December 1 in Weather History

177 events on record, 1328 to 2025

Every tornado, hurricane, flood, blizzard, heat wave, record, earthquake, eruption, tsunami, wildfire and geomagnetic storm on record for December 1, in any year, each linked to its full record.

← November 30TodayDecember 2 →

December 1 on the map

Every event with a place, colored by kind. Tap one to open its record.

  • Tornadoes
  • Hurricanes and tropical storms
  • Floods
  • Severe storms
  • Winter storms and snow
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Wildfires
  • Earthquakes
  • Volcanoes
  • Tsunamis
  • Other weather

The most significant

By deaths, damage and strength together, across every archive.

Tsunamis

1928December 1, 1928 Tsunami at Central Chile

A tsunami caused by a magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck Central Chile, with a maximum water height of 1.5 meters. It killed 279 people and did severe (about $5 to $25 million) damage.

When
December 1, 1928
Magnitude
7.6
Water height
1.5 m
Deaths
279
Where
Central Chile

The full record

Volcanoes

1987December 1, 1987 Eruption of Sirung

Sirung, Indonesia erupted. It killed 125 people, destroyed 237 houses and did $5 million in damage. The eruption was accompanied by an earthquake.

When
December 1, 1987
Deaths
125
Damage
$5.0 million
Where
Sirung, Indonesia

The full record

Tsunamis

1927December 1, 1927 Tsunami at Sulawesi, Indonesia

A tsunami caused by a magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck Sulawesi, Indonesia, with a maximum water height of 15 meters. It killed 50 people, injured 50 and did severe (about $5 to $25 million) damage.

When
December 1, 1927
Magnitude
6.2
Water height
15 m
Deaths
50
Where
Sulawesi, Indonesia

The full record

By kind

Tornadoes

27 on December 1, oldest first.

1942F2 tornado, Columbus County, North Carolina

An F2 tornado touched down in Columbus County, North Carolina and tracked 15.9 miles, 300 yards wide at its widest, killing 1 and injuring 30. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: S Whiteville/Bolton, NC.

Rating
F2
Deaths
1
Injuries
30
Path
15.9 mi
Width
300 yd

The full record

1996Tornado in Florida, December 1, 1996

A waterspout developed near Mid Bay Bridge along the north bank of Choctawhatchee Bay and moved ashore near exclusive Pippin Estates. The resulting tornado moved along Lake Drive for about 1/3 of a mile. Ten homes suffered roof damage, four of which had major structural damage.

Damage
$500,000
Strongest
F2
Events
1

The full record

Hurricanes and tropical storms

3 on December 1, oldest first.

1925An unnamed storm makes landfall near Naples Park, FL

An unnamed storm crossed the coast near Naples Park, FL as a tropical storm, 55 kt. The 1925 Florida tropical storm was the deadliest tropical cyclone to impact the United States that did not become a hurricane. The fourth and final storm of the season, it formed as a tropical depression on November 27 near the Yucatán Peninsula, the system initially tracked southeastward before turning north as it gradually intensified.

Wind at landfall
55 kt
Peak wind
80 kt

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

The full record

Floods

8 on December 1, oldest first.

2007Flooding and Heavy Rain in Washington, December 1 to 4, 2007

Two very powerful storms with origins in the Tropics brought hazardous weather to the Pacific Northwest. The entire forecast area experienced heavy rainfall for an extended period of time. This abnormally long period of consistently heavy rainfall led to widespread flooding.

Damage
$10 million
Events
6

The full record

2010Flooding in Pennsylvania, December 1 to 3, 2010

Widespread heavy rainfall of 2 to 4 inches produced extensive flooding across Central Pennsylvania for the first three days of December 2010. The heavy rain fell in two distinct periods with the first round of 1-2 inches falling by the evening of November 30th.

Damage
$2.0 million
Events
12

The full record

2010Flash Flooding in Virginia, December 1, 2010

A major storm affected the eastern U.S. during the period of November 30 - December 1 as a powerful upper low and surface system moved into the Great Lakes proving an extended period of deep southerly flow across the region.

