December

Weather Events: Canada | United States | World

Quote of the Month

Significant Weather Events

Canada

1 December 2000, St. John's, Newfoundland: An early winter storm sweeps across eastern Newfoundland bringing nearly 56 cm (22 inches) of snow to St. John's. The snow and 90 km/h (56 mph) winds cut power to thousands.

1-2 December 1964, Maritime Provinces: Severe windstorm hits the Maritimes packing winds gusting to 160 km/h (100 mph). Three fishing vessels and 23 lives lost. Total damage due to high seas, wind and flooding estimated at over $1 million.

1-2 December 1962, Toronto, Ontario: Severe lakefront fog halts Grey Cup game between Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Winnipeg Blue Bombers with 9:22 left to play. Winnipeg wins the Fog Bowl the following day by a score of 28-27.

3 December 1982, Southern Ontario: Record warm December day sees highs of 22.5°C (72.5°F) in Hamilton and 20°C (68°F) in Toronto.

4 December 1989, St. John's, Newfoundland: Widespread flooding of St John's results when a near-record rainfall of 51 mm (2.0 inches) hits the city.

5 December 1992, Sydney, Nova Scotia: A major storm drops 26 cm (10 inches) of snow on Sydney, as winds, gusting to 117 km/h (73 mph) on St Paul Island, knock out power.

6 December 1862, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia:Gale force winds blow down buildings in Yarmouth.

6-8 December 2003, Moncton, New Brunswick: A major Nor'easter snowstorm wallops regions of the Maritimes Moncton receives 61 cm (24 inches) of snow. Whipped by winds of up to 100 km/h (60 mph), the snow grounds planes and cuts power to thousands.

7 December 1983, Ottawa, Ontario: Snow accumulates to 30 cm (12 inches) as a blizzard strikes the Nation's Capital.

7-8 December 2006, London, Ontario: London requires its first "snow day" in 25 years as over 40 cm (15.7 inches) of snow blanket the city in under 24 hours in a classic lake-effect snowburst. Unofficial observations report more than 65 cm (25.6 inches) in some areas of the city.

7-9 December 1977, London, Ontario: Snow, mostly lake-effect, born on frigid 100 km/h (62 mph) winds dumps 101cm (39.8 inches) of snow on the Forest City.

9 December 1906, Lethbridge, Alberta: Brutal start to winter in southern Alberta sees temperature drop in Lethbridge to -32°C (-25.6°F)

8-9 December 1913, Prince Rupert, British Columbia: Canada's rainiest city lives up to its reputation as heavy rains totally more than 100 mm (4 inches) cause mudslide and train derailments in the area.

10 December 1975, Halifax, Nova Scotia: A December deluge swamps Halifax with 98.8 mm (3.89 inches) of rain, the wettest December day to date.

11 December 1944, Toronto, Ontario: A major winter storm dumps 48 cm (18.9 inches) of snow on downtown Toronto, and gale-force winds pile it into huge drifts. A total of 57.2 cm (22.5 inches) falls over two days.

12 December 1946, Exeter, Ontario: The lastest tornado ever experienced in Ontario touchs down in the southwestern communities of Exeter.

13 December 1944, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories: Warmest December day on record when the daily high soars to 2.8 °C (37°F).

14 December 2001, Southwestern British Columbia: A fierce wind storm blacks out 175,000 BC Hydro customers — the worst power failure in years. Winds observed at Vancouver International Airport reach 81 km/h (50 mph) and peak at 143 km/h (89 mph) on the northern tip of Vancouver Island.

14-15 December 2005, Montreal, Quebec: During morning rush hour, Montreal drivers see snow fall at the phenomenal rate of 8 cm (3.1 inches) an hour. Over a mere 11 hours, the city looks over a record-breaking 41 cm (16.1 inches) of snow.

15 December 1964, Southern Prairies: The "Great Blizzard" lashes the southern Prairie Provinces with heavy snow, 90 km/h (55 mph) winds and -34°C (-29°F) temperatures. Three people freeze to death and thousands of animals perish.

15 December 2006, Montreal, Quebec: An unusual thunder and lightning storm passes over Montreal as temperatures rise to a balmy and record 11.8°C (53°F).

