Every tornado, hurricane, flood, blizzard, heat wave, record, earthquake, eruption, tsunami, wildfire and geomagnetic storm on record for January 12, 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 earthquake struck Port-Au-Prince, Haiti. With the tsunami it caused, it killed 316,000 people, injured 300,000, destroyed 97,294 houses and did $8 billion in damage.
Tsunamis
A tsunami with a source recorded as earthquake and landslide struck Haiti & Dominican Republic, with a maximum water height of 3.21 meters. It killed 316,000 people, injured 300,000, destroyed 97,294 houses and did $8 billion in damage.
Earthquakes
A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck S, Honshu, Japan. It killed 2,306 people, injured 896, destroyed 7,221 houses and did extreme (about $25 million or more) damage. It caused a tsunami.
Tsunamis
A tsunami caused by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Tokaido, Japan, with a maximum water height of 1 meters. It killed 2,306 people, injured 896, destroyed 7,221 houses and did extreme (about $25 million or more) damage.
Tornadoes
An F4 tornado touched down in New Madrid, Mississippi, Hickman counties, Missouri and tracked 25.1 miles, 300 yards wide at its widest, killing 11 and injuring 53. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: NE New Madrid, MO to Clinton, KY.
Billion-dollar disasters
A winter storm disaster that cost $1.7 billion in 2024 dollars and killed 20, on NOAA’s billion-dollar list. It lasted from January 12, 2024 to January 14, 2024.
Earthquakes
A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Sakurijima, Japan. With the tsunami it caused, it killed 63 people, injured 112, destroyed 2,268 houses and did $19 million in damage.
Tsunamis
A tsunami with a source recorded as volcano and earthquake struck Seikaido, Japan, with a maximum water height of 3 meters. It killed 63 people, injured 112, destroyed 2,268 houses and did $19 million in damage.
Volcanoes
Aira, Japan erupted with a Volcanic Explosivity Index of 4. It killed 63 people, injured 112, destroyed 2,268 houses and did $19 million in damage. The eruption caused a tsunami and was accompanied by an earthquake.
Volcanoes
Taal, Philippines erupted with a Volcanic Explosivity Index of 4. It killed 39 people, destroyed 4,573 houses and did $67 million in damage.
Winter storms and snow
Snowstorm of January 12, 1979 was ranked category 4, Crippling, on NOAA’s Regional Snowfall Index, strongest in the Ohio Valley. It lasted from January 12, 1979 to January 15, 1979.
Tornadoes
An F3 tornado touched down in Hale, Tuscaloosa counties, Alabama and tracked 8 miles, 400 yards wide at its widest, killing 9 and injuring 29. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: Moundville, AL.
36 on January 12, oldest first.
An F4 tornado touched down in New Madrid, Mississippi, Hickman counties, Missouri and tracked 25.1 miles, 300 yards wide at its widest, killing 11 and injuring 53. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: NE New Madrid, MO to Clinton, KY.
An F3 tornado touched down in Richland County, Illinois and tracked 7.6 miles, 200 yards wide at its widest, killing 1 and injuring 15. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: N Olney/Machburg, IL.
An F2 tornado touched down in Saint Charles, Saint Louis, City of Saint Louis counties, Missouri and tracked 29.8 miles, 100 yards wide at its widest, killing 4 and injuring 15. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: St. Louis, MO/S Venice, IL.
An F3 tornado touched down in Hale, Tuscaloosa counties, Alabama and tracked 8 miles, 400 yards wide at its widest, killing 9 and injuring 29. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: Moundville, AL.
An F3 tornado touched down in Monroe County, Mississippi and tracked 1.5 miles, killing 3 and injuring 25. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: Hamilton, MS.
An F2 tornado touched down in Marengo County, Alabama and tracked 8.5 miles, 250 yards wide at its widest, killing 1 and injuring 12. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: Faunsdale/Uniontown, AL.
An F2 tornado touched down in Bay, Calhoun, Jackson counties, Florida and tracked 168.5 miles, 100 yards wide at its widest, killing 1 and injuring 33.
Hail up to 0.75 in diameter was reported by a cooperative observer as covering the ground near Lost Maples State Park.
A tornado touched down in Easton, damaging several homes and cars. One mobile home was completely destroyed by the tornado, another home had a tree crash through it, and a third mobile home was moved off its blocks.
