Every tornado, hurricane, flood, blizzard, heat wave, record, earthquake, eruption, tsunami, wildfire and geomagnetic storm on record for January 1, in any year, each linked to its full record.
Every event with a place, colored by kind. Tap one to open its record.
By deaths, damage and strength together, across every archive.
Earthquakes
A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck Ishikawa, Honshu, Japan. It killed 549 people, left 2 missing, injured 1,393, destroyed 29,966 houses and did $18 billion in damage. It caused a tsunami.
Tsunamis
A tsunami with a source recorded as earthquake and landslide struck W Coast, Honshu, Japan, with a maximum water height of 11.34 meters. It killed 549 people, left 2 missing, injured 1,393, destroyed 29,966 houses and did $18 billion in damage.
Earthquakes
A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck Beirut (Beyrout), Zefat (Safed), Lebanon, Israel. It killed 6,000 people and did extreme (about $25 million or more) damage. It caused a tsunami.
Tsunamis
A tsunami caused by a magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck Israel and Syrian Coasts. It killed 6,000 people and did extreme (about $25 million or more) damage.
Billion-dollar disasters
A drought disaster that cost $10 billion in 2024 dollars and killed 229, on NOAA’s billion-dollar list. It lasted from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021.
Billion-dollar disasters
A drought disaster that cost $42 billion in 2024 dollars and killed 123, on NOAA’s billion-dollar list. It lasted from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012.
Billion-dollar disasters
A drought disaster that cost $23 billion in 2024 dollars and killed 136, on NOAA’s billion-dollar list. It lasted from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022.
Billion-dollar disasters
A winter storm disaster that cost $6.1 billion in 2024 dollars and killed 187, on NOAA’s billion-dollar list. It lasted from January 1, 1996 to January 31, 1996.
Winter storms and snow
Blizzard of 1999 was ranked category 4, Crippling, on NOAA’s Regional Snowfall Index, strongest in the Upper Midwest. It lasted from January 1, 1999 to January 4, 1999.
Billion-dollar disasters
A drought disaster that cost $5.4 billion in 2024 dollars and killed 136, on NOAA’s billion-dollar list. It lasted from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024.
Billion-dollar disasters
A flooding disaster that cost $6.0 billion in 2024 dollars and killed 36, on NOAA’s billion-dollar list. It lasted from January 1, 1997 to January 11, 1997.
Billion-dollar disasters
A flooding disaster that cost $5.3 billion in 2024 dollars and killed 27, on NOAA’s billion-dollar list. It lasted from January 1, 1995 to March 31, 1995.
19 on January 1, oldest first.
An F3 tornado touched down in Cullman, Blount, Marshall counties, Alabama and tracked 37.3 miles, 500 yards wide at its widest, killing 3 and injuring 20. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: W Warrior River/S Albertville/Collinsville, AL.
An F3 tornado touched down in Washington County, Alabama and tracked 15.3 miles. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: Deer Park to N McIntosh, AL.
An F2 tornado touched down in Mobile County, Alabama and tracked 7.1 miles, 200 yards wide at its widest, killing 1 and injuring 11. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: Union Church/Theodore, AL.
An F2 tornado touched down in Montgomery, Robertson counties, Tennessee and tracked 13.5 miles, 100 yards wide at its widest, killing 1 and injuring 8. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: SE Clarksville, TN.
An F3 tornado touched down in Attala, Montgomery, Choctaw counties, Mississippi and tracked 50.4 miles, killing 1 and injuring 1. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: NW Kosciusko, MS.
1 mi) north-northeast of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia on 1 January 1970, and is thought to be the most destructive and powerful tornado ever documented in Australia. On BoM's storm archive, the tornado is given the rating of F0 and contains maximum confirmed winds of 63 km/h (39 mph).
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
An F3 tornado touched down in Jefferson County, Texas and tracked 5.5 miles, 400 yards wide at its widest, injuring 5.
Tornado touchdown in the Acres Hills subdivision just NE of Huntsville. One mobile home completely destroyed. Three people inside escaped with fairly minor injuries (cuts and abrasions, separated shoulder).
A strong tornado that developed in Liberty County moved into western Jefferson County, destroying several rice dryers, two mobile homes, and a brick house. Five people were injured in the mobile homes and brick house.
Damage path consisted of numerous homes with roofs partially blown off, several structures collapsed, a building with a brick wall blew down, several cars were blown off the road and overturned, and numerous trees snapped or fell.
Damage consisted of a 20 horse stall and building consisting of iron square tubing being destroyed. One tin feed shed was destroyed. Several modular homes suffered minor damage. Numerous large trees were snapped or uprooted.
Tornado formed along a squall line notch, in the comma head. Damage path consisted of moderate damage to two homes were trees penetrated the roof. One mobile home completely destroyed. Numerous snapped and fallen trees of three to four feet in diameter.
An EF3 tornado touched down in Attala County, Mississippi and tracked 23.45 miles, 1,300 yards wide at its widest, injuring 2.
An EF3 tornado touched down in Noxubee County, Mississippi and tracked 9.63 miles, 1,330 yards wide at its widest, injuring 1.