16 December 1933, Coastal British Columbia: A violent Pacific storm blows gale-force winds across the British Columbia coast. Accompanied by rain and snow, the storm knocks out electrical and telephone service to much of the region. In Vancouver, the storm tears down the trolley lines, temporarily disrupting service.

17 December 1924, Calgary, Alberta: Calgary's coldest December temperature -42.8°C (-45°F).

18 December 1997, Calgary, Alberta: Thundersnow storm hits city. By noon, 15 cm (6 inches) of snow had falling. Start of storm brings traffic chaos to morning rush hour with over 200 accidents.

18 December 2000, St. Lawrence River and the Saguenay and Lac St. Jean regions, Quebec: Hurricane-force winds from an intense winter storm rips off roofs and siding and knocks out power to more than 180,000 homes.

19 December 1983, Coronation, Alberta: Coldest day in 99 years as thermometer falls to minus 41°C (minus 42°F).

19 December 2006, Vancouver, British Columbia: Vancouver's famous Stanley Park loses more than 1,000 trees, after a series of storms battered the West Coast with near-hurricane force winds. One fallen hemlock tree is estimated to be more than 200 years old.

21 December 1977, Southeastern Newfoundland: Huge waves driven by hurricane-force winds surge across Flat Rock, Pouch Cove and Quidi Vidi Village, destroying shanties and wharves.

21-29 December 1996, Victoria, British Columbia: Two major snowstorms dumps 124 cm (49 inches) on the city during the last week of 1996. However, Christmas Day is green. The 24-hour fall on the 29th of 64.5 cm (25 inches) completely shuts down the city for several days.

22 December 2005, Saanich, British Columbia: A freak winter lightning strike splinters a tree and knocks out power to 1800 customers in Greater Victoria. The resulting boom of thunder disrupts my afternoon nap, I thought something had exploded.

23 December 1884, Regina, Saskatchewan: Overnight temperatures plummets to down to minus 48.3°C (minus 55°F), the coldest December night on record.

23 December 2005, Saanich, British Columbia: Late afternoon lighting strikes knocks out power to 1800 customers in Saanich, just north of Victoria. The bolts knocked out traffic signals at a dozen major intersections during the afternoon rush hour. One bolt shorted out the transformer at the WalMart store, causing an evacuation.

24 December 1986, Ottawa Valley, Ontario and SW Quebec: Severe ice storm hits the region on Christmas Eve, forcing many residents to barbecue their holiday turkey as power is lost for 25 percent of the residents. 30 mm (1.18 inches) of freezing rain accumulates over nearly 14 hours of precipitation.

24 December 1879, Winnipeg, Manitoba: Frigid Christmas Eve, temperature falls to minus 47.8°C (minus 54°F)

25 December 1973, Vancouver, British Columbia: Dreaming of a very wet Christmas? Vancouver receives 89.4 mm (3.51 inches) of rain.

25 December 1997, Edmonton, Alberta: Christmas Day temperature rises to 6.8°C (44°F) at noon, leaving area residents with the first brown Christmas in 100 years.

25 December 2003, Greenwood, Nova Scotia: No white Christmas in Nova Scotia as temperatures across the province rise to double digits. Greenwood leads the pack of daily record highs with a reading of 14.9°C (59°F).

26 December 1938, Edmonton, Alberta: The morning temperature drops to -48.3°C (-55°F) for Edmonton's record low temperature.

27 December 2004, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island: A major nor'easter buries the Charlottetown area with as much as 54 cm (21.3 inches) of snow. The misery is compounded by winds gusting to 118 km/h (74 mph) causing white-out conditions and road closures.

28-30 December 1942, Eastern Ontario: Ice covers trees telephone wires, and railway tracks "as thick as a person's wrist." In Ottawa, 50,000 walk to work for five days.

29 December 1933, Ontario: Ontario's coldest day on record as fourteen sites record their coldest-ever temperature, including Ottawa at -38.9°C (-38°F) and Algonquin Park at -45.0°C (-49°F).

29 December 1991, Terrace, British Columbia: Terrace records is 58th consecutive day of precipitation. The streak began on 2 November.

30 December 1993, Halifax and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia: Year-end storm blankets the Halifax-Dartmouth area with 44 cm (17 inches) of snow. Blizzard conditions bring winds in excess of 100 km/h (62 mph).