An F3 tornado touched down in Union County, Arkansas and tracked 24 miles, 900 yards wide at its widest, killing 2 and injuring 13.
The tornado that moved through Claiborne Parish Louisiana moved northeast into Union County Arkansas. The tornado first struck the community of Junction City, Arkansas just north of the Arkansas, Louisiana state line.
The tornado first touched down one mile east of the community of Langston. Trees were blown over and snapped off. The tornado was rated a low end F1 at this location. The tornado tracked northeast along Harris Rd for one mile where a mobile home was destroyed.
A tornado intermittently touched down over rural Howell County for 16 miles. Several homes were damaged along with numerous downed trees. The tornado affected areas near the communities of Pomona and Mountain View.
A strong tornado touched down in northern Yell County, about 5 miles southwest of Chickalah. Estimated winds with the tornado were around 140 mph. A house was severely damaged. An abandoned mobile home, used for storage, was badly damaged.
A strong tornado moved out of Yell County and into Pope County about 5.3 miles south of Russellville. Winds were estimated around 140 mph. The tornado downed a number of trees and power lines. Several houses sustained roof damage.
Strong southwest flow aloft across the Southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley resulted in a very warm and moderately unstable environment across this region during the late evening and overnight hours of January 12th continuing into the predawn hours of January 13th.
During the afternoon, a supercell thunderstorm developed along a quasi-stationary front that extended from southwest to northeast along the Lower Ohio River Valley.
Scattered severe thunderstorms in advance of low pressure and a cold front produced damaging winds and one tornado across portions of central and south central Virginia.
An EF3 tornado touched down in Autauga, Elmore, Coosa counties, Alabama and tracked 82.31 miles, 1,500 yards wide at its widest, killing 7 and injuring 16.
42 tornadoes were recorded on January 12, 2023, in Kentucky, Illinois, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina. They killed 11 people.
A line of strong thunderstorms moved into north and central Georgia during the afternoon through the evening on Thursday, January 12th and spawned numerous tornadoes, including several that were long track and significant.
An EF2 tornado touched down in Spalding, Butts, Jasper counties, Georgia and tracked 125.76 miles, 1,400 yards wide at its widest, killing 4 and injuring 40.
Numerous strong to severe thunderstorms impacted Central Alabama during the morning and afternoon hours of Thursday, January 12th, 2023. Several supercell thunderstorms spawned multiple tornadoes which caused significant damage in many areas.
An EF3 tornado touched down in Pike, Spalding, Henry counties, Georgia and tracked 31.16 miles, 2,200 yards wide at its widest, injuring 18.
During the afternoon hours of Thursday, January 12, 2023, a large, strong, and deadly EF3 tornado moved through parts of central Alabama, causing severe damage in and around numerous communities. The tornado, known as the Old Kingston-Lake Martin Tornado by the National Weather Service (NWS), tracked 82 miles (132 km) through multiple counties and communities over a time span of 1 hour and 28 minutes, killing seven people and injuring a further 16.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
In the midday hours of January 12, 2023, a significant EF2-rated tornado moved through portions of Selma, located in the US state of Alabama. The tornado was part of a larger tornado outbreak the same day.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
A strong cold front moved through the area. A squall line preceded the front, bringing with it numerous reports of straight line wind damage with trees and power lines down. In addition an EF1 tornado occurred in Henry county.
A line of heavy rain showers and thunderstorms moved across upstate South Carolina during the afternoon and evening in advance of a cold front. Embedded severe thunderstorms resulted in areas of damaging wind gusts and even a couple of weak tornadoes.
A round of strong to severe thunderstorms impacted western Kentucky during the late night and early morning hours of Jan. 11-12.
A very warm and moist airmass developed ahead of an approaching strong cold front. Showers and thunderstorms developed ahead of the front and moved across the area.
A low-pressure system and cold front moved into the area just after midnight on January 12th. Along and ahead of the cold front, showers and thunderstorms produced damaging wind, hail, and a tornado in Mississippi.
2 on January 12, oldest first.
Hurricane Chris:damia reached its peak of 120 kt (140 mph), a category 4 storm.
Hurricane Colin reached its peak of 120 kt (140 mph) with a central pressure of 933 mb, a category 4 storm.
17 on January 12, oldest first.
Slow-moving thunderstorms produced four to six inches of rain across Calcasieu Parish during morning rush hour, tying up traffic for several hours. Motorists were stranded in high water across Lake Charles, Westlake, and Sulphur.
