters of an inch in six hours to 28.96 inches,
a record low reading for December. Up to a foot of snow blanketed northern
Illinois, and winds in the Chicago area gusted to 75 mph. O'Hare Airport in
Chicago was closed for several hours, for only the fourth time in twenty
years. High winds derailed train cars at Avon IN. Light winds and partly
sunny skies were reported near the center of the storm, a feature typical
of tropical storms. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1988...

High pressure in the Pacific Northwest and low pressure in the southwestern
U.S. combined to produced high winds from Utah to California. Winds gusting
to 70 mph in the San Francisco area left nearly 300,000 residents without
electricity. Winds in Utah gusted to 105 mph at Centerville. (The National
Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1989...

A couple of low pressure systems spread heavy snow across the northeastern
U.S. Up to two feet of snow was reported along Lake Erie in northeastern
Ohio, and up to ten inches was reported in Connecticut. Heavy snow squalls
developed over Michigan for the third day in a row. Three Oaks MI reported
25 inches of snow in two days. Twenty-six cities in the north central U.S.
reported record low temperatures for the date. The low of 10 degrees below
zero at Wichita KS was a December record for that location. (The National
Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

DECEMBER 16TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1835...

New England experienced one of their coldest days of record. At noon on
that bitterly cold Wednesday the mercury stood at four degrees below at
Boston, 15 degrees below at Norfolk CT, and 17 degrees below at Hanover NH.
The temperature at Boston was 12 degrees below zero by sunset. Gale force
winds accompanied the severe cold, and that night a great New York City
fire destroyed much of the financial district. (David Ludlum)

...1917...

An ice jam closed the Ohio River between Warsaw KY and Rising Sun IN. The
thirty foot high ice jam held for 58 days, and backed up the river a
distance of 100 miles. (David Ludlum)

...1987...

A Pacific storm battered the coast of California with rain and high winds,
and dumped heavy snow on the mountains of California. Winds along the coast
gusted to 70 mph at Point Arguello, and winds in the Tehachapi Mountains of
southern California gusted to 100 mph at Wheeler Ridge. Snowfall totals
ranged up to 24 inches at Mammoth Mountain. Snow fell for two minutes at
Malibu Beach, and Disneyland was closed due to the weather for only the
second time in twenty-four years. A winter storm which began in the
Southern Rockies four days earlier finished its course producing snow and
high winds in New England. Snowfall totals ranged up to 19 inches at
Blanchard ME. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1988...

Fairbanks AK reported freezing rain and record warm temperatures. The
afternoon high of 41 degrees was 43 degrees above normal. Snow and high
winds continued to plague the mountains of southern California. Mount
Wilson CA reported two inches of rain in six hours during the early
morning, and a storm total of more than 3.50 inches of rain. (The National
Weather Summary)

...1989...

Fifty-seven cities from the Southern and Central Plains to the Appalachians
reported record low temperatures for the date, including North Platte NE
with a reading of 17 degrees below zero. Squalls in the Great Lakes Region
produced 18 inches of snow at Syracuse NY, and 30 inches at Carlisle IND.
Low pressure brought heavy snow to northern New England, with 18 inches
reported at Derby VT and Saint Johnsbury VT. (The National Weather Summary)
(Storm Data)

DECEMBER 17TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1884...

A three week blockade of snow began at Portland OR. A record December total
of 34 inches was received. (David Ludlum)

...1924...

A severe icestorm struck central Illinois. It coated the ground with nearly
two inches of glaze at Springfield. The storm caused 21 million dollars
damage along with much hardship. Ice was on the trees until the 4th of
January, and electricity was not restored until January 10th. (David
Ludlum)

...1929...

An icestorm in western New York State resulted in much damage and hardship.
A Buffalo report stated, "one was kept awake by the breaking limbs, which
snapped off with a report much louder than a rifle shot." (17th-18th) (The
Weather Channel)

...1987...

A storm in the southwestern U.S. brought heavy rain and heavy snow to parts
of California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah and New Mexico. Charleston NV was
blanketed with 12 inches of snow. Lake Havasu City AZ was drenched with
2.26 inches of rain. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

...1988...

