Every tornado, hurricane, flood, blizzard, heat wave, record, earthquake, eruption, tsunami, wildfire and geomagnetic storm on record for December 24, in any year, each linked to its full record.
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Every event with a place, colored by kind. Tap one to open its record.
By deaths, damage and strength together, across every archive.
Earthquakes
An earthquake struck Ardabil, Dvin, Iran, Armenia. It killed 150,000 people and did extreme (about $25 million or more) damage.
Floods
The Christmas Flood of 1717 was the result of a northwesterly storm, which hit the coast area of the Netherlands, Germany, and Scandinavia on Christmas night of 1717. In total, about 14,000 people drowned.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Earthquakes
A magnitude 8.4 earthquake struck Nankaido, Japan. With the tsunami it caused, it killed 3,000 people, destroyed 20,000 houses and did extreme (about $25 million or more) damage.
Tsunamis
A tsunami caused by a magnitude 8.4 earthquake struck Nankaido, Japan, with a maximum water height of 28 meters. It killed 3,000 people, destroyed 20,000 houses and did extreme (about $25 million or more) damage.
Volcanoes
Ruapehu, New Zealand erupted. It killed 151 people.
Tornadoes
An F4 tornado touched down in Williamson County, Tennessee and tracked 6 miles, 150 yards wide at its widest, killing 1 and injuring 7.
Winter storms and snow
The Post Christmas Storm of 2010 was ranked category 2, Significant, on NOAA’s Regional Snowfall Index, strongest in the Southeast. It lasted from December 24, 2010 to December 28, 2010.
Tornadoes
An F3 tornado touched down in Union Parish, Morehouse Parish, Louisiana and tracked 24.9 miles, 200 yards wide at its widest, killing 6 and injuring 30. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: Spencer/NW Bastrop, LA.
Tornadoes
An F4 tornado touched down in Sharp, Fulton, Oregon counties, Arkansas and tracked 63 miles, 440 yards wide at its widest, injuring 11.
Earthquakes
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck La Poma, Argentina. It killed 31 people, injured 70 and did severe (about $5 to $25 million) damage.
Earthquakes
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck Huancabamba,oxapampa,el Progreso,san David, Peru. It killed 15 people and destroyed 92 houses.
Tornadoes
An F3 tornado touched down in Faulkner County, Arkansas and tracked 16.5 miles, 150 yards wide at its widest, killing 1 and injuring 7.
41 on December 24, oldest first.
An F3 tornado touched down in Union Parish, Morehouse Parish, Louisiana and tracked 24.9 miles, 200 yards wide at its widest, killing 6 and injuring 30. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: Spencer/NW Bastrop, LA.
An F2 tornado touched down in Madison County, Mississippi and tracked 4.1 miles, killing 5 and injuring 10. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: S Vaughan, MS.
An F2 tornado touched down in Leflore, Carroll counties, Mississippi and tracked 11.5 miles, killing 3 and injuring 8. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: S Greenwood/SW Carrollton, MS.
An F2 tornado touched down in Lamar, Covington counties, Mississippi and tracked 16.6 miles, 70 yards wide at its widest, killing 3 and injuring 10. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: NW Sumrall, MS.
An F3 tornado touched down in Troup, Meriwether, Spalding counties, Georgia and tracked 75.4 miles, 400 yards wide at its widest, injuring 1.
An F3 tornado touched down in Jackson County, Texas and tracked 1 miles, 440 yards wide at its widest.
An F3 tornado touched down in Copiah County, Mississippi and tracked 8 miles, 440 yards wide at its widest.
An F4 tornado touched down in Sharp, Fulton, Oregon counties, Arkansas and tracked 63 miles, 440 yards wide at its widest, injuring 11.
An F3 tornado touched down in Faulkner County, Arkansas and tracked 16.5 miles, 150 yards wide at its widest, killing 1 and injuring 7.
An F3 tornado touched down in Woodruff, Jackson counties, Arkansas and tracked 15 miles, 300 yards wide at its widest, killing 1.
27 tornadoes were recorded on December 24, 1982, in Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, 1 of them rated violent (F4 or EF4 and above). They killed 3 people.