A slow moving storm system caused heavy rain to occur across much of southern and central Missouri.
A microburst with winds estimated at 80 miles an hour struck the ground north of highway 102 near Centerton then spread quickly through the Turnbridge subdivision. This storm damaged two dozen homes with three sustaining major damage.
Stringtown road was closed west of Minier due to water flowing over road.
High intensity rainfall between 12–14 January 2011 caused major flooding across much of the western and central parts of the Australian state of Victoria. Several follow-up heavy rainfall events including Tropical Low Yasi caused repeated flash flooding in affected areas in early February in many of the communities affected by January's floods.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
A cold front moved south through the region, triggering showers and a few thunderstorms over southern Missouri. Between one and three inches of rain fell over an extended amount of time onto partially frozen ground causing runoff.
The arrival of a cold front triggered numerous showers and thunderstorms from the afternoon of the 12th through the morning of the 13th. The front stalled for awhile, causing heavy rain to develop near the front.
Rainfall amounts of 1.5 to 2.5 inches over the eastern Midlands and Upper Pee Dee region produced some urban and small stream flooding. One person died when he tried to cross a flooding area with his pickup truck.
A surge of warm air with high moisture content moved into the region during the early morning hours of the 12th. Moderate to heavy rain showers developed over north central Ohio extending into northwest Pennsylvania with several locations receiving over an inch of rainfall.
Line of showers and thunderstorms crossed the Upper Ohio Valley on the 12th. Heavy rain produced flooding, especially along interstate-80 where the line of storms trained over the same area before a shortwave helped to eject the line southward.
Strong moisture advection ahead of a southern stream low pressure system brought a prolonged period of moderate to heavy rainfall across the middle Ohio River Valley and Central Appalachians.
On January 11 the region was impacted by anomalously high temperatures around 60 degrees. This was accompanied by gusty winds around 25 mph. The area snowpack was completely eliminated in a combination of melting and evaporation.
After a frigid end of December and beginning of January, an unseasonably warm airmass was pumped into New York on January 12th on southerly winds. The temperatures reached the 50s and 60s during the day.
Post-frontal winds mixed well behind an early morning cold front. This brought wind gusts across much of western New York, especially along the Lake Erie shore, Buffalo, and Batavia area that exceeded 65 mph.
The period from January 10 to 16 continued a pattern of a strong and persistent Aleutian Low pressure system in the eastern Pacific that began December 29, 2020 and which directed the jet stream and primary storm track at Washington State.
A line of storms produce damaging winds and large hail.
The 2025 Vale do Aço floods were a series of floods and landslides, caused by extreme precipitation events that occurred in the Vale do Aço metropolitan area in the interior of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil on 12 and 13 January 2025. The four municipalities of the metropolitan area were affected by the natural disaster, with Ipatinga being the most impacted city, where ten deaths caused by landslides were confirmed by the evening of 12 January.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
8 on January 12, oldest first.
A downburst destroyed 3 homes and damaged 30 others along Ocean and Emerald Drives. An anemometer in the area was pegged at 105 mph.
A high wind event moved across north central Montana on the 12th. Sustained wind speeds of 40 to 50 mph were very common throughout the afternoon, and into the evening hours. Wind gusts were near 70 mph during the peak of the event.
A compact area of low pressure passed over the northwest corner of the Olympic Peninsula during the evening hours of January 12 into the early morning hours of Wednesday January 13, producing a very strong pressure gradient as pressure quickly began to rise on its backside.
A powerful surface low pressure system lifted from the middle Mississippi Valley and across Michigan during the January 12-13 period.
A strong low pressure system lifted into the Great lakes region on January 12th and set forth a series of disturbances that would impact the Central Appalachians for the next several days.
Severe thunderstorms occurred along a cold front as it moved across Mississippi.
As a strong low pressure system tracked through the Great Lakes region of the country, a very strong pressure gradient and a potent low-level jet resulted in strong winds across Middle Tennessee on January 12, 2024.
A powerful surface low pressure system lifted from the middle Mississippi Valley and across Michigan during the January 12-13 period.
56 on January 12, oldest first.
S. Great Plains on January 12, 1888.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Snowstorm of January 12, 1910 was ranked category 2, Significant, on NOAA’s Regional Snowfall Index, strongest in the Northeast. It lasted from January 12, 1910 to January 15, 1910.