Squalls brought locally heavy snow to the southeastern shores of Lake
Michigan. Totals in Michigan ranged up to 14 inches at Harvey. Totals in
Ohio ranged up to 16 inches at Chardon. (The National Weather Summary)
(Storm Data)

...1989...

Twenty-one cities from Kentucky to Pennsylvania reported record low
temperatures for the date, including Columbus OH with a reading of 12
degrees below zero. Heavy snow continued in the Colorado Rockies. Vail
received 65 inches of snow between the 14th and the 18th of December.
Steamboat Springs was buried under 74 inches, and reported a total of 108
inches of snow between the 10th and the 18th of the month. (The National
Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

DECEMBER 18TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1957...

A tornado swept across Jackson County, Williamson County and Franklin
County in southern Illinois killing eleven persons. (David Ludlum)

...1981...

A heavy lake-effect snow blanketed the southern and southeast shores of
Lake Michigan leaving up to 22 inches of snow at Valparaiso IND. (David
Ludlum)

...1983...

Record cold hit the north central states. At Havre MT the mercury plunged
to a record reading of 34 degrees below zero. (Sandra and TI Richard
Sanders - 1987)

...1984...

A storm over southern California left up to 16 inches of snow in the
mountains and upper deserts, with 13 inches reported at Lancaster. Edwards
Air Force Base was closed, and Interstate 5 was closed from Castaic to the
Tehachapis Mountains. (18th-19th) (The Weather Channel)

...1986...

A strong winter storm, which developed off the coast of New Jersey and
moved out to sea, lashed the northeastern U.S. with high winds, heavy rain,
and heavy snow. The storm left snowfall amounts of up to 30 inches in
Vermont, 24 inches in Massachusetts, and 20 inches in New Hampshire. The
highest rainfall amounts approached four inches in southern New England,
where winds gusted to 70 mph. (Storm Data)

...1987...

A weakening storm moved into the Rocky Mountain Region producing six inches
of snow at the Platoro Reservoir in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. The
storm then spread rain and drizzle across the Southern High Plains into the
Middle Mississippi Valley, with thunderstorms over Texas. (Storm Data) (The
National Weather Summary)

...1988...

Warm weather prevailed in the central U.S. while cool weather prevailed
across the eastern states. Sheridan WY, with a record warm afternoon high
of 68 degrees, was seven degrees warmer than Key West FL. (The National
Weather Summary)

...1989...

A winter storm moving out of the Great Plains Region spread freezing rain,
sleet and snow across parts of the southeastern U.S. Freezing rain resulted
in 170 auto accidents in the Memphis area during the evening hours.
Unseasonably warm weather continued ahead of arctic cold front. Miami FL
equalled their record for December with an afternoon high of 87 degrees.
(Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

DECEMBER 19TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1777...

The Continental Army moved into encampment at Valley Forge amidst stormy
winds and piercing cold. A relatively moderate winter followed. (David
Ludlum)

...1924...

The Riverside Ranger Station in Yellowstone Park WY reported a low of 59
degrees below zero, a December record for the U.S. (David Ludlum) (The
Weather Channel)

...1957...

A tornado, 200 yards in width, killed two persons along its 15-mile path
from near Waldo to near Bueana Vista in southwestern Arkansas. People from
one house were carried 250 yards, and cars were said to have been carried
600 yards. (The Weather Channel)

...1967...

A record 83 inches of snow covered the ground at Flagstaff AZ. The heavy
snows inflicted great hardships on reservations. (David Ludlum)

...1987...

Thunderstorms produced large hail and damaging winds in eastern Texas and
the Lower Mississippi Valley. Thunderstorms produced wind gusts to 90 mph
at Venus TX and Providence LA. Rain prevailed from the Southern Plains to
the Middle Mississippi Valley. Small stream flooding was reported around
Columbia MO. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1988...

Low pressure and a trailing cold front in the central U.S. brought snow and
high winds to parts of the Rocky Mountain Region. Winds in Colorado gusted
to 67 mph at La Junta. Thunderstorms along the same cold front produced
wind gusts to 65 mph at Kansas City MO. (The National Weather Summary)
(Storm Data)

...1989...

High winds and heavy snow plagued the northern and central Rockies.
Snowfall totals in Montana ranged up to 12 inches at Lincoln, and wind
gusts in Colorado reached 97 mph at Squaw Mountain. Twelve cities in the
north central U.S. reported record low temperatures for the date, including
Dickinson ND with a reading of 26 degrees below zero. Bismarck ND was the
cold spot in the nation with a morning low of 35 degrees below zero. (The
National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

DECEMBER 20TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1836...