An F2 tornado touched down in Oregon, Ripley, Carter counties, Missouri and tracked 33 miles, 300 yards wide at its widest, killing 1 and injuring 2.
An F4 tornado touched down in Williamson County, Tennessee and tracked 6 miles, 150 yards wide at its widest, killing 1 and injuring 7.
Tornado touchdown one mile east of Geneva at the intersection of County Roads 4 and 6 damaging 6 to 10 residences. 10 to 15 homes and trailers damaged on J.P. Jones Road near Oak Grove. Numerous trees and power lines down.
A tornado touched down in Headland, north of County Road 99 and U.S.Highway 431. The tornado caused extensive roof damage to several homes, businesses, and a school. It damaged six planes and a hanger at the Headland Airport.
The tornado crossed the state line from Henry County Alabama into Early County Georgia. Its damage path extended from the Chattahoochee River northeast through Colomokee on U.S. Highway 27. The tornado destroyed one mobile home and damaged thirty others.
Straight-line winds inflicted minor roof damage to several homes. Numerous trees and power lines were toppled. Approximately 400 customers were without power, from the town of Sasser south to the county line. Reported by a SKYWARN spotter and GEMA.
A weak tornado blew down several trees near Munson. The tornado also caused minor damage to several homes and outbuildings. Some of the trees fell onto houses and vehicles. A fire started as a result of downed power lines burnt down a small house. No injuries were reported.
Structural damage to buildings in Homeland, Camp Pickney and Winokur. Shop roof off in Winokur. Numerous trees down with a .5 mile damage path.
A tornado touched down just north of the Panama City-Bay County International Airport. It traveled northeast through western and northern portions of Lynn Haven. Damage was primarily to trees, with numerous large limbs and other debris along its path.
A potent cold front pushed across northern Alabama during the afternoon and evening hours. Intense low level shear and weak instability was present along and ahead of this front. A few severe thunderstorms developed along the front.
A powerful upper level storm system moved across the Southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley from Wednesday, December 23, 2009, through Thursday, December 24, 2009.
A strong upper level storm system moved its way out of the southern Great Basin and into the Southern Plains during the afternoon hours of December 23rd.
A coastal front moved onshore during the pre-dawn hours. This boundary became the focus for enhanced convection as dewpoints surged into the 60s and precipitable water values neared 2 inches. Low level wind shear became favorable for persistent updrafts to develop rotation.
Persistent, deep and strong southwesterly upper-level flow across the eastern U.S. resulted in an extremely moist and moderately unstable atmosphere over North and Central Georgia.
A storm from the Gulf of Alaska brought over 2 feet of mountain snow, with lighter amounts into the foothills. Severe thunderstorms developed behind a cold front on the afternoon of the 24th and produced 2 tornadoes, one touching down in El Dorado Hills, the other in Ceres.
A low level boundary across southeast Alabama became the focus for heavy rainfall and severe weather during the early morning hours of December 24th. As the boundary lifted northward, the focus for heavy rainfall and severe weather shifted into north central Alabama.
Another round of severe weather occurred on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as anomalously warm and moist conditions continued over the ArkLaMiss region. This, combined with another upper level disturbance, brought additional flooding and damaging winds.
A strong pre-frontal squall line crossed the local area during the afternoon and into the early evening. Despite the limited instability, strong bulk shear of 50-60 kts and a strong low level jet produced widespread wind damage as a squall line crossed the local area.
Scattered severe thunderstorms in advance of a strong cold front produced damaging winds and two tornadoes across portions of eastern and southeast Virginia.
Thunderstorms developed along a Pacific cold front as it and an upper level trough swept through the Plains on Christmas Eve 2024. The system produce a few severe storms across Central Texas and flash flooding in parts of North Texas.
16 on December 24, oldest first.
The Christmas Flood of 1717 was the result of a northwesterly storm, which hit the coast area of the Netherlands, Germany, and Scandinavia on Christmas night of 1717. In total, about 14,000 people drowned.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Rainfall amounts of 3 to 4 inches on the 24th fell on already saturated ground in central Georgia. Other showers fell over the area into the 26th. Street flooding was common with some roads damaged and others closed. Runoff caused flooding along the Flint.