Snowstorm of January 12, 1918 was ranked category 2, Significant, on NOAA’s Regional Snowfall Index, strongest in the Ohio Valley. It lasted from January 12, 1918 to January 16, 1918.
Snowstorm of January 12, 1944 was ranked category 2, Significant, on NOAA’s Regional Snowfall Index, strongest in the South. It lasted from January 12, 1944 to January 16, 1944.
Snowstorm of January 12, 1979 was ranked category 4, Crippling, on NOAA’s Regional Snowfall Index, strongest in the Ohio Valley. It lasted from January 12, 1979 to January 15, 1979.
Snowstorm of January 12, 1982 was ranked category 2, Significant, on NOAA’s Regional Snowfall Index, strongest in the Southeast. It lasted from January 12, 1982 to January 15, 1982.
For the second time within a week heavy snow moved into Southeast Pennsylvania. Fortunately accumulations were lighter than with the preceding blizzard.
Less than one week after the crippling "Blizzard of '96", a new winter storm dumped substantial snow across northern and western Virginia. The snow changed to freezing rain and sleet along the tidal Potomac River shortly before tapering off.
From 6 to 12 inches of snow fell across the southern two-thirds of New Hampshire as a strong low pressure center moved northeast through the Gulf of Maine, just off the coast.
From 6 to 12 inches of snow fell across the southern two-thirds of Maine as a strong low pressure center moved northeastward through the Gulf of Maine, just off the east coast.
Less than one week after the crippling "Blizzard of '96," a new winter storm dumped substantial snow across Maryland west of the Chesapeake Bay.
Snowstorm of January 12, 1997 was ranked category 1, Notable, on NOAA’s Regional Snowfall Index, strongest in the Upper Midwest. It lasted from January 12, 1997 to January 17, 1997.
A record ice storm hit southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas. The hardest hit area was Calcasieu Parish. Over 40,000 electric customers were without power for up to six days due to the number of downed trees and power lines.
A record ice storm paralyzed southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana. Around 90,000 electric customers across southeast Texas were without power for up to six days. Emergency shelters were opended for several nights due to the cold weather following the ice storm.
Perhaps the largest snow storm of the decade brought heavy snow to most of northern Arizona. Heavy snow fell from early Sunday morning, the 12th, through last Tuesday night, the 14th.
Freezing rain/sleet event occured on the 12th-13th. Trees, powerlines and roadways were all effected. The weight of the ice caused trees and powerlines to snap/fall. Glazed roadways posed hazardous driving conditions.
A light mixture of freezing rain, freezing drizzle and snow caused numerous but mostly minor accidents. One fatal accident however occurred at 430 PM south of Melvern in the southeast part of Osage County.
In addition to the big snowstorms of the 2nd and the 12th-13th, several smaller snow events occurred in the first half of January.
Three people were buried by an avalanche while snowmachining on an unsupported cornice. One was dug out of the snow by her husband.
One man died and another was injured after being buried in a small avalanche at Snoqualmie Pass.
A strong winter storm crippled much of Oklahoma from January 12th through the 14th, spreading snow, freezing rain and sleet across the state. The snow and sleet was confined to northern and western Oklahoma.
One of the greatest disasters to ever impact southwest Missouri, including the Springfield metro area, occurred in the form of an ice storm. Several counties, mainly along and north of the interstate 44 corridor, experienced ice accumulations up to two and a half inches.
A bitterly cold arctic air mass moved into the South Plains region of west Texas during the daytime hours on the 12th.
A prolonged winter storm event occurred from January 12th through January 14th. An upper level storm system moved slowly across the region at this time. Shallow arctic air in place at the surface, was overrun by moist southerly winds.
An arctic cold front moved into northeastern Oklahoma during the late evening hours of the 11th and had finally passed through the southeastern portion of the state by the evening of the 12th.
A winter storm spread freezing rain into west central Illinois during the afternoon hours of February 12th.
An arctic cold front moved through West Central Texas on Friday the 12th. Light freezing rain and drizzle developed behind the front as temperatures quickly dropped to below freezing.
An arctic boundary settled south of the area on the 12th and 13th of January bringing subfreezing temperatures to the northwestern half of the county warning area. Three rounds of precipitation occurred during this period, with the first being the most destructive of all.