A famous cold wave occurred in central Illinois. A cold front with 70 mph
winds swept through at Noon dropping the temperature from 40 degrees to
near zero in a matter of minutes. Many settlers froze to death. Folklore
told of chickens frozen in their tracks and men frozen to saddles. Ice in
streams reportedly froze to six inches in a few hours. (David Ludlum) (The
Weather Channel)

...1942...

An early cold wave sent the temperature plunging to 3 degrees below zero at
Nantucket MA, and to 11 degrees below zero at Boston MA. (The Weather
Channel)

...1987...

Heavy snow fell in the northern mountains of Colorado, with 15 inches
reported in the Mary Jane ski area. Strong and gusty winds prevailed from
the Northern High Plains to the Great Lakes. Winds gusted to 54 mph at
Buffalo NY, and reached 66 mph at Livingston MT. Rain, freezing rain, sleet
and snow fell across New England, with up to seven inches of snow in Maine.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1988...

Strong southerly winds ahead of a cold front in the central U.S. gusted to
70 mph at Indianapolis IN. The high winds toppled a masonary wall killing a
construction worker. Low pressure and a trailing cold front brought rain
and snow and high winds to the western U.S. Winds gusted to 90 mph at the
Callahan Ranch south of Reno NV. Soda Springs, in the Sierra Nevada Range
of California, received 17 inches of snow in less than 24 hours. (Storm
Data) (The National Weather Summary)

...1989...

Brutal northwest winds ushered bitter cold arctic air into the north
central U.S. International Falls MN and Warroad MN tied for honors as the
cold spot in the nation with morning lows of 34 degrees below zero. Minot
ND reported a wind chill reading of 81 degrees below zero. Squalls produced
more heavy snow in the Great Lakes Region. Erie PA received 21 inches of
snow, including four inches in one hour, to bring their total snow cover to
39 inches, an all-time record for that location. (Storm Data) (The National
Weather Summary)

DECEMBER 21ST

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1892...

Portland OR was buried under a record 27.5 inches of snow. (21st-24th) (The
Weather Channel)

...1929...

An exceptional storm produced snow from the Middle Rio Grande Valley of
Texas to southern Arkansas. The storm produced 26 inches of snow at
Hillsboro TX, 18 inches at El Dorado AR, and 14 inches at Bossier LA.
(21st-22nd) (David Ludlum) (The Weather Channel)

...1964...

A great warm surge from the Pacific Ocean across Oregon and northern
California brought torrential rains on a deep snow cover resulting in
record floods. (David Ludlum)

...1987...

High winds continued along the eastern slopes of the Rockies. During the
morning hours winds gusted to 64 mph at Cheyenne WY, and reached 97 mph
near Boulder CO. Gale force winds prevailed across the Great Lakes Region.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1988...

Seven cities in the eastern U.S. reported record high temperatures for the
date, including Charleston SC with a reading of 78 degrees. A storm in the
northwestern U.S. produced 22 inches of snow at Idaho City ID in two days,
and up to two feet of snow at Happy Camp CA. Ski resorts in Idaho reported
three to six feet of snow on the ground. (The National Weather Summary)
(Storm Data)

...1989...

Forty cities in the north central U.S., including thirteen in Iowa,
reported record low temperatures for the date. Havre MT and Jordan MT tied
for honors as the cold spot in the nation with morning lows of 43 degrees
below zero, and the temperature remained close to 40 degrees below zero
through the daylight hours. Dickinson ND reported a morning low of 33
degrees below zero and a wind chill reading of 86 degrees below zero. The
high for the date of 16 degrees below zero at Sioux Falls SD was December
record for that location. (The National Weather Summary)

DECEMBER 22ND

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1839...

The second of triple December storms hit the northeastern U.S. The storm
produced 25 inches of snow at Gettysburg PA, and gales in New England, but
only produced light snow along the coast. (David Ludlum)

...1961...

Holiday travel was paralyzed over extreme northeastern Kansas, and adjacent
parts of Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska. The storm produced 5 to 15 inches of
snow, with drifts up to ten feet high. (22nd-23rd) (The Weather Channel)

...1983...