31 December 1910, Fort Good Hope, Northwest Territories: Year ends on a frigid note as temperature falls to minus 61.7°C (minus 79°F)

Now Available! Order Today!
Now Available in the US! And Now...The Weather by Keith C. Heidorn To Order in Canada: And Now...The Weather by Keith C. Heidorn	The BC Weather Book: From the Sunshine Coast to Storm Mountain by Keith C. Heidorn Now Available in the US! The BC Weather Book: From the Sunshine Coast to Storm Mountain

United States

1 December 1896, Kipp, Montana: The air temperature soars 30 F degrees (16.7 C degrees) in just seven minutes, and 80 F degrees (44.4 C deg) in a few hours melting a 20-inch (50 cm) inch snow cover in half a day.

1 December 1987, Quillayute, Washington: The lowest air pressure ever recorded on land in the continental United States: 28.40 inches Hg (96.17 kPa).

1-6 December 1913, Denver, Colorado: A six-day, front-range snowstorm dumps a record total of 45.7 inches (116 cm) on Denver, the most snow ever recorded in a single Denver snowstorm.

2 December 1896, Southeast States: An early season snow and ice storm strikes the southeastern US. It dumps 11 inches (28 cm) of snow on Charlotte North Carolina, and 6 inches (15 cm) at Atlanta, Georgia

2 December 1950, Southern Illinois: Three tornadoes swirl across Illinois counties of Bond, Macoupin and Madison; three die and 25 are injured. One death occurs in a car tossed 200 yards near Mt Olive.

2 December 1950, St Louis, Missouri: Severe thunderstorm produces extensive hail damage in St Louis, the $4 million damage price tag was the worst hailstorm on record to that date for the city.

3 December 1926, Yuma, Arizona: Yuma records 1.10 inches (27.9 mm) of rain; by month's end it will be the wettest December of record.

3-6 December 1886, Southern Appalachian Mountains: Great snowstorm dumps up to 42 inches (107 cm) in mountains. 33 inches (84 cm) falls on Asheville, North Carolina and 25 inches (64 cm) at Rome, Georgia.

4 December 1786, New England: Huge snowstorm leaves 18 inches (46 cm) of snow at Morristown, New Jersey and 20 inches (50 cm) at New Haven, Connecticut.

5 December 1953, Vicksburg, Mississippi: A devastating tornado rips through Vicksburg causing the most damage since a 47-day shelling during the Civil War. It kills 38 persons, injures 270 others, and causes 25 million dollars in damage.

5-7 December 2003, New York and New England: The greatest Nor'easter snowstorm in recent memory strikes New York and New England. In Central Park, New York City, the accumulation reaches 14 inches (35.6 cm). The greatest accumulation buries Pinkham Notch at Mount Washington in New Hampshire: 47 inches (119.4 cm).

5-7 December 2003, Providence, Rhode Island: Providence records its greatest single snowstorm on record with 17 inches (43.2 cm).

6 December 1970, Washington, DC: A windstorm topples the National Christmas Tree at the White House.

7 December 1989, Winfield, Kansas: A winter storm moving out of the Rockies dumps 7.5 inches (19 cm) of snow on Winfield.

7-8 December 2006, Valentine, Nebraska: Valentine residents experience and 80 F degree (44.4 C degree) temperature rise over two days as the recorded low of -14°F (-25.6°C) Thursday morning is followed by a 66°F (18.9°C) high on Friday.

8 December 1938, La Mesa, California: Temperature reaches a high of 100°F (37.7°C).

9 December 1786, Morristown, New Jersey: A second major snowstorm in less than a week brings an additional 15 inches (38 cm) of snow on top of the 8 inches (20 cm) that fell on the previous two days, and the 18 inches (46 cm) which fell on the 4th and 5th. The week's snowfall totaled 41inches (194 cm).

9-10 December 1879, Chicago, Illinois: Chicago sets record highs for both 9 and 10 December, and they occur but minutes apart. During the late evening of the 9th, southerly winds bring warm air into the city. The thermometer peaks at 62°F (16.7°C) just before midnight and remains there into the wee hours of the 10th before a cold front brings colder temperatures that morning.

10 December 1699, Boston, Massachusetts: A severe ice storm hits the region, causing much damage to local orchards.

10 December 1919, Bend, Oregon: A new 24-hour snowfall record for the state is set when Bend records 28 inches (71.1 cm).