A potent storm system brought a prolonged outbreak of severe thunderstorms to the Lower Mississippi Valley region from the afternoon hours of New Years Eve lasting through the morning hours of New Years Day.
Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms affected the region to start the year. Two day rainfall totals in excess of 8 inches were common across portions of the Florida panhandle with several roads flooded.
As a warm front was draped across the region, an upper level disturbance moved across and brought heavy rain and some severe storms during the morning. The storm system developed further during the afternoon and a squall line formed ahead of an approaching cold front.
The second warmest December on record for Eastern Kentucky finished with a warm and moist air mass in place on New Year's Eve.
A well-defined upper level shortwave trough shifted northeast across Missouri into the Ohio Valley, where it flattened out within a broader, strong southwesterly flow regime. The resultant mid level forcing was not very strong across the warm sector of the surface low.
2 on January 1, oldest first.
At the King Harbor Breakwater, two 12 foot waves swept 27 people off the breakwater into the Pacific Ocean.The high waves were produced by a strong Eastern Pacific storm.
Hurricane Bejisa reached its peak of 115 kt (130 mph) with a central pressure of 937 mb, a category 4 storm.
39 on January 1, oldest first.
The Gale of January 1976, widely known as the "Capella" storm in Germany and the Ruisbroek flood in Belgium, was one in a series of extratropical cyclones and storm surges, which occurred over January 1976. The gale of 2–5 January 1976 resulted in severe wind damage across western and central Europe and coastal flooding around the southern North Sea coasts.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
The floods of January l997 were caused by several factors. First, the Sierra and western Nevada had experienced two above normal precipitation years (1995, 1996). Second, a major winter storm December 21st and 22nd 1996 deposited heavy snow in the Sierra and western Nevada.
Please see flood summary under Nevada zones from 1/01/97 to 1/17/97.
Melting snow and rain caused mudslides and sinkholes in conjuction with the late December storms. Redmond got an inch of rain in 12 hrs. About 30 roads in King County were closed due to flooding or mudslides.
A warm southwest flow pushed temperatures into the 60s New Years Eve Day with the freezing lifting to above 10,000 ft.
Widespread flooding of streams, creeks and rivers caused extensive damage. The hardest hit towns were Klamath and Stafford. Klamath was flooded by the Klamath River which crested 11.22 feet above flood stage. Stafford was virtually wiped out by a mudslide.
A warm southwest flow pushed temperatures into the mid 50s to lower 60s New Years Eve Day with the freezing level rising to above 10,000 ft. Melting snow and moderate rain drove streams and rivers to flood stage.
Heavy rains and melting snow caused flooding and a massive mudslide near the town of Kyburz. US route 50, the main route from California to the south Lake Tahoe area, was closed for 17 days due to the mudslide and additional washouts.
$4.5 million damage to public and private land in Wallowa County. Over $5 million in road damage.
Flooding due to snow melt and heavy rain on Burney Creek swept a vehicle off the road, drowning the driver.
Many streams and rivers in Trinity County flooded, especially in the north half of the county. These streams included Coffee Creek, Canyon Creek, Trinity River, Mumbo Creek, East Weaver Creek and Stuart's Fork. Many roads were washed out or closed by mudslides.
Road damage in the Imnaha area estimated at $ 2.7 million dollars.
Heavy rain and runoff from snowmelt caused widespread flooding throughout Northeast Ohio during the first half of January. January 2005 was among the wettest January's ever. At Cleveland, 5.92 inches of precipitation was recorded making it the 3rd wettest January ever.
Heavy rain and runoff from snowmelt caused widespread flooding in Stark County the first half of January. January 2005 was the fifth wettest January ever at the Akron-Canton Airport with 5.62 inches of rain for the month.
Heavy rain and runoff from snowmelt caused widespread lowland flooding in Ashland, Knox, Morrow, Richland Counties during the first two-thirds of January. January 2005 was the wettest January ever at Mansfield Lahm Airport with 6.08 inches of precipitation during the month.
Heavy rain and runoff from snowmelt caused widespread lowland flooding in Sandusky County during the first half of January. The worst flooding in the county occurred along the Portage and Sandusky Rivers.
Heavy rain and runoff from snowmelt caused widespread lowland flooding in Crawford, Seneca, Wyandot and Huron Counties the first half of January.
A series of warm winter storms brought heavy rain, mudslides, flooding, and high winds to Northern California.
Major flooding continued into the early hours of January 1st, before the Napa River finally fell below flood stage and the water receeded. Flooding was severe in Downtown Napa from the Napa Creek and the City and Parks Department was hit with $6 million in damage alone.
Flooding from heavy rains in late December continued into the early morning of January 1st. Hardest hit areas in the County were Fairfax, San Anselmo, Novato, Inverness, Ross and Mill Valley.
The major flooding that began late in December continued into early January. Widespread low-land flooding across the county persisted with the hardest hit areas around the Russian River in Healdsburg and Guerneville.
Widespread flooding continued into early 2006 after very heavy rains through December 31st brought 3 to 4 inches in a 24 hour period. Urban flooding initiated landslides that contributed to the damage, and small streams and creeks overflowed their banks.