Damage
$260,000
Events
24

The full record

2020Debris Flows and Flooding in Alaska, December 1 to 5, 2020

A large plume of concentrated moisture or Atmospheric River (AR) with an associated low-pressure system moved across the Pacific Ocean and transported tropical moisture from the southwest which impacted Southeast Alaska (SEAK) from December 1st through December 2nd.

Deaths
2
Damage
$31 million
Strongest
56 kt wind
Events
17

The full record

Severe storms

16 on December 1, oldest first.

2004Strong Wind in Delaware, December 1, 2004

The combination of a rapidly intensifying low pressure system and a strong cold frontal passage produced peak wind gusts of around 50 mph across Delaware during the second half of the morning and throughout most of the afternoon.

Deaths
1
Injuries
1
Damage
$100,000
Events
4

The full record

2004High Wind and Strong Wind in Pennsylvania, December 1, 2004

The combination of a rapidly intensifying low pressure system and a strong cold frontal passage produced peak wind gusts of around 50 mph across Eastern Pennsylvania during the second half of the morning and throughout most of the afternoon of the 1st.

Deaths
1
Damage
$170,000
Strongest
50 kt wind
Events
10

The full record

2004High Wind and Strong Wind in New Jersey, December 1, 2004

The combination of a rapidly intensifying low pressure system and a strong cold frontal passage produced peak wind gusts of between 50 and 60 mph across New Jersey during the second half of the morning and throughout most of the afternoon of the 1st.

Damage
$300,000
Strongest
54 kt wind
Events
21

The full record

2006High Wind in Pennsylvania, December 1, 2006

Strong gradient winds behind a cold front caused widespread tree damage across central Pennsylvania. All 36 zones in the State College area of warning responsibility reported some damage from the strong wind event.

Deaths
1
Damage
$10,000
Strongest
71 kt wind
Events
36

The full record

2006High Wind in Ohio, December 1, 2006

A deep low pressure system tracked through the northern Ohio Valley during the morning of Friday December 1st. This system produced gradient winds that were sustained at 40 to 45 mph, and gusts in excess of 50 mph for much of the region.

Injuries
3
Damage
$401,000
Strongest
50 kt wind
Events
30

The full record

2006Damaging Winds in Pennsylvania, December 1, 2006

A squall line of thunderstorms that preceded and accompanied a strong cold front produced damaging winds in Eastern Pennsylvania. High temperatures preceding this front on December 1st were in the record breaking 60s and lower 70s throughout Eastern Pennsylvania.

Injuries
1
Damage
$1.0 million
Strongest
61 kt wind
Events
5

The full record

2006High Wind in Ohio, December 1, 2006

A very strong area of low pressure moved northeast through the Lower Mississippi Valley and through central Ohio during the afternoon and evening hours of the 1st. Gusty southwest winds caused widespread damage throughout the day.

Damage
$329,000
Strongest
55 kt wind
Events
30

The full record

2011High Wind and Strong Wind in California, December 1 to 3, 2011

Strong winds affected the San Francisco Bay and Monterey Bay area causing damage and one fatality. The fatality occurred on November 30, 2011 and is in the November, 2011 StormData summary. Damages from November 30, 2011 are also in the November, 2011 StormData summary.

Injuries
1
Damage
$2.3 million
Strongest
65 kt wind
Events
12

The full record

Winter storms and snow

42 on December 1, oldest first.

1996Winter Storm in Utah, December 1 to 2, 1996

A fast-moving, very strong winter storm system blew through Utah wreaking havoc with the heavy travel at the end of the Thanksgiving weekend. Gusty winds combined with periods of heavy snow to create local blizzard conditions. Winds gusted from 30-40 mph.

Injuries
30
Damage
$1.0 million
Events
11

The full record

2006Winter Storm in Illinois, December 1, 2006

A major winter storm moved through the Midwest from November 29th into December 1st. Freezing rain moved into west central and central Illinois during the late hours of November 29th.

Deaths
1
Injuries
7
Damage
$10 million
Events
23

The full record

2006Winter Weather in Texas, December 1, 2006

Following the widespread snowfall on November 30th, overnight temperatures dropped into the upper teens and 20s over most of the South Plains region. The partially melted snow pack re-froze and caused dangerous driving conditions.