11 December 1989, California: Strong Santa Ana winds blow across southern and parts of central California. In Kern County they gust to 100 mph (160 km/h) near Grapevine. The high winds raise dust that reduces visibilities to near zero in the desert areas closing the major interstate highways east of Ontario.

12 December 1969, Des Moines to Kent, Washington: Forming as a waterspout over Puget Sound, south of Seattle, a tornado — the worst on record for western Washington — races five miles (8 km) from Des Moines to Kent. Reported as 50 to 200 yards (45-182 m) wide, the tornado injures one person and causes half a million dollars damage.

12-20 December 1967, Flagstaff, Arizona: A series of snow storms buries Flagstaff with 86.0 inches (218 cm) of snow.

13 December 1987, New Mexico: A major early winter storm dumps 25 inches (64 cm) of snow at Cedar Crest, New Mexico with up to three feet (90 cm) reported in the higher elevations. Winds of 75 mph, with gusts to 124 mph, buffet the region northeast of Albuquerque.

14 December 2005, Houston, Texas: A string of severe thunderstorms drop 7.28 inches (185 mm) of rain in downtown Houston.

14-15 December 1924, Fairfield and Helena, Montana: Temperature drops an incredible 79 F° (44 C°) in 24 hours from 63 °F to minus 25 °F (17 to minus 32 °) and 88 F° (49 C°) in 34 hours. In Fairfield, it drops from 63 °F to minus 21 °F (17 to minus 29.4 °C), an 84 F degree (46.7 C°) change in 12 hours– the greatest 12 hour temperature change recorded in the United States.

15 December 1839, Gloucester, Massachusetts: The first of eight major storms to hit eastern Massachusetts during the month devastates the harbor at Gloucester. Winds estimated as "whole gales" dismantle, drive ashore or push out to sea at least 50 vessels resulting in a death toll estimated around 50.

14-17 December 1945, Buffalo, New York: A relentless December snowstorm burys Buffalo under 36.6 inches (93 cm) of snow, with unofficial totals south of the city ranging up to 70 inches (178 cm).

16 December 1988, Fairbanks, Alaska: City reports freezing rain and record warm temperatures with the afternoon high of 41 °F (5°C). Maximum temperature was 43 F° (23.9C°) above normal.

17 December 1884, Springfield, Illinois: Two inches of ice cover the ground in the Illinois capitol as a severe ice storm strikes central Illinois. The storm inflicts 21 million dollars damage along with much hardship.

18 December 1919, New York, New York: The Central Park temperature drops to one degree below zero F (minus 18.3C°), the earliest sub-zero temperature in the city on record.

18 December 1981, Valparaiso, Indiana: A heavy lake-effect snow blankets the southern and southeast shores of Lake Michigan leaving up to 22 inches (56 cm) of snow.

19 December 1924, Yellowstone Park, Wyoming: The Riverside Ranger Station reports a low of 59 degrees below zero F (minus 50.6C°), a December record for the US.

20 December 1836, Central Illinois: A famous cold wave sweeps across central Illinois. The cold front with 70 mph (112 km/h) winds passes through at midday dropping the temperature from 40°F (4°C) to near zero (minus 18°C) in a matter of minutes. Many settlers reported frozen to death. Folklore tells of chickens frozen in their tracks and men frozen to saddles. Ice in streams reported six inches (15 cm) thick in a few hours.

21 December 1892, Portland Oregon: A record snowstorm strikes Portland. By the time it ends four days later, the city is buried under 27.5 inches (69.9 cm) of snow.

22 December 1983, Across America: The Winter Solstice brings record low temperatures for the date to75 cities. Wisdom Montana shivers at 51 F degrees below zero (minus 46°C), and Waco TX set an all-time record low a reading of 12°F above zero (minus 11°C).

22 December 1989, Across America: Another intense pre-Christmas cold wave as 135 cities crack their record low temperature for the date, 35 set record December lows Kansas and Missouri are especially hit. In Kansas, Concordia and Goodland plummets to minus 26°F (minus 32.2°C) and minus 27°F (minus 32.8°C), respectively. Both establish all time record lows for the community. locations. In Kansas City, Missouri, the morning bottoms at minus 23°F (minus 30.6°C).