Flooding that began on December 31st continued into the New Year. Approximately 2 to 4 inches of rain fell in a 24 hour period, causing widespread flooding in San Leandro, Oakland, Alameda and Berkeley.
A STRONG WINTER STORM SYSTEM BROUGHT HIGH WINDS AND HEAVY SNOW TO THE MOUNTAINS. ONE PERSON DIED WHEN THEIR SMALL PRIVATE PLANE CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN NEAR JORDANELLE DAM IN HEAVY SNOW. RAIN AND SNOW MELT RESULTED IN FLOODING IN THE CACHE VALLEY AT PETERSBORO.
Consistent rain lead to more than 3 inches of rain in a 30 hour period from mid-day on the 1st to the evening hours of the 2nd around the city of Visalia and over 3.5" of rain in the city of Tulare.
Flooding from late December 2005 continued into the beginning of 2006. Several small streams overflowed due to the heavy rains and poor drainage problems.
Flooding continued across western Nevada into early January. However, rivers and streams reached flood stage and then started to recede on January 1st. The entire Truckee River was below flood stage by the evening of the 1st.
Flooding that began on December 31st continued into early 2006. At least 13 road closures were reported due to mudslides and fallen trees. About 13 homes were damaged by flooding in Felton as the San Lorenzo River spilled out of its banks.
Heavy rains in late December and January caused prolonged high water along the lower White River.
Heavy rainfall drenched the region to begin the new year. The heavy rainfall combined with snowmelt runoff caused flooding along multiple rivers in northwest Oregon.
Flooding along parts of the Mississippi River surpassed the Great Flood of 1993. Along most other rivers, the flooding was relatively minor. The Governor of Illinois declared some counties disaster areas, including the Mississippi River counties of Alexander and Jackson.
Heavy rain resulted in high river levels on New Year's Day.
Flooding along parts of the Mississippi River exceeded the Great Flood of 1993. The primary rainfall event that triggered the historic flooding was a swath of 6 to 12 inches across central Missouri from December 26 to 28.
Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms affected the region to start the year. Two day rainfall totals in excess of 8 inches were common across portions of the Florida panhandle with several roads flooded.
Flash floods occurred throughout the Indonesian capital of Jakarta and its metropolitan area on the early hours of 1 January 2020, due to the overnight rain which dumped nearly 400 millimetres (15 in) of rainwater, causing the Ciliwung and Cisadane rivers to overflow. At least 66 people were killed, and 60,000 displaced in the worst flooding in the area since 2007.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
During the evening of January 1st a debris flow of rocks and mud cut a railroad line about 10 miles east of Bonners Ferry. A BNSF train was derailed with 3 locomotives and 6 rail cars being pushed into the Kootenai River with two engineers trapped inside.
A strong atmospheric storm brought moderate to heavy rain and a period of strong winds New Years Eve into early New Years Day, along with heavy high-elevation Sierra snow. There were 3 fatalities reported due to drowning.
A series of atmospheric river systems impacted Interior Northern California and produced substantial flooding and wind damage.
In 2025, the United Kingdom experienced flooding. In early January, severe rainfall caused widespread floods across North West England and the East Midlands.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
5 on January 1, oldest first.
The New Year's Day Storm, known in Scotland as the 'Hogmanay Hurricane', was an extremely powerful and record-breaking European windstorm, comparable to a category 4 major hurricane, that affected much of northern Scotland and western Norway on 1 January 1992. DNMI estimated the strongest sustained winds and the strongest gusts to have reached 103 mph and 138 mph, respectively.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Drought conditions persisted and expanded across the area into the first month of the new year. Drought levels ranged from severe to exceptional (D2-D4), with the driest conditions in southeast Oklahoma.
A deepening low pressure system over the central Plains states resulted in a tight pressure gradient across the Texas panhandle during the late morning into the afternoon hours. Sixty to sixty-five mile an hour gusts were measured at Vega...Amarillo...and Claude.
A strong low pressure system moving northward just off the Oregon Coast caused high winds.
A deepening low pressure system over the central Plains states resulted in a tight pressure gradient across the Texas panhandle during the late morning into the afternoon hours.
36 on January 1, oldest first.
Snowstorm of January 1, 1943 was ranked category 1, Notable, on NOAA’s Regional Snowfall Index, strongest in the Northern Rockies and Plains. It lasted from January 1, 1943 to January 5, 1943.
Snowstorm of January 1, 1949 was ranked category 4, Crippling, on NOAA’s Regional Snowfall Index, strongest in the Northern Rockies and Plains. It lasted from January 1, 1949 to January 6, 1949.
Snowstorm of January 1, 1987 was ranked category 1, Notable, on NOAA’s Regional Snowfall Index, strongest in the Northeast. It lasted from January 1, 1987 to January 3, 1987.
On January 1st and 2nd of 1993, an intense storm system brought accumulations of sleet and freezing rain to much of the region. The icy weather caused numerous traffic accidents, including a 35-car pile-up in Oklahoma City shortly after midnight. The ice also caused havoc with area airport operations. Two passenger jets slid off icy runways at Will Rogers World Airport.