On the first day of winter 75 cities reported record low temperatures for
the date, with twelve of those cities reporting record low temperatures for
the month as a whole. The mercury plunged to 51 degrees below zero at
Wisdom MT, and Waco TX set an all-time record low a reading of 12 above
zero. (The National Weather Summary)

...1987...

The first day of winter was a relatively tranquil one for much of the
nation, but heralded a winter storm in the Central Rockies. The storm
produced 40 inches of snow at the top of the Pomerelle Ski Resort, south of
Burley ID, the heaviest snow of record for that location. (The National
Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1988...

Strong winds prevailed in the foothills of Wyoming and Colorado. Winds
gusted to 123 mph southwest of Fort Collins CO, and reached 141 mph at the
summit of Mount Evans. An ice storm paralyzed parts of Upper Michigan
during the day. The freezing rain left roads around Marquette MI blocked by
cars and semi- trucks. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1989...

A total of 137 cities across the central and eastern U.S. reported record
low temperatures for the date. Thirty-five of those cities established
record lows for the month of December. Morning lows of 23 degrees below
zero at Kansas City MO, 26 degrees below zero at Concordia KS, and 27
degrees below zero at Goodland KS established all-time records for those
three locations. Unofficial morning lows included 50 degrees below zero at
Recluse WY and 60 degrees below zero at Rochford SD. Broadus MT and Hardin
MT tied for honors as the official cold spot in the nation with morning
lows of 47 degrees below zero. Chinook winds at Cutbank MT helped warm the
temperature 74 degrees, from a morning low of 34 degrees below zero to an
afternoon high of 40 degrees. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

DECEMBER 23RD

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1811...

A cold storm hit Long Island sound with a foot of snow, gale force winds,
and temperatures near zero. During the storm many ships were wrecked, and
in some cases entire crews perished. (David Ludlum)

...1955...

The barometric pressure dipped to 28.97 inches (981 millibars) at Boise ID,
an all-time record for that location. (The Weather Channel)

...1982...

A major winter storm struck Colorado producing heavy snow and blizzard
conditions. A record two feet of snow was reported at Stapleton Airport in
Denver, which was shut down for 33 hours. Up to 44 inches of snow fell in
the foothills surrounding Denver. The storm hurt the ski industry as skiers
were unable to make it out of Denver to the slopes, and the closed airport
became a campground for vacationers. (23rd-25th) (The Weather Channel)
(Storm Data)

...1983...

The temperature plunged to 50 degrees below zero at Williston ND to equal
their all-time record. Minneapolis MN reported an afternoon high of 17
degrees below zero, and that evening strong northerly winds produced wind
chill readings of 100 degrees below zero in North Dakota. (The National
Weather Summary)

...1987...

A winter storm brought heavy snow to the Central Rockies, and also spread a
blanket of snow across the Middle Missouri Valley in time for Christmas.
Snow and high winds created near blizzard conditions in Wyoming. Snowfall
totals in Wyoming ranged up to 25 inches at Casper, with four feet of snow
reported at the Hogadon Ski Resort on Capser Mountain. The Wolf Creek Ski
Resort in Colorado received 26 inches of snow. Totals in the Middle
Missouri Valley ranged up to 16 inches at Alpena SD, with 14 inches at
Harrison NE. Strong winds ushered unseasonably cold air into the
southwestern U.S. Canyon winds gusting to 100 mph created ground blizzards
in Utah. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1988...

Low pressure in the Upper Midwest produced strong and gusty winds across
the Great Lakes Region and the Ohio Valley. Winds in Ohio gusted to 47 mph
at Cincinnati, and reached 51 mph at Cleveland. (The National Weather
Summary) (Storm Data)

...1989...