22 December 1989, Cutbank, Montana: A rapid temperature rise brought by chinook winds spikes the temperature in Cutbank by 74 F° (41.1 C°). After a shivering morning low of minus 34 the afternoon high is a relatively balmy 40°F above zero (4.4°C).

23 December 1955, Boise, Idaho: The barometric pressure drops to 28.97 inches (981 millibars) at Boise.

24 December 1983, Chicago, Illinois: Even Santa's reindeer needed toques as the daytime high only reached -11°F (-23.9°C) this Christmas Eve. It ties with 18 January 1993 for the coldest high temperature ever experienced in the Windy City. Christmas Day would only reach -5°F (-20.6°C)

24-25 December 1836, Ft Snelling Minnesota: An intense cold wave drives the mercury down nearly 40 F deg (22 C deg) in 10 hours to minus -28 °F (minus 33°C) by Christmas morning, 1 F° (0.55 C°) shy of 1822's record December low.

24-25 December 2004, Victoria, Texas: Victoria residents awake to their first white Christmas in 86 years when south Texas receives a rare blanket of snow that reachs 13 inches (33 cm) deep in the region.

25 December 1988, Las Vegas, Nevada: A massive winter storm produces a white Christmas in Las Vegas for the first time of record.

25 December 2003, San Bernardino, California: Flash flood generates a mudslide that sweeps down Waterman Canyon. The flood sends boulders, trees and 12-foot waves of mud crashing into a Greek Orthodox Church, killing twenty-eight people.

25 December 2004, New Orleans, Louisiana: Residents of the Big Easy are astonished to see snow falling steadily on Christmas Day, the first Christmas snow in half a century and the first snowfall in 15 years in the city. New Orleans' transit system halts all buses and streetcars due to the sleet, icy streets and rail tracks.

25-27 December 1987, Oklahoma: Ice Storm coats a swath of Oklahoma from near Duncan through Norman to Tulsa with up to 2 inches (5 cm) of ice. Many areas are without power for a week or more.

26 December 1947, New York, New York: Late Christmas snowstorm buries Central Park under 26.4 inches (61 cm) of white, 32 inches (81 cm) in suburbs.

26 December 2001, Buffalo, New York: The official snow total for the five-day, lake-effect storm, which struck the Buffalo area beginning Christmas Eve, is officially reported as 81.5 inches (207 cm), according to the US National Weather Service. At least four deaths are blamed on the weather and over $10 million are needed for clean-up.

27 December 1988, Mississippi: A dozen tornadoes rage across Mississippi between early afternoon and sunrise the following day. One at Harperville destroys five chicken homes killing thousands of chickens.

28 December 1996, Pacific Northwest: The same storm that buries southern Vancouver Island ruins the holiday period for many in Oregon and Washington as well. Freezing rain and snow across western Washington and Oregon strand travelers and cut power to over 300,000 homes. Parts of western Washington receives over 15 inches (38 cm) of snow while over 2 inches (50 mm) of freezing rain crust 8 inches (20 cm) of snow in Oregon's Columbia River Gorge.

28 December 2004, Los Angeles, California: Los Angeles receives 5.55 inches (141 mm) of rain, the most on record for any December day and the third wettest day since records began in 1877.

29 December 1894, Florida: A severe freeze hits Florida destroying fruit and causing considerable damage to trees.

29 December 2006, Albequerque, New Mexico: Albequerque, breaks its all-time 24-hour snowfall record with 10.5 inches (26.7 cm) of snow. The accumulation lifted their monthly total to 14.8 inches (37.6 cm), breaking their all-time monthly snowfall record as well.

30 December 2003, Las Vegas, Nevada: For the first time in five years, sections of Las Vegas receive an inch or two (3-5 cm) of snow on cars, roads, sidewalks and trees, while snow flurries fell on downtown and the legendary Strip.

31 December 1929, Death Valley, California: Greenland Ranch in Death Valley finishes the entire calendar entire year without measurable precipitation.

31 December 1989, Northway, Alaska: Highest pressure ever recorded in Unites States: 31.85 inches Hg (107.86 kPa)

For More Extreme Weather Events,
Order This Relevant Book
Chosen by The Weather Doctor

Burt, Christopher C.: Extreme Weather: A Guide and Record Book, 2004 (paperback), W. W. Norton & Company, ISBN 039333015X.