From the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma.
Snowstorm of January 1, 1994 was ranked category 2, Significant, on NOAA’s Regional Snowfall Index, strongest in the Ohio Valley. It lasted from January 1, 1994 to January 5, 1994.
Truck driver was killed when the tractor-trailer truck she was driving slid off icy Hwy 97 near Gilchrist, and slammed into a tree.
Blizzard of 1999 was ranked category 4, Crippling, on NOAA’s Regional Snowfall Index, strongest in the Upper Midwest. It lasted from January 1, 1999 to January 4, 1999.
The start of 1999 was ushered in with snow, ice, and very cold weather across central and south-central Nebraska. On New Years Day, a steady snowfall along and north of Interstate 80 dumped from 1 to 5 inches of snow.
The seasons first winter storm struck Iowa during the New Years Weekend. A complex weather situation unfolded during the day on the first. The upper level system was broken in two pieces.
A trough of low pressure extended from the northern plains into an area of intense low pressure system over the central plains. A strong upper level short wave accompanied the surface trough as it moved through the northern plains on New Years day.
A strong winter storm exiting the Southern Rockies pumped warm tropical air from the Gulf of Mexico over cold Arctic air already in place over the upper midwest.
A major winter storm paralyzed much of the region during the first few days of 1999. Snow began falling across portions of Central Illinois before noon on New Year's Day and continued to fall, moderate to heavy at times for most of the following 24-hour period.
A major ice storm developed over northern and central Arkansas during the morning of January 1st and lasted through the evening hours. The icing was found mainly north of Clarksville, Perryville, Little Rock and Hazen.
A powerful winter storm developed over the Texas panhandle and moved northeast through the Missouri bootheal, and then north northeast through eastern Illinois and into Michigan.
Winter Storm Highlights:* At one point late on the 1st and early on the 2nd, the Barton County Electrical Cooperative lost power to 4500 members out of a 5800 member system.
A winter storm crossing the Southern Plains produced widespread sleet and freezing rain across Southeast Kansas resulting in significant ice accumulations of 1/2-1 inch over most of the region.
Snowstorm of January 1, 2003 was ranked category 1, Notable, on NOAA’s Regional Snowfall Index, strongest in the Northeast. It lasted from January 1, 2003 to January 4, 2003.
Snowstorm of January 1, 2005 was ranked category 2, Significant, on NOAA’s Regional Snowfall Index, strongest in the Upper Midwest. It lasted from January 1, 2005 to January 7, 2005.
Two snowmobilers from Iowa were buried and killed in an avalanche in the Trap Park area of the Front Range, about 3.5 miles east-northeast of Cameron Pass. There were 12 snowmobilers in the party.
Dyer received 8 inches of snow. During the early morning hours of January 3rd, icy roads contributed to three separate car crashes on Highways 95 and 6 in Esmeralda County, resulting in one fatality (indirect) and six injuries.
Heavy snow fell in the Sierras and the Owens Valley. Aspendell (at 8500') received 56 inches, and Bishop (at 4000') received 18 inches. At the peak of the storm, snow was falling at a rate of 4 inches per hour.
Another strong cold front, accompanied by developing low pressure, resulted in snow across much northern Indiana.
Light snow began during the mid evening hours on New Years Eve of 2007. However, significant travel problems and accumulations did not begin until shortly after midnight of New Years Day. Heavy snow fell across portions of northern Indiana.
Just north of the Mount Baker ski area, 2 snowmobilers died and 1 was injured in an avalanche. Strong winds accompanied this weather event in portions of western Washington as well.
A strong cold front moved east across Northeast Ohio late on December 31st. Cold north to northwest winds behind the front caused lake effect snow showers to develop by midnight on the 1st. Intermittent snow showers were then reported for several days.
Moderate to heavy lake effect snow developed during the late afternoon and evening hours of January 1st and continued into January 2nd. Total snow accumulations generally ranged between 4 and 12 inches.
Westerly flow aloft and down-slope winds developed over the Rocky Mountain Front and North-Central plains. The strongest winds were along the Rocky Mountain Front but an approaching shortwave trough, allowed strong winds to spread across Central Montana.
A hiker, 65 year old Doug Walker, was found dead near Granite Mtn in the Snoqualmie Pass area. He was killed by avalanche.
Two fronts combined with an usually cold air mass already in place to bring heavy snow to many portions of southwest and south central Oregon. This storm had an unusually severe impact due to the low snow levels, all the way down the the coastal beaches.
A third winter storm in a series hammered much of New Mexico during the New Year's holiday with widespread snowfall, bitterly cold temperatures, and major travel impacts.
Narrative to follow.
Patchy freezing drizzle occurred across much of north-central Illinois from January 1st through the afternoon of January 2nd. Thanks to a thin glaze of ice that was deposited, many secondary and untreated roadways became slick and a few traffic accidents subsequently occurred.
Heavy snow and wind loading on weak snow layers New Year's Eve day led to an unstable snowpack to begin the New Year.
A storm system lifted northward through Arkansas and into Missouri from New Years Eve into New Years Day. Freezing rain spread into southeast Kansas and southern and central Missouri during the evening hours of Thursday, December 31.