A reporter with an Atlanta Television news station reported that numerous trees were blown down across the county. In Carrollton, one of the downed trees landed on a home causing damage to the structure and injuring a young girl that lived at the residence.
A strong cold front moved through the Gulf of Mexico and into Florida during the evening of the 24th. A squall line ahead of the front fell apart as it entered land and this produced bands of heavy rain.
Heavy rain caused a local creek to flood and damage 3 local businesses in north Seattle.
A deepening low pressure center tracked north-northeast from northeast Texas to eastern Missouri. A strong southerly wind flow brought abundant moisture northward across the Lower Ohio Valley and southeast Missouri.
December 24th and December 25th stood out because they were the wettest days of the month which in turn evolved into the most hydrologically active period across the region. By the evening of December 24th, a Flood Watch was issued for most of Puerto Rico and the U.S.
A cold front approached the Mid-South on December 24th, 2009. Heavy rain ahead of the front produced flash flooding across Eastern Arkansas.
Heavy rainfall shortly before Christmas caused sharp rises on regional rivers. The heavy rainfall was caused by a slow-moving cold front that passed across the Lower Ohio and Mid Mississippi Valleys between the 20th and 22nd.
An anomalous upper level pattern developed across the country with a large upper level trough remaining nearly stationary west of the area for several days. Continuous southwest flow brought unseasonably warm temperatures and high moisture content across the area.
With an unseasonable warm and humid air mass in place, localized heavy rainfall produced a flash flood that washed out a roadway and caused one fatality.
Several rounds of heavy rainfall impacted southwest and south central Alabama during the last 2 weeks of December. In total, most locations received at least six to eight inches of rainfall, with many inland locations receiving at least ten inches of rainfall.
An anomalous upper level pattern developed across the country with a large upper level trough remaining nearly stationary west of the area for several days. Continuous southwest flow brought unseasonably warm temperatures and high moisture content across the area.
A complex storm system moved from the Lower Mississippi valley to lower Ontario during this time period. Warm and moist air surged northward from the Gulf of Mexico bringing rain and temperatures in the lower 50s.
A complex storm system moved from the Lower Mississippi valley to lower Ontario during this time period. Warm and moist air surged northward from the Gulf of Mexico bringing rain and temperatures in the lower 50s.
A prolonged period of wet weather brought heavy snowfall and strong winds to the Sierra Nevada. Heaviest snowfall was observed from 12/24-12/26 when snow levels came down below the mountain passes.
15 on December 24, oldest first.
Straight-line winds destroyed an irrigation system and severely damaged a few homes in Arlington, caused roof and carport damage in Morgan, and downed numerous trees and power lines in Edison and other areas in the northwest portion of the county. Reported by GEMA.
Several homes were damaged in the Oak Park subdivision, where trees were blown down on homes and vehicles.
Downed trees and power lines reported by the Dale County EMA.
A deepening storm system lifted out of the Midwest and tracked just west of Buffalo to near Ottawa and Montreal.
A low pressure system tracked from the Great Lakes on Wednesday December 24th, to off the northern New England coast by Thursday morning on December 25th.
Severe thunderstorms produced large hail and damaging winds across portions of southwest Alabama.
A strong cold front moved east across northern Ohio during the afternoon and early evening hours of December 24th. Gusty winds occurred behind this front. Peak winds at most locations were between 45 and 50 mph.
A strong low pressure tracked across east Tennessee bringing damaging non-thunderstorm winds to the area late in the day 24th and into the overnight hours on the 25th. The strongest winds occurred over the higher elevations.
A High Wind event occurred across portions of the southern Coastal Bend behind a strong cold front on Christmas Eve day. The high winds produced damage throughout the region. Several business signs being blown out throughout Corpus Christi.
A major weather system was developing across the central U.S. as a very deep upper low closed off across the central and southern plains. An intense surface low attached to an occluded front track northeast from north Texas into the Ohio valley during this period.
A vigorous winter storm that moved from the southern Plains into the upper Midwest produced a strong pressure gradient across the mid South and Tennessee Valley. Southeast winds of 30 to 40 mph developed during the late afternoon hours and lasted through the evening.