An historic arctic outbreak spread to the Gulf Coast Region, and a total of
122 cities across the central and eastern U.S. reported record low
temperatures for the date. Forty-one of those cities reported record lows
for the month of December, with some cities breaking December records
established the previous morning. Morning lows of 11 degrees at New Orleans
LA and Lake Charles LA, 4 degrees below zero at San Angelo TX, and 26
degrees below zero at Topeka KS, established all-time records for those
four locations. Yankton SD was the cold spot in the nation with a morning
low of 31 degrees below zero. A storm system moving across the Florida
peninsula and along the Southern Atlantic Coast produced high winds and
record snows along the Carolina coast. Snowfall totals of 15 inches at
Wilmington NC and 13.3 inches at Cape Hatteras NC were all-time records for
those two locations. Gale force winds, gusting to 60 mph, produced waves
thirty-four feet high off the coast of North Carolina, and whipped the
heavy snow into drifts up to eight feet high. The storm resulted in the
first white Christmas of record from northeastern Florida to North
Carolina. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

DECEMBER 24TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1872...

Extreme cold gripped the Upper Midwest on Christmas Eve. Downtown Chicago
reported an all-time record low of 23 degrees below zero, which stood until
January 1982, and Minneapolis MN reached 38 below. The afternoon high at
Minneapolis was 17 degrees below zero. (David Ludlum)

...1983...

The barometric pressure reached 31.42 inches at Miles City MT to establish
a record for the U.S. It was the coldest Christmas Eve of modern record.
More than 125 cities reported record low temperatures for the date, and
all-time record lows for December were reported at seventeen cities,
including Chicago with a low of 25 degrees below zero, and Havre MT with a
reading of 50 below zero. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1987...

A four day seige of heavy rain began in the south central U.S. Flooding
claimed four lives and caused millions of dollars property damage. Western
Tennessee was drenched with up to fourteen inches of rain in two days.
Total rainfall exceeded twelve inches around Memphis TN, and the heavy rain
and subsequent flooding added insult to injury to victims of the West
Memphis tornado on the 14th of the month. Little Rock AR experienced their
wettest December day of record with 5.01 inches of rain. West Little Rock
reported 10.20 inches of rain in 24 hours. (The National Weather Summary)
(Storm Data)

...1988...

Early morning thunderstorms developing along a cold front spawned a
powerful tornado at Franklin TN which killed one person, injured seven
others, and caused eight million dollars damage. Another in a series of
winter storms in the western U.S. produced 20 inches of snow at Blue Canyon
CA in 24 hours. Bishop CA received 14 inches of snow in just six hours, and
Redding CA, which averages three inches of snow per year, was blanketed
with ten inches. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1989...

Fifty-seven cities in the south central and eastern U.S. reported record
low temperatures for the date, including Elkins WV with a reading of 22
degrees below zero. Key West FL equalled their record for December with a
morning low of 44 degrees. The high of just 45 degrees at Miami FL was an
all-time record for that location. It smashed their previous record for the
date by twenty degrees. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

DECEMBER 25TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1966...

A white Christmas was enjoyed by residents from North Carolina to New
England in the wake of a major snowstorm. Even coastal Virginia was white.
(David Ludlum)

...1980...

It was the coldest Christmas Day of modern record in the northeastern U.S.
Temperatures as cold as 36 degrees below zero were reported in New York
State, and as the sharp cold front swept southeastward the temperature at
Boston MA plunged from 34 degrees to seven degrees below zero during the
day. (David Ludlum)

...1983...

It was the coldest Christmas Day of modern record for the central and
eastern U.S. More than 125 cities reported record low temperatures for the
date, and thirty-four of those cities reported all-time records for the
month of December. The temperature plunged to one degree below zero at
Huntsville AL, and dipped to 14 degrees at Galveston TX. Snow covered the
ground from the Pacific Northwest through much of the Great Plains Region
to the Northern Appalachains. (The National Weather Summary)

...1987...

Residents of Tucson AZ awoke to a white Christmas for the first time in
forty-seven years of records, as a winter storm blanketed the area with up
to four inches of snow. While heavy rain inundated Arkansas, freezing rain
was reported from northwest Texas to southwestern Missouri, with an inch of
ice reported at Harrison AR. Unseasonably mild weather prevailed in the
southeastern U.S. Seven cities reported record high temperatures for the
date. For the second day in a row McAllen TX was the hot spot in the nation
with an afternoon high of 91 degrees. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm
Data)

DECEMBER 25TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1988...

A massive winter storm made for a very white Christmas in the western U.S.
Las Vegas NV reported snow on the ground for the first time of record.
Periods of snow over a five day period left several feet of new snow on the
ground of ski areas in Colorado, with 68 inches reported at Wolf Creek
Pass. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

...1989...