Deaths
1
Injuries
7
Damage
$30,000
Events
2

The full record

2006Winter Storm in Missouri, December 1, 2006

A major winter storm hit Central, Northeast, East Central and parts of Southeast Missouri from November 30 through Dcember 1. Over a foot of snow fell across parts of Central Missouri while a major ice storm hit parts of East Central and Southeast Missouri, including the St.

Damage
$7.8 million
Events
29

The full record

2006Winter Storm in Illinois, December 1, 2006

A major winter storm hit Western and Southern Illinois from November 30 through December 1, 2006. Up to a foot of snow fell across West Central Illinois while up to an inch of ice and sleet accumulated across Southwest Illinois, including the St. Louis area.

Damage
$4.5 million
Events
17

The full record

2007Winter Storm in Wisconsin, December 1 to 2, 2007

A winter storm moved from the southern plains into the Ohio Valley, producing widespread precipitation across the Midwest. In southwest and central Wisconsin, the storm was the first of the winter season, producing a mix of heavy snow and sleet much of Saturday December 1.

Deaths
2
Events
13

The full record

2007Ice Storm and Winter Storm in Iowa, December 1, 2007

The seasons first major winter storm moved into Iowa on the 1st. The system developed in the east Pacific off the California and Mexico coasts and lifted northeast into the central U.S. A very strong push of warm air moved into the central U.S. ahead of the storm.

Damage
$925,000
Events
49

The full record

2007Ice Storm in Nebraska, December 1, 2007

The first major winter storm of season coated south central Nebraska with a treacherous blanket of ice during the morning hours of December 1. The freezing rain resulted in a wide array of travel problems for the area.

Damage
$480,000
Events
24

The full record

2008Winter Storm in Wisconsin, December 1, 2008

The first winter storm of the 2008-09 winter season over south-central and southeast Wisconsin started during the afternoon hours of November 30th, but continued to 0400 CST in the pre-dawn hours of December 1st.

Deaths
1
Injuries
2
Events
8

The full record

2008Winter Weather in Kansas, December 1, 2008

Scattered light snow showers lead to icy streets across portions of Southeast Kansas during the early morning hours of December 1st, 2008. The icy roads lead to a few accidents, with one accident resulting in a mans death as his pickup overturned and caught fire.

Deaths
1
Injuries
2
Damage
$25,000
Events
1

The full record

2008Winter Storm in Wisconsin, December 1, 2008

The first winter storm of the 2008-09 winter season over south-central and southeast Wisconsin started during the afternoon hours of November 30th, but continued to 0400 CST in the pre-dawn hours of December 1st.

Injuries
20
Events
6

The full record

2011Freezing Fog in Tennessee, December 1, 2011

Areas of freezing fog formed along lakes and rivers throughout Middle Tennessee during the morning hours of December 1st. With temperatures in the 20s, patches of ice formed on an overpass in Hendersonville.

Deaths
2
Injuries
17
Damage
$500,000
Events
1

The full record

2011Winter Storm and High Wind in California, December 1 to 6, 2011

These events were the result of a large upper-level closed low over northern Baja, Mexico and featured four Santa Ana events, the strongest of which occurred in Orange County and southwest San Bernardino County with wind gusts 45 to 65+ mph and reported damage on December 1.

Damage
$769,000
Strongest
56 kt wind
Events
4

The full record

2013Winter Weather in Massachusetts, December 1, 2013

A weak clipper type low pressure system produced light freezing drizzle and light freezing rain across much of Southern New England. This resulted in hazardous driving conditions and caught some drivers unaware, resulting in numerous accidents across the area.

Injuries
40
Damage
$800,000
Events
1

The full record

2014Winter Weather in Idaho, December 1, 2014

A warm front moving through the Great Basin spread snow and pockets of freezing rain across parts of Southwest Idaho and Southeast Oregon making roads slick and hazardous. Numerous accidents were reported including 3 fatalities.