Three men were killed near Cottonwood Lake when an avalanche enveloped them and their snowmobiles. The slide was estimated to have been one-half mile long, 400 yards wide at the bottom, and covered about 10 acres at an average depth of 10 feet in the runout zone.
A fast moving, but intense Alberta Clipper system, brought light snowfall across much of southern and portions of west central Minnesota Monday January 12th. However, very strong winds developed as an area of low pressure intensified across central Minnesota.
Several inches of snow led to difficult driving conditions across parts of western Wisconsin during the afternoon and evening of January 12th.
A powerful Nor'easter traveled across Cape Cod into the Gulf of Maine on January 12th with a central and southern Vermont affected by this storm as well.
Snowstorm of January 12, 2012 was ranked category 1, Notable, on NOAA’s Regional Snowfall Index, strongest in the Upper Midwest. It lasted from January 12, 2012 to January 14, 2012.
A vigorous upper-level disturbance brought a swath of snow across mainly north-central Illinois on January 12th into the early morning of January 13th. Three to five inches of snow accumulated along and north of a Jacksonville...to Springfield...to Danville line.
Snow and blowing snow impacted much of northern Indiana late January 12th into January 13th as a low pressure system deepened northward towards Lake Huron.
A strong upper-level low brought about an inch of snow to parts of southern Illinois. The 500 mb low moved southeast from the central Plains across the Lower Ohio Valley.
A long-duration light snow event affected South-central and Southeast Wisconsin from Jan 12 into early Jan 13th. It began in the late morning west of Madison, and in the mid to late afternoon toward Lake Michigan.
An area of strong low pressure passed to the north of Lake Erie during the evening hours of January 12th. Cold northwest winds behind the low caused lake effect snow showers to develop just before midnight on the 13th.
An area of strong low pressure passed to the north of Lake Erie during the evening hours of January 12th. Cold northwest winds behind the low caused lake effect snow showers to develop just before midnight on the 13th.
Snow squalls developed along a frontal passage, creating significnatly reduced visibilities in moderate to heavy snow with wind gusts to 45 mph. Three chain-reaction traffic accidents occurred on interstates 70 and 74, involving approximately 70 vehicles.
The season’s fifth lake event developed during the late afternoon and evening of the 12th and lasted through morning of the 14th.
An Arctic cold front moved southeast across western Kentucky on the night of the 11th. Rain changed to a brief period of freezing rain, then to sleet during the overnight hours. The sleet changed to snow on the 12th as the Arctic air flooded in.
A wintry mix of freezing rain, sleet, and snow likely played a part in a deadly car crash on the Toll Road near La Porte early on December 12th.
A cold front moved across the upper Ohio Valley early on January 12th. A wave of low pressure developed along the front and moved northeast across eastern Ohio. Cold air moved into the area behind the low causing rain to change to mixed precipitation.
A developing winter storm brought first a wintry mix of precipitation during the evening of the 12th and then heavy snow through the morning of the 13th. Rain changed to a mix of freezing rain and snow during the evening.
A very deep upper level trough from Central Canada to the Gulf of Mexico allowed for a warm, moist flow with temperatures in the 50s and 60s through the early evening hours of January 12th across VT.
A cold front moved across the upper Ohio Valley early on January 12th. A wave of low pressure developed along the front and moved northeast across eastern Ohio and into northwestern Pennsylvania.
A very deep upper level trough from Central Canada to the Gulf of Mexico allowed for a warm, moist flow with temperatures in the 50s and 60s through midday on January 12th. By late afternoon, an arctic front moved into the St.
A wedge of cool high pressure was already in place across the mid-Atlantic states when deep low pressure entered the central Appalachians from the Tennessee Valley, bringing deep moisture from the Gulf of Mexico northward along the Appalachian chain.
Moisture overspread the area from the southwest as a southern stream Miller-B low pressure system tracked from the lower Mississippi Valley to the SE US Coast.
A mid-level disturbance worked northeast from Colorado early morning January 12 into Iowa by late day. Broad lift initially within the warm advection zone became increasingly concentrated, with deeper lift in the dendritic growth layer by afternoon across northwest Iowa.
A storm system and cold front brought light to moderate snowfall across portions of central Missouri, with light snow as far south as the Highway 60 corridor.
A strong double-barreled low pressure system brought two waves of accumulating snow to the region beginning during the early morning hours of January 12th through late morning then again later that evening through the early morning of January 13th.