To Purchase Notecard, Greeting Cards and Posters
featuring my images, visit
The Weather Doctor's Nature Gallery at Zazzle.com

World

1 December 1990, Mobara, Japan: An F4 tornado strikes this coastal city leaving 100 injured and over 1000 homes destroyed.

2 December 2003, Marble Bar, Australia: Temperature reaches 44°C (112°F).

2 December 2005, Central North Atlantic Ocean: Hurricane Epsilon reaches hurricane force reaching a maximum sustained windspeed of 128 km/h (80 mph). Hurricane strength winds persist for 5 days. Epsilon is only the 6th December hurricane ever recorded.

4 December 1953, The Netherlands: The hottest December day on record in The Netherlands when temperatures reach 17.8°C (64°F) in Buchten.

4 December 2006, Alexandria, Egypt: Aymen Ibrahem, an astronomer at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina rushes outside during a rainstorm in hopes of photograph a rainbow. Instead he found a rare funnel cloud in the sky. It is unknown whether the funnel cloud touched down as a tornado.

4 to 9 December 1952, London, England: Killer Smog settles on London. 3,500-4,000 die, mostly children and the elderly, from acute bronchitis caused by the smog.

4 to 6 December 1962, London, England: London experiences its worst spell of fog since the aforementioned Killer Smog of 1952.

5 December 1999, Denmark: Fierce winter storm, the worst storm in Denmark this century, with winds of up to 179 km/h (109 mph) batters Denmark leaving six people dead and many injured. Damage estimated at more than one billion crowns ($US134.5 million). Sea level rises more than 5 meters (16.5 feet) above normal on the Danish west coast.

6 December 1971, Barcelona, Spain: Heavy rain dumps 196 mm (7.72 inches) on this Spanish city, becoming its wettest day on record.

6-7 December 2003, Dominican Republic: Heavy rains from the post-season Tropical Storm Odette, packing 100-km/h (65-mph) winds, dumps up to 178 mm (7 inches) of rain in southern areas of this island nation.

7 December 1987, Las Piedras, Puerto Rico: Heavy rain dumps 493 mm (19.41 inches) on Las Piedras, causing $5 million in damage.

8 December 1886, Belfast, Ireland: Ireland's lowest pressure: 97.72 kPa (27.38 inches Hg).

8 December 2002, Guam: Super Typhoon Pongsona crosses Guam as one of the worst typhoons to ever strike the island. It gains super-typhoon status with maximum sustained winds of 240 km/hr (150 mph). Tiyan records 500 mm (19.67 inches) of rain, a new record for daily rainfall during December.

9 December 2002, Tokyo, Japan: Snow causes havoc in Tokyo. For the first time in more than a decade, snow falls in December. Although it totals less than 3 cm (1 inch), 208 people are injure in accidents blamed on the snow.

9 December 2002, Novorosisk, Russia: Severe icing conditions and wind gusts of up to 180 km/h (112 mph) cause two Russian naval vessels to freeze over, list and then sink in this southern Black Sea port. The crews of the patrol boat and exploration craft are safely evacuated.

9 December 2003, Tehran, Iran: Subfreezing low temperatures in Tehran results in the deaths of 40 homeless people.

10 December 2002, Korona, Greece: A shower of tiny fish rain down on the banks of Lake Doirani located in the mountains of northern Greece. A tornado is suspected of bringing the odd rain.

11 December 1905, Rivadavia, Argentina: Temperature reaches 48.9 °C (120 °F), the highest ever recorded in South America.

13 December 1941, Malgovik, Sweden: Temperature plunges to minus 53.0 °C (minus 63.4 °F), the nation's coldest night.

13 December 1941, Peru: A glacial lake high in the Peruvian Cordillera Blanca Mountains bursts its banks, triggering a flood that kills an estimated 5,000 people.

13 December 1997, Northern Mexico: A rare cold snap and snowstorm struck northern Mexico, leaving 12 people dead and the area paralyzed. The city of Guadalajara reported snow for the first time since 1881. Chihuahua residents see temperatures plunge to -15 °C (5 °F).

13 December 2001, Central Europe: Bitter cold grips the region. Some notable low temperatures are: Salzburg, Austria, -20.2°C (-4.4 °F); Churanov, Czech Republic: -20.2°C (-4.4 °F); Bialystok, Poland -21.7°C (-7.1 °F).

