Check https://www.weather.gov/timeline

From ABR  http://www.crh.noaa.gov/abr/scripts/wxhistory.php
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/abr/scripts/wxhistory.php?data=dec01
New version http://www.weather.gov/abr/This_Day_in_Weather_History_Dec_01
see also http://www.weather.gov/eax/wxhistory

Use http://www.weather.gov/abr/events#histarchive 

1 December 1876 → Official government forecasts, since beginning in 1871, had been called "probabilities" (rather than forecasts). On this day the term probabilities was replaced with the term "indications."
1 December 1912 → A dispute over hauling coal led to an attempt to blow up the Trent River Bridge in British Columbia. Twenty five sticks of dynamite were planted under the bridge and attached to a 50 meter fuse. The dynamite might have frozen solid by the time the lighted fuse reached the cap, because the dynamite never exploded.
1 December 1913 → An immense snow storm buried Colorado. By the 5th, storm totals included 86 inches at Georgetown, 53 inches at Estes Park, 46 inches at Denver, and 44 inches at Boulder.  http://www.crh.noaa.gov/images/bou/precip/VerticalPoster1913Snowstorm.pdf
1 December 1918 → The U.S. Weather Bureau issued its first aviation forecast for pilots.
1 December 1962 → The 50th Grey Cup (Canadian Football Championship) went on for 2 days in Toronto in dense fog. The fog was so thick that spectators in the upper stands could not see the other side of the field.  http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lmk/?n=december1-2,1962
1 December 2006:  An early winter storm produced more than 6 inches of snow along a 1,000 mile long path from central Oklahoma to northern Michigan. This storm also produced significant freezing rain which impacted the St. Louis area. An estimated 500 or more homes and businesses were without power in the St. Louis area after this storm. Click HERE for more information from the University of Illinois.
http://www.isws.illinois.edu/pubdoc/dcs/iswsdcs2007-04.pdf
http://www.weather.gov/images/abr/wxhistory/December/Dec%201%2C%202006%20Ice%20Storm.jpg
Polar-orbiting satellite image of the snowfield. Image courtesy from the University of Illinois.
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2 December 1896 → Parts of the Deep South were covered by ice and snow. Six inches was reported in Atlanta and 11 inches in Charlotte. A swath of snow greater than 10 inches in accumulation extended from north central South Carolina to southeastern Virginia. Chester, SC, received 15 inches!
2 December 1962 → Severe lakefront fog in Toronto halted the Grey Cup Canadian Championship football game between Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Winnipeg Blue Bombers with 9:22 left to play. Winnipeg won the Fog Bowl the following day by a score of 28-27.
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lmk/?n=december1-2,1962
2 December 1950: A rare tornado event occurred when a storm system produce three tornadoes in Illinois, and one in Arkansas. The three tornadoes in Illinois are relatively rare in December with a total of only 3 days with tornadoes from 1835 to 1950. The other years are 1876 and 1949.
http://www.weather.gov/images/abr/wxhistory/December/Dec%202%2C%201950.jpg
This is the surface map at 2130 UTC on December 2, 1950. This is about the time the first tornado which touched down near Fosterburg, Illinois.
2 December 1959:  Between November 19 and December 2, an estimated 20 inches of rain fell near the town of Frejus on the French Riviera. This heavy rainfall caused the Malpasset Dam to collapse which sent 130 foot high wall of water into the towns of Malpasset and Bozon. The wall of water 10 feet high reached Frejus, flooding the western half of the town. The dam breach killed 423 people and caused $68 million in damages.
File:Barrage de Malpasset 2014.JPG
http://www.weather.gov/images/abr/wxhistory/December/Dec%202%2C%201959%20Malpasset%20Dam.jpg
Ruins of Malpasset Dam, France.
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3 December 1886 → A great snowstorm dumped up to 42 inches of snow in the southern Appalachian Mountains. 33 inches fell at Asheville, NC and 25 inches fell at Rome, GA.
3 December 1905 → Today the Weather Bureau received its first weather report from a ship at sea via wireless.
3 December 1983 → Birmingham, AL was drenched with 9.22 inches of rain in just 24 hours, literally submerging traffic. The cloudburst drenched the ongoing Iron Bowl with rain so hard that the field could hardly be seen. That storm went on to produce an F3 tornado and kill two people.
3 December 1838: Cleveland Abbe, an American meteorologist and advocate of time zones was born on this day. He was trained as an astronomer and was appointed the director of the Cincinnati Observatory in 1868. He eventually turned to meteorology and inaugurated a public weather service that served as a model for today's National Weather Service.
Abbe, Cleveland
http://www.weather.gov/images/abr/wxhistory/December/Dec%203%2C%201838%20Cleveland%20Abbe.jpg
Cleveland Abbe, courtesy from NOAA.
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Abbe#cite_note-10
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4 December 1887 → Tropical storms and hurricanes are very rare in December in the Atlantic. However, on this date not one but two tropical systems existed. One was dissipating after having been a Category 1 hurricane over the eastern Bahamas November 29-30. The other was just being born and would become a Category 1 hurricane over the open North Atlantic December 7-8.
4 December 1902 → Brutally cold temperatures of -42.7 did not deter firefighters in Dawson, Yukon from attacking a fire at the Empire Hotel. Despite intense heat caused by the fire, many firefighters' nosetips were frozen and fire hoses flowing at full pressure were frozen in 2 hours.
4 December 1952: The month of December started off with chilly temperatures in London. This resulted in Londoners to burn more coal to heat up their homes. Then on December 5, a high pressure settled over the Thames River causing a dense layer of smog to develop. The smog became so thick and dense by December 7 that virtually no sunlight was seen in London. Most conservative estimated place the death toll at 4,000, with some estimating the smog killed as many as 8,0000 individuals. Click HERE for more information from the Meteorological Office in the United Kingdom.
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/learning/learn-about-the-weather/weather-phenomena/case-studies/great-smog
/images/abr/google/Survey/sd_20151129052446_image001.jpg
http://www.weather.gov/images/abr/wxhistory/December/Dec%204%2C%201952%20London%20Fog.jpg
Piccadilly Circus in the smog on December 5, 1952.
4 December 2002: A total solar eclipse was experienced by millions of people from Africa to Australia, and from space. Click HERE for an animation from the EUMETSAT.  http://oiswww.eumetsat.org/WEBOPS/iotm/iotm/20021204_eclipse/eclipse_04122002_animation.html
/images/abr/google/Survey/sd_20151129052446_image002.jpg
http://www.weather.gov/images/abr/wxhistory/December/Dec%204%2C%202002%20Total%20Eclipse.jpg
Space Station science officer Don Pettit looked out the window on Wednesday during the total solar eclipse of Dec. 4th, and this is what he saw: The dark spot near the Earth's limb is the Moon's shadow.
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5 December 1953 → A deadly F5 tornado struck western Mississippi. The tornado crossed the south side of Vicksburg. At least 26 businesses were destroyed, 38 people were killed, and 270 people were injured. Five children between the ages of 2 and 10 were killed when the theater they were in collapsed.  http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jan/?n=1953_vicksburgtornado
5 December 1999 → Denmark saw its worst storm on record as 109 mph winds tore through the country and sea levels rose almost 17 feet above normal, ending in over $134 million in damages. 6 people were killed. 
5 December  1886: A southern storm dumped heavy snow up into far southwest Virginia. The storm dumped 11 inches in Montgomery Alabama and 22.5 inches in Knoxville, TN. It also dropped 25 inches in Rome, Georgia and 26 inches in Ashville, North Carolina.
5 December 1953:  A tornado outbreak occurred over northeastern Louisiana, southeastern Arkansas and western Mississippi on this day. At least four confirmed tornadoes touched down. The strongest tornado was rated F5 as it destroyed the town of Vicksburg, Mississippi. This tornado first touched down just west of the Mississippi River in East Madison Parish in Louisiana. The tornado crossed the Mississippi River and tore through the downtown area of Vicksburg. On the ground for seven miles, this tornado caused 38 deaths, 270 injuries, and cost an estimated $25 million in damages in 1953. Estimated cost adjusted for inflation in 2013 Dollars would be over $200 million. The NWS Office in Jackson, Mississippi has an interactive track map of this event which includes photos and personal accounts. Click HERE for more information.
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jan/?n=1953_vicksburgtornado
/images/abr/google/Survey/sd_20151204144541_image001.jpg
http://www.weather.gov/images/abr/wxhistory/December/Dec%205%2C%201953%20Vicksburg%20Tornado.jpg
Credit: Collection of Old Courthouse Museum, Vicksburg, MS.  Aerial image looking southwest from the intersection of South and Washington Streets.
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6 December 1970 → A coastal storm over the eastern U.S. produced high winds which toppled the national Christmas tree at the White House.
6 December 2003 → Tropical Storm Odette made a rare appearance after the official end of hurricane season, releasing 7 inches of rain on the Dominican Republic and doing 8 million dollars damage.  http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003odette.shtml  OR http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/AL202003_Odette.pdf  http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2003/s2133.htm
6 December 1913: A snowstorm from December 1st through the 6th dumps a record total of 45.7 inches in Denver, Colorado. This is the most snow ever recorded in a single Denver snowstorm. Click HERE for more information from the Denver Post.
http://blogs.denverpost.com/library/2013/11/26/biggest-blizzard-buried-denver-colorado-100-years-ago-in-1913/9400/
/images/abr/google/Survey/sd_20151204144654_image001.jpg
Wagon teams tackle snow removal.
6 December 1970:  The National Christmas tree in 1970 was a 78-foot spruce from South Dakota. On the way to Washington the train carrying the tree derailed twice in Nebraska. On the weekend before the lighting event, the tree toppled in gusty winds and required new branches to fill it out. 
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7 December 1952 → Killer Smog settled on London. Thousands of people died, mostly children & the elderly, from acute bronchitis caused by the smog. The Killer Smog began on December 4 and ended on December 9.
7 December 1996 → Poor weather conditions resulted in the cancellation of the Men's World Cup downhill ski race scheduled for Whistler, British Columbia. Too much snow and poor visibility had damaged training runs.
7 December 1740:  By all accounts, the Merrimack River in New Hampshire flooded on this day. This is likely the first recorded flood in New Hampshire. "The snow melted, and a freshet occurred in the Merrimack River, nothing like it having been experienced there for seventy years. At Haverhill, the stream rose fifteen feet, and many houses were floated off." (Perley, Sidney, 1891, Historic storms of New England p. 49-51).
7 December 2006:  A rare tornado tore through Kensal Rise in London. This T4 on the TORRO scale, equivalent to an F2 on the Fujita scale, injured 6 people and damaged 150 homes. According to the BBC, the last tornado which caused significant damage in London was in December 1954, in west London.
Map of Kensal Rise
http://www.weather.gov/images/abr/wxhistory/December/Dec%207%2C%202006%20London%20Tornado.jpg
http://www.weather.gov/images/abr/wxhistory/December/Dec%207%2C%202006%20London%20Tornado%20Damage.jpg
A damaged house in Chamberlayne Road, north-west London, after a small tornado ripped through the suburb of Kensal Rise. Photograph: John Stillwell/PA.
For Pearl Harbor
http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/partly-cloudy-skies-during-pea/58654
http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/battles_pearl_harbor.html
http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2003-12-06/features/0312060169_1_acker-pearl-harbor-honolulu

Add from Fritz Hasler:
7 December 1966: ATS-1 satellite  (Applications Technology Satellite)  was successfully launched from Cape Canaveral, FL.  Ths satellite, which was placed in a geosynchronous orbit, had the first spin-scan camera designed by Verner Suomi of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 

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8 December 1963 → A Boeing 707 exploded near Elkton, MD killing 81. Lightning is believed to have caused the explosion of residual fuel vapor in one of the outboard wing tanks as the plane passed through a vicious, out-of-season thunderstorm.  WRONG -- Electra not 707
8 December 2002 → Super Typhoon Pongsona devastated Guam with sustained winds of 180 mph. It destroyed 2,000 homes. Electricity and water were shut off. Schools were closed and transformed into emergency shelters. Cars were flipped and stacked three high.
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/2002/dec/pongsona.html 
8 December 1935:  From the Monthly Weather Review for December 1935, "The outstanding flood of December 1935 was the record breaking overflow of Buffalo and White Oak Bayous at Houston, Texas on the 8 and 9th. This destructive flood was caused by excessive rainfall over Harris County, Texas during a 42 hour period on the 6th, 7th, 8th, with amounts ranging from 5.50 inches at Houston" to 16.49 inches at the Humble Oil Company in the northwestern part of Harris County.
http://ww3.hdnux.com/photos/36/65/30/8082962/4/1024x1024.jpg
http://www.weather.gov/images/abr/wxhistory/December/Dec%208%2C%201935%20Houston%20Flood.jpg
An aerial view showing the flood waters impact the commercial district of Houston. Image Courtesy from the Houston Chronicle. 
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9 December 1917 → Vevay, IN, on the Ohio River, reported 26 inches of snow in 24 hours with 14 foot drifts. By the 16th, people could walk across the river from Vevay to Kentucky.
9 December 1934 → A frozen field made for very slippery conditions for the 2nd annual NFL Championship Game, held at New York City's Polo Grounds. In the third quarter the Chicago Bears led the New York Giants 13-3. One of the Giants players remarked that sneakers would be more suitable for the icy playing surface. Another team member hurried to nearby Manhattan College and picked up nine pairs of sneakers. After switching to the sneakers, the Giants scored 27 points in the fourth quarter to win the game 30-13.  http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lmk/?n=sneakers_game
9 December 1989 → A strong storm produced wind gusts of 40 to 65 mph from the Alaska Peninsula to the North Gulf Coast of Alaska. Southeasterly winds gusted to 75 mph in the Anchorage area. Gusty winds associated with the same cold front caused a power outage across much of the island of Hawaii.
 9 December 1917: A severe winter storm struck the Ohio Valley and the Great Lakes Region. It produced 25 inches of snow and wind gusts to 78 mph at Buffalo NY. The storm produced 26 inches of snow at Vevay, Indiana, with drifts fourteen feet high.
map
http://www.weather.gov/images/abr/wxhistory/December/Dec%209%2C%201917%20Snowfall%20Map.jpg
9 December 2003: Although it never threatened land, a subtropical storm became Tropical Storm Peter approx. 700 miles WNW of the Cape Verde Islands. Combined with Tropical Storm Odette from earlier in the month, this is the first time since 1887 that two tropical storms formed in the Atlantic Basin in December.
File:TS Peter 09 dec 2003 1515Z.jpg
http://www.weather.gov/images/abr/wxhistory/December/Dec%209%2C%202003%20Tropical%20Storm%20Peter.jpg
Tropical Storm Peter was located over the Atlantic Ocean near 20.3S 37.1E at 17:00 UTC. Peter had been moving northward at 10 knots with maximum sustained winds estimated at 60 knots, gusts to 75 knots. Image courtesy from NOAA.
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10 December 1995 → Intense lake effect snow squalls buried Buffalo, NY under 37.9 inches in 24 hours. Watertown, NY recorded 39 inches in just 12 hours and had 4 inches of snow an hour each hour for 6 consecutive hours.
10 December 2002 → An inch of snow fell on Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii.
10 December 1699:  A severe ice storm hit Boston, Massechuesetts causing much damage to orchards.
10 December 2002:  A shower of tiny fish rained down on Korona, a village in the mountains of northern Greece. A Greek television reported the incident was caused by a waterspout on Lake Doirani. 
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11 December 1905 → The highest recorded temperature in South America was 120 degrees in Rivadavia, Argentina.
11 December 1944 → Toronto, Canada, received a record one day snowfall of 19 inches.
11 December 1905:  The highest temperature ever recorded in South America was recorded at Rivadavia, Argentina with a temperature of 120 degrees.
11 December 1992:  A complex storm system moved eastward from the Gulf Coast of Texas to eastern Georgia on December 9 and 10th. In the next 24 hours, the low pressure system moved to the Chesapeake Bay and rapidly intensified. This system produced gale force winds with gusts exceeding hurricane force affected not only the Mid-Atlantic coastline, but also as far southwest as the southern Appalachians where trees were downed and roofs damaged. This storm also produced 20 to 30 foot waves in Massachusetts on December 12 and 13th. Precipitation amounts with the Nor'easter varied greatly. Rainfall amounts of 8 inches occurred in southeast Massachusetts, while several areas in New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Maryland recorded more than 30 inches of snow. Precipitation ended during the evening hours on the 12th. Ten deaths resulted from the storm with insured losses totaling near $850 million and non-insured losses near $2 billion.
http://www.weather.gov/images/abr/wxhistory/December/Dec%2011%2C%201992%20NorEaster.jpg 
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12 December 1982 → A driving snow kept the field covered during the NFL game between the Miami Dolphins and the New England Patriots in Foxborough, MA. Near the end of the fourth quarter, with a 0-0 score, the Patriots plowed the snow away from a small part of the field, conveniently just enough for a field goal to be kicked. The goal was scored and the Patriots won 3-0. The game has become known as the Snowplow Game.   http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lmk/?n=snow_plow_game
12 December 1985 → In the worst air crash in Canadian history, an Arrow Airlines DC-8 crashed seconds after takeoff in Newfoundland. The plane was en route to Fort Campbell, KY. 248 soldiers of the 101st Airborne and 8 crew were killed. Weather observers reported light freezing drizzle, snow, and fog.
12 December 1992 → One of the fiercest nor'easters of the 20th Century hit New York City and New England. Ambrose Light Station just southeast of New York City recorded sustained winds of 80 mph and gusts to 93 mph. LaGuardia Airport was closed due to flooding. Flooding at a Con Edison station shut down the entire subway system for more than 3 hours. Heavy snows fell inland with Worcester, MA setting a new single storm record of 32.1 inches. Boston, MA recorded frequent gusts over 60 mph with a peak gust to 78 mph.
12 December  1967:  From December 12th through the 20th, Flagstaff, Arizona, a series of snow storms buries Flagstaff with nearly 85 inches of snow. Click HERE for images.  http://archive.library.nau.edu/cdm/search/collection/cpa/searchterm/snow!1967/field/all!date/mode/any!all/conn/and!and/cosuppress/
/images/abr/google/Survey/sd_20151208124208_image001.jpg
http://www.weather.gov/images/abr/wxhistory/December/Dec%2012%2C%201967%20Flagstaff%20Snowstorm.jpg
A meteorologist from the Pulliam Airport station of the National Weather Service stands outside the building after an 8-day storm in December 1967 dropped 84 inches of snow on Flagstaff. (Photo courtesy of the NAU, Cline Library, Special Collections and Archives, Fronske Collection).
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13 December 1969 → In Hoberg, on the northern coast of British Columbia's Vancouver Island, winds were clocked from the south at 80 mph, with accompanying gusts to 99 mph. In the remarks column of their observation form, a weather observer had written, "blowing rocks."
13 December 1997 → A rare cold snap and snowstorm struck northern Mexico, leaving 12 people dead. Guadalajara reported snow for the first time since 1881. Chihuahua residents saw temperatures plunge to 5 degrees Fahrenheit. 
13 December 1997:  A freak cold snap and snowstorm struck parts of northern Mexico left 12 people dead and the area paralyzed. It snowed in the city of Guadalajara for the first time since 1881, leaving amazed residents to gawk at the white stuff and make snowmen. The temperature plunged to 5 degrees in Chihuahua.
http://www.visualenlinea.com/chapalita/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/75561153.gif
http://www.weather.gov/images/abr/wxhistory/December/Dec%2013%2C%201997.jpg
Snowstorm in Guadalajara Jalisco Mexico in December 1997.
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14 December 1810 → An EF4 tornado, one of England's strongest twisters on record, tore from Old Portsmouth to Southsea Common in Hampshire. Some houses were completely leveled and many others were so badly damaged that they had to be demolished.
14 December 1924 → In Fairfield, MT the temperature dropped from 63 to -21, an 84-degree change in 12 hours. This is the greatest 12-hour temperature change ever recorded in the United States.
14 December 2002 → Carrying 2,862 Volvos, BMWs, and SAABs, the Norwegian car transporter ship Tricolor collided with another ship due to thick fog and sank off the coast of Dunkirk, France.
14 December 1287:  A powerful storm affected the Netherlands and Northern Germany on this day. Called the St. Lucia's flood, which was the day before, this storm broke a dike, flooding much of the land in what is now the Waddenzee and Ijsselmeer. A significant percentage of the country's population perished in this disaster and has been rated as one of the most destructive floods in recorded history. The death toll from this storm was between 50,000 to 80,000 people. Also, 180 residents of Hickling village, which is 137 miles north-east of London was impacted from this storm. The storm surge rose a foot above the high alter in the church. From British-History.ac.uk, "Hickling was one of the townships that suffered most severely from the tremendous storm of December, 1287, no fewer than nine score persons being drowned there. In the priory the water rose more than a foot above the high altar, and all the canons fled away except two, who stayed behind and managed to save the horses and other property by bringing them up into the dormitory over the vaulted undercroft."

14 December 1952:   Trace of snow or sleet were reported in the Florida Panhandle at or near Pensacola, Crestview, DeFuniak Springs, Quincy, Carrabelle, Tallahassee, St. Marks, Monticello, Madison, Mayo, Live Oak, Lake City, Glen St. Mary, and Hilliard. Frozen precipitation occurred before noon at most points, but occurred in the afternoon at Mayo and Lake City and near Hilliard. Temperatures were above freezing and snow or sleet melted as it fell.