Deaths
2
Events
1

The full record

2020Winter Weather in New Mexico, December 1 to 2, 2020

A weak upper level storm system drifting south through the southern Rockies interacted with a back door cold front sliding west into central New Mexico to produce a narrow band of heavy snowfall during the early morning hours of December 2, 2020.

Injuries
2
Damage
$500,000
Events
2

The full record

2025Winter Weather in Oklahoma, December 1, 2025

Strong isentropic ascent promoted the development of scattered precipitation cores, including freezing rain and sleet, across Oklahoma on the morning of the 1st. This resulted in slick and hazardous travel conditions during the morning commute across the area.

Deaths
2
Injuries
27
Events
3

The full record

2025Winter Weather in Missouri, December 1, 2025

A storm system and brought the first light snowfall to the area during the morning. While total snowfall amounts were generally one inch or less, cold ground temperatures and Monday morning traffic allowed for several vehicular accidents and school closures.

Injuries
29
Events
9

The full record

Heat and drought

29 on December 1, oldest first.

1996Drought in Texas, December 1 to 31, 1996

Drought persisted through December across the southwestern half of South Central Texas. Brief periods of light rain, sleet and snow during the month again added some moisture to soils across the area.

Damage
$23 million
Events
14

The full record

1998Drought in Texas, December 1 to 31, 1998

Near-average precipitation returned to the South Plains area in December. However, the effects of this year's drought became better understood after year-end agricultural reports were completed.

Damage
$450 million
Events
24

The full record

2000Drought in Louisiana, December 1 to 31, 2000

Louisiana State University Agricultural Center reported that prolonged drought resulted in agricultural losses, including forestry losses, totaled approximately 80 million dollars in east central and southeast Louisiana during the year 2000.

Damage
$81 million
Events
20

The full record

2001Heat in Georgia, December 1 to 23, 2001

Unseasonably warm temperatures prevailed across north and central Georgia throughout much of December. Only after a strong cold front moved through on the 23rd did temperatures drop to seasonal and below seasonal levels.

Events
97

The full record

2001Drought in Georgia, December 1 to 31, 2001

Very dry weather continued throughout December across all of north and central Georgia. December marked the 5th consecutive month of below normal rainfall for many locations, and the third consecutive month of much below normal rainfall for most of north and central Georgia.

Events
97

The full record

2002Drought in Nebraska, December 1 to 31, 2002

The prolonged drought across central and south-central Nebraska occasionally was classified into the extreme to exceptional category this summer and fall. Most dry land crops were near a total loss and there was some decreased yield with irrigated crops.

Damage
$480 million
Events
24

The full record

2002Drought in Kansas, December 1 to 31, 2002

The prolonged drought across north-central Kansas occasionally was classified into the severe category this year. Most dry land crops were hard hit and there was some decreased yield with irrigated crops.

Damage
$60 million
Events
6

The full record

2005Drought in Texas, December 1 to 31, 2005

Devastating drought conditions continued through December. The area of extreme drought (D3) as classified by the U.S. Drought Monitor expanded to include roughly the northeast quarter of the state of Texas.

Damage
$120 million
Events
45

The full record

2007Drought in Georgia, December 1 to 31, 2007

Drought conditions persisted and actually continued to worsen during December. This was especially true during the first half of the month when unseasonably warm, dry weather prevailed across the region thanks to a large upper-level ridge of high pressure.

Events
97

The full record

2011Drought in Texas, December 1 to 31, 2011

The Drought Index across the South Plains, Rolling Plains and extreme southern Texas Panhandle was reduced thanks to an extremely wet December. The wetter than normal conditions that began in the fall continued into December with one of the wettest Decembers on record.

Damage
$10 million
Events
23

The full record

2012Drought in Texas, December 1 to 31, 2012

The month of December provided a few opportunities for improvement in drought conditions across the Texas Panhandle, but fell short of showing significant improvement. Exceptional (D4) drought affects the majority of the north Texas Panhandle including Carson County.

Damage
$415 million
Events
20

The full record

2012Drought in Texas, December 1 to 31, 2012

Drought conditions on the South Plains and Rolling Plains of West Texas during the month of December remained unchanged. Exceptional (D4) drought was observed across the western South Plains and a portion of Stonewall County.