14 December 1287, North Sea Countries: A might storm sends high storm surge onto Holland, drowning a reported 50,000. In East Anglia, England, 500 lives are lost.

14 December 2001, Jan Mayen Island, Norwegian Sea: The temperature reaches 12.3 °C (54.1 °F) a December record for this Arctic Island (latitude ~70N).

15 December 1999, Venezuela: 20,000 to 50,000 people die when torrential rains trigger raging floods that wash away homes, trees, and complete mountainsides across Venezuela.

15-16 December 1897, Nedunkem, Sri Lanka: 807.8 mm (31.8 inches) of rain falls in 24 hours.

15-23 December 2003, United Kingdom: Cold, snowy weather across parts of the United Kingdom are deemed responsible for as many as 2,500 deaths.

16-17 December 1997, Guam: Typhoon Paka deluges Guam with nearly 535 mm (21 inches) of rain observed at Tiyan before instrumentation failed 2 hours before Paka's eye passed to the south. Unofficial sources at Andersen Air Force Base believe that wind gusts may have reached 380 kph (236.7 mph) during the height of the storm.

17 December 2001, Greece and Turkey: Snow, gale-force winds and heavy rain sweep across Greece and Turkey. Two days of heavy snowfall and temperatures as low as -10 °C (14 °F) force closure of all northern Greek airports and all schools in northwestern Greece. 120 people are trapped on a train in Northern Greece halted by 2 metres (6.6 ft) of snow.

19 December 2001, Tosontsengel, Mongolia: A new world's record high sea-level pressure may have been established in the northwest Mongolia city of Tosontsengel, about 680 km (420 miles) west of the Mongolian capital of Ulanbataar. At 2 am local time, the sea-level pressure registered 1085.6 mb (32.06 inches Hg). The reading, as far as I know, has not been certified as breaking the old mark set 31 December 1968.

19-23 December 2002, Beijing, China: Beijing experiences its longest string of snow days in 53 years, five consecutive days.

20 December 2006, Madagascar: Severe Cyclone Bondo, the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane, approaches the northern Madagascar coast with sustained winds of 161 mph (258 km/h).

20-25 December 2005, Japan: Heavy snowfall in December reaches near record levels. In the western prefecture of Fukui, more than 200 cm (78 inches) of snow accumulates. Snow-related power outages hit 650,000 homes and businesses in the northern prefecture of Niigata. On the 25th, an express train derails in northern Japan due to the snow. Six fatalities are blamed on the severe winter weather.

22 December 2002, Teresopolis, Brazil: Heavy rains produce flash flooding in this mountain city about 90 km (56 miles) north of Rio de Janeiro. A resulting mudslide is responsible for 9 deaths and 50 injuries.

22 December 2003, Yorkshire, England: As much as 30 cm (12 inches) of snow accumulate across the Yorkshire Moors.

23 December 1924, Sydney, Australia: A windstorm whips winds to 112 km/h (70 mph) disrupting traffic.

24-25 December 1927, Findon, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Christmas Eve Blizzard buries the region. Driven by gale winds, the deep and drifting snow cuts off Findon. One hundred men are employed to remove the great snowfall from roads.

24 December 1962, Glasgow, Scotland: A band of precipitation over northern Scotland turns to snow, giving Glasgow its first white Christmas since 1938.

25 December 1974, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia: Cyclone Tracy slams into Darwin, killing 60. Wind speed reaches 217 km/h (136 mph).

25-26 December 1927, United Kingdom: Worst Christmas Blizzard in a century buries the UK. While most of the country experienced snow, the south suffers from the brunt of the storm with drifts in places to 4.5 m (15 feet) or more. Many roads are blocked with stranded vehicles.

25-30 December 2002, Tuvalu and Solomon Islands, South Pacific Ocean: With maximum sustained winds near 290 km/hr (155 knots or 180 mph), Tropical Cyclone Zoe slams the island nation of Tuvalu on the 25th, striking the Temotu Province, with widespread damage reported on the islands of Tikopia, Anuta and Fataka. The storm then moves on to the southeastern Solomon Islands during the 28th-30th.