14 December 1997:  Central Mississippi and western Alabama saw significant snowfall of 4 to 8 inches on this day. In Mississippi, this was one of the heavier snowfalls to occur since 1929. The weight of the snow caused limbs of trees to break, which knocked down power lines.
December 15 1997 1632 UTC visible satellite image.
http://www.weather.gov/images/abr/wxhistory/December/Dec%2014%2C%201997%20Deep%20South%20Snow.jpg
Visible satellite image of the snow cover on December 15, 1997. Image courtesy from the NWS Office in Birmingham, Alabama. Click HERE for more information.   http://www.srh.noaa.gov/bmx/?n=winter_12141997
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15 December 1997 → 20,000 to 50,000 people died when torrential rains triggered raging floods that washed away homes, trees, and complete mountainsides in Venezuela.
15 December 1997 → Folks in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan enjoyed record high temperatures in the lower 40s as unusual warmth bathed western Canada.
15 December 1992:  Cyclone John hit the sparsely populated northwest coast of Australia with winds gusting to 185 mph. John was the strongest cyclone to hit Australia in over 100 years.
Best Track of Severe Tropical Cyclone John
http://www.weather.gov/images/abr/wxhistory/December/Dec%2015%2C%201992%20Cyclone%20John%20Track.jpg
Map courtesy from the Bureau of Meteorology. Click HERE for more information.  http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/john.shtml
/images/abr/google/Survey/sd_20151208124521_image002.jpg
http://www.weather.gov/images/abr/wxhistory/December/Dec%2015%2C%201992%20Cyclone%20John.jpg
Tropical Cyclone John off the coast of northwestern Australia. Movement was to the south-southeast at 8 knots and maximum sustained winds were up to 150 mph, gusts to 184 mph. 
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16 December 1835 → In New York City hundreds of blocks burned during a fire. The frozen fire hydrants and gale-force winds only made the fire worse when the mercury dropped to 0.
16 December 1869 → A bill was introduced in the House of Representatives, 41st Congress, calling for the taking [of] meteorological observations...and for giving notice on the northern lakes and Atlantic seaboard of the approach and force of storms. This would be signed in to law February 9, 1870, by President Grant, establishing what would come to be called the National Weather Service. You can see the actual bill on-line. 
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=llhb&fileName=041/llhb041.db&recNum=2246
16 December 1979 → In Tampa Bay the Buccaneers prepared to play the Kansas City Chiefs as rain began to pour on what was about to become the 1979 Monsoon Game. The Bucs picked up a win with the score of 3 to 0.  http://www.srh.noaa.gov/tbw/?n=1979monsoongame
16 December 1997 → Super Typhoon Paka deluged Guam with nearly 21 inches of rain at Tiyan before instrumentation failed. The equipment failed 2 hours before the eye of Paka passed to the north. Damage estimates were in the range of $400 million.
http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/Storm_pages/paka1997/
16 December 1997 → It was dark and the airport was shrouded in fog when an Air Canada flight from Toronto to Fredericton approached the slippery runway. It skidded, bounced across a field, then slid up a snowy embankment before slamming into trees. It took rescuers 30 minutes to find the plane. The deep snowpack likely saved the lives of the passengers and crew. 
16 December 1811:  An estimated Magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck the Mississippi Valley near the town of New Madrid in Missouri at 2:15 am local time. People were awakened by the shaking in New York City, Washington D.C., and Charleston, South Carolina. The ground motions were described as most alarming and frightening in places like Nashville, Tennessee and Louisville, Kentucky. In the epicentral area the ground surface was described as in great convulsion with sand and water ejected tens of feet into the air. Click HERE for more information from the University of California Berkeley. The Smithsonian has a wonderful webpage full of information about the New Madrid Earthquake. 
http://seismo.berkeley.edu/blog/seismoblog.php/2011/12/15/new-madrid
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-great-midwest-earthquake-of-1811-46342/?no-is&no-ist
/images/abr/google/Survey/sd_20151214112930_image002.jpg
http://www.weather.gov/images/abr/wxhistory/December/Dec%2016%2C%201811%20New%20Madrid%20Earthquake.jpg
The New Madrid historical marker.
Central US Seismicity Map
http://www.weather.gov/images/abr/wxhistory/December/Dec%2016%2C%201811%20New%20Madrid%20Earthquake%20Map.jpg
This map shows earthquakes (circles) of the New Madrid and Wabash Valley seismic zones (orange patches). Red circles indicate earthquakes that occurred from 1974 to 2002 with magnitudes larger than 2.5 located using modern instruments (University of Memphis). Green circles denote earthquakes that occurred prior to 1974 (USGS Professional Paper 1527). Larger earthquakes are represented by larger circles. Map and information courtesy from the USGS.gov. Click HERE for more information.  http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/states/events/1811-1812.php#summary
16 December 1941:  More than 900 women are employed by the Weather Bureau as observers and forecasters, as a result of filling positions of men during World War II. Eleven days after Pearl Harbor, the army requested that all weather broadcasts be discontinued. The fear was that the enemy would use this information to plan an attack on the United States.
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17 December 1903 → Orville and Wilbur Wright successfully tested their homemade glider at Kitty Hawk on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. They had selected Kitty Hawk as their test site on advice from the Weather Bureau due to good, consistent northerly winds.
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/mhx/NWSCentennialFlight.html
17 December 1924 → A severe ice storm covered central Illinois in ice two inches thick. $21 million damage.
17 December 1983 → The temperature at Oklahoma City dropped below freezing. It did not rise above 32 degrees again until New Year's Eve, setting a record length of sub-freezing weather in the city.
17 December 1903 → Orville and Wilbur Wright successfully tested their homemade glider at Kitty Hawk on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. They had selected Kitty Hawk as their test site on advice from the Weather Bureau due to good, consistent northerly winds.
17 December 1924 → A severe ice storm covered central Illinois in ice two inches thick. $21 million damage.
17 December 1983 → The temperature at Oklahoma City dropped below freezing. It did not rise above 32 degrees again until New Year's Eve, setting a record length of sub-freezing weather in the city.
17 December 1903:  Wilbur and Orville Wright made four brief flights at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina with their first powered aircraft on this day. After having success with their 5 foot biplane kite, the brothers realized the weather conditions in Dayton were not ideal for their flying experiments. They wrote the Weather Bureau in Washington, D.C. requesting a list of suitable places on the east coast where winds were constant. Below is the response the Wright Brothers received from Joseph Dosher, who staffed the Weather Bureau office, wrote in August of 1900 regarding the suitability of Kitty Hawk.
http://www.weather.gov/images/mhx/DosherLetter.jpg
http://www.weather.gov/images/abr/wxhistory/December/Dec%2017%2C%201903%20Kitty%20Hawk%20Letter.jpg
"Mr Wilbur Wright
Dayton Ohio
Dear Sir,
In reply to yours of the 3rd, I will say the beach here is about one mile wide clear of trees or high hills, and islands for nearly sixty miles south. Conditions: the wind blows mostly from the North and Northeast September and October which is nearly down this piece of land. Giving you many miles of a steady wind with a free sweep. I am sorry to say that you could not rent a house here. So you will have to bring tents. You could obtain frame.
The only way to reach Kitty Hawk is from Manteo Roanoke Island N.C. in a small sail boat. From your letter I believe you would find it here like you wish. Will be pleased at any time to give you any information. Yours very respectfully
JJ. Dosher"
On December 17, with the winds were averaging more than 20 mph, Orville took a flight that lasted 12 seconds for a total distance of 120 feet. You can read more information about the First Flight from the NWS Office in Morehead North Carolina by clicking HERE.  
http://www.weather.gov/mhx/FirstFlight
December 17, 1924:
http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/052/mwr-052-12-0585.pdf
From the Monthly Weather Review, "a severe glaze storm occurred in west-central Illinois on December 17 and 18, the area of great destruction embracing a territory about 75 miles in width and 170 miles in length. In the affected area, trees were badly damaged, wires broken, and thousands of electric poles went down. Electric services were paralyzed, and it required weeks to restore operation and months to permanently rebuild the lines.
The street railway company and the Illinois Traction System resumed complete operation 17 days after the storm. Electric light service was completely restored January 10. The ice had practically disappeared from the trees and wires by January 4, but on January 20, there was still considerable ice on the ground.
The Western Union Telegraph Co. lost 8,000 poles and the Illinois Bell Telephone Co. about 23,000. The total damage to wire service in Illinois probably equaled or exceeded $5,000,000." If the loss of business, the damage to trees and possible injury to winter grains, the storm may be considered one of the most disastrous of its kind in the history of Illinois. 
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18 December 1944 → The ships of the US Navy Task Force 38, seven fleet and six light carriers, eight battleships, 15 cruisers, and about 50 destroyers were operating about 300 miles east of Luzon in the Philippine Sea. A small but violent typhoon overtook the task force with relatively little warning. Many of the ships were caught near the center of the storm and buffeted by extreme seas and hurricane force winds. Three destroyers capsized and went down with practically all hands, while a cruiser, five aircraft carriers, and three destroyers suffered serious damage. Approximately 790 men were lost or killed. Fires occurred in three carriers when planes broke loose in their hangars and 146 planes on various ships were lost or damaged beyond economical repair by fires, impact damage, or by being swept overboard.
18 December 1957 → An unusually late tornado outbreak for the time of year for so far north struck Missouri and Illinois. 18 tornadoes were rated F2 or greater. An F4 ripped through Jackson, Williamson, and Franklin counties in Illinois. Murphysboro was hard hit with 10 people killed. Sunfield, IL vanished completely as an F5 tornado swept it clean.
18 December 1944:  Typhoon Cobra, also known as the Typhoon of 1944 or Halsey's Typhoon (named after Admiral William "Bull" Halsey) was the United State Navy designation for a tropical cyclone that struck the Task Force 38 in the during World War II in the Pacific. The typhoon was first observed on December 17 as it surprised a fleet of ships in the open waters of the western Pacific Ocean. Sustained winds associated with storm were up to 100 mph with gusts around 140 mph. On December 18, the small but violent typhoon hit the Task Force while many of the ships were attempting to refuel. Due to the extreme seas and winds, three destroyers capsized and went down with practically all hands, while a cruiser, five aircraft carriers, and three destroyers suffered serious damage. Approximately 790 officers and men were lost or killed with another 80 injured. This storm inflicted more damage on the Navy than any storm since the hurricane at Apia, Samoa in 1889. In the aftermath of this deadly storm, the Pacific Fleet established new weather stations in the Caroline Islands and, as they were secured, Manila, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. In addition, new weather central offices (for coordinating data) were established at Guam and Leyte.
File:Typhoon Cobra, 18 December 1944 east of Luzon.jpg
http://www.weather.gov/images/abr/wxhistory/December/Dec%2018%2C%201944%20Navy%20Cyclone.jpg
Structure of a typhoon captured by a Navy ship's radar on December 18. This storm was the second tropical storm to ever be observed on radar East of Philippine Islands.
File:USS Langley (CVL-27) and battleship in typhoon 1944.jpeg
http://www.weather.gov/images/abr/wxhistory/December/Dec%2018%2C%201944%20USS%20Langley.jpg
The U.S. Navy light aircraft carrier USS Langley (CVL-27) rolling heavily during Typhoon Cobra, 18 December 1944. A battleship is steaming behind the carrier. U.S. Navy (the image is part of an album of photographs collected by Captain Carlos W. Wieber during his command of the aircraft carrier USS Essex (CV-9) during 1944-1945).
File:USS Cowpens (CVL-25) during Typhoon Cobra.jpg
http://www.weather.gov/images/abr/wxhistory/December/Dec%2018%2C%201944%20USS%20Cowpens.jpg
A view of USS Cowpens (CVL-25) starboard side flight deck facing aft from the island. Photo taken around the time Typhoon Cobra hit the Third Fleet on 18 December 1944.
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19 December 1948 → A snowstorm struck Philadelphia during an NFL game at Shibe Park between the Eagles and the Chicago Cardinals. The game started 30 minutes late, in part because the players had to be recruited to help remove the hay and snow-laden tarp. The goal posts were not visible from the 50-yard line in the driving snow. The Eagles won, 7-0. Seven inches of snow fell during the game according to official NWS records.
19 December 2006 → Vancouver, British Columbia's Stanley Park lost more than 1,000 trees after a series of storms battered the West Coast with near-hurricane force winds. One fallen hemlock tree was estimated to be more than 200 years old. 
19 December  1777: George Washington led his hungry and weary from long marches men to Valley Forge on this day. The winds greeted the 12,000 Continentals as the prepared for the winter. Click HERE for more information from the History Channel. 
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/washington-leads-troops-into-winter-quarters-at-valley-forge
19 December  2009: Snowfall totals from 1 to 2 feet were common place in what will go down as one of the biggest snowstorms in history on the East Coast and the first of four snowstorms for the Mid-Atlantic during the winter of 2009-10. The 15 inches of snow measured at Reagan International Airport on Dec. 19th was the third highest daily snowfall on any calendar day at Washington, DC since snowfall records began in 1884. The storm total snowfall of 16.4 inches on Dec 18-19 2009 marks the 6th highest two-day snowfall record for Washington, DC putting it just below the second President's Day storm in 2003 and ahead of the Jan 1996 storm. Baltimore Washington Airport saw 20.5 inches of snow and went down as the fifth highest daily snowfall on any calendar day at Baltimore since snowfall records began in 1893. The storm total snowfall of 21.0 inches on Dec 18-19 2009 marks the 6th highest two-day snowfall record for Baltimore. The daily snowfall records for Dec 19 were smashed for the most snowfall for any calendar day during the month of December at the following stations. Reagan National Airport's new record was 15.0 inches, old record 11.5 in 1932. Baltimore Washington Airport's new record was 20.5 inches, old record 11.5 in 1932. This was the biggest December snowstorm on record and setting a record for the snowiest December for Baltimore, MD. Dulles Airport's new record was 16.0 inches, old record 10.6 in 1982. Richmond International Airport had a total of 6.4 inches. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania reported its second greatest daily snowfall total on record with 22.9 inches. It also was the single biggest December snowfall for the city of Philadelphia, PA. Roanoke, Virginia recorded 17.8 inches setting a record for the greatest 24-hour snowfall in December. Washington, DC reported 16.4 inches of snow making 2009 the snowiest December on record, all in one storm. In New York, Upton on Long Island recorded 26.3 inches, the biggest snowstorm on record.
/images/abr/google/Survey/sd_20151214113134_image002.jpg
http://www.weather.gov/images/abr/wxhistory/December/Dec%2019%2C%202009%20NorEaster.jpg
Satellite image of the North American blizzard of 2009 on December 20. Image courtesy from NASA.
http://www.glenallenweather.com/historylinks/SnowstormRank/29thDec18-21-2009.jpg
http://www.weather.gov/images/abr/wxhistory/December/Dec%2019%2C%202009%20NorEaster%20Snowfall%20Map.jpg
Storm total snowfall. Image courtesy from NOAA.
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20 December 1986 → An "Alberta Clipper" intensified explosively south of New England bringing high winds, torrential rains, and heavy snows to the region. Up to 4 inches of rain fell in southern areas and winds gusted frequently to 70 mph. 30 inches of snow fell in southern Vermont, 24 inches on the higher elevations of western Massachusetts, and 20 inches in New Hampshire.    http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lmk/?n=clipper
20 December 1990 → Snow fell at Santa Maria, CA for the first time since records were kept. 

20 December 1836: A famous "sudden freeze" occurred in central Illinois. A cold front with 70 mph winds swept through around Noon dropping the temperature from 40 degrees to near zero in a matter of minutes. Many settlers froze to death. Folklore told of chickens frozen in their tracks and men frozen to saddles. Ice in streams reportedly froze to six inches in a few hours. Click HERE for more information from Dr. Heidorn.
http://www.islandnet.com/~see/weather/events/ilsuddenchange.htm

20 December 1977:  A "Once in a Lifetime" wind and dust storm struck the south end of the San Joaquin Valley in California. Winds reached 88 mph at Arvin before the anemometer broke and gusts were estimated at 192 mph at Arvin by a U.S. Geological Survey. Meadows Field in Bakersfield recorded sustained 46 mph winds with a gust of 63 mph. The strong winds generated a wall of dust resembling a tidal wave that was 5,000 feet high over Arvin. Blowing sand stripped painted surfaces to bare metal and trapped people in vehicles for several hours. 70% of homes received structural damage in Arvin, Edison and East Bakersfield. 120,000 Kern County customers lost power. Agriculture was impacted as 25 million tons of soil was loosened from grazing lands. Five people died and damages totaled $34 million dollars.
These strong winds also spread a large fire through the Honda Canyon on Vandenberg Air Force Base in southern California. This fire, which started from a power pole on Tranquillon Ridge being blown over, claimed the lives of Base Commander Colonel Joseph Turner, Fire Chief Billy Bell and Assistant Fire Chief Eugene Cooper. Additionally, severe burns were experienced by Heavy Equipment Operator Clarence McCauley.  He later died due to complications from the burns. Click HERE for video of the fire.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEbWjjP-ZU0

20 December 1984:  Lili, a rare December hurricane, was officially declared a tropical system in the central Atlantic as a well-defined eye type feature was apparent on satellite imagery. The hurricane peaked at sustained 80 mph winds and a pressure of 980 millibars or 28.94 inches of mercury, very respectable Category 1 Hurricane in December.
/images/abr/google/Survey/sd_20151218084643_image001.jpg
http://www.weather.gov/images/abr/wxhistory/December/Dec%2020%2C%201984%20Hurricane%20Lili.jpg
This image shows Hurricane Lili on December 22, 1984, with winds of 80 mph.

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21 December 1944 → The Battle of the Bulge lasted from December 16, 1944 to January 25, 1945. By this time Germany was clearly losing World War II and Hitler was hoping to regain advantage if the attack would occur in bad weather to prevent the Allied Air Forces from being effective. As the Americans occupied the strategic position of Bastogne, the German army surrounded the city. However because of bad weather, planes were unable to fly and provide supplies by air drop to the American Forces. On December 29 the weather finally cleared up and much needed supplies were received. The Americans then launched a counteroffensive, but soldiers had to fight the cold and snow as well.
21 December 1967 → The City Hall and a large portion of the business district of Potosi, MO was destroyed by an F4 tornado. There were 52 injuries and 3 deaths. 
21 December 1929:  An exceptional storm produced snow from the Middle Rio Grande Valley of Texas to southern Arkansas. The storm produced 26 inches of snow near Hillsboro, Texas, and 24 inches in 24 hours in Clifton. Click HERE for more information from the NWS Office in Dallas / Fort Worth.  http://www.srh.noaa.gov/fwd/?n=1929snow
/images/abr/google/Survey/sd_20151218084714_image001.jpg
http://www.weather.gov/images/abr/wxhistory/December/Dec%2021%2C%201929%20Snowfall%20in%20Texas.JPG
Image from the Monthly Weather Review, March 1930.
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22 December 1969 → Several waterspouts moved inland on the southern coast of Cyprus near Nicosia. Four people were killed, one by a falling tree and others in collapsed buildings.
22 December 1989 → A southeast Texas snowstorm brought Houston their 2nd snowiest day on record, with 1.7 inches. Even Galveston saw snow, with an inch of accumulation piling up on the island.
22 December 1989:  The most significant cold spell of the century for the Deep South occurred from the 22nd to the 26th. New Orleans experienced 64 consecutive hours at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit and a total of 81 out of 82 hours below freezing. A total of 15 hours were below 15 degrees with the lowest reading of 11 degrees on the morning of the 23rd. A low temperature of 8 degrees was recorded at Baton Rouge. Snow and sleet paralyzed transportation systems where as much as two to four inches of snow accumulated in Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes. Snow and ice covered the ground in New Orleans. The greatest impact was on breakage of water pipes in homes and businesses. Over 100 fires resulted in the New Orleans area within a 24 hour period due to a loss of water pressure and improperly utilized heating sources. Ice formed over shallow lakes and waterways where commercial fishing took heavy losses. Five weather related deaths occurred in the service area during this rare Arctic outbreak.  http://www.weather.gov/images/abr/wxhistory/December/Dec%2022%2C%201989%20New%20Orleans%20Snow.jpg
22 December 2002:  Heavy rains prompted flooding in the mountain city of Teresopolis, located about 90 km north of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. A mudslide was responsible for 9 deaths and 50 injuries.
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23 December 1884 → At Regina, Saskatchewan the overnight temperature plummeted to -55F, the coldest December night on record there.
23 December 1983 → Butte, MT fell to their all-time low temperature of -52 degrees (tying the record first set February 9, 1933).
23 December 1989 → An epic cold wave was responsible for 122 record low temperatures across the central and eastern United States, including the coldest temperatures ever seen in southeast Texas in December: College Station 2 (also their coldest all-time), Houston 7 (#3 all-time), and Galveston 14 (#5 all-time). December 1989 ended up being the coldest month ever recorded at all three of those locations. Topeka, KS plunged to their all-time record low of -26 and Charleston, SC reached their all-time record low of 21. Also, a massive winter storm gave people along the east coast stretching from northern Florida to North Carolina a rare white Christmas. A foot and a half of snow fell near Wilmington, NC.
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/mhx/EventReviews/19891223/19891223.php
23 December 1921:  An estimated F3 tornado struck the town of Clarkedale, Arkansas, killing 6 and injuring 60 others. Four people died in the destruction of the Banks and Danner store, where 50 people were doing their Christmas shopping.
23 December 1924:  A storm producing winds of 70 mph cause extensive damage to Sydney, Australia during the evening hours.
http://www.weather.gov/images/abr/wxhistory/December/Dec%2023%2C%201924%20Sydney%20windstorm.jpg
Article from the Kalgoorlie Miner newspaper.
23 December 1998: A major ice storm struck central and southeast Virginia and much of North Carolina beginning on Wednesday, December 23 and lasting until Christmas Day morning. Icy conditions caused injuries from slips and falls and numerous vehicle accidents. Ice accumulations of up to an inch brought down trees and power lines. Outages were so widespread with 400,000 customers were without power on Christmas Eve. Some people were without power for up to ten days. Click HERE for more information from the State Climate Office of North Carolina.
http://climate.ncsu.edu/climate/winter_wx/database_details.php?event_id=211
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24 December 1962 → A band of precipitation over northern Scotland turned to snow, giving Glasgow its first white Christmas since 1938.
24 December 1982 → A four-day long tornado outbreak peaked on this date in the Ozarks. A pair of F3 tornadoes followed parallel paths for 50 miles from Arkansas into Missouri, one of which was a mile wide and killed a man who was living in a trailer because his house had been destroyed by a tornado three weeks earlier.
24 December 2004:  An extremely rare snowstorm impacts southeastern Texas on this day. Corpus Christi International Airport officially measured 4.4 inches from this event. This was their second white Christmas ever recorded in Corpus Christi. The other white Christmas occurred in 1918 when 0.1 inches was reported. Click HERE for more information from the NWS office in Corpus Christi.  
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/crp/?n=whitechristmas2004
/images/abr/google/Survey/sd_20151218084853_image001.jpg
http://www.weather.gov/images/abr/wxhistory/December/Dec%2024%2C%202004%20Corpus%20Christi%20Snow.jpg
Front Lawn of the NWS Office in Corpus Christi.
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25 December 1974 → Tropical Cyclone Tracy struck Darwin, Australia. Winds gusted up to 135 mph, even though it was the smallest hurricane-strength tropical cyclone on record with a diameter of only 60 miles, and gale force winds only extending 30 miles out from the center. At least 65 lives were claimed.  http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/tracy.shtml
25 December 2004 → It was New Orleans' first (and, so far, only) Christmas with measurable snowfall, with half an inch of snow. It was also their fourth heaviest snow on record.
25 December 2011 → Tennis ball sized hail, flash flooding, and two tornadoes struck west of Melbourne, Australia. Also, the warmest temperature ever recorded at the South Pole: 10 degrees.
25 December 1776:  Thomas Jefferson noted that the first winter snow fell on Dec. 20, but did not last on the ground one day. Temperatures dropped to 30 degrees or colder on Christmas Day. That night, 22 inches of snow fell. From the 20th of December until March 6, 10 snows covered the ground and some of them were deep. The first rain came on the 9th of March. In Frederick County, two feet of snow was recorded.
25 December 1987: Since 1894, Tucson, Arizona has seen snow on Christmas Day four times. The most recent event occurred in 1987 when Tucson saw 2.6 inches.
http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/tucson.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/60/56084497-6b5d-54b4-8c93-309dd288b6f2/50d925ac5f3ef.preview-620.jpg
http://www.weather.gov/images/abr/wxhistory/December/Dec%2025%2C%201987%20Tucson%20Snow.jpg
The 1987 snowfall turned Tucson's downtown, seen from "A" Mountain, into a winter spectacle that's rarely seen, especially on Christmas. Photo from Mari Schaefer, Arizona Daily Star in 1987.
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26 December 1927 → The worst Christmas blizzard in a century buried the UK. While most of the country experienced snow, the south suffered from the brunt of the storm with drifts in places to 15 feet or more.
26 December 1985 → Seattle, WA was in the midst of two and a half weeks of heavy fog. Christmas holiday travel was disrupted due to visibility of less than one eighth of a mile. Many flights were canceled and numerous accidents cluttered the highways.
26 December 2009 → A huge blizzard raged across the Great Plains from the 24th through today. One to two feet of snow, propelled by winds up to 60 mph, buried the area from Oklahoma to the upper Mississippi Valley. Five people died in Oklahoma.
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/gid/?n=blizzard_recap
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/eax/?n=2009dec2425blizzard
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/?n=events-20091224
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/arx/?n=dec2409
26 December 1776:
George Washington crossed the ice-clogged Delaware River. He marched on Trenton in the midst of snow and sleet thus surprising and capturing many of the British garrison.
26 December 2004:
A magnitude 9.1 earthquake near Sumatra, Indonesia generated a tsunami that caused tremendous devastation throughout the Indian Ocean. The earthquake, which is the third largest in the world since 1900, caused severe damage and casualties in northern Sumatra, Indonesia, and in the Nicobar Islands, India. The tsunami that followed killed more people than any other tsunami in recorded history, with 227,898 dead or missing. The total estimated material losses in the Indian Ocean region were $10 billion and insured losses were $2 billion. Click HERE for more information from the National Centers for Environmental Information.  http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/hazardimages/event/show/51
/images/abr/google/Survey/sd_20151223040549_image001.jpg
http://www.weather.gov/images/abr/wxhistory/December/Dec%2026%2C%202004%20Sumatra%20Earthquake.jpg
A village near the coast of Sumatra lays in ruin after the Tsunami that struck South East Asia. Photo courtesy from the U.S. Navy.
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27 December 1996 → One person was killed in a chain-reaction car accident that involved 50 vehicles on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa Bay, FL. The accident was caused by dense fog in the area.
27 December 2010 → A Christmas Blizzard in the eastern U.S. finally wound down after dropping one to three feet of snow from North Carolina to Maine. New Jersey was particularly hard hit with almost the entire state getting at least a foot, with Rahway getting 32 inches. Central Park in New York City was buried under 20 inches of snow. Winds at New London, CT gusted to 68 mph and to near 70 mph on Long Island, NY.
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/okx/SOO/case_studies/12262010.html
27 December 1987:  Today marks the end of the infamous 2-day ice storm which began as freezing rain and sleet before sunrise on Christmas Day in Oklahoma. This ice storm left parts of Oklahoma without power for over a week. Sleet prevailed across the western and northern parts of Oklahoma City, while freezing rain devastated southern and eastern parts of the metro area. Despite heavy sleet and ice accumulations of up to 2 inches, total snowfall was only a trace.
27 December 2001:  Typhoon Vamei forms in the South China Sea, about 100 miles north of the Equator. Vamei is the first recorded tropical cyclone to develop within 1.5 degrees of latitude about 104 miles of the equator.
Typhoon Vamei 2001.jpg
http://www.weather.gov/images/abr/wxhistory/December/Dec%2027%2C%202001%20Typhoon%20Vamei.jpg
This image of Typhoon Vamei was acquired by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on the Terra satellite at 0335 UTC on December 27, 2001. Maximum sustained wind speeds were recorded at 86 mph. Image courtesy from NASA.
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28 December 1879 → All 74 lives were lost when a passenger train plunged from the Tay Bridge (Dundee, Scotland) into the Tay Estuary as the middle section of the bridge collapsed. Although the bridge was poorly constructed and had already been weakened in earlier gales (including the pre-existing winds at the time of the tragedy), the ultimate failure is believed to have been caused by two or three waterspouts which were sighted close to the bridge immediately before the accident.
28 December 1999 → It took only two hours for winds to destroy two centuries of history. The usually peaceful gardens at Versailles, France became a weather-beaten battlefield during violent storms that killed more than 100 people in western Europe and reduced some cultural treasures to ruins. Many 200 year old trees were uprooted.
Newer version:  28 December 1999 → From the 26th to the 28th two incredibly powerful wind storms tore through northern and western Europe. Winds were over 100 mph in France, Germany, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Devastation to trees, power grids, and buildings was widespread. 140 people lost their lives.
28 December 2003 → A severe snow storm hit northern California and southern Oregon. As much as 2 feet of snow fell along Interstate 5 closing a 150-mile stretch of the highway, stranding hundreds of travelers. Winds from the storm caused power outages to more than 200,000 customers. One man died of a heart attack after helping other drivers.

28 December 1879:  Tay Bridge is the main-line railway across the Tay River in Scotland, between the city of Dundee and the suburb of Wormit in Fife. During the evening hours of December 28, 1879, strong winds were said to blow at right angles to the bridge. Witnesses said the storm was as bad as they had seen in 20 to 30 years. The winds at Glasgow and Aberdeen were measured at 71 mph. Winds were estimated to be 80 mph in Dundee. A passenger train departing at 7:13 pm was said to disappear three minutes later. The train was found at the bottom of the river, along with the high girders and much of the ironwork of their supporting piers. There were no survivors. The Court of Inquiry report concluded that, "The fall of the bridge was occasioned by the insufficiency of the cross bracing and its fastenings to sustain the force of the gale."
(1) View from south end of gap  
http://www.weather.gov/images/abr/wxhistory/December/Dec%2028%2C%201879%20Tay%20Bridge%20Disaster.jpg
Image courtesy from the National Library of Scotland. Click HERE for more images.   
http://digital.nls.uk/scottish-bridges/pageturner.cfm?id=74465507
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29 December 1894 → Temperatures fell into the 10 to 15 degree range in northern Florida. Tallahassee remained below freezing for the entire day.
29 December 1942 → One of the worst freezing rain storms to hit eastern Ontario in 100 years was underway. More than 1 inch of ice brought the area to a standstill for several days. Outlying areas were reported to be a mass of tangled wires and trees. Telephone wires were covered by ice as thick as a person's wrist.
29 December 1964 → Wind speeds reached 130 mph a during severe storm at Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia.
29 December 1964 → Wind speeds over 100 mph buffeted the eastern shores of Australia as a small but intense storm moved up the country's Pacific coast. The combination of the powerful winds and large hail resulted in great destruction to trees and structures. 
http://www.bom.gov.au/amm/docs/1965/moss.pdf
29 December 1876:  The Pacific Express, a train on the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway, was crossing the Ashtabula River in Ohio when the bridge collapsed. The bridge collapsed at 7:28 PM, during a snowstorm that left two feet of snow and produced 40 mph winds. The only railcar not to fall into the icy river below was the first locomotive.  
http://www.legendsofamerica.com/photos-railroad/Wreck%20of%20the%20Pacific%20Express%20Ashtabula%20Bridge%20Disaster%201876,%20Ashtabula,%20Ohio.jpg
http://www.weather.gov/images/abr/wxhistory/December/Dec%2029%2C%201876%20Ashtabula%20Bridge%20Collapse.jpg
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30 December 1933 → The temperature reached 50 degrees below zero at Bloomfield, VT. The weather observer wrote on his monthly weather form, referring to his thermometer, "Indicator went to bottom of bulb." It was the coldest reading in modern records for New England. The temperature at Pittsburg, NH reached 44 degrees below zero.
30 December 1962 → One of the worst blizzards in the 20th Century occurred in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Maine received most of the snow with dangerous wind chills the primary source of discomfort for New Hampshire and Vermont. 40 inches fell in just 24 hours at Orono, ME. Drifts reached 20 feet in Bangor, ME. Temperatures were below zero and winds over 60 mph produced life threatening wind chills.
30 December 1960:  A massive accumulation of snow, 68.2 inches to be exact, buries the Japanese city of Tsukayama in 24 hours. Tsukayama is located in the coastal mountains inland from the Sea of Japan along Honshu's west coast and subject to major sea-effect snowfalls.
30 December 2003:  For the first time in five years, sections of Las Vegas received an inch or two of snow on cars, roads, sidewalks and trees, while snow flurries fell on downtown and the Strip.
http://photos.lasvegassun.com/media/img/photos/2011/08/25/scaled.20031230_snow001_t653.jpg?214bc4f9d9bd7c08c7d0f6599bb3328710e01e7b
Image from the Las Vegas Sun.
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31 December 1967 → The Green Bay Packers beat the Dallas Cowboys 21 to 17 in the Ice Bowl. It was 13 degrees below zero at Lambeau Field, and the wind chill was -35.
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/grb/?n=icebowl67
https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/historical-weather-ice-bowl-marks-50th-anniversary
31 December 1968 → The world's highest sea-level barometric pressure reading occurred: 1083.3mb at Agata, Russia.
31 December 1978 → Europe's coldest temperature on record: -73 degrees at Ust Schugor, Russia.
31 December 1988 → The Chicago Bears beat the Eagles 20 to 12 in the playoff game known as the Fog Bowl. Just before half-time, a dense fog rolled in from Lake Michigan. Visibility was less than 20 yards. The fans and the announcers could not even see the game!
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/news/display_cmsstory.php?wfo=lot&storyid=76934&source=2
31 December 2000 → The 2000 Independence Bowl will be remembered as the Snow Bowl. About 30 minutes before kickoff snow blew into Shreveport, LA with strong winds whipping from one end zone to the other. The game started with the synthetic grass field a mix of green and white. By the second quarter, the turf was blanketed by snow. Plows were used during timeouts to make the goal lines, end lines, and hash marks visible. Snow fell throughout the game. Mississippi State beat Texas A&M 43 to 41 in overtime.
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/shv/?n=snow_bowl_2000
31 December 2010 → Forty tornadoes swarmed from the Ozarks to central Illinois, and also across central Mississippi. EF3 twisters struck Cincinnati, AR, Fort Leonard Wood, MO, Rolla, MO, Sunset Hills, MO, Lake Petersburg, IL, and near Macon, MS. Seven people were killed.
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/tsa/?n=weather_event_30dec2010
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/sgf/?n=event_2010dec31_survey
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lsx/?n=12_31_2010
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ilx/?n=lakepetersburgtornado31dec2010
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jan/?n=2011_01_01_severeweatherevent
31 December 1890:  According to the National Meteorological Library and Archive from the United Kingdom, during the month of December, 1890, Westminster, England saw zero hours of sunshine. Click HERE to read more Weather Extremes.  http://cedadocs.badc.rl.ac.uk/262/1/factsheet09.pdf
31 December  1933:  During the last week of December, a series of winter storms pounded the mountainside with 12 inches of rain near Los Angeles. More rain occurred on New Year's Eve, including 4.86 inches in downtown Los Angeles. The 4.86 inches is currently the fourth most rainfall to occur in one day in downtown Los Angeles since 1877. Around midnight, hillsides in at least three mountain locations collapsed sending millions of tons of mud and debris into the Crescenta Valley neighborhoods below. Crescenta Valley is a few miles north of Los Angeles. This mudslide destroyed more than 400 homes. Following the disaster, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the County of Los Angeles built a flood control system of catch basins and concrete storm drains, designed to prevent a repeat of the 1934 disaster. The Historical Society of the Crescenta Valley has a few "Then and Now" photos from this event.  http://www.cvhistory.org/thennow/thennow.htm
http://www.weather.gov/images/abr/wxhistory/December/Dec%2031%2C%201933%20LA%20Flood.jpg
View north from Mayfield Avenue showing a covered section in the foreground to be used as a street crossing. Concrete for the wall sections is moved by crane from the mixer to the top of the walls. Image courtesy from the National Archives and Records Administration.
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http://www.crh.noaa.gov/abr/scripts/wxhistory.php
Also run off http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lmk 