It was a record cold Christmas Day for parts of the southeastern U.S.
Morning lows of zero degrees at Wilmington NC and five degrees below zero
at Jacksonville NC established all-time records for those two locations.
Miami Beach FL equalled a December record established the previous morning
with a low of 33 degrees. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

DECEMBER 26TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1776...

George Washington crossed the ice clogged Delaware River. He marched on
Trenton in the midst of snow and sleet thus surprising and capturing many
of the British garrison. (David Ludlum)

...1947...

New York City received a record 26.4 inches of snow in 24 hours, with as
much as 32 inches reported in the suburbs. The heavy snow brought traffic
to a standstill, and snow removal cost eight million dollars. Thirty
thousand persons were called upon to remove the 100 million tons of snow.
The storm claimed 27 lives. (26th-27th) (David Ludlum)

...1983...

Miami FL established a December record with a morning low of 33 degrees.
Just three days earlier, and again three days later, record warm
temperatures were reported in Florida, with daytime highs in the 80s. (The
National Weather Summary)

...1987...

Freezing rain plagued parts of the south central U.S., from northwest Texas
to southwestern Missouri. Southwestern Missouri was turned into a huge
skating rink as roads became sheets of ice. Damage to tree limbs and power
lines compared to a hundred tornadoes, and half of the city of Springfield
was left without electricity for 24 hours. Snow, sleet and ice covered the
northwest two thirds of Oklahoma. 75,000 homes were left without
electricity as ice accumulated one to two inches in a 40-mile band from
Duncan to Norman to Tulsa to Miami. 25,000 of those homes were still
without power a week later. The storm claimed the lives of seven persons.
(24th-27th) (The Weather Channel) (Storm Data) (The National Weather
Summary)

...1988...

Low pressure produced heavy snow from North Dakota to western sections of
the Great Lakes Region, with up to fourteen inches reported in the Chicago
area. Cold arctic air hovered over the Plateau Region. Temperatures in the
Big Smokey Valley of Nevada plunged to 31 degrees below zero. (The National
Weather Summary)

...1989...

Strong northerly winds behind an arctic cold front produced snow squalls in
the Great Lakes Region and dangerous wind chill temperatures in the
northeastern U.S. Wind chill readings as cold as 40 degrees below zero were
reported in New York State. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

DECEMBER 27TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1869...

A post Christmas storm in New York and Vermont produced record storm totals
of 30 inches at Burlington VT, and 39 inches at Montpelier VT. A public
emergency was declared in Vermont. (David Ludlum)

...1892...

An Atlantic coast storm produced a record 18.6 inches of snow at Norfolk
VA, including 17.7 inches in 24 hours. The storm also produced 9.5 inches
of snow at Raleigh NC, and brought snow to northern Florida for the first
time in 35 years. (26th- 28th) (The Weather Channel)

...1982...

The worst Louisiana rainstorm in more than 100 years came to an end. More
than 18 inches fell at Vinton LA during the three day storm. Flooding was
widespread, and property damage was estimated at 100 to 200 million
dollars. President Reagan visited the state and declared ten parishes in
northeastern Lousiana disaster areas. (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

A winter storm produced snow and high winds in Wyoming, Colorado and
Nebraska. Denver CO experienced its worst snowstorm since December 1983 as
high winds gusting to 46 mph created near blizzard conditions, whipping the
fifteen inch snow into drifts five feet high, and closing Stapleton
Airport. Snowfall totals in the foothills southwest of Denver ranged up to
42 inches, at Intercanyon. Blizzard conditions raged across southeastern
Wyoming through the day, stranding 300 holiday travelers in the tiny town
of Chugwater. Heavier snowfall totals included 19 inches at La Grange WY,
and 22 inches at Elsmere NE. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

DECEMBER 27TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1988...

Severe thunderstorms developing along a cold front in the south central
U.S. spawned a dozen tornadoes in Mississippi between early afternoon and
sunrise the following day. A tornado at Harperville destroyed five chicken
homes killing thousands of chickens. Strong thunderstorm winds gusted to 80
mph at Rolling Fork MS. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1989...