Damage
$50 million
Events
24

The full record

2012Drought in Oklahoma, December 1 to 31, 2012

The month of December provided a few opportunities for improvement in drought conditions across the Oklahoma Panhandle, but fell short of showing significant improvement. Exceptional (D4) drought affects all of Beaver County and most of Texas County.

Damage
$55 million
Events
3

The full record

2013Drought in Texas, December 1 to 31, 2013

A slight expansion in worsening drought conditions occurred during the month of December. Despite two winter storms and below average temperatures, no large scale improvement to the drought was noted.

Damage
$5.0 million
Events
22

The full record

2016Drought in Mississippi, December 1 to 31, 2016

Dry conditions continued into December, which created continued stress on crops. Showers and storms in late November relieved some of the worst drought conditions. However, much of the state began the month in severe (D2) drought.

Damage
$2.0 million
Events
40

The full record

2022Drought in Missouri, December 1 to 31, 2022

Drought conditions saw improvements across portions of the southwest Missouri Ozarks during the month of December. By the last week of December, the US Drought Monitor had designated around 23 percent of the area as being in moderate drought (D1) to significant drought (D4).

Damage
$12 million
Events
7

The full record

2023Drought in Missouri, December 1 to 31, 2023

Some locations saw improvement through the month. Severe (D2) drought contracted in parts of west central Missouri, but expanded into east central and south central Missouri. Some locations in central Missouri noted Extreme (D3) drought by the end of the month.

Damage
$52 million
Events
22

The full record

Cold

2 on December 1, oldest first.

2000Extreme Cold in Georgia, December 1 to 31, 2000

December 2000 was one of the coldest December's on record for much of north and central Georgia. In Atlanta, the monthly average temperature of 37.2 degrees F was the 4th coldest December on record, exceeded only in 1917 and 1935 with 36.2 degrees F and 1963 with 35.5 degrees F.

Events
97

The full record

2013Cold in Illinois, December 1, 2013

An elderly woman died as a result of hypothermia when she wandered away from her home near Bloomington on Sunday, December 1st. Temperatures early Sunday morning were in the middle to upper 20s.

Deaths
1
Events
1

The full record

Wildfires

15 on December 1, oldest first.

1989Unnamed Fire

The Unnamed Fire started on December 1, 1989, in Florida, and burned 1,678 acres.

When
December 1, 1989
Acres
1,678

The full record

1999DITCH7-8 Fire

The DITCH7-8 Fire was discovered on December 1, 1999, in Texas, and burned 600 acres; the cause was recorded as debris and open burning.

When
December 1, 1999
Acres
600

The full record

2002Rolling Plains - 1 Fire

The Rolling Plains - 1 Fire was discovered on December 1, 2002, in Childress County, Texas, and burned 2,600 acres; the cause was recorded as equipment and vehicle use.

When
December 1, 2002
Acres
2,600

The full record

2005Factor Mountain Fire

The Factor Mountain Fire was discovered on December 1, 2005, in Oklahoma, and burned 2,642 acres; the cause was recorded as human.

When
December 1, 2005
Acres
2,642

The full record

2005Maes Fire

The Maes Fire was discovered on December 1, 2005, in San Miguel County, New Mexico, and burned 1,238 acres; the cause was recorded as equipment and vehicle use.

When
December 1, 2005
Acres
1,238

The full record

2010Encinitos Ranch Fire

The Encinitos Ranch Fire was discovered on December 1, 2010, in Texas, and burned 1,500 acres; the cause was recorded as railroad operations and maintenance.

When
December 1, 2010
Acres
1,500

The full record

2011Neal WMA Fire

The Neal WMA Fire was discovered on December 1, 2011, in Norman County, Minnesota, and burned 1,540 acres; the cause was recorded as debris and open burning.

When
December 1, 2011
Acres
1,540

The full record

2020Wildfire and High Wind in California, December 1 to 12, 2020

A strong mid-level trough protruded into the Desert Southwest, which led to strong Santa Ana winds and very dry weather conditions. This led to destructive wildfires and damaging winds across Southern California starting December 2nd and beyond.