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See also From MPX "This Day in Weather History"  http://www.crh.noaa.gov/mpx/WxHistory.php
New version: From MPX "This Day in Weather History"  http://www.weather.gov/mpx/wxhistory 
This "Day in Weather History" contains come memorable weather events and trivia from 1805 to the present day for much of Minnesota and west central Wisconsin. Many sources were used to research and compile the data. The Twin Cities/Chanhassen National Weather Service would especially like to thank the Minnesota State Climatology Office and its contributors for their input into this database.
December 1
1 December 1998: The warmest December day ever in the Twin Cities was recorded, with a high temperature of 68 degrees. St. Cloud rose to 61 degrees.
See entry for date in http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
1 December 1985: Parts of central Minnesota received up to a foot of snow. Snowfall totals included 12 inches at Waseca and Milaca, 11.3 at Alexandria, and 11 inches at Fairmont and Long Prairie.
See entries for date in http://www.weather.gov/mqt/today_in_history and
http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
December 2
2 December 1985: Record low high temperatures were set in northern and east central Minnesota with temperatures ranging from the single digits below zero to the single digits above. Alexandria was the cold spot with a high of 4 degrees Fahrenheit below zero. Other low high temperatures included Redwood Falls with 3 below, Long Prairie with zero, and Litchfield and Little Falls with 5 degrees above zero.
See entry for date in http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
2 December 1982:  A warm-up spread over Southern Minnesota.  A record high temperature of 63 degrees was set at the Twin Cities.
See entry for date in http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
December 3
3 December 1998: The temperature at Albert Lea soared to a record-setting high of 67 degrees. 
See entry for date in http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
December 4
4 December 1886: Minneapolis hit a record-setting low temperature of 15 degrees below zero.
December 5
5 December 2001: An unseasonably warm December day occured, with a high temperature of 63 degrees at the Twin Cities. Summer-like thunderstorms developed and dropped quarter-sized hail at the Eyota Post Office in Olmsted County.
See entries for date in http://www.weather.gov/mqt/today_in_history and
 http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
5 December 1979: Mild air moved into Minnesota, with high temperatures of 52 degrees at St. Cloud and 54 degrees at Browns Valley.
5 December 1928: Canby received three inches of snow or greater for the third consecutive day.
December 6
6 December 1950: A snowstorm hit Duluth with 23.2 inches of snow in 24 hours, and a storm total of 35.2 inches.
See entry for date in http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
6 December 1939: Warm weather occurred over parts of Minnesota. The high temperature hit 62 degrees at New London.
December 7
7 December 1982: Due to unseasonably mild temperatures during the preceding weeks, a farmer near St. Bonifacius was able to bail his 4th crop of alfalfa hay on this day.
7 December 1927: A blizzard hit the Arrowhead region with heavy snows and 70-mph winds at Duluth. 
See entries for this date on 
http://www.weather.gov/mqt/today_in_history  and
http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
December 8
8 December 1995: A strong low pressure system passed across Northern Minnesota that produced considerable snowfall in advance of an intense cold front. Snowfall of five to eight inches was common with eight inches recorded at New London and Alexandria. The most snow reported was 9.6 inches in Mound. The Minneapolis, St. Paul International Airport received 7.1 inches.The cold front moved through by late morning on the 8th as temperatures dropped 20 degrees within an hour of the frontal passage. Strong northwest winds of 20 to 40 mph immediately behind the front resulted in severe blowing and drifting and white-out conditions in many areas. Over 150 schools closed early or cancelled classes. Many businesses closed early as well. The Governor ordered state offices closed at noon on the 8th, sending thousands of state employees home. Over 100 outbound flights were cancelled at the Twin Cities International Airport, but the airport remained open.
8 December 1876: The term "Blizzard" was first used in the government publication “Monthly Weather Review.”
8 December 1804: John Sayer at the Snake River Fir Trading Post near present day Pine City mentioned: "Cold day. Thermometer 10 degrees below freezing." Lewis and Clark also noted this cold wave at their winter quarters in Ft. Mandan near present day Bismarck, North Dakota.
December 9
9 December 2003: Significant snow with amounts between 6 to 10 inches fell from southwest Minnesota, across the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, into west central Wisconsin. Winds across the area were 25 to 30 mph, with blowing and drifting snow in open areas. Although some parts of far south central Minnesota only picked up 4 to 6 inches, winds in this area were a little stronger, creating near-blizzard conditions. The greatest snowfall totals occurred in the Twin Cities metro, where Chaska, Chanhassen and New Hope all picked up 11 inches. Ten inches were recorded at Lamberton, Springfield and Gaylord. There was a sharp cutoff on the northern edge of the snow; Lamberton in southernmost Redwood County tallied 10 inches, while 25 miles to the north at Belview in far northern Redwood County, only 2 inches was recorded. Rockford, straddling the Hennepin/Wright County line, received 6 inches, whereas Buffalo, 10 miles to the northwest in central Wright County, only received 1 inch.
9 December 1995: The passage of the strong low pressure system on the 8th led to wind chill readings of 50 to 75 degrees below zero as strong northwest winds of 25 to 40 mph ushered significantly colder air across the region. The dangerously cold wind chill readings persisted through the morning of the 9th.
9 December 1961: A snowstorm hit central Minnesota, with Mora getting about a foot of snow.
December 10
10 December 1992: As of this date the Duluth harbor had a partial ice cover.
10 December 1979: A 'heat wave' developed across Minnesota. High temperatures of 54 degrees at Twin Cities and 57 degrees at Winona were recorded.
10 December 1978: Alexandria ended it fourteen-day stretch of low temperatures at or below zero degrees Fahrenheit.
10 December 1889: A late-season thunderstorm was observed at Maple Plain.
December 11
11 December 2010: A blizzard hit much of southern Minnesota. Minneapolis saw a December record 16.3 inches of snow in one calendar day and much of the metro area saw between 15 and 20 inches of snow.
See also entries for 11 Dec 2010 at http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory and
http://www.weather.gov/mqt/today_in_history
11 December 1983: Nine cars fell through the ice at the same time on Buffalo Lake in central Minnesota. There was only 5 to 6 inches of ice on the lake.
11 December 1979: The temperature dropped in Roseville from 48 degrees at 2 pm to zero by dawn of the following day.
11 December 1916: Montevideo has its fifty-second consecutive day with no precipitation.
December 12
12 December 2004: A strong cold front pushed through Minnesota during the early morning hours. By dawn, winds turned to the northwest and increased to 25 to 40 MPH with gusts as high as 70 MPH. The windiest part of the day was from mid morning through mid afternoon when many locations suffered sustained winds in the 30 to 45 MPH range. The highest wind gusts recorded in southern Minnesota during this time included 71 MPH in Welch and 62 MPH near Albert Lea, St. James, Winthrop and Owatonna. Other notable wind gusts included 59 MPH at New Ulm, 58 MPH in Mankato, 55 MPH in St. Cloud and Morris, 54 MPH at Redwood Falls, and 52 MPH at the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport. Scattered trees were downed and a few buildings received minor roof damage across the region.
See entry for 13 Dec 2004 in http://www.weather.gov/mpx/wxhistory
12 December 1939: A December gale along the North Shore led to winds clocked at 48 mph at Duluth.
December 13
13 December 1995: A low pressure system moved across northern Minnesota depositing a band of five- to seven-inch snowfall along a line from around Wheaton, to north of St. Cloud, to around Rush City. Alexandria received seven inches of snow. Meanwhile in southern Minnesota, one to four inches of snow fell, along with one-quarter to one-half inch of freezing rain, which forced some school closures.
See also entries for 13 Dec 1995 at http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory and 
for 14 Dec 1995 at http://www.weather.gov/mqt/today_in_history and 
http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
13 December 1821: An extended cold snap began at Ft. Snelling. High temperatures were below zero for all but one day of a 19-day stretch.
December 14
14 December 1996: Snowfall exceeding one foot was reported from south central Minnesota through portions of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Some of the higher snow totals included 15 inches at Rockford, 14 inches at Cedar and North Branch, 13 inches at Stewart and 7 to 10 inches across the central and southern parts of the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
See entries for date in http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory and 
for 15 Dec 1996 in http://www.weather.gov/mqt/today_in_history 

14 December 1933: A severe ice storm hit southeast and central Minnesota.
December 15
15 December 1971: A snowstorm hit Duluth with 10 inches.
See entry for date in http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
December 16
16 December 2000: A surface low pressure system tracked east-northeast through Iowa on the 18th and then into western Illinois during the early evening hours. Extreme south central and southeast Minnesota received 6 to 10 inches of snow, including Albert Lea with 10.5 inches, Kiester and Bixby with 6.0 inches.
See entry for 17 Dec 2000 in http://www.weather.gov/mqt/today_in_history
16 December 1972: Fairmont had its fifteenth consecutive day with low temperatures at or below zero degrees Fahrenheit.
16 December 1940: A snowstorm hit much of Minnesota. Water equivalent of the snow was 1.27 inches at Winona.
See entry for the date in http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
December 17
17 December 1996: 20- to 40-mph winds combined with recent snowfall produced blizzard like conditions for about a 36-hour period over much of the area. Whiteout conditions were common in rural and open areas. Every county road in Yellow Medicine County was impassable by the morning of the 18th. Travelers heading west were stranded in Clara City as plows were pulled off the road. Wind chills were as low as 60 degrees below zero.
17 December 1946: Heavy snow was reported along with strong wind across northern Minnesota. Duluth had winds up to 62 mph.
December 18
18 December 1923: Southern Minnesota experienced a 'heat wave'. Temperatures rose into the 60s at New Ulm and St. Peter.
18 December 1917: Milaca had its fifty-ninth consecutive day with no precipitation.
December 19
19 December 1983: Record lows were set across central Minnesota with temperatures ranging from fifty degrees below zero to the upper twenties below zero. Mora set their record with a low of 52 below, with 42 below at Little Falls, 41 below at Jordan, St. Cloud, and Cambridge, and 39 below at Long Prairie, Milaca, and Stillwater.
19 December 1923: Unseasonably mild temperatures occurred in Minnesota. Temperatures climbed into the 60s at New Ulm.
December 20
20 December 1989: Minnesotans were hard pressed to find snow cover across most of the state. Only good places to cross country ski were at Grand Marais and along the Gunflint Trail.
December 21
21 December 1993: Strong northwest winds gusted to 35 miles an hour and caused near whiteout conditions over a wide area of southwest Minnesota during the late afternoon on the 21st into the early morning of the 22nd. Several car accidents occurred. A 30-year old man was killed when he lost control of his truck and slid into a ditch in the near blizzard like conditions. Counties affected include: Blue Earth, Brown, Chippewa, Faribault, Lac Qui Parle, Redwood, Renville, Watonwan, and Yellow Medicine.
21 December 1939: This day was the latest date on record for Lake Minnewaska to freeze over at Glenwood.
December 22
22 December 2000: A chilly day was found in Minnesota, with a high temperature of zero degrees in Minneapolis, and a low of 14 below.
December 23
23 December 1996: Heavy snow fell across much of central Minnesota. The heaviest snow of 6 to 10 inches fell in central and eastern sections of area while snow amounts were in the 4 to 6 inch range in the north. Other snowfall totals included 6 to 8 inches across the Twin Cities metro area, 10 inches in Jordan, 8 inches at Cambridge, Forest Lake, Hutchinson and Montevideo, and 6 inches at St. Cloud, Glenwood and Redwood Falls. Counties affected include: Sherburne, Sibley, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Wright, and Yellow Medicine.
Newer version: 1996: Heavy snow accumulated across much of southern and central Minnesota. Snowfall totals included 6 to 8 inches across the Twin Cities metro area, 10 inches in Jordan, 8 inches at Cambridge, Forest Lake, Hutchinson and Montevideo, and 6 inches at St. Cloud, Glenwood and Redwood Falls.
See entries  for date in http://www.weather.gov/mqt/today_in_history
and http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
23 December 1983: The Twin Cities experienced a bitterly cold high temperature of 17 degrees below zero.
23 December 1833: A 'warm spell' was reported at Ft. Snelling. The temperature reached 45 degrees.
December 24
24 December 1996: Strong winds of 20 to 30 mph, combined with over a foot of new snowfall, resulted in restricted visibilities from blowing snow. As a result, several highways closed, including Highway 19 west of Redwood Falls, Highways 7 and 40 at Madison, and Highways 67 and 23 out of Granite Falls.
See entries for 25 Dec 1996 at http://www.weather.gov/mpx/wxhistory ,
 http://www.weather.gov/mqt/today_in_history
and http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
24 December 1982: Heavy rain fell over the state, along with slushy snow over southwest Minnesota. The Twin Cities received 2.61 inches of precipitation through Christmas. Some lightning and thunder occurred with the heavy rain on Christmas Eve.
December 25
25 December 1999: Strong winds resulted in a one hundred thirty-foot radio tower to collapse in Milaca. No wind measurements were available in the city of Milaca. However, Princeton airport (Mille Lacs county), had a gust to 45 mph at 10:35 pm CST. St. Cloud airport (Stearns County), had a gust to 44 mph at 8:52 pm CST. Mora (Kanabec county) had a gust to 55 mph at 9:35 pm CST, and a gust to 47 mph at 10:35 pm CST.
25 December 1996: A strong low pressure system which deposited heavy snow over much of Minnesota on the 23rd, pulled extremely cold Canadian air southward over Minnesota. The cold remained entrenched through the 26th. Temperatures fell to 15 to 35 degrees below zero Christmas Day morning. The Twin Cities and St. Cloud set new record low temperatures both days. In addition, the high temperature on Christmas Day in the Twin Cities was only 9 degrees below zero. Combined with the record low temperature that morning of 22 below, the mean temperature for Christmas Day was 16 degrees below zero. This Christmas Day set a new record for being the coldest day on record for the Twin Cities metro area, going back to the year 1890 when modern day records began.
See entry for 24 Dec 1996 at http://www.weather.gov/mpx/wxhistory
See entries for 25 Dec 1996 at http://www.weather.gov/mqt/today_in_history
and http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
25 December 1922: People were golfing on Christmas in the Twin Cities as temperatures reached the 50's.
December 26
26 December 1990: Much of central Minnesota set record low temperatures near 30 degrees Fahrenheit below zero, while others had lows in the teens below zero. Cambridge had the coldest temperature with 31 below. Mora was close behind, with a low of 30 below. Other notably cold lows were at St. Cloud, with 29 below, and Melrose and Menomonie, WI with 27 below. 
December 27
27 December 1982: A snowstorm started across the state, and ultimately dumped 16 inches in the Twin Cities by the time it ended on the 28th.
See entry for 27 Dec 1982 in http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
December 28
28 December 2000: Central and southeast Minnesota received 6 to 10 inches of snow. Some notable snow amounts include: Chanhassen NWS Forecast Office with 7.8 inches, St Cloud with 7.5 inches, and Hutchinson, Willmar, Albany, Red Wing, and Long Prairie with 7.0 inches.
See also entry for this day in http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
28 December 1979: Balmy weather enabled a city park crew in Duluth to rake leaves.
28 December 1927: A cold snap resulted in sharp temperature drops across Minnesota. The temperature would fall from 41 degrees to -15 at Farmington.
December 29
29 December 1999: The temperature at Minneapolis soared to a high of 53 degrees.
December 30
30 December 2005: A large swath of snowfall in the 6- to 8-inch range fell approximately north of a line from Madison to Redwood Falls through Glencoe and Woodbury. Even heavier snowfall occurred west of a Granite Falls to Willmar line, where reports of between 8 and 11 inches were recorded. In Willmar, several vehicles were reported stuck in ditches. A semi-truck also rolled onto its side.
30 December 1996: 6 to 7 inches of snow fell in Willmar. The new snowfall, in addition to previous heavy snowfall, caused a portion of the historical society's roof to collapse.
30 December 1980: A 'heat wave' developed across Minnesota. Redwood Falls hit 51 degrees.
December 31
31 December 1999: Balmy end to the 2nd millennium over Minnesota with temperatures in the 30's over central and southern Minnesota near midnight.
31 December 1937: Damage was done by flood at Grand Marais, while 18 inches of snow was dumped on Grand Portage.
31 December 1913: New Ulm had its fortieth consecutive day without precipitation.
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MQT Today in History http://www.weather.gov/mqt/today_in_history
This "Day in Weather History" contains memorable weather events for much of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Many sources were used to research and compile the data.

December 1
1897: On December 1, 1897, the wood schooner-barge, bulk freight, 2-mast Joseph Paige, while carrying iron ore, was outbound from Marquette in tow of the steamer H.B. Tuttle, when she was cast adrift and drove onto a reef near Vermillion Point in Lake Superior during a gale. A patrolling Lifesaver spotted her and the Vermilion Pt. Lifesaving Service managed to take her crew off before she broke up, even though the USLS boat was smashed in a most difficult rescue.
1985: On December 1, 1985, authorities closed portions U.S. 41 between Houghton and Marquette due to low visibilities and snow covered roads. High winds drove water off Keweenaw Bay onto Highway 41 where it froze and also deposited rocks and other debris onto the highway. Waves undermined the foundation of a beachfront home in Marquette with boulders washed ashore and trees uprooted east of Marquette and shoreline homes received severe property damage near Marquette. NMU and MTU students stranded in Munising due to highway M-28 being closed due to the snowstorm. 23.7 inches of snow fell out of the storm on this day along with 2.30 inches of liquid water equivalent, both daily records at WFO Marquette out of the storm total of 31.3 inches for December 1st and 2nd. Ironwood had 19.5 inches with 5 foot drifts, Menominee had 15 inches, Norway had around 20 inches and Bark River had 14.5 inches out of the snowstorm.
See entries for date in http://www.weather.gov/mpx/wxhistory and
http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory

1908: On December 1, 1908, the steel, bulk freighter D.M. Clemson, while carrying coal, went missing in a gale/blizzard in Lake Superior, leaving little evidence behind. All 24 crew members perished. The ship has still not been found and was last seen off Whitefish Pt. early on the 1st. It was the largest U.S. ship lost in 1908, worldwide.
1922: On December 1, 1922, the Canadian steel, bulk freighter Maplehurst, while carrying coal, had her engine fail in a gale and she fell into troughs of the big waves, capsized and sank near the Upper Entrance to Portage Ship Canal, Keweenaw in Lake Superior. Some sources say she was driven ashore and wrecked just off Upper Entrance. Bound Lorain, OH for Ft.William, Ontario. 11 of 20 crew members perished. 
Also on cassette tape “Lake Superior Shipwrecks – Stories by Dr. Fred Wolff
2008: On December 1, 2008, a strong low pressure system moved from the Central Plains into the Great Lakes region. Snow developed out of this system late in the day on November 30th, and continued through a good part of December 1st. Snowfall totals of around a foot were common into Eastern Upper Michigan in Chippewa and Mackinac Counties. Trout Lake picked up 17 inches of snow.
December 2
1976: On December 2, 1976, a record low temperature of -10F occurred at WFO Marquette.
1929: On December 2, 1929, the wooden fish tug Alice L was lost in a gale east of Grand Marais, MI with one person aboard who perished.
1926: On December 2, 1926, the steel, bulk freighter Cottonwood, while carrying stone, was driven hard ashore at Coppermine Point, Ontario in Lake Superior in a gale and declared a total loss, but salvaged in the spring of 1927. Salvage and repair cost over $100,000.
2004: On December 2, 2004, an intensifying low pressure system moved east across northern Lower Michigan. Snowfall with this system was enhanced by Lake Michigan. In Chippewa County, 8 to 9 inches of snow fell near Whitefish Point and Paradise, with 6 to 7 inches across the rest of the central and western part of the county. A low pressure system developing over the Northern Plains moved across the Upper Great Lakes and brought significant snow to portions of north central Upper Michigan. The heaviest snow occurred over Marquette County where 24-hour snowfall totals included 10 inches at the Marquette National Weather Service and 12 inches at Skandia.
2007: On December 2, 2007, a low pressure system tracking from the Plains into the central Great Lakes dropped widespread heavy snow across west and central Upper Michigan from the 1st into the 2nd. Occasionally heavy lake effect snow developed behind the system on the night of the 2nd and continued into the 4th. Snowfall totals from the event included nine inches near Bark River and Garden Corners and 11 inches two miles northwest of Gladstone, eight inches in 24 hours at Iron Mountain, nine inches in 24 hours at Norway and Kingsford and ten inches in 8 hours at a spotter location seven miles north of Iron Mountain. A spotter eight miles south of Marenisco measured 9.5 inches of snow in 13 hours while a spotter twelve miles west of Watersmeet reported 10 inches of snow in 18 hours. A spotter four miles northwest of Pelkie reported eight inches of snow in eight hours. Another spotter two miles south of Calumet estimated 10-12 inches of snow in 24 hours. Spotter reports of ten inches of snow in 18 hours were estimated over southern Ontonagon County. A spotter in Amasa reported 8.6 inches of snow in 18 hours. Heavy snow amounts from the event included eight inches in 12 hours at Ahmeek and ten inches in 24 hours at Mohawk. An observer 15 miles south of Wetmore reported ten inches of snow in 24 hours. Ten inches of snow was measured in 18 hours at Ishpeming.
December 3
1962: On December 3, 1962, Marquette had a high temperature of 59F.
1976: On December 3, 1976, a record low temperature of -12F occurred at WFO Marquette.
1850: On December 3, 1850, the wood brig 2-mast Henry Clay went ashore in a gale at Point Nipigon in the Straits of Mackinac in Lake Huron. Not much was damaged, but the ship ended up high and dry and unsalvageable. Crew and passengers were picked up by the passing steamer Troy.
December 4
1893: On December 4, 1893, the wood scow-schooner, 2-mast South Side, while carrying Christmas Trees and ties, was seen to be adrift and helpless off Milwaukee in the first few days of December. Reported ashore on Plum Island in Lake Michigan during a gale on the 4th and later a total wreck. Five aboard and feared lost.
1906: On December 4, 1906, the wood, passenger and package freighter Golspie, while carrying oats and barley, was driven broadside on a rocky beach at Brule Bay at Michipicoten Island, Ontario in Lake Superior, where she broke up and became a total loss by the 7th. Her crew suffered greatly from the cold while walking to shelter. 5 crewmen lost hands or feet to frostbite.
1989: On December 4, 1989, the U.S. Coast Guard Buoy Tender Mesquite struck a rocky bar due to a navigational error and sank off Keweenaw Point in Lake Superior. USCG thought she would weather over the winter [though few vessels stranded in that area ever had] but she was damaged beyond repair by winter storms and ice. Partially stripped in the spring and sunk [actually lowered by a huge floating crane] to become part of an underwater preserve in 1990.
December 5
1891: On December 5, 1891, the wood schooner E.M. Scove, while carrying lumber, was bound Pine Lake, Michigan, for Milwaukee, when she foundered in shallow water in a gale just off Pilot Island, WI in Death's Door in Lake Michigan. She was a total loss of about $6000. She broke up the following year, despite continued salvage efforts.
2001: On December 5, 2001, WFO Marquette had a record high temperature of 52F, part of a December that averaged 7.4F above normal.
See entries for date in http://www.weather.gov/mqt/today_in_history and
 http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
1997: On December 5, 1997, the combination of a surface trough across Upper Michigan, an upper low over Wisconsin and cold northerly winds blowing over the relatively warmer waters of Lake Superior combined to produce heavy lake effect snows over the Lake Superior shoreline counties of west and central Upper Michigan. Heavy snow began across Gogebic and Ontonagon counties around 800 am EST on the 4th. The heavy snow spread east to include parts of Keweenaw, Houghton, Baraga, and Marquette counties by the afternoon of the 4th. The snow was concentrated in lake effect snow bands producing widely varying accumulations across the region. The heavy snow diminished to light snow around noon on the 5th. Here is a listing of the heavier snow totals by county: Baraga, Gogebic, Houghton, Keweenaw, Marquette and Ontonagon. Herman 12.0, Ironwood 15.1, Alston 9.0, Phoenix 11.0, Watton 10.4, Ramsay 11.0, Watersmeet 9.7, Marquette Airport 16.3, Bergland 21.0, Carlshend 10.0, Ontonagon 16.0 inches.
December 6
1867: On December 6, 1867, the wood schooner Bonnie Doon, while carrying lumber, was bound Saginaw for Chicago when she was driven ashore and wrecked at Bois Blanc Island in Lake Huron while encountering a gale in the Straits of Mackinac.
1847: On December 6, 1847, the wood schooner Chippewa, while carrying furs and trade goods, was wrecked on Sawtooth reef near the tip of Keweenaw Peninsula in Lake Superior. Crew reportedly walked to Milwaukee. One of the earliest vessels operating on Superior, portaged around the Soo in 1845.
1906: On December 6, 1906, the wood, package freight and passenger Monarch, while carrying passengers and general merchandise, was lost in a blizzard during a gale, when she drove her prow right up into the woods on Blake Point at Isle Royale in Lake Superior. After her people escaped, she began to break up, then slipped backwards into deep water, where she still lies. One person of 61 aboard perished.
2008: On December 6, 2008, an arctic cold front blasted portions of Upper Michigan with blizzard to near-blizzard conditions and occasional heavy snow on the 6th and 7th. The Ironwood Police reported an estimated foot of lake effect snow at some places across the city. Wind gusts to 30 mph also caused blowing and drifting of snow with visibilities of less than one-quarter mile at times. Occasional whiteout conditions were reported across Houghton and Keweenaw Counties as winds gusted over 30 mph at times with the spotter five miles west of Houghton reported 6 inches of snow in less than 12 hours. Wind gusts around 30 mph caused blowing and drifting of snow throughout much of the county. The National Weather Service in Negaunee Township measured 4.4 inches of snow in the 12-hour period ending at 7 pm. An observer west of Sundell, near the Alger-Marquette County line, estimated a foot of snow in the 24-hour period ending at 8 am on the 7th. The Manistique AWOS reported wind gusts at or above 30 mph through much of the afternoon and evening of the 6th. There was a public report of an estimated 12-14 inches of snow at Steuben for the 24 hours ending at 8 am on the 7th. A spotter in Munising reported eight inches of snow in the 12-hour period ending at 10 am on the 7th. The Munising ASOS reported wind gusts to 30 mph into the early morning hours of the 7th. A clipper low pressure system moved through the Northern Great Lakes region on the 6th. Southwest winds ahead of the clipper kicked off heavy lake enhanced snow near Lake Michigan, beginning late on the 5th across eastern Upper Michigan. As the clipper passed, another burst of heavy snow moved through, with a period of gusty northwest winds and resulting blowing and drifting snow. Fourteen inches of snow fell in Epoufette.
2001: On December 6, 2001, a large spruce tree was blown down in Phoenix in the early morning. The storm that brought thunderstorms to Upper Michigan on the afternoon of the 5th also produced strong west winds across the Upper Peninsula later that night and early on the 6th. There were numerous reports of trees and branches blown down and power outages, especially over the exposed Keweenaw Peninsula. Storm force winds were reported on Lake Superior with the Stannard Rock lighthouse in south central Lake Superior reporting a gust to 72 knots.
December 7
1895: On December 7, 1895, the wooden steam tug Pearl B. Campbell, was returning to Duluth after pulling at the stranded schooner Henry A. Kent near Marquette, when she filled and sank stern first in a gale after accumulating a heavy load of ice on her upper works near the Huron Islands in Lake Superior. All 7 crew members perished.
1927: On December 7, 1927, the steel, package freight 'canaller' Kamloops, while carrying general merchandise, went missing in a tremendous gale, probably capsized from the weight of ice in her superstructure. Little information or wreckage was found until the wreck was discovered in 1977 in 175-280' of water off Twelve O'Clock Point, Isle Royale in Lake Superior. Bound Montreal for Ft. William. Bodies of part of her crew were found on Amygdaloid Island the next spring, sitting around a fire site. All 22 crew members perished.
See entries for date at http://www.weather.gov/mpx/wxhistory and 
http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
2006: On December 7, 2006, strong northwest winds gusting as high as 35 to 45 mph brought heavy lake effect snow and considerable blowing snow to portions of west and central Upper Michigan on the evening of the 6th continuing into the 7th. The Munising Public Schools, AuTrain-Onota and Superior Central Schools were all closed in Alger County on the 7th due to the heavy snow and blowing snow. Twelve inches of snow was reported in 12 hours at the Seney Post Office. Ten inches of snowfall was observed in Ironwood in 12 hours. Snowfall amounts in 24-hours included 10 inches at the National Weather Service in Negaunee Township and at Shot Point. Considerable blowing and drifting of snow was reported especially along Lake Superior. Numerous reports of six inches of snow in 12 hours were received from Ewen, Rockland and just inland from Ontonagon. Gusty northwest winds contributed to occasional whiteout conditions. 
December 8
1976: On December 8, 1976, a record low temperature of -13F occurred at WFO Marquette.
1927: On December 8, 1927, the bulk freight steamer Altadoc was making for Ft. William, Ont., and went aground in a gale at Keweenaw Point east of Copper Harbor. She later broke in two and was finished off by fire in her coal bunker. Further east in a separate incident, the steel, bulk freight Lambton, while carrying grain, stranded on Parisienne Island in Whitefish Bay in Lake Superior northwest of the Soo during a gale and was heavily damaged. 2 of the 20 member crew perished. She was recovered the following year and rebuilt as a barge. The steel, bulk freight E.W. Oglebay was upbound light for Ft. William, Ontario, when she was driven ashore by a NE blizzard/gale at Shot Point 10 miles east of Marquette. Her crew were rescued by U.S.C.G. and the tug Columbia. She was gutted by fire and became constructive total loss a short time later. Her hull was removed to Drummond Island in 1942 where it is still in use as a dock facing for the stone quarry.
See entry for date in http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
December 9
1976: On December 9, 1976, a record low temperature of -9F occurred at WFO Marquette.
1995: On December 9, 1995, a state of emergency was declared in Sault Ste Marie. The National Guard was sent in to help dig the city out from a heavy snowstorm. 27.8 inches of snow fell in 24 hours in Sault Ste Marie, a 24-hour record.
1909: On December 9, 1909, the dredge barge Dredge #8, foundered in a gale and was declared a total loss at East Hatton Island, Thunder Bay, Ontario in Lake Superior. 6 crew members perished.
1927: On December 9, 1927, the steel, bulk freight Martian went ashore and wrecked during a gale at Hare Island in Thunder Bay, ON in Lake Superior. She was later raised.
2009: On December 9, 2009, a storm system developing over the Plains deepened rapidly as it tracked across the Lower Great Lakes region in the early morning hours. The storm produced widespread heavy snow across west and central Upper Michigan on the 8th and 9th with blizzard conditions reported in Keweenaw, Houghton, Marquette and Menominee counties on the 9th with area schools closed on the 9th and Houghton County schools closed on the 10th. The observer near Stambaugh measured six inches of snow in the 12-hour period ending on the morning of the 9th. North winds gusting over 30 mph throughout the day on the 9th continued to cause reduced visibility in blowing snow. Observers in Ironwood and Watersmeet reported respective storm total snowfalls of 30 and 11 inches during the event. The observer in Painesdale measured 13 inches of snow in 24 hours during the event. The spotter near Calumet reported nearly a foot of storm total snowfall along with occasional whiteout conditions in blowing snow. The observer near Sidnaw measured six inches of snow in less than 12 hours during the day on the 9th. Winds gusting around 25 mph at times also caused considerable blowing and drifting of snow. The spotter at Rockland estimated a storm total snowfall of more than 15 inches during the event. The observer four miles east of Silver City measured eight inches of snow in the 12-hour period ending on the morning of the 9th. In addition, the observer in Ontonagon reported severe blowing and drifting snow along with occasional whiteouts and broken tree branches due to north winds gusting more than 30 mph.
See also entry for 8 Dec 2009 at  http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
December 10
1995: On December 10, 1995, 27.8 inches of snow fell in 24 hours in Sault Ste Marie, a 24 hour record. A man was found frozen to death in a snowbank near his disabled vehicle on Harju Road near Bruce Crossing or about 30 miles southeast of Ontonagon. Overnight lows were around -15 F with wind chills as low as 60 degrees below zero.
1906: On December 10, 1906, the steel, bulk freight R.L. Ireland was heavily damaged in a stranding earlier in the fall, but was pulled off the rocks before the waves destroyed her. Struck by a gale while in tow to Duluth, she broke her hawser and was driven ashore in the Apostle Islands, WI in Lake Superior where waves wrecked her. Declared a total loss at the time, but recovered and lasted (as Sirius and Ontadoc) until 1970.
1943: On December 10, 1943, the steel, bulk freight Sarnian, while carrying barley, was driven ashore 1/2 mile south of Pte Isabelle, Bete Grise Bay in Lake Superior by the giant waves of a northeast gale. Her crew was rescued by the U.S.C.G., but the vessel was a total loss. Raised and removed to Chicago in 1944, where she was cut up for scrap. Bound from Port Arthur.
2003: On December 10, 2003, WFO Marquette had a record daily snowfall of 11.5 inches of snow and a daily record water equivalent of 1.28 inches during a snowstorm that affected most of the U.P.
December 11
1943: On either December 11th or 12th, 1943, the wood steam tug, fish tug Reliance, while carrying fishing gear, was reportedly carrying an overload of fuel and gear. This fish tug left Fairport, Michigan and was last seen off Point Detour in a gale. She never made it to the fishing grounds near the Fox Islands, and no trace of her was ever located in northern Lake Michigan, despite a search by fellow fishermen and the Coast Guard. All 3 crew members perished.
1978: On December 11, 1978, Houghton County went over 100 inches of snow for the season, the earliest 100 inches of seasonal snow ever recorded.
1995: On December 11, 1995, the largest storm total snowfall in Sault Ste Marie history of 61.7 inches fell from December 8th to the 11th. Record snow depth of all time equaled at Sault Ste Marie of 50 inches. Not only did Sault Ste Marie see a lot of snow, but Ontonagon saw 40 inches of snow also from December 8th to the 11th.
2010: On December 11, 2010, a storm system tracking from the Central Plains into the Great Lakes dumped heavy snow over portions of west and central Upper Michigan from the 11th into the 13th. There was record daily precipitation at WFO Marquette with 0.85 inches of water equivalent. Norway received seven inches of snow in a 12-hour period ending on the evening of the 11th. North winds gusting over 30 mph late in the evening of the 11th continued into the 12th causing considerable blowing and drifting of fallen snow. A public report from five miles northwest of Manistique measured nine inches of snow in a 12-hour period ending on the morning of the 12th. North winds gusting over 30 mph also caused considerable blowing and drifting of snow through the event.
See also entries for 11 Dec 2010 at http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory and
http://www.weather.gov/mpx/wxhistory
December 12
2010: On December 12, 2010, record snowfall of 12.3 inches occurred at WFO Marquette.
1869: On December 12, 1869, the wood bark, 3-mast De Soto, while carrying 480 tons of iron ore, was laid up at a dock at Marquette awaiting repairs from a gale on November 19th that damaged her, when a nor'easter gale tore her loose from the dock and caused her to drag ashore just south of Cleveland dock in Marquette, where she was pounded to pieces.
1875: On December 12, 1875, the wood schooner Stranger, while carrying general merchandise, was dismasted off Grand Marais, MN by a westerly gale. She had no anchor and was unable to get a line sent from a boat. The storm eventually blew her out of sight into Lake Superior, where her crew presumably froze to death. Wreckage eventually came ashore on the Keweenaw Peninsula. Out of Superior, WI. All 4 crew members perished.
1895: On December 12, 1895, the wood, fishing tug Kakabeka was struck by a gale, and she broke away from her winter moorings and drifted out into the lake. A change of wind then drove her back on shore near where she started. She was salvageable at first, but she broke up in heavy waves near Silver Islet, near Port Arthur, Ontario in Lake Superior on the 16th while salvagers were enroute.
1995: On December 12, 1995, a low pressure system moved across Upper Michigan on the 9th and stalled near Sault Ste. Marie for nearly 24 hours. The low finally moved to the east on the morning of the 10th. What followed were intense northwest oriented lake effect snow bands that brought 59 inches of snow to Bumbletown, 53 inches to Munising, 43 inches to Ontonagon and 34 inches to Silver City, Houghton and Pine Stump Junction (10 miles north of Newberry). Blowing snow with northwest winds at 15 to 30 mph closed Highway M28 between Harvey and Munising for most of the period and made travel very difficult elsewhere.
2003: On December 12, 2003, a low pressure system that developed in the plains, moved northeast through the central Great Lakes. Rain and snow developed over Upper Michigan on the 9th, and then changed to a heavy wet snow on 10th. By the time the storm moved away on the 12th, the combination of system and lake effect snows deposited as much as 23 inches at Phoenix and 22 inches at Mohawk in Keweenaw County and 22 inches at the Marquette National Weather Service office. Nineteen inches fell at Watton in Baraga County, 17 inches at Ironwood, 15 inches at Bruce Crossing in Ontonagon County, 12 Inches at Wetmore in Alger County, and 11 inches at McMillan in Luce County and at Germfask in Schoolcraft County.
1892: On December 12, 1892, the wood freighter Northerner, while carrying bbls oil and railroad rails, had stranded outside L'Anse a few days earlier, but was finally towed in and tied up Dec 7. She caught fire at the dock on this day. A frantic effort was made to extinguish the blaze before it reached the cargo, but once it did, the Northerner, the dock and the warehouse facility were destroyed by the blaze. Arson was strongly suspected.
December 13
1976: On December 13, 1976, a record low temperature of -20F occurred at WFO Marquette.
2004: On December 13, 2004, a strong low pressure system moving down from Manitoba brought significant snow and wind to much of west and central Upper Michigan on the 12th and 13th. Spotters reported 24-hour snowfall totals of 10 inches at Phoenix Farms in Keweenaw County, 13 inches at Wetmore in Alger County, 15 inches at Wakefield in Gogebic County and Paint Lake in Iron County, and 20 inches at Calumet in northern Houghton County. 12-hour totals included 6 inches at Gladstone in Delta County, 12 inches at Bruce Crossing in Ontonagon County, 16.5 inches at Watton in Baraga County, and 16.7 inches at the Marquette National Weather Service. North winds gusting to 35 mph resulted in considerable blowing and drifting of snow and near-blizzard conditions. The highest wind gusts measured were over the Keweenaw Peninsula with 48 mph at the Houghton County Airport and 53 mph at Copper Harbor. Many area schools were either closed or delayed due to the storm while numerous minor traffic accidents were reported as a result of the slippery roadways. WFO Marquette had a daily record snowfall of 16.8 inches and 0.74 inches of water equivalent from the snow.
See entry for 12 Dec 2004 in http://www.weather.gov/mpx/wxhistory
2010: On December 13, 2010, a storm system tracking from the Central Plains into the Great Lakes dumped heavy snow over portions of west and central Upper Michigan from the 11th into the 13th. A spotter near Bergland measured a storm total snowfall of 16.6 inches including a report of 12 inches of snow in 24 hours. A spotter east of Silver City measured ten inches of storm total snowfall. A spotter east of Ironwood measured ten inches of snow in 24 hours and 14 inches storm total snowfall during the event. North winds gusting near 30 mph also caused reduced visibilities in blowing snow. The observer at Herman measured a storm total snowfall of 15.9 inches including 12 inches in a 24-hour period. A spotter at Covington estimated 13 inches of snow in 24 hours.
1906: On December 13, 1906, the wood, package freight John M. Nicol, while carrying 2500 tons of barbed wire, ran aground in a blizzard at Big Summer Island near the Garden Peninsula in Lake Michigan and broke in two, a total loss. She had reportedly been leaking when she left port and was unable to withstand the heavy seas. The crew was rescued by local fishermen in a small gas launch. Salvage of her valuable cargo was carried on during the following winter, and a shanty was erected on Big Summer for the shelter of the salvage crew.
December 14
1883: On December 14, 1883, the wood schooner-barge Mary Ann Hulbert, while carrying railroad supplies and workers, was in tow of steamer Kincardine, when she was overwhelmed and foundered in a heavy gale off St. Ignace Island, 40 miles northeast of Thunder Bay, ON in Lake Superior. She had been bound for Michipicoten Island from Port Arthur, Ontario. In terms of loss of life, this is the worst sailing ship disaster in Lake Superior history. Crew of 5 plus 15 railroad workers as passengers perished.
2006: On December 14, 2006, freezing rain and freezing drizzle developed over portions of west and central Upper Michigan in advance of a low pressure system moving in from Minnesota. Icy roads caused numerous accidents in Iron and Dickinson county and closed some schools early in Iron County. Light freezing rain or freezing drizzle created slippery road conditions and caused several accidents in the Iron Mountain-Kingsford area. A Norway woman lost control and rolled her vehicle on Highway US-8. She was transported by ambulance to Dickinson County Memorial Hospital where she was treated and released.
1995: On December 14, 1995, low pressure moving east across northern Wisconsin brought widespread heavy snow to most of Upper Michigan. A 50-mile wide area through Ironwood, Iron River, Iron Mountain and Escanaba received between 9 and 12 inches of snow from 1200 EST on the 13th to 1200 EST on the 14th. 
See entry for 14 Dec 1995 in http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
December 15
1922: On December 15, 1922, the wood, tug and cargo vessel Reliance, while carrying lumberjacks and oildrums, was bound Puckasaw, Ont., for the Soo, when she grounded in a storm at Lizard Island, Ontario in Lake Superior. The crew and passengers endured a gale and temperatures as low as -18 before rescue. Still, four died of exposure.
1996: On December 15, 1996, low pressure moved from Kansas on the afternoon of the 14th to southwest Wisconsin by 2 am on the 15th and crossed eastern Upper Michigan during the evening of the 15th. Heavy snow developed around midnight of the 15th across the west half of Upper Michigan and ended by noon the same day. East of Marquette and Iron Mountain, precipitation was mostly rain. The highest snow totals included Phoenix in Keweenaw County with 12 inches, 10 inches in northwest Iron County about 20 miles northwest of Iron River, and 9 inches at Pelkie in Houghton County and Three Lakes in Baraga County. The remainder of the affected area received between 6 and 8 inches of snow in less than 12 hours. 
See entry for 14 Dec 1996 in http://www.weather.gov/mpx/wxhistory