Half a dozen cities in the northeastern U.S. reported record low
temperatures for the date, including Elkins WV with a reading of 13 degrees
below zero. Watertown NY was the cold spot in the nation with a morning low
of 37 degrees below zero. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

DECEMBER 28TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1839...

The third storm in two weeks hit the northeastern U.S. It brought two more
feet of snow to Hartford CT and Worcester MA. Whole gales swept the coast
causing many wrecks. (David Ludlum)

...1897...

The temperature at Dayville OR hit 81 degrees to establish a state record
for December. (The Weather Channel)

...1924...

Iowa experienced it coldest December morning of record. Morning lows
averaged 25 degrees below zero for the 104 weather stations across the
state.

...1955...

Anchorage AK was buried under 17.7 inches of snow in 24 hours, a record for
that location. (28th-29th) (The Weather Channel)

...1958...

Albuquerque NM received 14.2 inches of snow to establish a 24 hour record.
(28th-29th) (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

A winter storm produced heavy snow in the Upper Mississippi Valley and the
Upper Great Lakes Region. Up to twenty inches of snow buried southern
Minnesota, and 20 to 40 mph northwesterly winds produced snow drifts six
feet high, and reduced visibilities to near zero at times in blowing snow.
There were a thousand traffic accidents in Michigan during the storm,
resulting in thirty-five injuries. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm
Data)

...1988...

Strong winds behind a cold front claimed three lives in eastern
Pennsylvania, and injured a dozen others in eastern Pennsylvania, southern
New Jersey and Maryland. Winds gusted to 87 mph at Hammonton NJ and in the
Washington D.C. area. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1989...

Squalls continued to bring snow to the Great Lakes Region, with heavy snow
reported near Lake Superior and Lake Ontario. Syracuse NY received 8.5
inches of snow to push the total for the month past their previous December
record of 57 inches. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

DECEMBER 29TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1830...

A very heavy snowstorm ushered in the "winter of the deep snow". The storm
produced 30 inches of snow at Peoria IL and 36 inches at Kansas City MO.
Cold and snow continued until the middle of February causing great
suffering among pioneers. (David Ludlum)

...1894...

A severe freeze hit Florida destroying fruit and causing considerable
damage to trees. (David Ludlum)

...1954...

Fort Scott KS was buried under 26 inches of snow in 24 hours to establish a
state record. (28th-29th) (The Weather Channel)

...1984...

One hundred cities in the central and eastern U.S. reported record high
temperatures. Kansas City MO experienced its warmest December day of record
with a morning low of 60 degrees and an afternoon high of 71 degrees. (The
National Weather Summary) (Sandra and TI Richard Sanders - 1987)

...1987...

A storm off the Middle Atlantic Coast produced heavy snow in the
Appalachians and the northeastern U.S. Snow and high winds created blizzard
conditions in southeastern Massachusetts. Cape Cod received thirteen inches
of snow, and snow drifts three feet deep were reported around Chatham MA.
Strong winds produced wind chill readings as cold as 60 degrees below zero
in southwestern New England. In the western U.S., a Pacific coast storm
produced heavy snow in the Sierra Nevada Range of California, with 24
inches reported at Mammoth Mountain. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm
Data)

...1988...

A cold front brought rain and snow to the northwestern U.S. The rainfall
total of 2.70 inches at Astoria OR was a record for the date. High winds
along the eastern slopes of the Northern Rockies gusted to 81 mph at
Livingston MT. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

...1989...

Snow and ice prevailed from the southwestern U.S. to the Great Lakes
Region. Flagstaff AZ received nine inches of snow in just six hours. Bitter
cold weather continued over Maine. Portland ME reported a record twenty-two
straight days with highs 32 degrees or colder. (The National Weather
Summary) (Storm Data)

DECEMBER 30TH

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1880...

The temperature at Charlotte NC plunged to an all-time record cold reading
of 5 degrees below zero, a record which was equalled on the 21st of January
in 1985. (The Weather Channel)

...1917...

A great cold wave set many records in the northeastern U.S. The mercury
plunged to 13 degrees below zero at New York City, and to 15 degrees below
zero at Boston. Temperature readings dipped below zero at Boston five
nights in a row. Berlin NH hit 44 degrees below zero in the "Great World
War I Cold Wave", and Saint Johnsbury VT reached 43 degrees below zero.
(David Ludlum)

...1933...