From January 13 to 16, 2024, a wide-ranging winter storm, unofficially named Winter Storm Heather by The Weather Channel and news outlets, caused significant impacts across much of the continental United States, particularly in the Southern regions of the country. Originating as an extratropical cyclone over the northeastern Pacific Ocean on January 12 moved ashore the following day, bringing heavy snowfall and ice accumulations to areas closer to the coastline than usual.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Strong low pressure tracked from the southern Great Plains across far southern Lake Michigan bringing wet, heavy snow and east to northeast wind gusts of 30 to 45 mph to all of southern WI.
A powerful storm impacted the region with damaging winds, first for downsloping areas, then widespread across most of the Buffalo County Warning Area.
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Back in 1963, bitter cold and high winds swept through Oklahoma and northern Texas on January 10th through 14th. Subzero temperatures would eventually cover the northwestern three-quarters of Oklahoma, with much of northern Texas only slightly above zero. In the Oklahoma Panhandle, Boise City plummeted to a low temperature of 17 below zero. Wind chill readings dropped to between twenty and forty degrees below zero.
From the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma.
Two young boys fell through the ice which developed on a pond following the persistant cold weather. Both died of hypothermia after they were rescued.
A man found on his driveway, died of cold exposure and chronic alcoholism.
A combination of Arctic air, weak offshore flow, cold air advection, low humidity, and mostly clear nights resulted in bitterly cold mornings, huge crop losses, and extensive property damage.
A strong arctic cold front moved through Oklahoma on the 12th, bringing with it several rounds of wintry precipitation and cold temperatures. The extreme cold took its toll on those who were outside for prolonged periods of time.
Abnormally cold temperatures in Las Vegas contributed to one death.
A deep and very cold area of low pressure developed across the desert southwest during the middle of January 2013, which led to widespread freezing and sub-freezing temperatures across the lower deserts.
Cold low temperatures persisted across much of southeast Arizona for several nights. One fatality was attributed to the very cold temperatures. Most of the damage consisted of broken water pipes.
A deep and very cold area of low pressure developed across the desert southwest during the middle of January 2013, which led to widespread freezing and sub-freezing temperatures across the lower deserts of southeastern California.
A very cold and dry air mass brought the coldest temperatures in six years across the Mojave Desert. Hard freezes occurred on four to five consecutive mornings in most places.
A very cold and dry air mass brought the coldest temperatures in six years across the Mojave Desert. Hard freezes occurred on four to five consecutive mornings in most places.
A very cold and dry air mass brought the coldest temperatures in six years across the Mojave Desert. Hard freezes occurred on four to five consecutive mornings in most places.
Three homeless men were found dead in an abandoned building in Avondale from hypothermia due to cold exposure. The low temperature at O'Hare that day was 15 F.
A strong cold front moved into the region on this date in 2017, dropping temperatures 20 to 30 degrees in a very short amount of time. In Arnett, just southwest of Woodward in northwest Oklahoma, the temperature fell from 67 degrees to 37 degrees in just one hour. With strong northerly winds to make the 37 degrees feel even colder, these events can go from a nice day to dangerous cold if you are not prepared.
From the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma.
Local media reported on the accidental death of a young male found in a park in the city of Eveleth, Minnesota. Autopsy report concluded the male had succumbed to hypothermia due to exposure to the cold.
On the morning of January 12, 2018 temperatures across Kansas City dropped to the single digits, but light northwest winds contributed to wind chill values across the city dropping to 11 degrees below zero. As a result of the cold at least one homeless person died.
Brisk westerly winds following the passage of strong low pressure brought an arctic air mass to southern Wisconsin. Several days and nights of dangerous wind chill temperatures were observed. Warming centers were opened in many cities and some schools were delayed or cancelled.
Expansive high pressure out of Canada followed a clipper system resulting in high winds, arctic cold and dangerous wind chills on January 11th. A second system from the south followed close behind enhancing winds overnight January 12th into the 13th.
On the evening of January 12th, an arctic cold front associated with a powerful winter storm pushed south across eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. Behind this front, a strong cold-core high pressure system moved into the central and northern Plains.
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Washta recorded -47°F, Iowa’s all-time minimum temperature, as the State Climate Extremes Committee lists it (a tie with an earlier value).
Chester recorded -35°F, Massachusetts’s all-time minimum temperature, as the State Climate Extremes Committee lists it (a tie with an earlier value).