2005: On December 15, 2005, a slow moving area of low pressure southwest of Michigan provided an extended period of southeast winds to the region. Heavy lake enhanced snow off of Lake Huron pounded much of eastern Upper Michigan on the night of the 14th through the 15th. Eastern Chippewa and Mackinac Counties (mainly east of I-75) received about a foot of snow over a 24 hour period. Lake enhancement off of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan brought heavy snow to portions of the Keweenaw Peninsula and south central Upper Michigan on the 14th and 15th. Storm totals included 16 inches at Phoenix, 14 inches at Calumet, and 10 inches each at Wallace in Menominee County and Gladstone in Delta County. Southeast winds gusting as high as 35 mph caused near-blizzard conditions at times during the afternoon and evening hours of the 14th along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Many area schools were either closed or delayed due to the storm system, and numerous minor traffic accidents were reported.
2008: On December 15, 2008, a passage of a strong Arctic cold front caused blizzard to near-blizzard conditions over western Upper Michigan on the 15th. Dangerously cold wind chills also developed on the 15th and 16th with the arrival of colder air in the wake of the front. An observer ten miles south of Grand Marais measured 8 inches of snow in less than 18 hours. Northwest winds gusting over 30 mph at times also caused considerable blowing of snow and reduced visibilities. The observer eight miles southwest of Ontonagon measured 11 inches of snow in the 24-hour period ending at 7 am on the 15th. West winds gusting over 30 mph caused reduced visibility in blowing snow as well. Schools were closed in Ontonagon on the 15th due to the harsh winter conditions. 
December 16
1906: On December 16, 1906, the wooden steam tug, Adventurer, broke her moorings and went adrift in a gale in Lake Superior. Driven on rocky shore near Ontonagon and pounded to pieces. No one was aboard at the time.
2008: On December 16, 2008, passage of a strong Arctic cold front caused blizzard to near-blizzard conditions over western Upper Michigan on the 15th. Dangerously cold wind chills also developed on the 15th and 16th with the arrival of colder air in the wake of the front. The Ironwood AWOS reported wind chill values between 25 and 35 below zero through the period. Temperatures plunged into the 15 to 20 below zero range across much of the county on the morning of the 16th as schools closed in Ironwood, Wakefield and Watersmeet-Marenisco. Ewen-Trout Creek Schools closed on the 16th due to the bitter cold. 
December 17
2000: On December 17, 2000, cold northwest winds blowing across the relatively warm waters of Lake Superior, combined with an upper air disturbance moving over the lake, produced lake effect snow showers across most of Upper Michigan overnight on the 16th and early on the 17th. The heaviest snowfall amounts occurred over the western and north-central parts. Ironwood reported 9.5 inches of new snow, 9.0 inches fell at Chatham, and 8.2 inches at Ontonagon and Chassell.
See entry for 16 Dec 2000 in http://www.weather.gov/mpx/wxhistory
December 18
2002: On December 18, 2002, freezing rain fell across much of Upper Michigan. Many locations reported between a quarter to one third of an inch of ice accumulation. Southerly flow from a strong area of low pressure over Minnesota brought abundant moisture and warm air aloft into Upper Michigan. At the surface, early morning temperatures were still below freezing when rain began falling over the southern Upper Peninsula and then spread northward. As the rain fell, it froze on road surfaces as well as cars, trees and other objects. A quarter of an inch of ice accumulation was reported in Powers, Paulding, Cornell, Rock, Arnold, Wetmore, McMillan, Steuben and Nestoria. Watersmeet reported half an inch of ice and Iron Mountain reported a third of an inch of ice. Many schools were closed and numerous minor auto accidents were reported. The freezing rain ended about noon as temperatures warmed above freezing and the accumulated ice began melting.
2001: On December 18, 2001, snow depth dwindled from 20 inches on the 1st to 1 inch at WFO Marquette on the 18th-19th and 23rd.
1899: On December 18, 1899, Barge 115, an unrigged barge, steel whaleback, bulk freighter, while carrying iron ore, broke from her tow steamer, the whaleback Colgate Hoyt, well out in Lake Superior during a gale, and went ashore 5 days later and broke up on Pic Island near Marathon, Ontario. Other ships of her fleet searched the lake for her for days. Her crew was thought to be lost, but showed up days later after a long tramp through the wilderness. The barge was declared a total loss the following May.
1998: On December 18, 1998, locally heavy lake effect snow showers produced up to 10 inches of snow across northern portions of Chippewa County.
December 19
1996: On December 19, 1996, a surface trough stalled over central Upper Michigan and central Lake Superior on December 18th and 19th. With northerly winds across the west half of Lake Superior, heavy lake effect snow developed around midnight on the 18th and continued through the evening of the 19th. The heaviest snow occurred over Baraga, Keweenaw, Houghton and Ontonagon Counties where amounts exceeded 2 feet in 36 hours. Actual totals were: Herman, L'anse and Bergland with 33 inches, Three Lakes 16 inches, Watton 10 inches, Ironwood 20 inches, Calumet 15 inches, Kenton 13 inches, Pelkie 12 inches, Houghton 10 inches, Phoenix 25 inches, Ontonagon 22 inches. Further south, a southwest flow lake effect snow event began during the early morning hours of the 18th and continued into the morning of the 19th. A persistent snowband developed across Lake Michigan. The onshore flow produced 18-24 inches of snow in a zone between Naubinway and Brevort.
1998: On December 19, 1998, arctic air flowing south behind an Alberta Clipper set up a band of lake effect snow showers across parts of western Upper Michigan. Snowfall totals included 11 inches at Rockland and at Ironwood.
2000: On December 19, 2000, on the 18th and 19th, low pressure moved from western Illinois to Lake Huron, spreading snow across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. North winds turned northeast and intensified lake effect snow bands. The lake enhanced snow showers tapered off during the evening of the 19th as the low pulled away and winds became variable. Twenty-four hour snowfall reports included 16 inches in Negaunee and Gwinn, 14.5 inches in Ontonagon and Herman, 15 inches in Bergland, 13 inches in Chatham and 11 inches in Bessemer.
December 20
1904: On December 20, 1904, Manistique had nearly 2 feet of wind-blown snow. 
December 21
2004: On December 21, 2004, a southerly flow ahead of a strong Alberta clipper system produced heavy lake enhanced snows for counties downwind of Lake Michigan on the 20th and the early morning of the 21st. Strong southerly winds gusting to around 40 mph also resulted in near blizzard conditions across portions of Alger, Delta, Menominee, Luce and Schoolcraft Counties due to extreme blowing and drifting of snow. Roads become quickly snowpacked and hazardous which led to numerous minor accidents. The storm also forced the temporary closure of U.S. Highway 2 between Rapid River in Delta County and Manistique in Schoolcraft County as well as closing many area schools. 24-hour snowfall totals included 10 inches at Menominee, several 10 to 12 inch reports in Schoolcraft County, 12 inches at Grand Marais in Alger County and at Newberry in Luce County. Cold Arctic air behind the system then dumped heavy lake effect snows over Ontonagon County on the 21st. Rockland reported a 12- hour snowfall amount of 9 inches. Places in western Chippewa and Mackinac Counties saw around a foot of snow.
2000: On December 21, 2000, a low pressure system moved into the western Great Lakes region. Southeast winds ahead of this system triggered heavy lake effect snow across eastern Chippewa county, where 6 to 12 inches fell from late in the evening on the 20th through the morning of the 21st. Meanwhile, south winds developed on Lake Michigan ahead of this system. This triggered heavy lake effect snow across western Mackinac county. Snow fell from the early morning hours to late in the afternoon and produced 8 to 10 inches of snow in Mackinac County. Snow fell over all of the Upper Peninsula with the greatest amounts in areas where the system snow was enhanced by the moisture and instability from Lakes Michigan and Superior. Twenty-four hour snowfall amounts included 12 inches in Ironwood, 16 inches in Manistique, 16 inches in Copper Harbor, 11 inches in Chatham, and 10 inches in Ontonagon and Houghton.
See entry for date in http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
2008: On December 21, 2008, a clipper low pressure system moving through Wisconsin, brought heavy lake enhanced snow to portions of Delta County on the 20th and 21st. The system also brought heavy lake effect snow to portions of Marquette County and the Keweenaw Peninsula. Winds gusting around 40 mph at times also caused considerable blowing of snow over the Keweenaw Peninsula. The observer along Highway M-35 near the Menominee County line measured 8.6 inches of lake enhanced snow in the 12-hour period ending on the morning of the 21st. A spotter in Toivola measured 6 inches of snow in 7 hours on the 21st. Northwest winds gusting to 25 to 30 mph at the Houghton County Airport occasionally lowered visibility to one half mile through the event. The Keweenaw County Sheriff reported 6 inches of snow in 8 hours at Eagle Harbor from the evening of the 21st into the early morning of the 22nd. North winds gusting over 30 mph caused blowing and drifting of snow throughout the day of the 22nd. The observer in Ahmeek measured eight inches of lake effect snow in the 24-hour period ending on the morning of the 22nd. Eight inches of lake effect snow fell just north of Ishpeming in the 12-hour period ending on the morning of the 21st. Eight inches of snow also fell in Harvey for the 24-hour period ending on the morning of the 22nd. Locally heavy snow and blowing snow continued from the 21st into the morning of the 22nd.
December 22
1879: On December 22, 1879, the wood steam tug Siskiwit stranded on a reef offshore Dec 12. One person of the 10-member crew died when she sank near Grand Marais, MN in Lake Superior in a gale while being towed in by the tug Amethyst, which was almost lost as well. Her crew and a number of passengers spent several freezing days in the northwoods.
1998: On December 22, 1998, across eastern upper Michigan accumulations of 12 to 18 inches were reported across northern portions of Chippewa County. Winds gusting to around 30 mph caused widespread blowing and drifting snows and produced near whiteout conditions at times. Low pressure moving from northern lower Michigan into eastern Ontario and Quebec produced strong northwest winds over upper Michigan that brought bitterly cold air down from Canada. The cold air flowing across the warm waters of Lake Superior set up bands of heavy lake effect snow squalls. Storm totals include 8 inches at Rockland, 10 inches at Pelkie, and 10 inches at Paradise.
December 23
1968: On December 23, 1968, the worst storm since the blizzard of '38 declared across the western U.P. from December 21st to the 23rd. Sault Ste Marie and Marquette received a foot of snow. Houghton and Hancock had 21 inches, 35 inches of snow fell In Ironwood from the 21st to the 23rd with winds up to 45 mph.
1996: On December 23, 1996, WFO Marquette recorded a daily snowfall record of 11.5 inches. Low pressure crossing lower Michigan spread locally heavy snow to the north of its track across eastern upper Michigan. A southwest flow in advance of the low provided some lake enhancement across Mackinac County as winds were onshore for a time. Total snowfall across Mackinac County ranged from 8-14 inches. The snow started at noon on this day and ended in the morning on the 24th.
See entries  for date in http://www.weather.gov/mpx/wxhistory
and http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
1993: On December 23, 1993, arctic air entrenched over the Great Lake region continued to set off heavy lake effect snow across the snowbelts of Michigan. In upper Michigan, the heaviest snowfall fell across the far west and from Alger county to Luce and Chippewa counties. Up to 21.0 inches of snow fell in a 24 hour period in Ontonagon county with around one foot falling in Alger, Luce and Chippewa counties. Snowfall in Marquette, Baraga and Gogebic counties of upper Michigan reported much less snowfall with around four to six inches.
2007: On December 23, 2007, a strong low pressure system tracking through Upper Michigan brought strong wind and near-blizzard conditions to portions of Delta County. Strong winds in excess of 40 mph at times downed power lines and knocked out electricity to 96 customers in Escanaba. Near-blizzard conditions in snow and blowing snow also contributed to several accidents in Delta County. A spotter north of Ironwood reported a storm total snowfall of 15 inches while a spotter seven miles northeast of Marenisco measured 12 inches in 12 hours. Several traffic accidents were attributed to snow-packed highways from the storm in Gogebic County.
See entry for date in http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
2006: On December 23, 2006, a storm system developing over the central Plains tracked into eastern Lake Superior early on the 23rd. This system dumped heavy snow over portions of western Upper Michigan from the evening of the 22nd continuing into the morning of the 23rd. Bessemer/Wakefield areas observed 12 inches of snowfall in 12 hours. Twin Lakes observed 11 inches of snow in 12 hours.
December 24
1993: On December 24, 1993, WFO Marquette had the first of 7 straight days with lows below zero.
2000: On December 24, 2000, on the 23rd and 24th, a low pressure system moved from Wisconsin to Lake Huron. Strong north winds generated more lake effect snow showers over Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Most areas received some snow as the system passed by, but the heaviest amounts fell in the north-central part around Marquette. Negaunee reported 13 inches, Herman recorded 10 inches and 8.5 inches fell in Marquette with the majority of the snow falling on the 24th. Southeast winds ahead of this storm system produced a narrow band of heavy snow downwind of Lake Huron. This band was confined to areas around Drummond Island and De Tour Village in far eastern Upper Michigan. During the evening of the 23rd, these locations received around 10 inches of snowfall.
See entry for 24 Dec 2000 at  http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
1999: On December 24, 1999, arctic air moved across the Great Lakes to produce a prolonged period of lake effect snow across portions of eastern upper Michigan. During the 23rd, lake effect snow began falling across far northeastern Chippewa county. The snow finally diminished by early morning on the 24th with far northwestern Chippewa county receiving 16 to 18 inches of snow.
2009: On December 24, 2009, a low pressure system developing over the Plains brought periods of heavy snow...sleet and freezing rain to portions of western Upper Michigan from Christmas Eve into Christmas Day. The observer in Rockland measured ten inches of wet snow in 15 hours. Snow was mixed with freezing rain toward the end of the event. Four inches of wet snow mixed with freezing rain fell in Marenisco. The observer in Houghton measured six inches of wet snow in four hours. A separate report from Chassel estimated six inches of snow in five hours. The observer in Mohawk measured six inches of snow in eight hours while the observer northeast of Calumet measured 4.5 inches of snow in five hours. 
December 25
1849: On December 25, 1849, the wood schooner, fur trader Siskawit, while carrying light, was driven onto a bar just offshore near mouth of Chocolay River, southeast of Marquette, MI in Lake Superior and wrecked during a gale. Those aboard had 'kidnapped' her and her cargo at L'Anse a few days earlier.
2003: On December 25, 2003, heavy snow moved into the region from the northeast on Christmas Eve night, wrapping around a powerful upper level disturbance in the eastern Great Lakes. The snow was enhanced by warmth and moisture off of Lake Huron. Snowfall totals of 6 to 10 inches occurred over far eastern Upper Michigan in Chippewa and Mackinac Counties with ten to twelve inches of snow fell near Kinross and Hessel.
2004: On December 25, 2004, an Arctic airmass lingering over the region generated heavy lake effect snow bands off Lake Michigan. Areas hit with the heaviest snows were along the Garden Peninsula in Delta and southern Schoolcraft counties. Cooks in southern Schoolcraft County was blanketed with 15 inches of snow in 12 hours, while just to the west, Garden Corners in Delta County received 10 inches. Heavy lake effect bands also developed off Lake Superior on the evening of the 25th and continued into the 26th. The city of Marquette was pounded with 8 inches of snow in just 3 hours while the National Weather Service Office just to the west measured 14 inches in 6 hours. Big Bay in Marquette County also received 8 inches in 12 hours.
1998: On December 25, 1998, strong west winds pushed frigid arctic air across Lake Superior...developing a band of lake effect snow squalls that extended from the Apostle Islands, across the Keweenaw Peninsula and into central Lake Superior. The snow squalls over the Keweenaw Peninsula continued until the wind shifted to the southwest. Snowfall totals were in excess of 30 inches at Calumet and at the Houghton County airport, but exact measurements were impossible because of the blowing and drifting. The snow started on the 23rd in the morning and ended early in the morning on the 25th.
1996: On December 25, 1996, low pressure moved from Illinois to northern Lake Huron on the morning of the 24th bringing up to 10 inches of synoptic scale snow to central and eastern Upper Michigan. As the low moved to the northeast, cold air on northerly winds blowing across the warmer waters of Lake Superior then brought 7 to 10 additional inches of lake-enhanced snow to areas between the Keweenaw Peninsula, Marquette and Whitefish Point. The snow ended during the afternoon of the 25th. The highest snow totals were 20 inches at Two Heart (25 NNE of Newberry in Luce County), and 18 inches at Marquette and Calumet. Other snow totals were Munising and Shingleton with 13 inches, Herman 15 inches, and Newberry with 10 inches.
See entries for 25 Dec 1996 at http://www.weather.gov/mpx/wxhistory ,
 http://www.weather.gov/mqt/today_in_history
and http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
2008: On December 25, 2008, a low pressure moving from the Plains toward the Lower Great Lakes on Christmas Eve spread moderate to heavy snow over portions of east and west Upper Michigan. Observers reported 7 to 10 inches of snow between McMillan and Newberry in less than 24 hours. The snow started in the morning on the 24th and ended early in the morning on the 25th.
December 26
1993: On December 26, 1993, WFO Marquette had a record cold high temperature of -2F. Strong northwest winds with gusts to 54 mph continued to keep Michigan gripped in arctic air setting off another round of heavy lake effect snow for Upper Michigan that started on the 25th and continued until noon today. The strong winds combined with lake effect snow brought near blizzard conditions to portions of eastern Upper Michigan. Wind chill values dropped to 65 below zero at Sault Ste Marie during the early morning hours. Snowfall amounts ranged from three to seven inches in western Upper Michigan and around ten inches in eastern Upper Michigan. In addition to the snowfall, snow drifts up to three feet were reported. The high winds caused considerable blowing and drifting snow resulting in the closing of many secondary roads with main highways barely passable. Numerous accidents were reported as a result of the snow covered roads during the Christmas weekend.
1999: On December 26, 1999, a strong cold front associated with an intense low pressure center over Hudson Bay swept across Upper Michigan Christmas Night into the morning of the 26th with 35 to 45 mph winds and gusts over 60 mph. The strongest winds were reported over the Keweenaw Peninsula where 90 percent of the area lost power overnight and hundreds of trees were blown down, ranging from 5 to 6 inch diameter fir trees to 12 inch birch and maple trees. Power companies worked well into the afternoon of the 26th removing downed trees and repairing damaged power lines. $50,000 worth of property damage was reported. The strongest wind speeds were also felt in Mackinac County along the lake Michigan shoreline. Sustained winds during this time period were at 30 to 40 mph with occasional gusts to 50 mph. Wind speeds up to 62 mph were recorded in the straits of Mackinac.
December 27
1993: On December 27, 1993, WFO Marquette had a record low temperature of -13F.
1904: On December 27, 1904, a snowstorm began with 60-mph wind gusts that piled snowdrifts in Ironwood estimated to be 12-15 feet deep and this storm lasted for more 30 hours. 
See entry for following day in http://www.weather.gov/mqt/today_in_history
2009: On December 27, 2009, a low pressure system moving from Wisconsin over northern Lake Michigan generated moderate lake effect snows over south central Upper Michigan on the 26th and 27th. A spotter just southwest of Menominee measured seven inches of lake effect snow in just over 12 hours.
December 28
1976: On December 28, 1976, a record low temperature of -17F occurred at WFO Marquette.
See entry for following day in http://www.weather.gov/mqt/today_in_history
1904: On December 28, 1904, a snowstorm ended that caused trains to be stuck in and around Ontonagon, which shut down businesses, delayed mail delivery for two days, and stranded passengers. 
See entry for previous day in http://www.weather.gov/mqt/today_in_history
December 29
1874: On December 29, 1874, a low temperature of -23F occurred in Negaunee.
1976: On December 29, 1976, a record low temperature of -20F occurred at WFO Marquette.
See entry for previous day in http://www.weather.gov/mqt/today_in_history
1993: On December 29, 1993, heavy lake effect snow once again plagued the snowbelts of Michigan. Hardest hit areas in Upper Michigan were along the Keweenaw Peninsula, and in Alger, Luce and Chippewa Counties where snowfall amounts ranged from 7.0 to 11.0 inches. Compounding the heavy lake effect snowfall was strong westerly winds of 15 to 30 mph with gusts to near 50 mph. With arctic air in place across Michigan and strong winds wind chill factors ranged from 30 to 50 below zero during the entire event.
2008: On December 29, 2008, an intense clipper low descending from southern Canada brought high winds, snow and blowing snow to areas along Lake Superior. Northwest winds gusted between 50 to 60 mph at the GLOS site at Grand Marais in the afternoon, while winds gusted over 40 mph at the Munising ASOS. Light snow and reduced visibility in blowing snow were also reported by several spotters. Wind gusts estimated between 50 and 60 mph downed a few trees near Two Heart in the afternoon. Snow and blowing snow also reduced visibility to one half mile or less at times over northern Luce County.
1998: On December 29, 1998, a low pressure center that tracked across southern lower Michigan brought some accumulating snow to west and central upper Michigan. After the low passed, strong north winds brought a blast of arctic air across Lake Superior, generating lake effect snow showers and snow squalls. Storm totals reported include 10 inches at Ahmeek, Shingleton, Pine Stump Junction and at 5 miles east of Shingleton in northwest Schoolcraft county and 12 inches at Chassell.
December 30
1976: On December 30, 1976, a record low temperature of -25F occurred at WFO Marquette.
1985: On December 30, 1985, the steel, fishing tug Susie Q was carrying fishing gear. After she lost power in a gale, a distress signal was sent and her crew was rescued by Coast Guard helicopter. The tug foundered later and is thought to be within the boundaries of the Marquette Underwater Preserve off Big Bay, MI in Lake Superior.
2004: On December 30, 2004, a low pressure system originating over the Central Plains brought a warm moist flow of air northward into the Upper Great Lakes on the 30th. This warm moist air riding over cold air at the surface brought widespread freezing rain to much of west and central Upper Michigan. Significant ice accumulation of a quarter inch or more created hazardous travel on area roadways. Numerous minor accidents were reported by law enforcement officials.
December 31
1884: On December 31, 1884, a low temperature of -40F occurred in Michigamme.
1978: On December 31, 1978, the Houghton County airport reported 119 inches of snow for the month of December, 60.1 inches above normal.
1995: On December 31, 1995, the snowiest month of all time occurred at Sault Ste Marie with 98.8 inches for December, 62.5 inches above normal.
1996: On December 31, 1996, WFO Marquette had a record daily snowfall of 8.1 inches. Upper Michigan found itself in an area of strong isentropic lift between high pressure north of Lake Superior and a weak surface trough moving across Wisconsin on the 30th. This produced a general 3 to 6 inch of snow across the area. Isolated lake enhancement occurred off of Lake Superior resulted in 12 inches total at L'anse and 11 inches at Marquette.
1998: On December 31, 1998, locally heavy lake effect snows produced up to 12 inches of snow across northern portions of Chippewa County. The heavier lake effect snow showers produced whiteout conditions at times.
2001: On December 31, 2001, a storm organized in the central Plains on 12/22 and headed towards Michigan's Upper Peninsula. A cold front associated with the storm moved through the U.P. during the early morning of 12/23. From 12/24 to 12/31, a prolonged lake effect snow event occurred with heavy amounts of snowfall reported each day in areas of the Lake Superior snowbelts. Snowfall amounts were highly dependent on the prevailing wind direction which was north or northwest. Marquette set a daily snowfall record of 13.0 inches of snow on 12/24, Ironwood had 17.5 Inches of snow, Wakefield 11 inches, Marenisco 10 inches, Watersmeet 12.5 inches and Shingleton 10.2 inches. On 12/25, Ironwood picked up another 14.5 inches of snow, Bessemer had 10 inches, Wakefield 12 inches and Rockland reported 21.1 inches of snow. Alger and Luce Counties also reported heavy snow with Two Heart reporting 9 inches of snow, Grand Marais 6 inches of snow, and a location just south of Munising saw 13.7 inches of snow. On 12/26, the lake effect snow let up slightly. Atlantic Mine reported 8-10 inches of snow and Wakefield reported 8 inches of snow. On 12/27, lake effect snow continued with Two Heart reporting 15 inches, Melstrand 13 inches, and Wakefield reported 12 inches. On 12/28, more lake effect snow fell. Rockland had 10.2 inches of new snow, Wakefield had 10 inches of new snow, Au Train 24 inches, and Melstrand 9.8 inches. On 12/29, heavy lake effect snow continued in places. NWS Marquette in Negaunee had 11.5 inches. On 12/30, lake effect snow diminished, but Munising received 7.0 more inches. Wakefield reported 72 inches of snow out of the lake effect snow event from 12/23-12/30. The lake effect snow showers finally came to an end over the eastern Upper Peninsula on 12/31.
/////////////
From La Crosse  http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory

"This Day in Weather History" contains come memorable weather events and trivia across southeast Minnesota, northeast Iowa and southwest into central Wisconsin. Many sources were used to research and compile the data.

December 1
2007: A storm system moved out of the Rockies to across the Great Lake States on Saturday, December 1st. Strong warming out ahead of the heart of the system led to areas of precipitation developing well to the northeast of the surface low. Precipitation spread across Iowa early Saturday morning, working across the Mississippi River into western and southwest Wisconsin by late morning. Snow fell initially, leading to some quick accumulations. However, warm air just above the surface was pressing north into the region, which caused the snow to change over to sleet over northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin by late morning. The warm air would continue to advance northward, leading to a changeover to sleet over southeast Minnesota and western Wisconsin between 2 and 4 pm. The only areas locally to stay mostly snow were north of Highway 29 in northern Wisconsin (north of Neillsville). Snow and sleet accumulations of 4 to 6 inches were common from an Austin, MN to Decorah, IA to Mauston, WI line. In most cases, a quarter of the totals were the result of the sleet. Some locations reported as much as 1 to 2 inches of sleet, with one report coming in at over 3 inches! By the evening, sleet was the dominant precipitation type, and the bulk of the accumulations were shifting into eastern Wisconsin by 9 pm. However, areas of freezing drizzle and light freezing rain developed behind the sleet, leading to some glazing of ice (a couple tenths of an inch in accumulation in many cases).
1998: Austin, MN (65) and Mondovi, WI (65) recorded their warmest December temperature.
See entries for date in http://www.weather.gov/mpx/wxhistory and
http://www.weather.gov/mqt/today_in_history
1990: Gays Mills, WI (6") snow.
1985: (also see the 2nd) A winter storm struck the region on both the 1st and 2nd of this year, with snow amounts of: In MN: Winona (16", tied 3/19/1933 and 3/30/1934 for greatest one-day snowfall), SpringGrove (15", greatest one-day snowfall), Hokah (10"), Minnesota City (8"), Rochester (7.3"), Harmony (7"), Grand Meadow (6.5"), La Crescent (6"), Lanesboro (6"). In IA: Decorah (14.5", greatest one-day snowfall), Elkader (12"), Oelwein (12"), Waucoma(11"), New Hampton (9"), Fayette (8"), Osage (8"), Charles City (7.5"), Lansing (7.4"), Cresco (7"), Dorchester (6").In WI: Jump River (17", greatest one-day snowfall), Necedah (16", greatest one-daysnowfall), Westby (13.5", greatest one-day snowfall), Cashton (12"), Lynxville (12"), Prairiedu Chien (12"), Mondovi (11.5", greatest one-day snowfall), Hillsboro (11"), Platteville(11"), Dodge (8"), Richland Center (8"), Viroqua (8"), Mather (8"), Muscoda (7"), Neillsville(7"), Galesville (6"), Genoa (6"), Lancaster (6"), Ontario (6").
See entry for date in http://www.weather.gov/mqt/today_in_history
1981: Preston, MN (9"), Cresco, IA (8"), and Lanesboro, MN (6") snow.
1962: Hatfield, WI (64), Decorah, IA (63), and Charles City, IA (62) recorded their warmest December temperature.
1954: Snowfall on this day totaled: In IA: Lansing (9"), Cresco (7"), Decorah (6.5"), Osage (6"). In MN: Grand Meadow (7"). In WI: Viroqua (7"), Genoa (6.5"), Lynxville (6"), Muscoda (6"), Neillsville (6").
1949: Dorchester, IA (6.5"), Lansing, IA (6"), Muscoda, WI (6"), and New Hampton, IA (6") snow.
1940: Viroqua, WI (7") snow.
December 2
1998: Grand Meadow, MN (62) and Jump River, WI (61) recorded their warmest December temperature.
1985: (also see the 1st) The significant snow storm from the first continued to affect the region, with snow totals ranging from: In IA: Dorchester (18", greatest one-day snowfall), Waukon (14", greatest one-day snowfall), Fayette (8.5"), Lansing (8"), Charles City (6.5"), Cresco (6"), Elkader (6"). In MN: La Crescent (13"), Preston (12.5"), Harmony (8"), Lanesboro (8"), Caledonia (6.5"), Elgin (6"), Grand Meadow (6"), Minnesota City (6"). In WI: Hatfield (16"), Soldiers Grove (15", greatest one-day snowfall), Sparta (15"), Viroqua (15", 2.2" liquid equivalent, wettest December day), Owen (11", greatest one-day snowfall), Dodge (11"), Goodrich (11"), Mather (10"), Alma (8"), Genoa (8"), Muscoda (6.5"), Prairie du Chien (6"), Richland Center (6").
See entry for date in http://www.weather.gov/mpx/wxhistory
1984: Snow fell in the following amounts: In MN: Minnesota City (6"). In WI: Mondovi (6.7"), Jump River (6.5"), Cashton (6"), Hatfield (6"), Neillsville (6").
1982: The following locations recorded their warmest December temperature: In IA: Elkader (65). In MN: Caledonia (62), Theilman (62). In WI: Genoa (65), Prairie du Chien (65), Alma (64), Dodge (64), Hillsboro (64), Lynxville (64), Neillsville (63), Trempealeau (63), Viroqua (63).
See entry for date in http://www.weather.gov/mpx/wxhistory
1980: Snow fall totals from this day: In IA: Fayette (6"). In MN: Harmony (10"), Lanesboro (9.3"), Winona (7.2"), Caledonia (7"), Spring Grove (7"), Preston (6.5"), Elgin (6"), Zumbro Falls (6). In WI: Dodge (7"), Richland Center (7"), Sparta (7"), Mauston (6"), Necedah (6"), Ontario (6"), Westby (6").
1972: Hatfield, WI (6") snow.
December 3
2009: An area of low pressure moved out of the Southern Plains, tracked across Iowa and Illinois on Saturday the 3rd, and then moved into the eastern Great Lakes on Sunday January 4th. Out ahead of the low, southerly low level winds brought warm air northward, which helped fuel areas of precipitation north of the low center, and also resulted in a wintery mix of precipitation. Initially, areas of freezing drizzle developed across western/central Iowa and southern Minnesota early Saturday afternoon, spreading to the Mississippi River, and then east of it by mid to late afternoon. The freezing drizzle would continue for much of the evening, but freezing rain also mixed in for a few hours, with snow much farther north (across northern sections of Minnesota and Wisconsin). Some light snow would eventually fall across the local area overnight Saturday, but accumulations were generally only a dusting to 1/2 inch. The main impact from the storm was the icing, with many locations reporting 1 to 2 tenths of an inch from the freezing drizzle/freezing rain. The icing made driving very treacherous, which continued into Sunday morning.
1998: Necedah, WI (63, warmest December temperature).
See entry for date in http://www.weather.gov/mpx/wxhistory
1997: Cuba City, WI (6") snow.
1990: A winter storm moved northeast out of the southern Plains on the 2nd, moving across Missouri and Illinois on the 3rd and 4th. The storm brought blizzard conditions, with heavy snow and winds gusting to 60 mph. The bulk of the snow fell on the 3rd, while some locations received a foot or more of snow over the life of the storm. Snow totals from the blizzard:In IA: Elkader (12"), Cresco (10.5"), Fayette (10.5"), Decorah (10"), Lansing (9.1"), New Hampton (9"), Oelwein (9"), Osage (9"), Mason City (8.3"), Charles City (7.4"). In MN: Minnesota City (14"), Caledonia (13"), Lanesboro (13"), Wabasha (9.4"), Grand Meadow (9.0"), Preston (8.5"), Rochester (8.4"), Winona (7.0"). In WI: Platteville (18.4", all occurred on the 3rd for their greatest one-day snowfall), Lancaster (16"), Trempealeau (16"), Mauston (15"), Ontario (15"), Sparta (14.5"), La Crosse (14.4", all occurred on the 3rd for their greatest one-day snowfall), Dodge (14"), Prairie du Chien (13"), Viroqua (13"), Alma (12"), Westby (12"), Lynxville (11"), Necedah (11" snow; 1.10" water equivalent, all occurred on the 3rd for their wettest December day), Gays Mills (9"), Mondovi (8").
1988: Ontario, WI (6") snow.
1982: Blair, WI (64), Preston, MN (63), Mather, WI (62), Owen, WI (60), and Medford, WI (59) recorded their warmest December temperature.
1970: Waukon, IA (63, warmest December temperature).
1951: Lancaster, WI (62, warmest December temperature).
1934: Winona, MN (8") and Grand Meadow, MN (6") snow.
December 4
2010: A relatively quick moving weather system dropped snow across the Upper Mississippi River Valley as it moved east-southeast from Friday, December 3rd through the overnight and early morning hours of Saturday, December 4, 2010. The snow began to fall in southeast Minnesota and northeast Iowa during the early afternoon hours on Friday and increased in intensity and coverage by the evening hours. By mid-morning on Saturday the snowfall was already decreasing and moved out of the area shortly after that. Snowfall totals were heaviest from the Twin Cities metro area through southeast Minnesota to near Dubuque, IA, ranging from 6-10 inches. On either side of this wide band, snowfall totals were closer to the 3 inch mark in north central Iowa and parts of central Wisconsin. The north half of Wisconsin received the least amount. Some amounts from the event…in IA: Decorah 8.2, Lansing 8.2, Elkader 8.0, Waukon 8.0, Marquette 7.5, Fayette 7.4, Harpers Ferry 7.3, Volga 7.2, Dorchester 7.0, West Union 7.0, Postville 6.9, Waukon 6.5, Elkader 6.2, Edgewood 6.0, Strawberry Point 6.0. In MN: Lanesboro 9.6, Houston 9.5, Peterson 9.5, Oronoco 9.3, Goodview 9.0, Rochester 9.0, Winona 9.0, Byron 8.6, Plainview 8.6, Chatfield 8.5, Eyota 8.5, Reno 8.5, Spring Valley 8.4, Theilman 8.4, Grand Meadow 8.2, Caledonia 8.0, Dover 7.8, Preston 7.8, La Crescent 7.3, Spring Grove 7.2, Dodge Center 7.0, Harmony 7.0, Lake City 7.0, Minnesota City 6.7, Brownsdale 6.5. In WI: Sinsinawa 10.5, DeSoto 9.5, Platteville 8.5, Stoddard 8.1, Genoa 7.5, Lynxville 7.5, Soldiers Grove 7.3, Viroqua 7.3, Gays Mills 7.0, Lancaster 7.0, Galesville 6.8, La Farge 6.5, Tunnel City 6.2, La Crosse 6.1.
1998: Oelwein, IA (66, warmest December day).
1973: Preston, MN (6.5") and Austin, MN (6") snow.
December 5
2001: A strong low pressure system moved northeast from southeast South Dakota into northeast Minnesota. At the same time, a strong cold front moved east across the Upper Mississippi Valley. Strong southerly winds ahead of this cold front helped temperatures to climb into the lower and middle 60s across the region. Many record high temperatures were established for the date (and also on the 4th). Sparta, WI and Prairie du Chien, WI had high temperatures of 66 degrees, which were their warmest December temperature. In addition, strong thunderstorms developed along the cold front. The winds gusted to 50 mph at New Lisbon, WI and a severe thunderstorm produced nickel size hail just south of Eyota, MN.
See entries for date in http://www.weather.gov/mpx/wxhistory and
 http://www.weather.gov/mqt/today_in_history
1998: La Crosse, WI (67), Winona, MN (65), and New Hampton, IA (63) had their warmest December temperature.
1994: The first major winter storm of the season began affecting southern Wisconsin on this day. The first round began Monday night, December 5th and ended during the morning hours of December 6th. One-half to 1.5" of snow fell in this first round. The second round of heavier snow started in the afternoon hours of Tuesday the 6th and ended during the morning hours of the December 7th. The southern quarter of the state south of a line from Prairie du Chien to Sheboygan received 5-12" of relatively wet snow in the second round of snow. The greatest totals were across Wisconsin's southern tier of counties. This storm forced numerous school closings and created hazardous travel conditions that resulted in numerous vehicle accidents.
See entries for following two dates in http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
1990: La Crescent, MN (11") snow.
1977: Westby, WI (7"), Oelwein, IA (6.5"), and Lancaster, WI (6") snow.
1973: A winter storm dropped snows totaling: In IA: Decorah (7", 1.36" liquid equivalent, wettest December day), Guttenberg (1.34", wettest December day). In MN: Grand Meadow (8"), Harmony (8"), Lake City (7"), Winona (7"), Lanesboro (6"), Minnesota City (6"), Theilman (6"), Wabasha (6"). In WI: Goodrich (8"), Curtiss (6"), Dodge (6").
1972: in MN: Elgin (7"), Rochester (6.1"), and Grand Meadow (6") snow.
1950: Jump River, WI (7") snow.
1948: Charles City, IA (1.35", wettest December day).
1947: Grand Meadow, MN (6") snow.
1925: Fayette, IA (8") snow.
December 6
1998: Platteville, WI (64), Richland Center, WI (64), and Mauston, WI (63) recorded their warmest December temperature.
1994: Oelwein, IA (6") snow.
1982: Harmony, MN (7", 1.75" liquid equivalent, wettest December day).
1972: Theilman, MN (8") snow.
1950:  Snow fell in the following amounts: In IA: Decorah (6"), New Hampton (6"), Oelwein (1.4" liquid equivalent, wettest Decemberday).In MN: Lake City (6"), Winona (6"). In WI: Alma (8"), Mondovi (7.5"), Muscoda (6").
See entry for date in http://www.weather.gov/mpx/wxhistory
1908: Fayette, IA (6") snow.
December 7
1994: The following locations recorded these snow totals: In IA: Elkader (9"), Prairie du Chien (8"), Postville (8"), Fayette (6.9"), Waucoma (6"). In WI: Cuba City (12"), Platteville (11.5"), Lancaster (8.2").
1969: Snow fell to the amounts of: In WI: Platteville (9.2"), Richland Center (8.5"), Cashton (7"), Mauston (7"), Mondovi (7"), La Crosse (6"). In IA: Osage (7"), Cresco (6.5"), Oelwein (6.5"), New Hampton (6.2"). In MN: Elgin (6.3"), Grand Meadow (6"), Spring Grove (6").
1967: Mauston, WI (1.18" liquid equivalent, wettest December day).
1950: Austin, MN (6.5"), Grand Meadow, MN (6"), and Mondovi, WI (6") snow.
1949: Goodrich, WI (7") snow.
1927:  Snow began during the evening of the 6th and continued through the 7th. The La Crosse area picked up a total of 18.3" of snow from this storm. In addition, northwest winds were in the 15 to 25-mph range which caused considerable drifting. This made some roads impassible and delayed several trains. Some precipitation totals from the 7th: La Crosse, WI (16.7", 1.58" liquid equivalent, wettest December day), New Hampton, IA (8"), and Blair, WI (1.8" liquid equivalent, wettest December day).  
See also entries for date on http://www.weather.gov/mpx/wxhistory that involve blizzard conditions in Arrowhead of Minnesota and 70 mph winds at Duluth.
Also at http://www.weather.gov/mqt/today_in_history
December 8
2009: A large winter storm brought snow into the area during the afternoon of the 8th. By late evening, 4 to 9 inches of snow had fallen mainly across northeast Iowa into southern Minnesota. Snow continued through most of Wednesday morning, December 9th, before finally diminishing that afternoon. The storm strengthened as it approached, producing strong northwest winds that gusted to 45 mph, leading to significant drifting and blowing snow. Visibilities were reduced to near zero, especially in open and higher terrain where blizzard conditions prevailed. Drifts of 4 to 6 feet were common Wednesday morning with numerous roads nearly impassable. Snow plows had a tough time keeping roads open, especially in rural areas of northeast Iowa and southeast Minnesota. Snowfall totals were generally in the 9 to 15 inch range. Some totals from the event: In IA: Strawberry Point 14.5, Calmar 13.4, Decorah 13.0, Lansing 13.0, New Hampton 13.0, Waukon 12.5, Cresco 12.0, Fayette 11.9, Edgewood 11.5, Osage 11.2, Volga 11.0, Dorchester 10.7, St. Ansgar 10.7, Wadena 10.5, Waucoma 10.5, Elkader 10.0, McGregor 10.0. In MN: Rushford 16.5, Dakota 16.3, Minnesota City 16.3, Winona 15.6, Preston 15.1, Caledonia 14.0, Spring Valley 14.0, Goodview 13.8, Oronoco 13.1, Dodge Center 13.0, La Crescent 13.0, Houston 13.0, Hokah 13.0, St. Charles 13.0, Theilman 12.9, Rochester 12.8, Grand Meadow 12.2, Wabasha 12.0, Winona 12.0, Austin 11.0, Zumbro Falls 10.6, Byron 10.5, Elgin 10.2, Mantorville 10.0. In WI: Warrens 17.6, La Crosse 17.0, Holmen 16.3, Taylor 15.0, Osseo 14.6, Union 14.5, Westby 14.5, Cochrane 14.0, Gilmanton 14.0, Steuben 14.0, Viola 14.0, Stoddard 13.5, Centerville 13.0, Medford 13.0, Shelby 13.0, Friendship 12.9, Black River Falls 12.1, La Farge 12.0, Whitehall 12.0, Muscoda 11.5, Viroqua 11.5, Lancaster 11.4, Ontario 11.4, Mauston 11.1, Owen 11.0, Richland Center 11.0, Withee 11.0, Prairie du Chien 10.5, Gays Mills 10.4, Soldiers Grove 10.3, Mondovi 10.0, Necedah 10.0, Tomah 10.0.
See also entry for 9 Dec 2009 at  http://www.weather.gov/mqt/today_in_history
2008: A low pressure system developed over the southern Plains on Monday the 8th, with a warm front running well northeast of the low center, extending into the Great Lake States. Warm, moist air pushed into and north of this boundary, resulting in areas of precipitation across Iowa and Illinois in the morning, moving north in the early afternoon. Much of this precipitation fell as freezing rain and sleet, with ice accumulations of 1/8 to as much as 1/2 inch. By mid to late afternoon, precipitation blossomed across southern Minnesota and central and southern Wisconsin. While there was some sleet associated with this precipitation, the dominant precipitation type was snow. In the evening, snow, moderate to heavy at times, fell across Minnesota and Wisconsin. Over northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin, a wintery mix affected these areas initially, but transitioned to all snow between 6 and 8 pm. Snowfall rates from 1/2 to 1 inch per hour occurred with the moderate to heavy snow bands. Snowfall would continue to fall overnight, bringing a few more inches of accumulation. Some snow amounts from this event: In IA: Decorah (8.8”), New Hampton (8.5”), Dorchester (7.8”), Waukon (7.2”), Ionia (7.0”), McGregor (7.0”), St. Ansgar (7.0”), Calmar (6.6”), Lansing (6.6”), Cresco (6.5”), Osage (6.3”), Charles City (6.0”), Postville (6.0”), Clermont (5.9”), Fayette (5.7”). In MN: Rushford (9.0”), Dodge Center (8.5”), La Crescent (8.0”), Austin (7.5”), Harmony (7.0”), Preston (6.8”), Spring Valley (6.5”), Grand Meadow (6.3”), Lanesboro (6.5”), Houston (6.1”), Goodview (5.9”), Rochester (5.6”). In WI: Millston (11.0”), Mauston (10.0”), Camp Douglas (9.0”), Richland Center (9.0”), Boscobel (8.0”), DeSoto (7.5”), Black River Falls (7.0”), Galesville (7.0”), Necedah (7.0”), Viroqua (7.0”), Tunnel City (6.9”), Hillsboro (6.4”), West Salem (6.3”), Prairie du Chien (6.2”), and Mather (6.2”).
1983: Dorchester, IA (6") snow.
1977: Mauston, WI (7") and Oelwein, IA (7") snow.
1969: Snow fall totals on this day reached: In WI: Lancaster (11"), Muscoda (9"). Owen (7"), Goodrich (6.4"), Curtiss (6"), Mather (6"), Prairie du Chien (6").In MN: Harmony (8.5"), La Crescent (6").
1950: In WI: Neillsville (9"), Jump River (9"), Hatfield (8"), Goodrich (6"), and Mather(6") snow.
1947: Grand Meadow, MN (8") and Winona, MN (6") snow.
1946: Charles City, IA (63) and Osage, IA (62) had their warmest December temperature.
1927: Fayette, IA (8", 1.40" liquid equivalent, wettest December day).
See entry for date in http://www.weather.gov/mqt/today_in_history
1924: New Hampton, IA (10") snow.
December 9
2012: Heavy snow developed across southern MN and northeast IA Saturday night (Dec 8th), spreading into western WI shortly before daybreak Sunday (Dec 9th). The snow continued to fall into Sunday night. The snow was heavy at times along and north of the I-90 corridor.Accumulations ranged from 1 to 3" by noon. During the afternoon, snowfall intensified along and north of I-90. The snow switched over to freezing drizzle across northeast IA and portions of southeast MN late Sunday afternoon and evening. The snow gradually tapered off across southeast MN Sunday evening, but continued to fall across west-central and central WI. The drier air eventually made its way into west-central WI during the late evening hours with the heavy snow switching over to a mix of freezing drizzle and light snow. This mix continued to fall across central WI into early Monday morning. 2-day snowfall totals (Dec 9-10)-In MN: Reads Landing (10.2"), Wabash (9"), Theilman (8.3"), Winona (7.7"), Zumbro Falls (7"), La Crescent (6.7"), Goodview (6.3"). In WI: Osseo (10.8"), Rock Dam (10"), Warrens (8.1"), Arcadia (8"), Neillsville (7.8"), Ettrick (7.4"), Colby (7"), La Crosse (7"), Black River Falls (6.6"), Mather (6.5"), Holmen (6.3"), Galesville (6"), West Salem (6").
1983: Prairie du Chien, WI (7") and Decorah, IA (6.5") snow.
1961: Lanesboro, MN (20", greatest one-day snowfall), Charles City, IA (6.7"), New Hampton, IA (6"), and Waucoma, IA (6") snow.
1953: Platteville, WI (7.5") snow.
December 10
2000: Cuba City, WI (11.2") snow.
1970: Cresco, IA (11"), Lake City, MN (7"), Austin, MN (6.5"), and Richland Center, WI (6") snow.   (Same date as major snowfall in MSN.)
1961: Lake City, MN (6.5") snow.
1953: Lancaster, WI (6") snow.
1949: Prairie du Chien, WI (6.5") snow.
1911: Rochester, MN (1.19" liquid equivalent, wettest December day). It is also the only time that Rochester has had over an inch of (liquid equivalent) precipitation in December. Other totals on this day: New Hampton, IA (2.98"), Hatfield, WI (2"), Lancaster, WI (1.92"). 
December 11
2010: A very potent winter storm brought record snows to the region from Friday the 10th through Sunday the 12th. Initially, the precipitation fell as a wintery mix, from rain across the southern parts, to freezing rain and sleet surrounding the Interstate 90 corridor, to snow in areas to the north. Eventually enough cold air wrapped into the system to cause all precipitation to change over to snow. The storm system moved east Saturday night, causing the snow to come to an end for the local area by Sunday morning. Very heavy snow accompanied this system with the highest amounts along and north of Interstate 90. Strong winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts of 45 mph accompanied the storm, causing significant blowing and drifting snow, as well as white-out conditions. Some totals from the storm…in IA: Waukon 12.0, Lansing 10.5, Cresco 9.5, Decorah 9.5, Dorchester 8.4, Elma 8.0, Marquette 8.0, Harpers Ferry 7.5, Ionia 7.0, Elkader 6.6, Strawberry Point 6.5, Fayette 6.2. In MN: Winona 23.0, La Crescent 17.3, Reads Landing 17.0, Rochester 16.0, Wabasha 15.9, Byron 14.8, Reno 13.7, Goodview 13.5, Minnesota City 13.5, Caledonia 13.0, Grand Meadow 13.0, Austin 12.5, Mantorville 12.0, Spring Valley 12.5, Theilman 11.7, Harmony 11.5, Lanesboro 10.8. In WI: Warrens 20.8, Medford 10.5, Holland 20.2, Friendship 19.9, Black River Falls 19.2, Four Corners 18.5, Mondovi 18.0, Osseo 18.0, Galesville 17.0, La Crosse 16.6, Blair 15.0, Alma 13.5, Owen 14.8, Holmen 14.2, Blair 14.0, Viola 14.0, Taylor 13.0, New Lisbon 12.7, Neillsville 12.0, Sparta 12.0, Necedah 11.8, Ontario 11.7, Stoddard 11.6, Tunnel City 11.4, La Farge 11.3, Hillsboro 11.2, Richland Center 10.5, Jump River 10.4, Steuben 9.0, Viroqua 8.4.
see also entries for 11 Dec 2010 at http://www.weather.gov/mpx/wxhistory and
http://www.weather.gov/mpx/wxhistory
2000: Crawford, Grant, Richland, and Vernon Counties in southwest Wisconsin were hit by the first snowstorm of the season. Between 12 AM and 1145 PM 5- 7" of snow fell. Some snow totals: Oelwein, IA (8"), Muscoda, WI (7.5"), Cuba City, WI (7"), Mt. Sterling, WI (7").
1983: Harmony, MN (7") snow.
1970:  A snow storm dropped the following snow amounts: In IA: Lansing (12"), Osage (12"), Decorah (10"), Waucoma (10"), Charles City (9"), New Hampton (9"), Elkader (7"), Waukon (6"), Fayette (6"). In MN: Harmony (10.5"), Winona (9.8"), Grand Meadow (9"), Minnesota City (8.5"), La Crescent (8"), Lanesboro (8"). In WI: Muscoda (13), Readstown (12"), Hillsboro (10"), Lynxville (10"), Prairie du Chien (10"), Westby (10"), Mather (9.2"), Viroqua (9"), Dodge (8"), Genoa (8"), Lancaster (8"), Sparta (8"), Trempealeau (8"), Mauston (6.5"), Mondovi (6"), Richland Center (6").  (Same time as major snowfall in MSN.)
1961: Alma, WI (7") and Dodge, WI (6") snow.
1949: Waukon, IA (0.94" liquid equivalent, wettest December day).
1932: Viroqua, WI (7"), New Hampton, IA (6"), and Winona, MN (6") snow.
1904: Fayette, IA (6") snow.
December 12
2000: Waucoma, IA (6") snow.
1972: Snow fall recorded on this day ranged from: In IA: Dorchester (9"), Oelwein (7.5"), Elkader (7"). In MN: Elgin (6.2"), Rochester (6"). In WI: La Crosse (8.5"), Muscoda (8"), Mauston (7"), Richland Center (7"), Platteville (6.7").
1965: Medford, WI (1.62"), Mondovi, WI (1.56"), Alma, WI (1.48"), Austin, MN (1.36"), and Jump River, WI (1.15"), had their wettest December day (liquid equivalent).
1961: A winter storm brought the following snow totals to the region: In IA: Lansing (8.7"), Dorchester (8"), Waucoma (8"), Charles City (7"), Elkader (7"), Decorah (6"), New Hampton (6"). In MN: Lanesboro (8"), Lake City (7"), Winona (7"), Harmony (6"). In WI: Jump River (11"), Goodrich (9"), Hatfield (9"), Hillsboro (9"), Mather (9"), Mauston (9"), Lancaster (8"), Sparta (8"), Necedah (8"), Viroqua (8"), Lynxville (7"), Owen (7"), Prairie du Chien (7"), Curtiss (6"), Mondovi (6"), Muscoda (6"), Neillsville (6"), Readstown (6").
1956: Elkader, IA (8") Oelwein, IA (6") snow.
1941: Fayette, IA (15") and Winona, MN (6") snow.
1899: Caledonia, MN (3.66", liquid equivalent).
1899: A strong winter storm moved into the region on the 11th and continued into the 12th . This storm produced 16" (6" on the 11th , 10" on the 12th) of snow in La Crosse, WI. Some liquid equivalent totals for this day: Caledonia, MN (3.66"), La Crosse, WI (1.86"). 
December 13
1995: Strong warm air advection and an influx of Gulf moisture produced a mixed bag of precipitation ahead of a low pressure moving eastward through central Wisconsin. Roughly the northeast one-quarter of Wisconsin and a small part of the East-Central area received 6" or more of heavy wet snow. This included Taylor County. A good portion of the remainder of the central and northeast sections of Wisconsin had ice accumulations of one-quarter to one-half inch on top of one to five inches of snow. Southern Wisconsin had a glazing (less than one-quarter inch) of freezing rain or freezing drizzle with less than one inch of snow accumulations. Hundreds of vehicle accidents were reported that resulted in numerous indirectly-related personal injuries. Many schools and colleges either let classes out early or canceled them. Scattered power outages resulted from the wind bouncing ice-covered wires. This winter storm continued into the 14th.
See also entry for 13 Dec 1995 at http://www.weather.gov/mpx/wxhistory
1983: Lake City, MN (6.1") snow.
1973: Elkader, IA (6") snow.
1972: Dodge, WI (8.4"), La Crescent, MN (7"), and Alma, WI (6") snow.
1965: Owen, WI (1.21" liquid equivalent, wettest December day).
1956: Lancaster, WI (7") and Fayette, IA (6") snow.
1920: New Hampton, IA (6") snow.
1903: Caledonia, MN (-29, coldest temperature on record).
1901: Grand Meadow, MN (-30, coldest December temperature).
December 14
2008: A low pressure system moved out of the Rockies, curving through the southern Plains northeast into Upper Mississippi River Valley on Sunday morning, December 14th. Snow spread out ahead of the system, with heavy snows falling across central and northern Minnesota, and some portions of northern Wisconsin. Accumulations in excess of 10 inches occurred in some locations, with blizzard conditions also very prevalent. The snow would miss the local area for the most part, as the area stayed on the warm side of the storm track. Mild temperatures in the 40s graced most of the area early on Sunday, until the storm's arctic cold front moved through during the afternoon and early evening. With the front's passage, temperatures dropped 20 Fahrenheit degrees in 2 hours! Temperature changes of over 40 Fahrenheit degrees from Sunday morning (Dec.14th) to Monday morning (Dec.15th) were common. The cold was made more significant as the winds increased into the 20 to 30 mph range from the northwest (gusts to 45 mph) behind the front. These strong winds, coupled with the plummeting temperatures, created dangerous wind chills of 20 to 35 below zero. These bitter cold conditions persisted for much of Monday, December 15th, although diminishing winds by the evening lead to some improvement.
2005: Two storm systems from the west combined into one to produce widespread snows across the region. Low pressure over central Minnesota and a surface trough that extended north to south over Minnesota and Iowa helped trigger snow starting the evening of December 13th, which then continued through the day on the 14th. This was a fairly prolonged event with snowfall lasting 18+ hours in many locations, the bulk falling on the 14th. Some snow totals from the event: In IA: Strawberry Point (8.2), Ossian (8.0), Nashua (7.5), Charles City (7.0), Elkader (6.5), New Hampton (6.5), Osage (6.5), Cresco (6.3), Fayette (6.1), New Hampton (6.0). In MN: Claremont (7.5), Rochester (7.1), Grand Meadow (7.0), Caledonia (6.5), Mantorville (6.5), Spring Valley (6.2). In WI: Buffalo (7.8), Ettrick (6.8), Medford (6.8), Westby (6.8), La Crosse (6.1), Alma (6.0), Friendship (6.0), Ontario (6.0).
1996: A winter storm produced around 6" of snow in Taylor County, WI. The snow fell from 7 PM on the 14th to 3 AM on the 15th. The snow was accompanied by considerable blowing and drifting, creating drifts 2 to 4 feet high.
See entry for 14 Dec 1995 at http://www.weather.gov/mpx/wxhistory
1995: Goodrich, WI (7") snow.
See entry for 14 Dec 1995 at http://www.weather.gov/mqt/today_in_history and 
for 13 Dec 1995 at http://www.weather.gov/mpx/wxhistory
1990: Ontario, WI (7") snow.
1987: Ontario, WI (6") snow.
1984: Austin, MN (6") snow.
1983: La Crescent, MN (6") snow.
1975: Both Mather, WI (1.61") and Genoa, WI (1.21") had their wettest December day (liquid equivalent).
1937: New Hampton, IA (6") snow.
December 15
1990: Snow totals this day ranged from: In IA: Elkader (6"), Lansing (6.1"). In MN: Wabasha (6.3"). In WI: Dodge (8"), Mondovi (7"), Westby (7"), Jump River (6"), Necedah (6"), Viroqua (6").
1987: Snowfall amounts recorded this day: In IA: Waukon (8"), Dorchester (7"), Lansing (7"), Elkader (6"), Oelwein (6"). In MN: Hokah (6.5"). In WI: Platteville (8.7"), Prairie du Chien (6"), Richland Center (6"),
1973: In IA: Dorchester (6"), Fayette (6"), and Waucoma (6") snow.
1971: Platteville, WI (2.51" liquid equivalent, wettest December day).
See entry for date in http://www.weather.gov/mpx/wxhistory
1940: Winona, MN (7.5") snow.
1901: Neillsville, WI (-36, coldest December temperature).
December 16
1990: Mather, WI (8") and La Crosse, WI (7.1") snow.
See entries for 17 Dec 1990 and 18 Dec in  http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
1940: Snow began falling during the morning of the 15th and continued to fall through the evening of the 16th. Grand Meadow, MN (10") and La Crosse, WI (9") snow. Richland Center, WI (1.29" liquid equivalent, wettest December day). 
See entry for the date in http://www.weather.gov/mpx/wxhistory
December 17
1990: Snowfall totals ranged from: In MN: Hokah (8"), Winona (7"). In WI: Dodge (8"), Hatfield (6.5"), Hillsboro (6"), Necedah (6"), Ontario (6"), Westby (6").
See entries for 16 Dec 1990 and 18 Dec 1990  in http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
1961: Mather, WI (6") and Winona, MN (6") snow.
1939: La Crosse, WI (63, warmest December day, also the latest 60-degree reading in a year).
1904: New Hampton, IA (10") snow.
December 18
2000: 4-8" of snow fell between 6 AM and 1130 PM across southwest and central Wisconsin, making it the second significant snowfall event in a week. Some totals from this event: In WI: Galesville (8"), Prairie du Chien (8"), Cashton (7"), Victory (6.5"), La Farge (6"), Genoa (6"), Mather (6"). In MN: Austin (8"), Rochester (7.2"). In IA: Lansing (6"), Oelwein (6").
See entries for 16 Dec 2000 in  http://www.weather.gov/mpx/wxhistory
and for  17 Dec 2000 in http://www.weather.gov/mqt/today_in_history
1990: Snow fell in the amounts of: In IA: Dorchester (6"), Osage (6"). In MN: La Crescent (11"), Grand Meadow (7.5"), Lanesboro (7"). In WI: Mather (9"), Neillsville (8"), Sparta (8"), Mauston (6.5"), Trempealeau (6").