A ridge of high pressure aloft shifted northeast out of the western Bering Sea on December 31, 2021, strengthening over northern Alaska January 1-3, 2022.
Snowstorm of January 1, 2022 was ranked category 1, Notable, on NOAA’s Regional Snowfall Index, strongest in the Southeast. It lasted from January 1, 2022 to January 3, 2022.
10 on January 1, oldest first.
Drought persisted through January 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.
The United States Department of Agriculture-Farm Service Agency, received a Presidential Disaster Declaration in December of 2000.
Both New Year’s Day 2005 and 2006 set warm temperature records in Oklahoma City. On January 1, 2006, a record high of 77 degrees occurred. One year earlier, the temperature only fell to 56 degrees, which set a record for the warmest low.
From the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma.
Drought conditions continued across north Texas as precipitation deficits increased. This month, all of north Texas was classified in either extreme drought (D3) or exceptional drought (D4) as classified by the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Severe to extreme (D2-D3) drought conditions were seen across much of the northern half of Oklahoma during the month of January.
The beginning of 2009 brought no signs of relief as Oklahoma continued to be in a moderate drought from 2008. Impacts of the drought included wildfires and extremely low creek levels. Several streams across southern Oklahoma, such as Buffalo and Antelope Springs, were completely dry to start the year.
From the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma.
All exceptional (D4) drought was absent from the area at the beginning of January. However, a very dry month lead to the reintroduction of exceptional conditions on the South Plains by the end of the month.
The month of January provided some much needed precipitation for the southern Texas Panhandle. Exceptional (D4) drought affects the far northern Texas Panhandle including Moore County. Extreme (D3) drought affects most of the central and south central Texas Panhandle.
The month of January showed little to no improvement in drought conditions despite a few chances for precipitation throughout the month. Exceptional (D4) drought affects all of Beaver County and most of Texas County.
Drought conditions during the month of January slightly improved across much of the South Plains, Rolling Plains, and extreme southern Texas panhandle. By the end of the month, Motley County was completely in moderate (D1) drought conditions.
21 on January 1, oldest first.
The second and coldest night of a two-night freeze in south Florida saw minimum air temperatures ranging from 25 to 30 degrees over interior sections of the peninsula.
Widespread freezing temperatures were observed across most of West Central and Southwest Florida from the late evening of December 31st through the mid-morning hours of January 1st, 2001.Low temperatures in Levy county ranged from the low to middle 20s with total durations below…
Five mornings of temperatures in the single digits to the teens resulted in one death due to exposure on New Years Day.
A prolonged cold snap, caused by a couple of strong arctic air masses, affected the ArkLaMiss region during the first two weeks of January. This resulted in some record temperatures across the region.
Very cold air spread across northern Illinois in early January with high temperatures in the teens and low temperatures in the single digits. The coldest low temperature was 1 degree below zero at O'Hare Airport, which was measured on the morning of January 3rd.
A prolonged cold snap, caused by a couple of strong arctic air masses, affected the ArkLaMiss region during the first two weeks of January. This resulted in some record temperatures across the region.
A 65 year old man died of hypothermia outside his home in Bartlett in Dupage County after being dropped off by taxi-cab. He apparently fractured his humerus after a fall due to alcohol intoxication.
The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's office reported the death of a homeless man from hypothermia.
A low pressure system dropping south across the area and a trailing ridge of high pressure brought cold temperatures to Northwest Oregon. The cold temperatures lead to four fatalities in the Portland area.
A couple became stranded northeast of Eagle Butte on Jan 1st in snow and low visibility when their vehicle went into the ditch. It was very cold when the couple decided to walk to safety with both of them freezing to death.
A prolonged cold spell gripped southeast Michigan January 1st to January 7th leading to the deaths of at least 4 people in the Detroit Metro Area.
Bitterly cold air and wind chill temperatures prevailed over southern WI from Christmas Day through January 6th. Wind chill temperatures of 20 below to 34 below zero occurred at times with low temperatures below zero for most nights.
A cold arctic air mass moved into South Texas for New Year's Day. Sleet was observed in the northern Coastal Bend. This caused icy conditions for roadways. A seven vehicle crash occurred on an icy overpass in Live Oak County resulting in one fatality.
The coldest air mass since December 2016 remained across the Upper Midwest for the first day of 2018. Although wind speeds dropped some from the previous day, wind speeds averaged around 10 mph, which kept wind chill values near -35F.
The coldest air mass since December 2016 invaded the Upper Midwest the first day of 2018. Daytime temperatures averaged well below zero, with wind chill values 20 to 30 degrees below zero. The Barron County Sheriff office discovered a body near Chetek.
On the morning of January 1, 2018 temperatures across Kansas City dropped to -11. Light northwest winds contributed to wind chill values across the city dropping to 25 degrees below zero. As a result of the extreme cold at least one homeless person died.
Extreme cold temperatures was blamed for a death in Lebanon.
An Arctic blast of extreme cold temperatures affected Middle Tennessee from the end of December 2017 through the first week of January 2018, with the coldest temperatures occurring from January 1 through January 4.