A vigorous winter storm that moved from the southern Plains into the upper Midwest produced a strong pressure gradient across the mid South and Tennessee Valley. Southeast winds of 30 to 40 mph developed during the late afternoon hours and lasted through the evening.
Rapidly deepening surface low pressure moved from the lower Ohio Valley across Detroit and Lake Huron reaching western Quebec by Christmas morning. The low pushed a strong cold front across the region on Christmas Eve.
Deep low pressure lifted across the upper Mississippi Valley late on the 23rd, pushing a cold front into northern Michigan toward or just after midnight. High winds occurred in some areas just behind the cold front, resulting in scattered tree damage and power outages.
A line of showers and isolated thunderstorms intensified as it moved eastward across central North Carolina as an associated strong cold front moved across the area.
50 on December 24, oldest first.
Snowstorm of December 24, 1939 was ranked category 2, Significant, on NOAA’s Regional Snowfall Index, strongest in the South. It lasted from December 24, 1939 to December 28, 1939.
Cold air moved into Oklahoma the morning of December 24, 1962, followed by snow. Up to an inch of snow covered most of the state. By Christmas, most of the snow had melted, except in the north-central part of Oklahoma. Continued snow there left three to five inches of snow cover. The next morning, the coldest air of the season arrived, giving Ponca City a frigid morning low of minus 4 degrees.
From the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma.
Twenty-eight people taken to hospital after bus roll-over.
A very wet snow fell in all of North Central, Northeast and East Central Kansas. The precipitation was mostly snow from the onset in North Central Kansas.
An upper level low pressure system combined with upslope northerly winds at the surface to produce widespread snow across the southeast mountains and adjoining plains starting the morning of the 24th and lasting into Christmas morning.
After trying to recover from an ice storm two week earlier in the month, another even more devastating ice storm struck all of southwest Arkansas. Freezing rain resulted in ice accumulations ranging from 1/4 inch to as much as 6 inches.
Some of the northern Parishes in north Louisiana experienced their second ice storm in as many weeks while others who missed out on the first storm experienced widespread icing problems. Freezing rain accumulations ranged from 1/4 to near 1 inch mainly north of Interstate 20.
After trying to recover from an ice storm earlier in the month, another even more devastating ice storm struck the northern third of northeast Texas.
After trying to recover from an ice storm two week earlier, another even more devastating ice storm struck much of southeast Oklahoma. Freezing rain resulting in accumulations ranging from 1/4 inch to 3 inches which paralyzed the entire county.
Lake effect snow showers developed during the morning. Snow first fell along the shoreline but shifted inland and intensified during the afternoon as winds switched from the northwest to west. Six to eight inches of accumulation occurred.
This long lasting lake snow event featured a nearly continuous snowfall on a west to northwest flow. The event began following a strong cold front on Christmas eve with bands setting up over Oswego county off Lake Ontario and southern Erie and Wyoming off Lake Erie.
Lake effect snow showers developed in the morning along the lakeshore. The snow intensified and shifted inland during the afternoon as winds switched from the west to northwest.
Lake effect snowbands developed and persisted for an unprecedented five days meandering north and south across the region.
Dwayne Dufford, 30, was snowmachining with severalfriends Monday. He was buried by an avalanche sometime duringthe afternoon...exact details are currently unavailable.
An area of low pressure developed along the Gulf Coast early on December 24th and then moved rapidly northeast. This low moved across eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania during the morning hours of the 25th.
An area of low pressure developed along the Gulf Coast early on December 24th and then moved rapidly northeast. This low moved across eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania during the morning hours of the 25th.
The most significant Christmas Day winter storm since 1966 crippled the Poconos, brought heavy snow to the Lehigh Valley, Berks County and the far northern suburbs of Philadelphia and a wintry mix to the rest of the Philadelphia suburbs.
With strong high pressure of 1049 mb covering the interior of Alaska, an occluded weather front moved north over the Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea on the night of the 24th through the 25th.Blizzard conditions observed at:Zone 206 - likely at Anaktuvuk Pass AWOS.Zone 207 - likley at…
Yet another low pressure system moving from the Southern Plains to Lower Michigan dumped light to moderate snow amounts across south-central and southeast Wisconsin.