See entries for 16 Dec 1990 and 17 Dec 1990  in http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
1983: Hillsboro, WI (-33, coldest December temperature).
December 19
2008: A strong weather system moved northeast into the Great Plains on Thursday (December 18) and by Thursday night precipitation had erupted over Iowa and Northern Illinois with widespread freezing rain, sleet, and snow. Heavy snow moved into northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin around midnight and spread northeast through Minnesota and Wisconsin the remainder of the overnight. By Friday morning, snow continued early but then shifted east and ended by noon. Snowfall totals from the storm were generally in the 6 to 10 inch range across northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin from the storm. 11 to 13 inches was observed in extreme southwest Wisconsin. Further north, a band of 3 to 5 inches was found along a broad corridor paralleling I-90. Little if any snow fell north of Highway 29 from Minneapolis to Eau Claire WI, to Wausau. Some snow totals from this event: In IA: Cresco (10.5”), Fayette (10.4”), Ionia (10.0”), Clermont (9.5”), Farmersburg (9.5”), Postville (9.5”), Calmar (9.2”), Decorah (9.0”), Dorchester (8.9”), Elkader (8.6”), Osage (8.5”), Strawberry Point (8.5”), Elma (8.0”), Waucoma (8.0”), Edgewood (7.5”), St. Ansgar (7.4”), Charles City (7.0”), Waukon (7.0”), and Oelwein (6.2”). In MN: Harmony (8.5”), Grand Meadow (8.4”), Spring Valley (7.0”), Austin (6.5”), Mantorville (6.5”), Preston (6.2”), and Caledonia (6.0”). In WI: Platteville (13.0”), Richland Center (12.5”), Steuben (10.1”), Ithaca (9.0”), Prairie du Chien (8.6”), Gillingham (8.5”), Lancaster (8.5”), Lynxville (8.0”), Steuben (8.0”), La Farge (7.0”), Mauston (7.0”), Wilton (7.0”), and Black River Falls (6.0”).
2000: Snowfall on this date: In IA: New Hampton, (6"), Waucoma (6"). In WI: Mather (8"), Richland Center (7"), Alma (6"), La Farge (6"), Mauston (6").
1983: The following locations recorded their coldest December temperature: In MN: Theilman (-38), Preston (-35), Rochester (-33), Winona (-28). In IA: Cresco (-30). In WI: Jump River (- 47, also tied January 2, 1979 for coldest temperature on record), Blair (-39), Hatfield (-39, also coldest temperature on record), Dodge (-38), Mondovi (-38), Viroqua (-36), Owen (-33), La Crosse (-30), Mauston (-30), Mather (-29), Lancaster (-27), Platteville (-26).
1971: Owen, WI (7") snow.
1968: Snowfall on this day amounted to: In MN: Winona (9.5"), Minnesota City (8"), Spring Grove (8"), Wabasha (8"), La Crescent (7"), Lake City (6.5"), Preston (6.5"), Elgin (6.2"), Austin (6")., In WI: Hatfield (12"), Mather (11.5"), Neillsville (11"), Mondovi (10"), Mauston (8.5"), Goodrich (8.3"), Hillsboro (8"), Alma (8"), Sparta (7.5"), Dodge (7"), Owen (7"), Readstown (6"), Lynxville (1.14" liquid equivalent, wettest December day).
1966: Winona, MN (7"), Grand Meadow, MN (6"), Dodge, WI, (6"), Jump River, WI, (6"), Mondovi, WI, (6"), Trempealeau, WI, (6") snow.
1960: Elkader, IA (7") snow.
1948: Spring Grove, MN (6") snow.
1942: Viroqua, WI (6.5") snow.
December 20
2012: A strong storm system tracked across the region during the Wednesday evening (Dec 19th) through Thursday (Dec 20th). The storm brought heavy snow and strong winds - which led to blizzard conditions on the 20th. The highest wind gusts topped out near 50 mph across northeast IA and near 45 mph in southwest WI. Highest snow amounts extended from parts of northeast IA into southwest WI with 8 to 14". Another band of 8 to 11"of very dry, light weight snow fell over parts of west central WI, near Osseo and the I-94 corridor. The fresh snow, combined with peak wind gusts in the 40 to 55-mph range, led to significant drifting, zero visibilities at times, and dangerous travel conditions. Sheriffs reported that many people heeded warnings and road traffic was minimal. However, those that did venture out found periodic highway closures, accidents, and jack-knifed trucks. Snow amounts-In IA: Strawberry Point (15.2"), Volga (13.1"), Elkader (12.5"), Guttenberg (12"), St.Olaf (12"), Edgewood (11"), Oelwein (10.5"), Fayette (10"), McGregor (10"), West Union (9.5"), Waukon (9"), Monona (8.5"), Clermont (8"), Dorchester (8"), Lansing (7.8"), Waukon (7"), Ossian (6.5"), Calmar (6"), New Hampton (6"). In MN: Minnesota City (9.7"), Winona (9"), Grand Meadow (8"), Minnesota City (8"), Spring Valley (8"), Theilman (7.6"), Lake City (7.5"), Mantorville (7.5"), Wabasha (7.4"), Brownsdale (7"), Kellogg (7"), Oak Center (7"), Rochester (7"), St. Charles (6.5"), Preston (6.1"), Rushford (6.1"), Goodview (6"). In WI: Whitehall (15"), Sinsinwa (14.5"), Osseo (14"), Platteville (14"), Prairie du Chien (13.9"), Union (13.3"), Cuba City(12"), Mt.Sterling (12"), Northfield (12"), Muscoda (11.5"), Adams (11"), Independence (11"), Neillsville (11"), Richland Center (10.8"), Bagley (10.5"), LaFarge (10.3"), Mondovi (10.3"), Hatfield (10"), Lone Rock (10"), Willard (10"), Westby (9.7"), Boscobel (9.5"), Black River Falls (9.2"), Friendship (9.2"), Mauston (9"), Stueben (9"), Alma (8.6"), Four Corners (8.3"), Lancaster (8.3"), Ontario (8.3"), Warrens (8.1"), Fountain City (8"), Grand Marsh (8"), Tomah (8"), Viroqua (8"), Ferryville (7.4"), Stueben (7.1"), Big Flats (7"), Granton (7"), New Lisbon (7"), Galesville (6.6"), Tunnel City (6.4"), Ettrick (6.3"), Soldiers Grove (6.3"), Stoddard (6.2"), Medford (6").
2010: A snow storm moved in late on the 19th, with the bulk of the accumulations and heaviest snow falling during the late afternoon and early evening of Monday the 20th. Some totals from this event…in IA: Waukon 7.0, Postville 6.6, Cresco 5.5, Ionia 5.5. In MN: Harmony 7.5, Rochester 6.1, Oak Center 6.0, Lanesboro 5.8, Austin 5.5. In WI: De Soto 5.9, Sinsinawa 5.5.
2008: A multi-faceted winter storm brought a variety of weather to the Upper Midwest. Three areas of low pressure crossed the region bringing snow, strong winds, blowing and drifting snow, arctic air and dangerously cold wind chills to the area. Snow developed during the day ahead of the areas of low pressure and cold front. The accumulating snow continued into the evening before tapering off to very light snow and flurries. Snowfall amounts across much of the region averaged 2 to 5 inches with some locally higher amounts. In addition to the snow, once the strong cold front moved through, arctic air plunged into the region with temperatures plummeting between 20 and 30 degrees in just a few hours. Along with the falling temperatures, northwest winds of 15 to 30 mph were common behind the front. The combination of the plummeting temperatures and strong winds created wind chills of 20 to 40 below zero. The strong winds also whipped up the freshly fallen snow to create blowing and drifting snow through much of the night with the largest impacts on travel over northeast Iowa and southeast Minnesota. 2 to 4-foot drifts were common. Some snow totals from this event include: In IA: Cresco (6.5”) and Clermont (5.9”). In MN: Preston (7.6”), Rochester (7.0”), Grand Meadow (6.3”) and Theilman (5.9”). In WI: Galesville (7.5”), Warrens (6.5”) and La Crosse (5.2”).
2004: An area of low pressure moved across southern Canada to northern Lake Superior during the day and night of the 20th. As the low progressed east, it dragged a warm front across the Upper Midwest. Light snow developed well east of the warm front during the early morning hours of the 20th and continued through sunrise. Accumulations from this first round of snow ranged from a trace up to 3 inches. As the warm front passed through the region, an upper level disturbance moved across the Upper Midwest. The combination of these two features caused a narrow but intense band of snow to develop during the late morning hours. This band of snow continued through the afternoon into the evening and dropped up to 8 to 9 inches of snow across parts of central Wisconsin. Around the local area, the band of the heaviest snow extended from eastern Mower county in Minnesota, through the La Crosse area into northern Adams and Juneau counties of central Wisconsin. Some snowfall totals: In MN: Spring Valley (6.5), La Crescent (6.3), Lanesboro (6.0), Spring Valley (6.0), Preston (6.0). In WI: Lake Camelot (9.0), Arkdale (8.0), Sparta (7.3), Necedah (7.2), La Crosse (7.0), Holmen (6.9), Friendship (6.5), Tomah (6.5).
2000: Lansing, IA (8") snow.
1971: Grand Meadow, MN (6") snow.
1960: in IA: Charles City (6.1"), New Hampton (6"), Osage (6").
1952: Snowfall on this day: In IA: Dorchester (6"). In MN: Caledonia (6.5"), Harmony (6"). In WI: West Salem (6.7"), Mather (6"), Mauston (6").
1951: Goodrich, WI (7") snow.
1897: La Crosse, WI (7.6") snow.
December 21
2012: Snow started on Saturday, December 21st, continuing into the morning of the 22nd. Snowfall in WI: Fennimore (7.8"), Lake Camelot (7"), Lancaster (7"), Richland Center (7"), Muscoda (6.8"), Friendship (6.2"), Mather (6.2), Sinsinawa (6").
2000: Muscoda, WI (7") and Richland Center, WI (6") snow.
See entry for date in http://www.weather.gov/mqt/today_in_history
1984: Jump River, WI (8") snow.
1978: Lake City, MN (6") snow.
1977: Muscoda, WI (6") snow.
1969: Harmony, MN (7") snow.
1951: Neillsville, WI (6") snow.
1920: New Hampton, IA (10") and La Crosse, WI (9") snow.
December 22
1969: Rochester, MN (6.7") snow.
1968: Snowfall totals on this day ranged from: In MN: Winona (8.5"), Elgin (8"), Austin (7"), Lake City (6.2"), Rochester (6.2"), Minnesota City (6"), Preston (6"), Wabasha (6"). In WI: Jump River (8"), Mondovi (7"), Dodge (6"), Neillsville (6"), Richland Center (6").
1960: Fayette, IA (7.5") snow.
1959: Cashton, WI (6") snow.
December 23
2009: A potent winter system struck the region starting on December 23rd, continuing through the Christmas holiday. A wintery mix of precipitation accompanied the storm, along with prolonged periods of rainfall. On the 23rd, a mix of winter precipitation moved northward into the area from the morning through the mid-afternoon hours. The precipitation was freezing rain, sleet, or snow. By the evening, more widespread precipitation moved in, falling mostly as snow with 2 to 5 inch accumulations. Warmer air moved in overnight, resulting in freezing rain or freezing drizzle. By the morning of the 24th, a crust of ice had formed on the snow, along with icing up to 1/4 inch on exposed surfaces in many areas - especially northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin. On the 24th, temperatures were warm enough where rain was the dominate precipitation type, and this continued through Christmas Eve. While Christmas morning continued the rain trend for most of the region, the rain did mix with some snow across parts of southeast Minnesota and northern Wisconsin. Cold air returned by Christmas night, causing standing water and slush to freeze. Some rainfall totals…In IA: Littleport 1.98, Elkader 1.93, Volga, 1.93, Postville 1.72, Charles City 1.61, Fayette 1.56, Ionia 1.49, St. Ansgar 1.46. In MN: La Crescent 1.85, Lanesboro 1.38, Harmony 1.38, Winona 1.24. In WI: Cuba City 2.14, Hillsboro 2.06, La Farge 2.05, Taylor 1.95, Prairie du Chien 1.92, Boscobel 1.88, Richland Center 1.88, Soldiers Grove 1.87, Galesville 1.83, Viroqua 1.63, La Crosse 1.61, Steuben 1.60, Warrens 1.51, Neillsville 1.49, Necedah 1.41. Some snow totals from the event…in IA: Cresco 5.5, St. Ansgar 4.3, Postville 3.2. In MN: Theilman 6.8, Grand Meadow 6.5, Harmony 5.5, Rochester 5.5, Elgin 5.2, Zumbro Falls 5.2, Lanesboro 4.2, Preston 3.8. In WI: Hillsboro 6.7, Owen 6.1, Medford 6.0, Warrens 5.3, Westby 4.0.
2007: A potent winter storm brought accumulations of a foot or more to some locations across the Upper Mississippi River Valley, along with strong winds and “white out” conditions. After starting out as some drizzle or light rain, the precipitation changed over to snow Saturday afternoon the 22nd, and then continued to fall through the better part of Sunday the 23rd. Snowfall rates Saturday night of an inch per hour were common at times. In addition to the snow, the winds started to increase Saturday night, becoming very blustery on Sunday. Northwest winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts of 40 to 45 mph led to blowing and drifting of the falling, and fallen snow. "White-out" conditions developed in many areas as a result, with snow drifts of several feet also being reported. Travel was impossible in some areas Saturday night and early Sunday, especially in rural, unsheltered areas. Some 2-day snow totals from this event include…In IA: Lansing 10.9, Waukon 10.0, Decorah 9.5, Edgewood 6.5, Dorchester 6.3, New Hampton 6.0. In MN: Reno 9.3, Winona 9.0, Spring Grove 8.3, Caledonia 6.6. In WI: Four Corners 14.7, La Farge 14.6, West Salem 14.0, Tunnel City 13.7, Medford 13.5, Friendship 13.0, Westby 12.6, Arkdale 12.5, Galesville 12.0, Necedah 11.8, Holmen 11.8, Hillsboro 11.5, Sparta 11.3, Goodrich 11.0, Viroqua 10.7, Gays Mills 10.5, Chaseburg 10.5, Stoddard 10.4, Richland Center 10.1, Big Flats 10.0, Neillsville 10.0, Black River Falls 9.5, Cassville 8.0, Whitehall 8.0, Lancaster 7.0.
See entry for date in http://www.weather.gov/mqt/today_in_history
2001: La Crosse, WI had their first measurable snow (0.6") of the season. This is the latest date for the first measurable snowfall of a season.
1996: A winter storm produced 6-10" of snow across portions of central and southwest Wisconsin. The snow fell from around noon on the 23rd to 5 AM on the 24th. The snow was accompanied by considerable blowing and drifting which created drifts as high as 4 feet. Some totals: Readstown (6.2"), Lynxville (6").
See entries  for date in http://www.weather.gov/mpx/wxhistory
and http://www.weather.gov/mqt/today_in_history
1969: Some snow totals on this day: In IA: Waucoma (8"), Elkader (7"), Decorah (6.5"), Dodge (6"), Fayette (6"), Waukon (6"). In MN: Grand Meadow (10"), Lanesboro (8"), Spring Grove (6"). In WI: Platteville (8.1"), Prairie du Chien (8"), Lynxville (7").
1959: Lancaster, WI (7") snow.
1951: Prairie du Chien, WI (6") snow.
December 24
2010: A winter storm system moved into the region on Thursday the 23rd, continuing through Friday the 24th. Snow began falling across northeast Iowa during Thursday evening, then spread into southeast Minnesota and southwest Wisconsin overnight. Snow continued on Friday, but the bulk of the accumulating snow had occurred by noon. The heavier snows fell south of a line from St Ansgar, IA to Elkader, IA. Some amounts from this event…in IA: North Washington 10.5, New Hampton 10.0, Oelwein 9.5, Fayette 9.3, Ionia 8.5, Charles City 8.4, Strawberry Point 7.6, Elkader 7.5, Edgewood 7.0, Guttenberg 6.5, Riceville 6.5, Volga 6.5, St. Ansgar 6.4, Waukon 6.0. In MN: Austin 6.8, Theilman 7.6, Oak Center 6.2, Wabasha 5.5.
1996: In WI: Gays Mills (9"), Mauston (9"), Alma (8"), Steuben (8"), Hillsboro (6"), LaFarge (6"), and Prairie du Chien (6") snow.
See entries for 25 Dec 1996 at http://www.weather.gov/mpx/wxhistory ,
 http://www.weather.gov/mqt/today_in_history
and http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
1983: Alma, WI (-32) and Waukon, IA (-27) recorded their coldest December temperature.
1978: Zumbro Falls, MN (6") snow.
1951: New Hampton, IA (8") snow.
1949: A strong warm front moved through southwest Wisconsin. After a morning low of -21 degrees at La Crosse, the temperature climbed to 34 degrees later in the day. This 55-Fahrenheit degree difference between the high and low temperature is the greatest difference ever recorded at La Crosse.
1895: It looked like the La Crosse, WI area would see a brown Christmas. However, that would change as a result of a strong low pressure system moving through the region on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. Rain began at 10:30 AM in the morning and then changed over to snow by 4:10 PM. The snow continued to fall through the remainder of the night. By Christmas morning, 11.5" of snow had fallen. 
See entry for 25 Dec 1895  at  http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
1872: La Crosse, WI (-37, coldest December temperature).
December 25
2000: La Crosse, WI (-26, tied with 1879) and Rochester, MN (-25) had their coldest Christmas Day.
See entries for 24 Dec 2000 at http://www.weather.gov/mpx/wxhistory ,
 http://www.weather.gov/mqt/today_in_history
and http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
1996: Lancaster and Platteville in southwest Wisconsin received 6" of snow while areas farther north near the Wisconsin River picked up 2-3". The snow fell from 2 PM on the 25th to 10 AM on the 26th.
See entries for 25 Dec 1996 at http://www.weather.gov/mpx/wxhistory  
and  http://www.weather.gov/mqt/today_in_history
1977: Dodge, WI (6") snow.
1969: Lancaster, WI (7") snow.
1962: Cresco, IA (7"), Decorah, IA (7"), Dorchester, IA (6.2"), and Lancaster, WI (6") snow.
1955: Rochester, MN (10.3", snowiest December day).
1950: Harmony, MN (6"), West Salem, WI (6"), and La Crosse, WI (5.3") snow.
1945: Snow began falling during the morning of the 24th and continued into the early morning hours of the 26th. Some glaze damage to wire service southern Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa. Some totals: Grand Meadow, MN (9"), La Crosse, WI (7.9"), New Hampton, IA (6").
1936: La Crosse, WI (55) and Rochester, MN (50) had their warmest Christmas Day.
1933: Medford, WI (-31, coldest December temperature).
1895: A snow storm that began on the afternoon of Christmas Eve in La Crosse, WI ended early Christmas morning. Residents awoke to find 11.5" of snow on the ground. What looked to be a brown Christmas was now a rather White Christmas.
See entry for 24 Dec 1895  at  http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
1879: The temperature plunged to -26 degrees at La Crosse, WI. This stood as their coldest Christmas until 2000 when it was tied. 
December 26
1996: Cuba City, WI (6") snow.
1962: Necedah, WI (-32, coldest December temperature).
1955: Spring Grove, MN (6.1"), Dorchester, IA (6"), and Lanesboro, MN (6") snow.
1950: Some snow totals: In IA: Lansing (7"), Fayette (6.5"), Decorah (6"). In MN: Grand Meadow (7"), Winona (7"), La Crescent (6"). In WI: Muscoda (7"), Steuben (6"), Trempealeau (6").
1941: Snow began falling on Christmas morning and continued into the afternoon of the 26th. Some totals: Grand Meadow, MN (8"), La Crosse, WI (7.6"), Fayette, IA (7"), Viroqua, WI (7"), New Hampton, IA (6"), Winona, MN (6").
1911: Snow began on the 26th and continued into the 27th. La Crosse, WI (10") and New Hampton, IA (6"). 
December 27
1982: Theilman, MN (1.38" liquid equivalent, wettest December day).
See entry for 27 Dec 1982 in http://www.weather.gov/mpx/wxhistory
1971: Jump River, WI (7") snow.
1966: Readstown, WI (9") snow.
1950: These locations recorded their coldest December temperature: In MN: Austin (-33). In IA: Decorah (-36), Fayette (-34), Elkader (-31), Osage (-30), Oelwein (-28), Guttenberg (-27). In WI: Sparta (-35), Trempealeau (-33), Lynxville (-26), Prairie du Chien (-26), Genoa (- 25).
1933: Richland Center, WI (-31), New Hampton, IA (-29), and Charles City, IA (-25) had their coldest December temperature.
1904: 26" of snow fell in Neillsville, WI, which stands as the greatest one-day snowfall in Wisconsin. La Crosse, WI (10.5"), New Hampton, IA (10"), and Fayette, IA (7") snow. Elkader, IA (1.45", liquid equivalent) and Prairie du Chien, WI (1.4", liquid equivalent) had their wettest December day.
1903: Charles City, IA had a high temperature of 43 degrees  and a low temperature of -12. This 55-Fahrenheit degree diurnal temperature change is the largest ever recorded there.
December 28
2000: Buffalo, Crawford, Grant, La Crosse, Trempealeau, and Vernon Counties in southwest Wisconsin were hit by a winter storm, which produced 5-7" of snow between 11 AM and 1125 PM. Some snowfall totals: Victory (7"), Lancaster (6.5"), Arcadia (6"), Westby (6").
See entry for this day in  http://www.weather.gov/mpx/wxhistory
See also entry for following day in http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
2000: Rochester, MN (8.1"), Austin, MN (7"), Oelwein, IA (7"), and Waukon, IA (6.4")snow.
1987: Snowfall totals for this day amounted to: In IA: Waukon (13"), Dorchester (12"), Osage (12"), Decorah (11.5"), Cresco (8"), Oelwein (8"), Charles City (7"), New Hampton (7"), Elkader (6"), Fayette (6"), Lansing (6"). In MN: Austin (11"), Grand Meadow (8"), Harmony (6"), Spring Grove (7"). In WI: Platteville (12.8"), Gays Mills (9"), Prairie du Chien (9"), Lancaster (8").
See also entry for following day in http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
1984: Guttenberg, IA (65, warmest December temperature).
1982: The following locations had their wettest December day (liquid equivalent): In MN: Preston (1.72"), Lanesboro (1.62"), Grand Meadow (1.58"), Elgin (1.51"). In IA: Osage (1.78"), Cresco (1.51"). In WI: Trempealeau (1.31"), Dodge (1.28").
1971: Winona, MN (6.3") snow.
1969: Grand Meadow, MN (8"), Harmony, MN (7"), Elgin, MN (6.5"), Alma, WI (6"), and Dodge, WI (6") snow.
1968: Snow totals for this day: In IA: Waucoma (11"), Decorah (8"), Waucoma (8"), Lansing (6.2"), Cresco (6"), Elkader (6"), Fayette (6"), Oelwein (6"). In MN: Caledonia (7"), Spring Grove (7"), Harmony (6"). In WI: Mather (9"), Mauston (9"), Richland Center (8"), Viroqua (8"), Prairie du Chien (7"), Sparta (7"), Dodge (6.2"), Galesville (6"), Lancaster (6"), Lynxville (6"), Muscoda (6").
See also entry for following day in http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
1966: A winter storm dropped the following snow amounts: In IA: Elkader (11"), Lansing (7.1"), Fayette (6.5"), Charles City (6.2"), Decorah (6"), New Hampton (6"), Osage (6"), Waukon (6"). In MN: Elgin (9"), Preston (9"), Spring Grove (8"), Rochester (7.8"), Austin (7.3"), Winona (6.3"), Caledonia (6"). In WI: Prairie du Chien (11"), Richland Center (11"), Platteville (10.7"), Mauston (9"), La Crosse (8.6"), Necedah (8.5"), Lancaster (8"), Mondovi (8"), Westby (8"), Muscoda (7"), Lynxville (6.5"), Mather (6"), Viroqua (6").
See also entry for following day in http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
1959: Goodrich, WI (1.18", liquid equivalent) and Hillsboro, WI (1.00", liquid equivalent) had their wettest December day.
1954: Lancaster, WI (6") snow.
1948: Harmony, MN (7") and Theilman, MN (6") snow.
1904: Viroqua, WI (14") snow. Neillsville, WI (2.00" liquid equivalent, wettest December day). 
December 29
2000: Snowfall totals for this day ranged from: In IA: New Hampton (8"), Waucoma (7"), Dorchester (6.5"), Fayette (6.3"), Cresco (6"). In MN: Grand Meadow (9"), Hokah (8"), La Crescent (8"), Preston (8"), Strawberry Point (7.2"), Harmony (7"), Wabasha (6.9"), Caledonia (6.5"), Elgin (6.1"), Dodge Center (6"), Lanesboro (6"), Spring Valley (6"), Minnesota City (6"). In WI: Genoa (8"), Alma (7"), Trempealeau (7"), Lynxville (6.5"), Platteville (6"), Westby (6").
See also entry for previous day in http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
1987: Elkader, IA (6") snow.
See also entry for previous day in http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
1968: Readstown, WI (9") snow.
See also entry for previous day in http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
1966: Genoa, WI (9"), Dodge, WI (7"), Galesville, WI (6.1"), and La Crescent, MN (6") snow.
See also entry for previous day in http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
1948: Snowfall totals from this day: In IA: Cresco (8.1"), Lansing (6"). In MN: Grand Meadow (9"), Minnesota City (8"), Spring Grove (8"), Winona (8"), Elgin (7"). In WI: Sparta (12"), Hatfield (8"), Mather (8"), Mauston (8"), Trempealeau (8"), West Salem (8"), Dodge (6.2"), Hillsboro (6").
See also entry for previous day in http://www.weather.gov/arx/ThisDayInHistory
1946: Grand Meadow, MN (6") snow.
December 30
1978: This day marked the start of a streak of 52 consecutive days with temperatures not reaching above freezing (32) for La Crosse, WI. The streak ran through February 19th 1979.
1971: Snowfall totals amounted to: In WI: Mauston (11"), La Crosse (8.1"), Sparta (8"), Hillsboro (7.5"), Mather (7"), Cashton (6.5"), Platteville (6.1"), Genoa (6"), Lancaster (6"), Lynxville (6"), Richland Center (6"), Viroqua (6"), Westby (6"). In IA: Dorchester (8"), Osage (7"), Waucoma (6.7"), Decorah (6.5"), New Hampton (6.5"). In MN: Spring Grove (7.5"), Harmony (7"), Austin (6"), Caledonia (6"), Lake City (6").
1907: Fayette, IA (12") snow.
1899: Fayette, IA (71, warmest December temperature). 
December 31
2000: 3" of snow fell in Austin, MN increasing their snow depth to 32" on the ground. This is their greatest snow depth ever recorded.
1982: Lake City, MN (7") snow.
1977: Rochester, MN (7.3") snow.
1948: Lake City, MN (7") snow.
1923: Snow began at La Crosse, WI during the afternoon of the 29th and continued to the 3 PM on the 31st. Totals: La Crosse (13", storm total), New Hampton, IA (6"), Viroqua, WI (6").
1911: La Crosse, WI (8") snow.
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http://www.weather.gov/ddc/dectrivia
Weather trivia for December
Dec 1, 1896
The temperature at Kipp MT rose 30 degrees in just seven minutes, and 80 degrees in a matter of a few hours. A 31 inch snow cover was melted in half a day.
Dec 2, 1970
A tornado, 400 yards in width, touched down about one mile below the summit of Timpanogos Divide. Trees up to 18 inches in diameter were snapped, and some of the 38 inch snow cover was carried 1000 feet above the ground as the tornado traveled one mile.
Dec 3, 1856
A severe blizzard began to rage across Iowa and Kansas. It produced as much as 16 inches of snow in Iowa.
Dec 4, 1786
The first of two great early December storms began. The storm produced 18 inches of snow at Morristown NJ, and 20 inches of snow at New Haven CT. It also resulted in high tides at Nantucket which did great damage.
Dec 5, 1953
A killer tornado hit Vicksburg Mississippi killing 38 persons, injuring 270 others, and causing 25 million dollars damage, the most damage since the 47 days of continuous shelling the town received in the Civil War.
Dec 6, 1994
A significant ice storm struck much of southwest Kansas coating surfaces with one half to 1 inch of ice. A tremendous amount of tree damage occurred. Damage to power lines was minimal. According to the electric companies there were communities without power for several hours. One traffic fatality in the Larned area was blamed on icy roads.
Dec 7, 1988
An outbreak of cold arctic air brought up to 18 inches of snow to the Colorado Rockies, with 14 inches at Boulder Colorado and seven inches at Denver. Heavy snow blanketed New Mexico the following day, with 15 inches near Ruidoso.
IN 1989...A storm moving out of the Central Rocky Mountain Region spread snow across Kansas and Oklahoma into Arkansas and Tennessee.   Snowfall totals ranged up to 7.5 inches at Winfield KS. Freezing rain on trees and power lines cut off electricity to 24,000 homes in northeastern Arkansas, and 40,000 homes in the Nashville TN area were without electricity for several hours.
Dec 8, 1963
Lightning caused the crash of a jet airliner killing 81 persons at Elkton Maryland.
Dec 9, 1997
Six to eight inches of snow accumulated in a very narrow band from Scott City KS to Hays KS. The band was only a couple of miles wide. Either side of this band, amounts ranged from 2 to 4 inches.
Dec 10, 1699
A severe ice storm hit Boston MA causing much damage to orchards.
Dec 11, 2000
Arctic air invaded southwest Kansas, and combined with strong north winds, produced wind chill readings as low as 45 degrees below zero.
Dec 12, 1991
Freezing rain resulted in ice accumulations around 1/4 of an inch across southwestern Kansas during the night. This made travel very hazardous and caused havoc for southwestern Kansas area power companies. Power outages encompassed an area within 25 miles of and including Dodge City. Flickering lights and downed power lines were also a common occurrence across southwestern Kansas. One school district canceled classes because of hazardous road conditions.
Dec 13, 1993
A high wind event developed across areas of Southwest Kansas shortly after midnight. Wind gusts recorded were 70 mph at Elkhart, 64 at Garden City, and 90 in the vicinity of Johnson City. Some power lines and tree limbs were knocked down in the Garden City area.
Dec 14, 1987
A powerful storm spread heavy snow from the Southern High Plains to the Middle Mississippi Valley. Kansas City Missouri was blanketed with 10.8 inches of snow, a 24 hour record for December, and snowfall totals in the Oklahoma panhandle ranged up to 14 inches. 
IN 1988...Blowing snow was reported in western Kansas as snow and gusty winds plagued the Central Rockies and the Central High Plains.  Colorado Springs CO reported thirteen inches of snow.
Dec 15, 1839
The first of triple storms hit Massachusetts Bay. The storm produced whole gales, and more than 20 inches of snow in interior New England.  There was great loss of life at Gloucester MA.
Dec 16, 1917
An ice jam closed the Ohio River between Warsaw NY and Rising Sun IN.  The thirty foot high ice jam held for 58 days, and backed up the river a distance of 100 miles.
Dec 17, 1924
A severe icestorm struck central Illinois. It coated the ground with nearly two inches of glaze at Springfield. The storm caused 21 million dollars damage along with much hardship. Ice was on the trees until the 4th of January, and electricity was not restored until January 10th.
Dec 18, 1983
A week of bitterly cold weather began as arctic air invaded the central plains region. The temperature at Dodge City did not rise above 4 degrees until Christmas day when the temperature rose to 12 degrees. This was the coldest December of record by far for Dodge City since records were begun in 1874.
Dec 19, 1777
The Continental Army moved into encampment at Valley Forge amidst stormy winds and piercing cold. A relatively moderate winter followed.
Dec 20, 1990
All of Kansas was under the influence of arctic air, which dropped temperatures to as low as minus 17 degrees at Goodland.  Strong northern winds produced wind chill temperatures of -45 to -55 degrees. The arctic chill continued through December 23rd.
Dec 21, 1952
Freezing drizzle and light freezing rain accumulated on telephone and utility wires causing disruptions in service and communications in southwest Kansas.
IN 1997...Widespread freezing rain occurred east of a line from Scott City KS to Liberal KS. Roads were ice covered causing numerous accidents.  There was no structural damage reported.
Dec 22, 1989
Severe cold blasted into Kansas on December 22nd and December twenty third. All time record low temperatures were recorded across the state.  Temperatures of between minus 20 and minus 30 degrees were reported at over 20 cities across the state. Wind chill readings dipped to between minus 50 and minus 60 degrees, making this period truly one of the coldest periods ever in Kansas. The low of -21 degrees established the record low for the month of December at Dodge City.
Dec 23, 1997
A winter storm impacted all of southwestern Kansas producing dangerous conditions for early holiday travelers. The largest amount of snow was at Meade where 15 inches fell. Unofficial amounts to 19 inches were reported in Meade county. Other amounts included Dodge City with 14 inches, Cimarron and Manter 12 inches, Liberal and Spearville 10 inches, Jetmore and Elkhart 9 inches, Syracuse, Johnson and Kinsley 8 inches, Hays 6 inches, Garden City, Scott City and Hugoton 5 inches. The remainder of the area had 4 inches. There was not a lot of wind so very little drifting was reported. However, the wind did increase dramatically late on December 24th and December 25th producing considerable blowing and drifting.