The temperature reached 50 degrees below zero at Bloomfield VT. It was the
coldest reading in modern records for New England. The temperature at
Pittsburgh NH reached 44 degrees below zero. (David Ludlum)

...1955...

Anchorage AK reported an all-time record snow depth of 47 inches.
(30th-1st) (The Weather Channel)

...1987...

A storm in the western U.S. produced heavy snow in Utah, with 28 inches
reported in the Mount Holly and Elk Meadows area. Strong winds prevailed
ahead of a cold front in the central U.S. Winds gusted to 46 mph at Dodge
City KS, and reached 80 mph at Ruidoso NM. Strong northerly winds, ushering
arctic cold into the north central U.S., created blizzard conditions in
western Minnesota and central and eastern South Dakota. (Storm Data) (The
National Weather Summary)

...1988...

Unseasonably cold weather prevailed in the southwestern U.S. A week of
subfreezing temperatures in southern California claimed the lives of five
people. Redding CA was blanketed with four inches of snow. (The National
Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

...1989...

Extreme cold continued across northern Maine. Milo ME was the cold spot in
the nation with a morning low of 38 degrees below zero, and the low of 31
degrees below zero at Caribou ME was a December record for that location.
Freezing rain spread across much of Lower Michigan, knocking out electrical
power to 1.9 million customers in southeastern Lower Michigan. (The
National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

DECEMBER 31ST

HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS

...1917...

The temperature at Lewisburg WV plunged to 37 degrees below zero to set a
state record. (Sandra and TI Richard Sanders - 1987)

...1929...

Greenland Ranch, in Death Valley, California, went the entire year without
measurable precipitation. (The Weather Channel)

...1933...

A 24 hour rainfall of 7.36 inches set the stage for the worst flood in Los
Angeles history. Flooding claimed 44 lives. (David Ludlum)

...1941...

Snow which began on New Year's Eve became a major blizzard on New Year's
Day, burying Des Moines IA uunder 19.8 inches of snow in 24 hours, an
all-time record for that location. (The Weather Channel)

...1947...

A late afternoon tornado touched down 10 miles north of Shreveport LA, and
dissipated south of El Dorado AR. The tornado, as much as 400 yards in
width, killed 18 persons. It damaged or destroyed two thirds of the
structures at Cotton Valley LA. (The Weather Channel)

...1962...

Perhaps the worst blizzard in the history of the state of Maine finally
came to an end. The storm produced 40 inches in 24 hours at Orono, and a
total of 46 inches at Ripogenus Dam. Gale force winds produced snow drifts
twenty feet high around Bangor. A disastrous icestorm was over Georgia and
South Carolina. It ravaged the two states for days causing more than seven
million dollars damage. (David Ludlum) (The Weather Channel)

...1963...

A snowstorm struck the Deep South. Meridian MS received 15 inches of snow,
10.5 inches blanketed Bay St Louis MS, and 4.5 inches fell at New Orleans
LA. Freezing temperatures then prevailed for New Year's Day. (David Ludlum)

...1987...

Torrential rains caused extensive flash flooding over eastern sections of
the island of Ohau in Hawaii, resulting in many rock and mud slides.
Rainfall totals ranged up to 22.89 inches in a 24 hour period, and property
damage was estimated at 35 million dollars. Strong winds continued to usher
arctic cold into the north central U.S. The temperature at Alexandria MN
remained below zero through the day, and Jamestown ND reported a wind chill
reading of 58 degrees below zero. Gales lashed the Great Lakes, with wind
gusts to 54 mph reported at Lansing MI. (Storm Data) (The National Weather
Summary)

...1988...

Warm and wet weather prevailed in the southeastern U.S. Six cities in
Florida reported record high temperatures for the date. Thunderstorms
produced locally heavy rains from the Lower Mississippi Valley to the
Southern Atlantic Coast. (The National Weather Summary)

...1989...

The year and decade ended on a soggy note in the eastern U.S. Thunderstorm
rains pushed precipitation totals for the year to 88.32 inches at Baton
Rouge, and to 75.37 inches at Huntsville AL, establishing all-time records
for those two locations. Dry weather continued in California. Sacramento
and San Francisco finished the month without any rain or snow, and Santa
Maria reported their driest year of record with just 3.30 inches of
precipitation. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