An avalanche at Logan Peak on the morning of December 24th killed two snowmobilers.
A winter storm which came in two waves dropped heavy snow over the mountains of interior northern California on the 24th and 25th.
An intense Pacific storm brought heavy snow and strong winds to all of southeast Idaho. One to three feet of snow fell in the Central Mountains with 4 to 8 inches in the Snake River Plain with blizzard conditions.
A winter storm brought over two feet of snow to parts of the Sierra Nevada and a rare white Christmas to much of western Nevada.
Another cold storm system brought heavy snow accumulations to northwest Oregon.
A winter storm brought over two feet of snow to parts of the Sierra Nevada and a rare white Christmas to much of western Nevada.
Another in a series of winter storms hit western Washington with the greatest impact in northern areas.
A powerful upper level system dipped into north Texas bringing near blizzard conditions to the northwest portions of north Texas. Wind gusts up to 50 mph were reported during the afternoon hours across much of the western half of north Texas.
A powerful winter storm developed over parts of the Southern Plains, resulting in one of the most widespread and damaging blizzards to affect Oklahoma in decades.
A strong upper level low pressure system moved from the Southern Rockies across the Southern Plains on the 24th. Widespread precipitation developed as this system approached.
A powerful upper level storm system brought blizzard conditions to the Big Country, the region located along and north of Interstate 20.
The second winter storm of the month hit eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa as a complex weather pattern brought a prolonged period of winter weather, including blizzard conditions, to the region around Christmas.
The Christmas Eve Blizzard of 2009 was a memorable event for most Oklahomans. A Blizzard Warning was issued for the storm system, which is a rare occurrence for our state. This storm set snowfall records in Oklahoma City and Wichita Falls for having the most snow ever recorded in a single day. Most locations received anywhere from 1 to 7 inches, with 8 to 14 inches reported in Oklahoma City and Wichita Falls. The event began with rain that quickly changed over to sleet and then snow with widespread blizzard conditions. Visibilities were less than 100 feet for several hours and the high winds created snow drifts at least three-feet deep. Hundreds of vehicles were stranded as travel became nearly impossible. Most major highways and interstates were shut down, and the National Guard was sent in to rescue stranded travelers from their vehicles. Unfortunately, there were nine fatalities with hundreds of injuries.
From the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma.
Part 2 of 2: A major winter storm system affected the central U.S. during Christmas week. There were two upper level systems involved with this storm. The southern stream low dove into the southern U.S. and then turned northeast.
The Post Christmas Storm of 2010 was ranked category 2, Significant, on NOAA’s Regional Snowfall Index, strongest in the Southeast. It lasted from December 24, 2010 to December 28, 2010.
A surface cold front moved eastward across Middle Tennessee from the evening hours on Friday, December 24th through the early morning hours on Saturday, December 25th.
A weak low pressure system moved eastward across the Lower Mississippi Valley on Christmas Eve, reaching the Southeast states during the overnight hours. At the same time, a rather strong upper level disturbance moved southeast across the central Plains.
An area of low pressure tracking from the Dakotas southeastward into the Ohio River Valley brought snow to central and southeast Illinois from the morning of December 24th to the early morning hours of December 25th.
A weak low pressure system moved eastward across the Lower Mississippi Valley on Christmas Eve, reaching the Southeast states during the overnight hours. At the same time, a rather strong upper level disturbance moved southeast across the central Plains.
On December 24th, Christmas Eve, a low pressure system traversed along the Gulf Of Mexico. Moisture streamed up into the area but the Jackson CWA was spared the heavier snowfall as that occurred further east.
Snowstorm of December 24, 2012 was ranked category 1, Notable, on NOAA’s Regional Snowfall Index, strongest in the Northeast. It lasted from December 24, 2012 to December 28, 2012.
Cold northwest winds blowing across Lake Erie caused lake effect snow showers to develop during early morning hours of December 24th. The snow continued through the evening hours before tapering off.