26 December 1924, Baghdad, Iraq: Snow falls for the first time since 1916 and temperature drops to low of -13.3 °C (8 °F)

26-27 December 2006 Israel: After snowstorms hit the Golan Heights, the Galilee and Hebron on the 26th, the following morning snow falls in the Negev desert and the central hills and Jerusalem. Hundreds of Beduins are injured when several tents collapse near the Lehavim Junction due to the stormy weather.

27 December 2001 South China Sea: Typhoon Vamei forms in the South China Sea, about 100 miles north of the Equator. Vamei is the first recorded tropical cyclone to develop within 1.5 degrees of latitude (or about 167 km/104 miles) of the equator.

27 December 2002 Reykjavik, Iceland: An extended warm spell ends with the month's first frost. The first 25 days average 5 C deg (9 F deg) above the long-term average.

27 December 2004 Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Around 127 mm (0.5 inch) of rain waters this desert emirate where rain rarely falls. Local police reported 500 traffic accidents in 24 hours, including one fatality, as a result of a three-day rainy period.

28 December 1879, Tayside, England: 74 lives are lost when a passenger train plunges from the track as the middle section of the Tay Bridge collapses into the Tay Estuary. The failure of the bridge is believed to have been caused by two or three waterspouts which were sighted close to the bridge immediately before the accident.

28 December 1919, Off Cape Comorin, India: The S.S. War Hermit observes a waterspout south of Cape Comorin forming under a cumulonimbus. At cloud base, the spout is measured at 1400 m (4600 ft) tall by sextant, one of the highest waterspouts on record. The spout lasts 13 minutes.

28-29 December 2004, United Arab Emirates: Snow falls on the United Arab Emirates for the first time ever recorded, leaving a white blanket over the Al-Jees mountains of Ras al-Khaimah. Temperatures there drop to as low as -5^oC (23^oF).

29 December 1964, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia: Wind speed reaches 209 km/h (130 mph) during severe non-tropical storm.

29 December 2004, Tonsontsengel, Mongolia: World's highest barometric pressure (adjusted to sea level) recorded as barometer rises to 109.0 kPa (32.25 inches Hg).

29-30 December 1962, England and Wales: A blizzard over south-west England and South Wales forms snowdrifts six metres (20 ft) deep. Roads and railways are blocked, cutting off some villages for several days.

30 December 1964, Northeastern Caribbean Sea: A late-season tropical storm becomes Hurricane Alice, crossing several Caribbean islands before dissipating on January 6.

December 1995, Altnaharra, Highland, Scotland : The temperature plunges to a frigid -27.2^oC (-17^oF), The United Kingdom's coldest December night on record.

29-31 December 1992, North Island, New Zealand: The former Tropical Cyclone Fergus, moves over the North Island bringing torrential rain, widespread flooding and landslides to exposed northern districts. The highest measured rainfall occurs in the Thames-Coromandel district: 425 mm (16.7 inches).

31 December 1968, Agata, Siberia: The sea-level corrected atmospheric pressure rises to a new world's record for highest sea level pressure reaching 1083.8 mb (32.01 inches) at 1200 GMT. At the time, Agata Lake (66^o 53' N, 93 ^o 28' E) records temperature at -46^o C (-50.8^oF).

31 December 2001, Kingdom of Tonga: In the waning hours of the year Vava and Niuatoputapu, Tonga are hit by Tropical Storm Waka cutting communication lines for several hours. Buildings, trees, and crops sustain damage but no injuries reported.

? December 1851 Western tip of Sicily: Two tornadoes crossed the western tip of the island of Sicily, killing over 500 people.

December 1890 Westminster, London, Engalnd: Dark Days: No sunshine is reported Westminster, London during the whole month.

The Weather Doctor's Diary ©2008 Keith C. Heidorn, PhD. All Rights Reserved.
Correspondence may be sent via email to: see@islandnet.com.

For More Weather Doctor articles, go to our Site Map.

I have recently added many of my lifetime collection of photographs and art works to an on-line shop where you can purchase notecards, posters, and greeting cards, etc. of my best images.

To Purchase Notecard, Greeting Cards and Posters featuring my images, visit The Weather Doctor's Nature Gallery

Now Available! Order Today!
NEW! Now Available in the US! And Now...The Weather by Keith C. Heidorn To Order in Canada: And Now...The Weather by Keith C. Heidorn	The BC Weather Book: From the Sunshine Coast to Storm Mountain by Keith C. Heidorn