Cold overnight temperatures in the mid 30s to low 40s across Santa Clara county resulted in two fatalities due to cold exposure. Widespread freezing to below freezing temperatures were reported elsewhere across the region.
One man died in Las Vegas of cold related causes.
Temperatures in the 20s on the morning of New Year's Day resulted in a fatality in Walker County due to hypothermia.
8 on January 1, oldest first.
WEST MILFORD TWP 3.2 NE recorded 90.65 inches, New Jersey’s maximum annual precipitation total, over January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011, as the State Climate Extremes Committee lists it.
Big Fork 1 SSE recorded 101.05 inches, Arkansas’s maximum annual precipitation total, over January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015, as the State Climate Extremes Committee lists it.
Catonsville 1.2 NW recorded 84.56 inches, Maryland’s maximum annual precipitation total, over January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018, as the State Climate Extremes Committee lists it.
Mt. Mitchell recorded 139.94 inches, North Carolina’s maximum annual precipitation total, over January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018, as the State Climate Extremes Committee lists it.
Jocassee 8 NW recorded 123.45 inches, South Carolina’s maximum annual precipitation total, over January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018, as the State Climate Extremes Committee lists it.
Sperryville recorded 94.43 inches, Virginia’s maximum annual precipitation total, over January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018, as the State Climate Extremes Committee lists it.
Parsons 3SE (Hendricks) recorded 96.99 inches, West Virginia’s maximum annual precipitation total, over January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018, as the State Climate Extremes Committee lists it.
Farlington 0.8 NNE recorded 75.33 inches, Kansas’s maximum annual precipitation total, over January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, as the State Climate Extremes Committee lists it.
44 on January 1, oldest first.
The Dry Creek Fire started on January 1, 1986, in California, and burned 2,357 acres.
The Reynolds Fire was discovered on January 1, 1994, in New Mexico, and burned 1,500 acres; the cause was recorded as equipment and vehicle use.
The STP001 Fire started on January 1, 1998, in Alaska, and burned 42,763 acres.
The STP001 Fire started on January 1, 1998, in Alaska, and burned 9,728 acres.
The Bigelk Fire was discovered on January 1, 2000, in Oklahoma, and burned 7,320 acres; the cause was recorded as fireworks.
The HUTCH1 Fire was discovered on January 1, 2000, in Texas, and burned 1,200 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
A grass fire which began near the Mineral Wells airport burned 13 structures, including five homes. The fire grew to cover 1,800 acres. One firefighter suffered second-degree burns and another smoke inhalation.
January 1 Wind and Wildfire Event Summary - A potent upper level trough affected much of the Southern Plains on New Year's Day. The trough resulted in widespread high winds over the region, where intense short-term drought conditions existed.
Record high temperatures (in the mid to upper 70s), very low relative humidities, high winds, and two and a half months without measurable precipitation combined to produce a very active fire weather day.
Record high temperatures (in the mid to upper 70s), very low relative humidities, high winds, and two and a half months without measurable precipitation combined to produce a very active fire weather day.
The Rocker B Fire was discovered on January 1, 2006, in Irion County, Texas, and burned 42,110 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Ringgold Fire was discovered on January 1, 2006, in Montague County, Texas, and burned 41,000 acres.
The Cole Fire was discovered on January 1, 2006, in Tom Green County, Texas, and burned 39,812 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Carbon Fire was discovered on January 1, 2006, in Eastland County, Texas, and burned 35,300 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Buckeye I Fire was discovered on January 1, 2006, in Lea County, New Mexico, and burned 30,000 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Hardwick Fire was discovered on January 1, 2006, in Donley County, Texas, and burned 23,000 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Prague Fire was discovered on January 1, 2006, in Oklahoma, and burned 16,423 acres; the cause was recorded as arson/incendiarism.
The Tatum East Fire was discovered on January 1, 2006, in Lea County, New Mexico, and burned 15,000 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Cashion Complex was discovered on January 1, 2006, in Oklahoma, and burned 14,000 acres; the cause was recorded as arson/incendiarism.
The Tatum West Fire was discovered on January 1, 2006, in Gaines County, New Mexico, and burned 10,000 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Wainwright Fire was discovered on January 1, 2006, in Oklahoma, and burned 8,080 acres; the cause was recorded as arson/incendiarism.
The Arbuckle Fire was discovered on January 1, 2006, in Murray County, Oklahoma, and burned 7,000 acres.
The Goat Hill Fire was discovered on January 1, 2006, in Oklahoma, and burned 6,750 acres; the cause was recorded as arson/incendiarism.
The Shamrock Fire was discovered on January 1, 2006, in Oklahoma, and burned 5,000 acres; the cause was recorded as arson/incendiarism.
The Welty Fire was discovered on January 1, 2006, in Oklahoma, and burned 3,840 acres; the cause was recorded as arson/incendiarism.
The Fm 303 Fire was discovered on January 1, 2006, in Hockley County, Texas, and burned 3,200 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The West Zone West 7 Fire was discovered on January 1, 2006, in Wheeler County, Texas, and burned 3,091 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Fm 1780 Fire started on January 1, 2006, in Texas, and burned 2,397 acres.