A strong storm system brought significant snowfall and difficult travel conditions to all of southeast Idaho over the Christmas holiday. Several traffic accidents occurred with two fatalities occurring on interstate 15 just south of Pocatello.
Freezing drizzle and areas of freezing rain caused icy surfaces, resulting in several vehicle accidents, at least one of which was fatal. the icing occurred during Christmas Eve night and into the daylight hours of Christmas morning.
An historic lake effect snow storm impacted Erie County on December 24th through the 27th. A 24 hour Pennsylvania snowfall record of 50.8 inches is believed to have been set during the period from 7 am on the 25th through 7 am on the 26th at Erie International Airport.
An area of low pressure moved across the upper Ohio Valley on December 24th. This low moved into western Pennsylvania during the evening hours.
Lake effect snow developed early Christmas morning and continued continuously for about 72 hours, before diminishing late in the day on Wednesday the 27th.
A two-part winter storm event hit northern Ohio for Christmas 2020. Low pressure developed over the southeastern United States on Christmas Eve and moved up the spine of the Appalachian Mountains through the day.
An area of low pressure tracking from the Great Lakes to Hudson Bay advected in an unseasonably warm air mass into the region from Thursday, December 24 to Friday, December 25, 2020.
A two-part winter storm event hit Northwest Pennsylvania for Christmas 2020. Low pressure developed over the southeastern United States on Christmas Eve and moved up the spine of the Appalachian Mountains through the day.
A prolonged winter weather event occurred across the Pacific Northwest during the Christmas holiday, resulting in significant travel issues for the holiday weekend.
9 on December 24, oldest first.
The highest atmospheric pressure reading at Oklahoma City occurred on this date in 1983, when the barometer rose to 31.14 inches of mercury. This followed a surge of very cold arctic air, which set many cold temperature records that year.
From the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma.
A 41 yr. old female died of exposure in Williston. Her body was found only a few feet from the front door of her house. It is believed that she died sometime during the early morning hours of Tuesday, December 24. The morning low that morning in Williston was 19 below.
Temperatures below zero occurred across the area.
A homeless man was found dead on December 24th. The low temperature at O'Hare was -2 F.
An elderly Revillo woman died of exposure while walking to find help after crashing her vehicle in rural Grant county a couple days before Christmas. An expansive search resulted in her body being found on Christmas Eve.
Seasonably cold temperatures, in the mid to upper 20s, occurred early on Christmas morning. Light winds made for wind chill values also in the mid to upper 20s.
One man died in Las Vegas of cold related causes.
A western Wisconsin woman passed away in northern Adams County just before Christmas as a result of hypothermia. Local officials said the woman's car was found submerged up to the roof in a water filled ditch but she was able to escape from the car.
The coldest temperatures in about 10 years descended into the tri-state region during the Dec 24-26 period. Low temperatures dipped well down into the teens with high temperatures remaining in the 30s, and even at or below freezing in southeast Alabama on Dec 24th.
7 on December 24, oldest first.
The Unnamed Fire started on December 24, 1984, in Florida, and burned 1,958 acres.
The Big Pond Fire was discovered on December 24, 2004, in Texas, and burned 1,238 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Xo Ranch Fire was discovered on December 24, 2005, in Palo Pinto County, Texas, and burned 3,200 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Unnamed Fire was discovered on December 24, 2005, in Guadalupe County, Texas, and burned 2,000 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Unnamed Fire was discovered on December 24, 2005, in Comal County, Texas, and burned 1,500 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Unnamed Fire was discovered on December 24, 2005, in Guadalupe County, Texas, and burned 1,000 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Lost Cove Fire was reported on December 24, 2021, in Avery County, North Carolina, and burned 1,000 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
15 on December 24, oldest first.
An earthquake struck Ardabil, Dvin, Iran, Armenia. It killed 150,000 people and did extreme (about $25 million or more) damage.
A magnitude 8 earthquake struck Valdivia, Chiloe, Chile. It killed some people (about 51 to 100). It caused a tsunami.
A magnitude 7 earthquake struck Bandaneira, Indonesia. With the tsunami it caused, it killed few people (about 1 to 50).
An earthquake struck Batangas, N Mindanao, Philippines.