12 on January 12, oldest first.
The Unnamed Fire was discovered on January 12, 1996, in Hardin County, Texas, and burned 425 acres; the cause was recorded as arson/incendiarism.
The Alley Fire was discovered on January 12, 2000, in Florida, and burned 8,000 acres.
A series of at least six wildfires charred portions of the extreme southern Texas Panhandle and the South Plains of west Texas on the 12th.
The Ratliff City Fire was discovered on January 12, 2006, in Oklahoma, and burned 19,200 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Central High Fire was discovered on January 12, 2006, in Stephens County, Oklahoma, and burned 5,760 acres.
The Burwick Fire was discovered on January 12, 2006, in Jack County, Texas, and burned 4,728 acres.
The Springer Fire was discovered on January 12, 2006, in Carter County, Oklahoma, and burned 1,000 acres.
The Unnamed Fire was discovered on January 12, 2008, in Zavala County, Texas, and burned 3,050 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Middle Mountain Rock Fire was discovered on January 12, 2009, in Oklahoma, and burned 2,800 acres; the cause was recorded as debris and open burning.
The Lake Bixhoma Fire was discovered on January 12, 2009, in Wagoner County, Oklahoma, and burned 2,400 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Whitetail RX Fire started on January 12, 2011, in New Mexico, and burned 2,202 acres.
The Bird (22) Fire was reported on January 12, 2019, in Glades County, Florida, and burned 1,500 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
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An earthquake struck Croatia, Balkans NW.
An earthquake struck Tayabas,laguna, Luzon, Philippines. It killed 5 people.
An earthquake struck Tavira, Algarve, Portugal. It killed 2 people and destroyed 100 houses.
A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck Lake Baykal (Baikal), Russia. It did severe (about $5 to $25 million) damage. It caused a tsunami.
An earthquake struck Quchan, Iran. It killed few people (about 1 to 50).
A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Sakurijima, Japan. With the tsunami it caused, it killed 63 people, injured 112, destroyed 2,268 houses and did $19 million in damage.
An earthquake struck Callao, Peru. It caused a tsunami.
A magnitude 6 earthquake struck Yunnan Province, China. It killed 1 person and injured 14.
An earthquake struck Chinandega,port Corinto, Nicaragua.
A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck S, Honshu, Japan. It killed 2,306 people, injured 896, destroyed 7,221 houses and did extreme (about $25 million or more) damage. It caused a tsunami.
A magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck Hungary. It killed 2 people and did severe (about $5 to $25 million) damage.
A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck Shanxi Province, China.
A magnitude 6 earthquake struck Ampala, Masaya, Honduras. It injured 2.
A magnitude 4.7 earthquake struck Berat, Ura Vajgurore, Gramsh, Cerrik, Albania.
A magnitude 5 earthquake struck Rangamati, Bangladesh, India-Bangladesh.
A magnitude 7 earthquake struck Port-Au-Prince, Haiti. With the tsunami it caused, it killed 316,000 people, injured 300,000, destroyed 97,294 houses and did $8 billion in damage.
A magnitude 3.7 earthquake struck Rudna, Poland. It killed 1 person and injured 6.
3 on January 12, oldest first.
Aira, Japan erupted with a Volcanic Explosivity Index of 4. It killed 63 people, injured 112, destroyed 2,268 houses and did $19 million in damage. The eruption caused a tsunami and was accompanied by an earthquake.
Taal, Philippines erupted with a Volcanic Explosivity Index of 4. It killed 39 people, destroyed 4,573 houses and did $67 million in damage.
Taal Volcano in Batangas, Philippines began to erupt on January 12, 2020, when a phreatomagmatic eruption from its main crater spewed ashes over Calabarzon, Metro Manila, and some parts of Central Luzon and Ilocos Region, resulting in the suspension of school classes, work schedules, and flights in the area, as well as temporarily drying up Taal Main Crater Lake and destroying Vulcan Point, an Island surrounded by the lake. " Volcanic activity continued into 2021, when smaller eruptions…
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
6 on January 12, oldest first.
A tsunami with a source recorded as earthquake and landslide struck Lake Baykal (Baikal), Russia. It did severe (about $5 to $25 million) damage.
A tsunami with a source recorded as volcano and earthquake struck Seikaido, Japan, with a maximum water height of 3 meters. It killed 63 people, injured 112, destroyed 2,268 houses and did $19 million in damage.