The Unnamed Fire started on January 1, 2006, in Texas, and burned 2,219 acres.
The 1st Wewoka Fire was discovered on January 1, 2006, in Oklahoma, and burned 2,000 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Coon Ranch Fire was discovered on January 1, 2006, in Moore County, Texas, and burned 2,000 acres; the cause was recorded as equipment and vehicle use.
The Unnamed Fire was discovered on January 1, 2006, in Oklahoma, and burned 1,730 acres; the cause was recorded as arson/incendiarism.
The Kellyville 3 Fire was discovered on January 1, 2006, in Oklahoma, and burned 1,500 acres; the cause was recorded as arson/incendiarism.
The Santa Anna Fire was discovered on January 1, 2006, in Coleman County, Texas, and burned 1,408 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Unnamed Fire was discovered on January 1, 2006, in Andrews County, Texas, and burned 1,200 acres; the cause was recorded as equipment and vehicle use.
The Slick Fire was discovered on January 1, 2006, in Creek County, Oklahoma, and burned 1,200 acres.
The Cookietown Fire was discovered on January 1, 2006, in Oklahoma, and burned 1,100 acres; the cause was recorded as power generation/transmission/distribution.
The Airport Fire was discovered on January 1, 2006, in Palo Pinto County, Texas, and burned 1,000 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Unnamed Fire was discovered on January 1, 2006, in Yoakum County, Texas, and burned 1,000 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Stroud Fire was discovered on January 1, 2006, in Lincoln County, Oklahoma, and burned 1,000 acres.
The Unnamed Fire was discovered on January 1, 2009, in South Dakota, and burned 1,020 acres; the cause was recorded as debris and open burning.
The FM2508 Fire was discovered on January 1, 2011, in Jim Wells County, Texas, and burned 3,200 acres; the cause was recorded as arson/incendiarism.
The New Years WF Fire was reported on January 1, 2018, in Jefferson County, Texas, and burned 3,475 acres.
The Briar Creek Fire was reported on January 1, 2020, in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma, and burned 1,416 acres.
24 on January 1, oldest first.
A magnitude 6 earthquake struck Crimea, Ukraine. It caused a tsunami.
A magnitude 5.4 earthquake struck Ecuador.
An earthquake struck Shemakha (Semacha), Azerbaijan. It killed many people (about 101 to 1,000).
An earthquake struck Greece-Albania.
A magnitude 4.2 earthquake struck Kakhetiya, Georgia.
A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck Beirut (Beyrout), Zefat (Safed), Lebanon, Israel. It killed 6,000 people and did extreme (about $25 million or more) damage. It caused a tsunami.
An earthquake struck Switzerland. It killed some people (about 51 to 100).
A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Fox Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska, United States.
A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck Honduras.
A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Kabul, Afghanistan. It killed some people (about 51 to 100).
A magnitude 7.9 earthquake struck Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea. It caused a tsunami.
A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Fiji Islands. It caused a tsunami.
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Mindanao Island, Philippines. It caused a tsunami.
A magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck California, Mexico, United States. With the tsunami it caused, it killed 1 person and did $3 million in damage.
A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck M'Sila, Algeria. It killed 4 people, injured 350, destroyed 2,500 houses and did $2 million in damage.
A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Terceira, Angra do Heroismo, Azores. It killed 69 people, injured 600, destroyed 15,000 houses and did $5 million in damage. It caused a tsunami.
A magnitude 7.9 earthquake struck Minahassa Peninsula, Tolitoli, Sulawesi, Indonesia. With the tsunami it caused, it killed 9 people, injured 63, destroyed 400 houses and did $1.2 million in damage.
A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck Mindanao, Philippines.
A magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck Bali, Lombok, Indonesia. It killed 1 person, injured 29, destroyed 6,000 houses and did $12 million in damage.
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck Guerrero, Mexico City.
A magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck S. of, Honshu, Japan. It caused a tsunami.
A magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck Osh, Kyrgyzstan. It destroyed 5,385 houses and did severe (about $5 to $25 million) damage.
A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck Ishikawa, Honshu, Japan. It killed 549 people, left 2 missing, injured 1,393, destroyed 29,966 houses and did $18 billion in damage. It caused a tsunami.
A magnitude 4.5 earthquake struck Sumedang, W Java, Indonesia. It destroyed 69 houses.
4 on January 1, oldest first.
Ol Doinyo Lengai, Tanzania erupted with a Volcanic Explosivity Index of 3.
Villarrica, Chile erupted with a Volcanic Explosivity Index of 3. It killed 54 people.
Paluweh, Indonesia erupted with a Volcanic Explosivity Index of 2. It killed 1 person and injured 3.
Sumisujima, Japan erupted. The eruption caused a tsunami and was accompanied by an earthquake.
13 on January 1, oldest first.
A tsunami with a source recorded as earthquake struck Ionian Sea, Greece.
A tsunami caused by a magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck Israel and Syrian Coasts. It killed 6,000 people and did extreme (about $25 million or more) damage.