Injuries
2
Damage
$1.0 million
Strongest
83 kt wind
Events
10

The full record

2020Airport Fire

The Airport Fire was reported on December 1, 2020, in Riverside County, California, and burned 1,087 acres.

When
December 1, 2020
Acres
1,087

The full record

2021West Wind Fire

The West Wind Fire was reported on December 1, 2021, in Judith Basin County, Montana, and burned 10,644 acres; the cause was recorded as human.

When
December 1, 2021
Acres
10,644

The full record

2021Rockhouse Fork Fire

The Rockhouse Fork Fire was reported on December 1, 2021, in Breathitt County, Kentucky, and burned 2,775 acres; the cause was recorded as human.

When
December 1, 2021
Acres
2,775

The full record

2022Doyle Creek Fire

The Doyle Creek Fire was reported on December 1, 2022, in Marion County, Kansas, and burned 1,600 acres.

When
December 1, 2022
Acres
1,600

The full record

Earthquakes

17 on December 1, oldest first.

Volcanoes

2 on December 1, oldest first.

1987December 1, 1987 Eruption of Sirung

Sirung, Indonesia erupted. It killed 125 people, destroyed 237 houses and did $5 million in damage. The eruption was accompanied by an earthquake.

When
December 1, 1987
Deaths
125
Damage
$5.0 million
Where
Sirung, Indonesia

The full record

Tsunamis

6 on December 1, oldest first.

1927December 1, 1927 Tsunami at Sulawesi, Indonesia

A tsunami caused by a magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck Sulawesi, Indonesia, with a maximum water height of 15 meters. It killed 50 people, injured 50 and did severe (about $5 to $25 million) damage.

When
December 1, 1927
Magnitude
6.2
Water height
15 m
Deaths
50
Where
Sulawesi, Indonesia

The full record

1928December 1, 1928 Tsunami at Central Chile

A tsunami caused by a magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck Central Chile, with a maximum water height of 1.5 meters. It killed 279 people and did severe (about $5 to $25 million) damage.

When
December 1, 1928
Magnitude
7.6
Water height
1.5 m
Deaths
279
Where
Central Chile

The full record

Space weather and aurora

3 on December 1, oldest first.

Billion-dollar disasters

2 on December 1, oldest first.

Other weather

5 on December 1, oldest first.

2000Dense Fog in California, December 1 to 4, 2000

Dense fog with visibility near zero contributed to several deadly motor vehicle accidents. One man was killed when his vehicle drove into an overpass abutment. Another was thrown from the vehicle as it ran off the road and he drowned in the nearby lagoon.

Deaths
3
Injuries
3
Damage
$45,000
Events
3

The full record

2001Strange bright lights were seen across the evening skies of Oklahoma and western north Texas on this date in 2001

Strange bright lights were seen across the evening skies of Oklahoma and western north Texas on this date in 2001. Witnesses described the lights as white and blue, and they crossed the horizon from southwest to northeast, then broke apart. The National Weather Service in Norman speculated that it was likely space junk. The North American Aerospace Defense Command later officially confirmed that it was space debris from an expended Russian rocket reentering the atmosphere. The light show was seen in many places including Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Enid, Shawnee, and as far west as the Texas Panhandle, and as far north as Wichita Kansas.

From the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma.

The full record

2002Dense Fog in Washington, December 1, 2002

Freezing fog led to icy road conditions throughout the Yakima Valley. A Montero vehicle rolled over after hitting a patch of ice on Interstate 82 between Zillah and Granger near milepost 54, leading to one fatality, and one injury.

Deaths
1
Injuries
1
Events
1

The full record

Every day of the year

Sources

Gathered from this site’s archives: the tornado record (NOAA SPC, and Grazulis before 1950), IBTrACS and the National Hurricane Center, NOAA NCEI’s Storm Events Database, Regional Snowfall Index, billion-dollar disasters list, State Climate Extremes Committee and hazard databases, USGS, NIFC, GFZ Potsdam’s Kp index (CC BY 4.0), the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma, and Wikidata (CC0), with article leads from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0, each credited where it appears. Rebuilt 2026-09-24.