A tsunami with a source recorded as earthquake struck Central Peru, with a maximum water height of 1 meters.
A tsunami caused by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Tokaido, Japan, with a maximum water height of 1 meters. It killed 2,306 people, injured 896, destroyed 7,221 houses and did extreme (about $25 million or more) damage.
A tsunami with a source recorded as earthquake and landslide struck Haiti & Dominican Republic, with a maximum water height of 3.21 meters. It killed 316,000 people, injured 300,000, destroyed 97,294 houses and did $8 billion in damage.
A tsunami with a source recorded as meteorological struck Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, with a maximum water height of 0.4 meters. It killed 1 person and injured 35.
9 on January 12, oldest first.
A G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storm began January 12, 1938, reached Kp 6- and lasted 9 hours, with a daily Ap as high as 29; at that Kp the aurora may be seen from about 57 degrees geomagnetic latitude.
A G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm began January 12, 1940, reached Kp 5 and lasted 3 hours, with a daily Ap as high as 27; at that Kp the aurora may be seen from about 60 degrees geomagnetic latitude.
A G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storm began January 12, 1952, reached Kp 6- and lasted 51 hours, with a daily Ap as high as 41; at that Kp the aurora may be seen from about 57 degrees geomagnetic latitude.
A G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm began January 12, 1952, reached Kp 5+ and lasted 3 hours, with a daily Ap as high as 37; at that Kp the aurora may be seen from about 58 degrees geomagnetic latitude.
A G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storm began January 12, 1956, reached Kp 6- and lasted 3 hours, with a daily Ap as high as 21; at that Kp the aurora may be seen from about 57 degrees geomagnetic latitude.
A G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm began January 12, 1973, 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 60 degrees geomagnetic latitude.
A G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm began January 12, 1988, reached Kp 5 and lasted 3 hours, with a daily Ap as high as 21; at that Kp the aurora may be seen from about 60 degrees geomagnetic latitude.
A G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm began January 12, 1991, reached Kp 5 and lasted 3 hours, with a daily Ap as high as 19; at that Kp the aurora may be seen from about 60 degrees geomagnetic latitude.
A G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm began January 12, 2005, reached Kp 5+ and lasted 3 hours, with a daily Ap as high as 32; at that Kp the aurora may be seen from about 58 degrees geomagnetic latitude.
2 on January 12, oldest first.
A freeze disaster that cost $2.1 billion in 2024 dollars, on NOAA’s billion-dollar list. It lasted from January 12, 1981 to January 14, 1981.
A winter storm disaster that cost $1.7 billion in 2024 dollars and killed 20, on NOAA’s billion-dollar list. It lasted from January 12, 2024 to January 14, 2024.
10 on January 12, oldest first.
The period of December 31 1998 through January 14 1999 saw consistently dense fog with black ice at times on the Central and Southern San Joaquin Valley Floor during the late night through mid-morning hours.
A person drowned when he was pulled underwater along with another student by a riptide during a water safety class with nine other students. The other swimmer managed to swim out of the strong current but suffered lacerations.
Temperatures below freezing and dense fog combined to produce slick roads and poor visibility which resulted in a 1 vehicle accident 2.5 miles west of McClouth that killed the female driver.
Widespread dense fog developed across much of Northern Indiana during the morning hours. Visibility was reported to be at or near zero in many locations. Numerous accidents were reported as a result of the fog.
Widespread dense fog developed across much of northwestern Ohio during the morning hours. Visibility was reported to be at or near zero in many locations. Numerous accidents were reported with at least 1 fatality and 1 injury indirectly resulting from the dense fog.
Over 100 vehicles were damaged along Interstate 49 near Carencro in several dense fog accidents. One man was killed after being trapped in his car after it burst into flames.
A 17 year old surfer drowned as he was swept by rip currents at Barrio Islote in Arecibo.
A large westerly swell produced high surf and dangerous rip currents along the beaches of Central and Southern California. Near Point Mugu, a man who was fishing was swept off the rocks and drowned.
A Monterey local 18 year old fell off a cliff at Garrapata State Park Saturday morning January 12 while hiking. After a few crashes of the waves his friends were unable to locate him.
An impressive long lasting period of foggy conditions prevailed across the San Joaquin Valley from January 12th through January 31st (It continued through February 7th). Dense fog coverage increased for the next several days each morning starting on the 11th.
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.