An earthquake struck Tonga Trench. It caused a tsunami.
A magnitude 8.4 earthquake struck Nankaido, Japan. With the tsunami it caused, it killed 3,000 people, destroyed 20,000 houses and did extreme (about $25 million or more) damage.
A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck Sichuan Province, China. It killed many people (about 101 to 1,000).
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck La Poma, Argentina. It killed 31 people, injured 70 and did severe (about $5 to $25 million) damage.
An earthquake struck Atlantic, Azores.
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck Huancabamba,oxapampa,el Progreso,san David, Peru. It killed 15 people and destroyed 92 houses.
A magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck New Hampshire, Maine, United States. It killed 1 person and injured 1.
An earthquake struck Ayacucho,pomabamba,moyobamba,huahuapuquio, Peru. It killed 7 people, injured 37 and destroyed 250 houses.
A magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck Kermanshah, Iran. It injured 15, destroyed 3,000 houses and did severe (about $5 to $25 million) damage.
A magnitude 4.3 earthquake struck Akhisar, Turkey.
A magnitude 4.2 earthquake struck Rajasthan, India.
2 on December 24, oldest first.
Kuchinoerabujima, Japan erupted with a Volcanic Explosivity Index of 4. It killed 8 people and injured 26.
Ruapehu, New Zealand erupted. It killed 151 people.
5 on December 24, oldest first.
A tsunami caused by a magnitude 8 earthquake struck Southern Chile. It killed some people (about 51 to 100).
A tsunami caused by a magnitude 7 earthquake struck Bandaneira, Indonesia. It killed few people (about 1 to 50).
A tsunami with a source recorded as earthquake struck Tongatapu Island.
A tsunami caused by a magnitude 8.4 earthquake struck Nankaido, Japan, with a maximum water height of 28 meters. It killed 3,000 people, destroyed 20,000 houses and did extreme (about $25 million or more) damage.
A tsunami struck Southeast Australia, with a maximum water height of 1.2 meters.
4 on December 24, oldest first.
A G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storm began December 24, 1948, reached Kp 6- and lasted 6 hours, with a daily Ap as high as 21; at that Kp the aurora may be seen from about 57 degrees geomagnetic latitude.
A G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storm began December 24, 1950, reached Kp 6+ and lasted 3 hours, with a daily Ap as high as 36; at that Kp the aurora may be seen from about 53 degrees geomagnetic latitude.
A G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm began December 24, 1952, reached Kp 5+ and lasted 3 hours, with a daily Ap as high as 25; at that Kp the aurora may be seen from about 58 degrees geomagnetic latitude.
A G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm began December 24, 1995, reached Kp 5 and lasted 9 hours, with a daily Ap as high as 26; at that Kp the aurora may be seen from about 60 degrees geomagnetic latitude.
9 on December 24, oldest first.
Moist conditions from recent rains couple with light winds brought areas of dense fog to the Central Valley and into the adjacent foothills. This caused minor car accidents and travel delays, especially affecting holiday travelers.
Dense fog developed across New York City impacting travel during a very busy travel period.
Dense fog developed across the New York metropolitan area impacting travel during a very busy travel period.
Strong and persistent onshore flow resulted in rough surf along the Gulf beaches of northwest Florida. An experienced paddle boarder was caught in the high surf and drowned.
Wind generated waves associated with an active trough and thunderstorms in the vicinity, have caused seas to reach 10 to 14 feet throughout this period. Two fatalities in the north west and north east shores were reported within a few days apart; both were veteran fishermen.
There was a weather-related car crash that killed two people on Christmas Eve in Van Wert County. Widespread dense fog, with visibilities less than a quarter of a mile, was observed in the area during the time of the crash.
On December 24th a father tried to rescue his 12 year old daughter from the ocean after her raft was being swept out to sea. The father died in the current after he saved his daughter.
Dense fog led to visibility less than 1/4 mile across much of eastern Nebraska and western Iowa from Christmas Eve through Christmas Day and into December 26th.
Dense fog led to visibility less than 1/4 mile across much of eastern Nebraska and western Iowa from Christmas Eve through Christmas Day and into December 26th.
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.