A tsunami with a source recorded as earthquake struck Ionian Sea, Greece.
A tsunami struck Hawaii, United States.
A tsunami caused by a magnitude 7.9 earthquake struck Bismarck Sea, Papua New Guinea.
A tsunami caused by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Fiji Islands, with a maximum water height of 0.4 meters.
A tsunami caused by a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Mindanao Island, Philippines, with a maximum water height of 0.44 meters.
A tsunami with a source recorded as meteorological struck S. California, United States. It killed 1 person and did $3 million in damage.
A tsunami caused by a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Azores, Portugal, with a maximum water height of 0.41 meters. It killed 69 people, injured 600, destroyed 15,000 houses and did $5 million in damage.
A tsunami caused by a magnitude 7.9 earthquake struck Sulawesi, Indonesia, with a maximum water height of 3.43 meters. It killed 9 people, injured 63, destroyed 400 houses and did $1.2 million in damage.
A tsunami with a source recorded as landslide struck W. Corinth Gulf, Greece, with a maximum water height of 2 meters.
A tsunami caused by a magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck S. of Honshu Island, Japan.
A tsunami with a source recorded as earthquake and landslide struck W Coast, Honshu, Japan, with a maximum water height of 11.34 meters. It killed 549 people, left 2 missing, injured 1,393, destroyed 29,966 houses and did $18 billion in damage.
1 on January 1, oldest first.
A G4 (severe) geomagnetic storm began January 1, 2025, reached Kp 8 and lasted 18 hours, with a daily Ap as high as 81; at that Kp the aurora may be seen from about 45 degrees geomagnetic latitude.
14 on January 1, oldest first.
A flooding disaster that cost $5.3 billion in 2024 dollars and killed 27, on NOAA’s billion-dollar list. It lasted from January 1, 1995 to March 31, 1995.
A winter storm disaster that cost $6.1 billion in 2024 dollars and killed 187, on NOAA’s billion-dollar list. It lasted from January 1, 1996 to January 31, 1996.
A flooding disaster that cost $6.0 billion in 2024 dollars and killed 36, on NOAA’s billion-dollar list. It lasted from January 1, 1997 to January 11, 1997.
A winter storm disaster that cost $2.0 billion in 2024 dollars and killed 25, on NOAA’s billion-dollar list. It lasted from January 1, 1999 to January 4, 1999.
A wildfire disaster that cost $2.3 billion in 2024 dollars and killed 28, on NOAA’s billion-dollar list. It lasted from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006.
A drought disaster that cost $11 billion in 2024 dollars, on NOAA’s billion-dollar list. It lasted from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008.
A drought disaster that cost $5.2 billion in 2024 dollars, on NOAA’s billion-dollar list. It lasted from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009.
A drought disaster that cost $42 billion in 2024 dollars and killed 123, on NOAA’s billion-dollar list. It lasted from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012.
A drought disaster that cost $5.3 billion in 2024 dollars, on NOAA’s billion-dollar list. It lasted from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014.
A drought disaster that cost $6.0 billion in 2024 dollars, on NOAA’s billion-dollar list. It lasted from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015.
A drought disaster that cost $4.6 billion in 2024 dollars, on NOAA’s billion-dollar list. It lasted from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016.
A drought disaster that cost $10 billion in 2024 dollars and killed 229, on NOAA’s billion-dollar list. It lasted from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021.
A drought disaster that cost $23 billion in 2024 dollars and killed 136, on NOAA’s billion-dollar list. It lasted from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022.
A drought disaster that cost $5.4 billion in 2024 dollars and killed 136, on NOAA’s billion-dollar list. It lasted from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024.
9 on January 1, oldest first.
2 men were working on a roof when lightning struck a tree nearby. The bolt of lightning travelled through the tree and hit the 2 men.
Dense fog developed late in the night of the 1st and persisted until well into the morning of the 2nd. A chain reaction vehicular crash occurred in Merced County involving an ambulance and County Fire Truck along with two other vehicles at 0844 PST on the 2nd.
A 38-year-old man and his wife, 31, were kayaking off Urunao Point in northern Guam when a large wave swept them outside the reef and knocked them out of their kayak. The woman drowned, while the man suffered cuts and abrasions.
On January 1, long period swell from the Pacific created hazardous beach conditions in the area with sneaker waves and large breaking surf.
Large long period north-northwest swells affected the Atlantic coastline of Puerto Rico,Culebra and the northern Virgin Islands. These swells produced large breaking waves and frequent rip currents, resulting in dangerous surf conditions.
A cold front stalled near the Red River in southern Oklahoma on the morning of the 24th. As the front encountered increasing moisture, dense fog developed over portions of southern and eastern Oklahoma. One fatality occurred as the result of an automobile accident.
Rough surf and stronger than normal rip currents occurred during the first few days of January. A surfer drowned in the rough surf in Melbourne Beach.
Strong subtropical high pressure over the western Atlantic contributed to breezy conditions across South Florida. This led to hazardous marine and beach conditions to the South Florida Atlantic coast beaches.
A northerly swell produced life-threatening rip currents along the northern beaches of Puerto Rico from late December into early 2026.
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.