Dec 24, 1983
The barometric pressure reached 31.42 inches at Miles City MT to establish a record for the U.S. It was the coldest Christmas Eve of record. More than 125 cities reported record low temperatures for the date, and all-time record lows for December were reported at seventeen cities, including Chicago with a low of 25 degrees below zero, and Havre MT with a reading of 50 below zero.
IN 1955...The high of 86 degrees established the record high for the month of December at Dodge City.
Dec 25, 1983
It was the coldest Christmas Day of record for the central and eastern US. More than 125 cities reported record low temperatures for the date, and 34 of those cities reported all-time records for the month of December. The temperature plunged to -1 degree at Huntsville AL, and dipped to 14 degrees at Galveston TX. Snow covered the ground from the Pacific Northwest through much of the Great Plains Region to the Northern Appalachians.
Dec 26, 1776
George Washington crossed the ice clogged Delaware River. He marched on Trenton in the midst of snow and sleet thus surprising and capturing many of the British garrison.
Dec 27, 1982
The worst Louisiana rainstorm in more than 100 years came to an end. More than 18 inches fell at Vinton LA during the three day storm. Flooding was widespread, and property damage was estimated at 100 to 200 million dollars. President Reagan visited the state and declared ten parishes in northeastern Louisiana disaster areas.
Dec 28, 1839
The third storm in two weeks hit the northeastern US. It brought two more feet of snow to Hartford CT and Worcester MA. Whole gales swept the coast causing many wrecks.
Dec 29, 1830
A very heavy snowstorm ushered in the "winter of the deep snow".  The storm produced 30 inches of snow at Peoria IL and 36 inches at Kansas City MO. Cold and snow continued until the middle of February causing great suffering among pioneers. 
IN 2006...A major winter storm crippled much of southwest Kansas from December 29th to December 31st. Widespread total precipitation from this storm ranged from 2 to 4 inches of rain and freezing rain and there was even an area from Garden City to Dighton that had up to six inches. This is incredible for any time of the year, let alone for December. Significant, widespread damage to trees and especially utility lines, poles, and towers resulted from one half to two and a half inches of ice accumulation. An area from Sublette to Garden City, north through Dighton had the most severe damage. Over 60 thousand people were without electricity at one time or another from the nearly 10 thousand power poles that were taken down from the weight of the ice. Some of these structures were high transmission towers. In addition to the ice accumulation, large snow amounts were reported in the western part of the area, especially near the Colorado state line. Amounts of at least 10 inches were measured from Hamilton county to Morton county. A location 15 miles west of Johnson had 32 inches of snow.
Dec 30, 1955
Anchorage AK reported an all-time record snow depth of 47 inches.
Dec 31, 1925
Greenland Ranch in Death Valley California went the entire year without measurable precipitation.
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From http://www.weatherforyou.com/weather_history/index.php?m=12&d=1&y=2013
Weather History
For Sunday, December 1, 2013
1831 - The coldest December of record in the northeastern U.S. commenced. Temperatures in New York City averaged 22 degrees, with just four days above freezing, and at Burlington VT the temperature never did get above freezing. The Erie Canal was closed the first day of December, and remained closed the entire month. (David Ludlum)
1896 - The temperature at Kipp, MT, rose 30 degrees in just seven minutes, and 80 degrees in a matter of a few hours. A thirty-inch snow cover was melted in half a day. (The Weather Channel)
1913 - A six day front range snowstorm began. It produced a record total of 46 inches at Denver CO. (David Ludlum)
1985 - A storm produced more than six inches of snow from the Northern and Central Plains to parts of Michigan, with 36.4 inches reported at Marquette MI. Many roads were blocked by snow. A family was stranded for 25 hours south of Colome SD. Drifts twelve feet high were reported in north central Nebraska. (The Weather Channel)
1987 - A powerful storm hit the northwestern U.S. Winds gusted to 80 mph at Cape Disappointment WA, and reached 94 mph at Cape Blanco OR. Thunderstorms in western Washington State produced wind gusts to 60 mph, and dime size hail at Hoquiam. Stevens Pass, in the Cascade Mountains of Washington, received seven inches of snow during the morning hours. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1988 - Squalls in the Great Lakes Region produced up to a foot of snow in Ashtabula County OH, up to ten inches in Erie County PA, and up to a foot of snow in western New York State. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)
1989 - Heavy snow blanketed the mountains of New Mexico, with 12 inches reported at the Angel Fire Ski Basin. Strong northerly winds ushering cold air into the north central U.S. gusted to 55 mph at Devils Lake ND. Low pressure over the Gulf of Alaska produced wind gusts to 69 mph at Kodiak Island. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)
2002 - Heavy lake effect snow fell downwind of the U.S. Great Lakes. Buffalo, New York reported 16 inches of snow, with thundersnow reported late in the afternoon. While the eastern U.S. experienced much colder than normal temperatures on December 1, much of Alaska was basking in above average warmth. Many daily temperature records were set across this region through the beginning of the month.
2007 - During December 1-3, a powerful storm with hurricane force winds struck the Northwest U.S. The storm brought heavy rain and wind gusts over 100 mph, with the highest reading being 129 mph at Bay City, OR. The strong winds brought power lines down, and the heavy rain caused widespread flooding and triggered landslides (BBC News). According to reports, 8 fatalities were attributed to the storm and about 37,000 homes and businesses were left without power in Washington, Oregon, and northern California. President Bush declared a federal disaster in several counties in Washington and Oregon to provide recovery assistance (Associated Press). 
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Weather History
For Monday, December 2, 2013
1896 - An early season snow and ice storm struck the southeastern U.S. It produced 11 inches of snow at Charlotte NC, and six inches at Atlanta GA. (David Ludlum)
1925 - A late season hurricane caused extensive damage across the Florida peninsula, then moved off the Georgia coast crossing Cape Hatteras as a tropical storm. The storm produced whole gales along the Middle Atlantic and Southern New England coast. Winds gusted to 60 mph at Block Island RI, and reached 64 mph at Atlantic City NJ. (David Ludlum)
1950 - A late season tornado killed four persons in Madison County and Bond County, east of St Louis MO. Three tornadoes touched down in Illinois that afternoon, compared to just half a dozen tornadoes in the month of December in 115 years of records up until that time. Thunderstorms also produced hail which caused more than four million dollars damage in the St Louis area, it was the most damaging hailstorm of record for Missouri. (David Ludlum) (The Weather Channel)
1970 - A tornado, 400 yards in width, touched down about one mile below the summit of Timpanogos Divide. Trees up to 18 inches in diameter were snapped, and some of the 38 inch snow cover was carried 1000 feet above the ground as the tornado traveled one mile. (The Weather Channel)
1982 - A tornado destroyed a home four miles south of Eastwood MO. The owners were not injured in that tornado, but ironically one was killed Christmas Eve when another tornado hit the replacement mobile home on the same site. (The Weather Channel)
1987 - A powerful storm over the Gulf of Alaska continued to produced high winds and heavy rain along the northern and central Pacific coast. Winds gusted to 80 mph south of Port Orford OR, Stevens Pass WA was blanketed with sixteen inches of snow, and Blue Canyon CA was soaked with 1.63 inches of rain. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)
1988 - Squalls in the Great Lakes Region produced ten inches of snow at Union City, PA. Gale force winds gusted to 55 mph at Buffalo NY. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1989 - Squalls produced heavy snow in the Great Lakes Region. Totals in Upper Michigan ranged up to 20 inches at Ironwood. Heavy snow and high winds caused 150 auto accidents in Michigan, resulting in sixteen deaths and 22 injuries. Strong northwesterly winds gusted to 73 mph at Johnstown PA, and Lowville PA received 20 inches of snow in 36 hours. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data) 
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Weather History
For Tuesday, December 3, 2013
1856 - A severe blizzard began to rage across Iowa and Kansas. It produced as much as 16 inches of snow in Iowa. (David Ludlum)
1926 - Yuma, AZ, was soaked with 1.10 inch of rain, and by the 10th of the month had received 4.43 inches, making it the wettest December of record. The average annual rainfall for Yuma is 3.38 inches. (3rd-10th) (The Weather Channel)
1983 - Birmingham, AL, was drenched with 9.22 inches of rain in 24 hours. The rains caused severe flash flooding which literally submerged traffic. (The Weather Channel)
1987 - Stormy weather in the northwestern U.S. finally began to abate, but not before Gold Beach OR was drenched with 7.94 inches of rain in 24 hours. Low pressure spread snow from the Upper Mississippi Valley to the Central Appalachians. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)
1988 - Gale force winds ushered cold air into the northeastern U.S., and produced snow squalls in the Lower Great Lakes Region. Winds gusted to 48 mph at Buffalo NY. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1989 - Heavy snow and high winds created blizzard conditions in northern New England. Snowfall totals in Maine ranged up to 31 inches, at Limestone. Presque Isle ME reported a record 30 inches of snow in 24 hours, along with wind gusts to 46 mph. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data) 
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Weather History
For Wednesday, December 4, 2013
1786 - The first of two great early December storms began. The storm produced 18 inches of snow at Morristown NJ, and twenty inches of snow at New Haven CT. It also resulted in high tides at Nantucket which did great damage. (David Ludlum)
1972 - Winds gusting to 70 mph sent the temperature at Livingston, MT, plunging from 52 degrees to 18 degrees in just twenty minutes. (The Weather Channel)
1982 - The temperature in New York City's Central Park reached 72 degrees to establish a record high for December. The month as a whole was also the warmest of record. (The Weather Channel)
1987 - A cold front crossing the Pacific Coast Region brought high winds and heavy rain to California. Thunderstorm winds gusted to 55 mph at Newport Beach CA, and Mount Wilson CA was drenched with 2.17 inches of rain in six hours. Gale force winds prevailed along the Northern Pacific Coast, and winds in the Tehachapis Mountains of southern California gusted to 60 mph. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)
1988 - Gale force winds continued to usher cold arctic air into the northeastern U.S. Winds gusted to 65 mph at Windsor Locks CT. Up to a foot of snow blanketed the higher elevations of Vermont. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1989 - Seventeen cities in the eastern U.S., including nine in Florida, reported record low temperatures for the date. Lakeland FL reported a record low of 31 degrees, and Watertown NY was the cold spot in the nation with a low of 20 degrees below zero. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
2002 - An early season winter storm brought an expansive shield of snow and ice through much of the eastern U.S., from the lower Ohio Valley, southern Appalachians and into the Northeast. Snow accumulations of 4-8 inches were common along the northern edge of the precipitation shield, while a significant accrual of glaze occurred in the Carolinas. The storm caused at least 17 fatalities, mostly from traffic accidents (CNN). In the Carolinas, electric utilities provider Duke Power characterized the ice storm as the worst in the company's history, with 1.2 million customers or nearly half its entire customer base without power on the morning of the 5th. This surpassed electrical outages inflicted by Hurricane Hugo as it swept through the central Carolinas in September 1989. 
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Weather History
For Thursday, December 5, 2013
1886 - A big snowstorm in the southeastern U.S. produced 11 inches at Montgomery AL, 18.5 inches at Rome GA, and 22.5 inches at Knoxville TN. (Sandra and TI Richard Sanders - 1987)
1941 - The temperature at Enosburg Falls soared to 72 degrees to establish a state record for Vermont for the month of December. (The Weather Channel)
1953 - A killer tornado hit Vicksburg, MS, killing 38 persons, injuring 270 others, and causing 25 million dollars damage, the most damage since the forty-seven days of continuous shelling the town received in the Civil War. (David Ludlum)
1987 - Heavy snow blanketed parts of the north central U.S., and freezing drizzle produced a coat of ice up to half an inch thick in northwestern Minnesota and eastern North Dakota. Snowfall totals ranged up to seven inches at Grand Rapids MN, and 12 inches at Seney MI. High winds in the north central U.S. gusted to 63 mph at Pellston MI, and reached 70 mph at Makinaw Bridge MI. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1988 - There was only a "flurry" of activity, as for much of the nation winter remained on hold. The cold and snow of winter was primarily confined to the northeastern U.S. Five cities in the north central U.S. reported record high temperatures for the date, including Norfolk NE with a reading of 65 degrees. (The National Weather Summary)
1989 - A warm Pacific storm system brought high winds and heavy rain to western Washington and western Oregon. Up to ten inches of rain deluged the western slopes of the Cascade Mountain Range in Washington State over a three day period, and 500 persons had to be evacuated due to flooding along the Skagit River. Up to five inches of rain drenched northwest Oregon, and winds gusted to 71 mph at Netarts. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
2003 - A major winter storm impacted parts of the Mid-Atlantic and northeastern United States during the 5th-7th. Snowfall accumulations of one to two feet were common across areas of Pennsylvania northward into New England. Boston, MA received 16.2 inches while Providence, RI had the greatest single snowstorm on record with 17 inches, beating the previous record of 12 inches set December 5-6, 1981. Boston's Logan International Airport was closed briefly on the 7th as heavy snowfall made regular airport operations impossible (AFP). 
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Weather History
For Friday, December 6, 2013
1886 - A great snowstorm hit the southern Appalachain Mountains. The three day storm produced 25 inches at Rome GA, 33 inches at Asheville NC, and 42 inches in the mountains. Montgomery AL received a record eleven inches of snow. Columbia SC received one to two inches of sleet. (4th-6th) (David Ludlum) (The Weather Channel)
1970 - A windstorm toppled the National Christmas Tree at the White House. (Sandra and TI Richard Sanders - 1987)
1987 - Another in a series of storms brought high winds and heavy rain to the northwestern U.S., with heavy snow in some of the higher elevations. In northern California, Crescent City was drenched with 2.58 inches of rain, and winds gusted to 90 mph. Up to fourteen inches of snow blanketed the mountains of northern California, and snow and high winds created blizzard conditions around Lake Tahoe NV. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1988 - The morning low at Bismarck, ND, was eleven degrees warmer than the record low of 25 degrees at Meridian MS, and during the afternoon half a dozen cities in the north central and northwestern U.S. reported record high temperatures for the date, including Alpena MI with a reading of 57 degrees. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)
1989 - Heavy snow blanketed the Central Rocky Mountain Region. Totals in the southern foothills of Colorado ranged up to 17 inches at Rye. Arctic air invaded the north central U.S. Lincoln NE, which reported a record high of 69 degrees the previous afternoon, was 35 degrees colder. International Falls MN was the cold spot in the nation with a morning low of 9 degrees below zero, and temperatures in northern Minnesota hovered near zero through the daylight hours. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data) 
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Weather History
For Saturday, December 7, 2013
1740 - In early December two weeks of mild and rainy weather culminated in the worst flood in fifty years in the Lower Connecticut River Valley. The Merrimack River swelled to its highest level, and in Maine the raging waters swept away mills, carried off bridges, and ruined highways. (David Ludlum)
1935 - Severe flooding hit parts of the Houston, TX, area. Eight persons were killed as one hundred city blocks were inundated. Satsuma reported 16.49 inches of rain. The Buffalo and White Oak Bayous crested on the 9th. (6th-8th) (The Weather Channel)
1987 - Heavy rain fell across eastern Puerto Rico, with 19.41 inches reported at Las Piedras. Flooding caused five million dollars damage. Another in a series of storms hit the northwestern U.S., with wind gusts above 100 mph reported at Cape Blanco OR. While snow and gusty winds accompanied a cold front crossing the Rockies, strong westerly winds, gusting to 93 mph at Boulder CO, helped temperatures in western Kansas reach the 60s for the sixth day in a row. Freezing drizzle in northeastern slowed traffic to 5 mph on some roads in Morrow County. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1988 - An outbreak of cold arctic air brought up to 18 inches of snow to the Colorado Rockies, with 14 inches at Boulder CO, and seven inches at Denver. Heavy snow blanketed New Mexico the following day, with 15 inches reported near Ruidoso. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)
1989 - A storm moving out of the Central Rocky Mountain Region spread snow across Kansas and Oklahoma into Arkansas and Tennessee. Snowfall totals ranged up to 7.5 inches at Winfield KS. Freezing rain on trees and power lines cut off electricity to 24,000 homes in northeastern Arkansas, and 40,000 homes in the Nashville TN area were without electricity for several hours. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary) 
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Weather History
For Sunday, December 8, 2013
1892 - A tremendous ice fall occurred at Gay Hill, TX. Ice averaged four to six inches in diameter. (David Ludlum)
1938 - The temperature at La Mesa, CA, soared to 108 degrees to set a U.S. record for the month of December. (The Weather Channel)
1963 - Lightning caused the crash of a jet airliner killing 81 persons at Elkton, MD. (Sandra and TI Richard Sanders - 1987)
1987 - A cold front crossing the northwestern U.S. continued to produce high winds along the coast, and heavy snow blanketed parts of the western U.S. Snowfall totals in the mountains of western Nevada ranged up to 18 inches at Heavenly Valley, and near the Boreal Ski Resort, and winds at Reno NV gusted to 56 mph. Thunderstorms over southern Florida deluged the Florida Keys with up to five inches of rain. Strong winds, gusting to 48 mph at Gage OK, ushered wintry weather into the Central High Plains. Goodland KS, which one day earlier was 63 degrees, was blanketed with two inches of snow. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1988 - Santa Ana winds buffeted southern California, with gusts to 92 mph reported at Laguna Peak. The high winds unroofed buildings, and downed trees and power lines, igniting five major fires, and numerous smaller ones. Damage was estimated at 15 to 20 million dollars. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1989 - A winter storm spread snow and freezing rain across much of the Atlantic Coast Region, from Georgia to New Jersey. Snowfall totals ranged up to seven inches, at Stanton VA and Tobacco MD. Up to six inches of snow blanketed the mountains of northern Georgia. More than one hundred auto accidents were reported in Gwinnett County GA. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data) 
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Weather History
For Monday, December 9, 2013
1786 - A second great snowstorm in just five days brought another 15 inches of snow to Morristown NJ, on top of the eight inches which fell on the 7th and 8th, and the 18 inches which fell on the 4th and 5th. The total snowfall for the week was thus 41 inches. New Haven CT received 17 inches of new snow in the storm. Up to four four feet of snow covered the ground in eastern Massachusetts following the storms. (9th-10th) (David Ludlum) (The Weather Channel)
1917 - A severe winter storm struck the Ohio Valley and the Great Lakes Region. It produced 25 inches of snow and wind gusts to 78 mph at Buffalo NY. The storm produced 26 inches of snow at Vevay IND, with drifts fourteen feet high. By the 16th of the month people could walk across the frozen Ohio River from Vavey into Kentucky. (8th-9th) (David Ludlum) (The Weather Channel)
1987 - The fifth storm in nine days kept the northwestern U.S. wet and windy. Winds along the coast of Washington gusted to 75 mph at Oceans Shores and at Hoquiam, and the northern and central coastal mountains of Oregon were drenched with three inches of rain in ten hours, flooding some rivers. Snowfall totals in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State ranged up to 36 inches in the Methow Valley. High winds in Oregon blew a tree onto a moving automobile killing three persons and injuring two others at Mill City. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1988 - A winter storm blanketed the Southern and Central Appalachians with up to ten inches of snow. Arctic air invaded the north central U.S. bringing subzero cold to Minnesota and North Dakota. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1989 - A strong storm produced wind gusts of 40 to 65 mph from the Alaska Peninsula to the North Gulf Coast of Alaska. Southeasterly winds gusted to 75 mph in the Anchorage hillside. Gusty winds associated with a strong cold front caused a power outage across much of the island of Hawaii. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
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Weather History
For Tuesday, December 10, 2013
1699 - A severe ice storm hit Boston, MA, causing much damage to orchards. (The Weather Channel)
1946 - The temperature at New York City soared to 70 degrees. (David Ludlum)
1949 - The barometric pressure at Las Vegas, NV, reached a record low reading of 29.17 inches (987.8 millibars). (The Weather Channel)
1987 - A cold front brought high winds to the eastern slopes of the Northern and Central Rockies. Winds gusted to 97 mph at Mines Peak CO. In Wyoming, up to a foot of snow blanketed the Teton Village Ski Resort, northwest of Jackson. Strong chinook winds in the Central High Plains Region, gusting to 61 mph at Scottsbluff NE, warmed temperatures to near 70 degrees. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)
1988 - Squalls produced heavy snow in the Lower Great Lakes Region. Totals in northeastern Ohio ranged up to 14 inches at Harpersfield, and totals in western New York State ranged up to 14 inches at Sodus. In the snowbelt of Upper Michigan, the Ontonogon area reported two feet of snow in two days. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)
1989 - Heavy snow fell across the northern and central mountains of Colorado, with 24 inches reported at Steamboat Springs. Six to twelve inches of snow fell in the Denver and Boulder area delaying plane flights and snarling traffic. Heavy snow also spread across the Central Plains into the Mississippi Valley. Winner SD received 11 inches of snow, and more than ten inches of snow was reported north of Sioux City IA. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1992 - A slow-moving Nor'easter storm batters the northeast U.S. coast killing 19 people. 
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Weather History
For Wednesday, December 11, 2013
1932 - Very cold weather prevailed along the West Coast. San Francisco received 0.8 inch of snow, and at the airport the temperature dipped to 20 degrees. At Sacramento CA, the mercury dipped to 17 degrees to establish an all-time record low for that location. Morning lows were below freezing from the 9th to the 15th at Sacramento, and the high on the 11th was just 34 degrees. The cold wave dealt severe damage to truck crops and orange groves in the Sacramento Valley. (David Ludlum) (The Weather Channel)
1987 - Low pressure over southwestern Ontario, Canada, brought snow and gusty winds to the North Central U.S. Winds gusted to 62 mph at Riverton WY. Snow and high winds in eastern North Dakota reduced visibilities to less than one hundred feet at times. Warm weather prevailed across the Southern Plains Region. Half a dozen cities reported record high temperatures for the date, including Del Rio TX with a reading of 89 degrees. Laredo TX and Kingsville TX tied for honors as hot spot in the nation with afternoon highs of 92 degrees. (The National Weather Summary)
1988 - Arctic cold invaded the central and eastern U.S. Sault Ste Marie MI reported a record low of 14 degrees below zero, and International Falls MN was the cold spot in the nation with a low of 25 degrees below zero. Temperatures remained below zero all day over parts of eastern Upper Michigan and northern New England. (The National Weather Summary)
1989 - Strong Santa Ana winds developed across southern California and parts of central California. Winds in Kern County of central California gusted to 100 mph near Grapevine. The high winds reduced visibilities to near zero in the desert areas, closing major interstate highways east of Ontario CA. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)
2008 - A rare snowstorm swept across parts of south Louisiana and Mississippi, blanketing the area with snow. Nearly 8 inches of snow fell over parts of Louisiana. These conditions caused schools and bridges to close and left thousands of residents without power (Associated Press). (NCDC)
2010 - The "Pineapple Express" - a meteorological event where southwest winds bring warm, moist air to the U.S. West Coast - produced record rainfall to the Pacific Northwest during December 11th-12th. Seattle experienced record daily rainfall two days in a row. The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport recorded 1.42 inches of rain on the 11th, breaking the old daily record of 1.32 inches set in 1955. The next day, 2.19 inches fell, breaking the daily record of 1.70 inches set in 1966. The Stillaguamish River in western Washington state reached 21.06 feet at Arlington, tying the record set in November 2006. Flood stage for the river is 14 feet. The storm system also brought record warmth to the area. On December 14th, the temperature at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport reached 57, breaking the old daily record of 55 set in 2004. (NCDC) 
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Weather History
For Thursday, December 12, 2013
1882 - Portland, OR, was drenched with 7.66 inches of rain, a record 24 hour total for that location. (12th-13th) (The Weather Channel)
1960 - The first of three Middle Atlantic snowstorms produced a foot of snow at Baltimore MD. A pre-winter blizzard struck the northeastern U.S. producing wind gusts as high as 51 mph, along with 16 inches of snow at Nantucket MA, and 20 inches at Newark NJ. (David Ludlum)
1969 - The worst tornado of record for western Washington State tracked south of Seattle, traveling five miles, from Des Moines to Kent. The tornado, 50 to 200 yards in width, began as a waterspout over Puget Sound. One person was injured and the tornado caused half a million dollars damage. (The Weather Channel)
1987 - While a developing winter storm began to spread snow across New Mexico into Colorado, high winds ushered unseasonably cold air into the southwestern states. Winds in California gusted to 60 mph in the Sacramento River Delta, and in the San Bernardino Valley. (The National Weather Summary)
1988 - Cold arctic air spread from the Great Lakes Region to the Appalachian Region. Twenty-five cities, mostly in the northeastern U.S., reported record low temperatures for the date. The low of 12 degrees below zero at Albany NY was their coldest reading of record for so early in the season. Saranac Lake NY was the cold spot in the nation with a low of 28 degrees below zero. (The National Weather Summary)
1989 - A winter storm produced snow from northern Mississippi to the Middle Atlantic Coast, with 10.5 inches reported at Powhatan VA. Heavy snow whitened the Black Hills of South Dakota, with 36 inches reported at Deer Mountain. Thirteen cities in the north central U.S., from Minnesota to Texas, reported record low temperatures for the date, including Duluth MN and Yankton SD with morning lows of 22 degrees below zero. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1995 - A severe coastal storm is blamed for five deaths and loss of power to over one million people in Oregon and Washington. Winds at Sea Lion Caves near Florence topped out at 119 mph before problems developed with the anemometer. In Newport, a gust of 107 mph occurred downtown, while Astoria and Cape Blanco also had gusts of over 100 mph. Astoria's air pressure dropped as low as 28.53 inches, an all-time record (and comparable to the central pressure of a Category 2 hurricane!). Gusts in the Willamette Valley exceeded 60 mph.
2008 - A significant ice storm wreaked havoc across New York and New England on December 12, disrupting electricity and leaving over 1 million homes and businesses without power. New Hampshire alone had as many as 320,000 residents without power, which according to reports it was described as the worst outages in 30 years (Reuters). Four fatalities were reported and parts of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Maine declared a state of emergency (BBC News). 
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Weather History
For Friday, December 13, 2013
1915 - A heavy snowstorm kicked off the snowiest winter in modern records for western New England. (The Weather Channel)
1962 - A severe Florida freeze occurred. Morning lows reached 35 degrees at Miami, 18 degrees at Tampa, and 12 degrees at Jacksonville. It was the coldest December weather of the 20th century and caused millions of dollars damage to crops and foliage. In Georgia, the morning low of 9 degrees below zero at Blairsville established a state record for the month of December. (David Ludlum) (The Weather Channel)
1987 - A major winter storm produced high winds and heavy snow in the Southern Rockies and the Southern High Plains. Snowfall totals in New Mexico ranged up to 25 inches at Cedar Crest, with up to three feet of snow reported in the higher elevations. Winds of 75 mph, with gusts to 124 mph, were reported northeast of Albuquerque NM. El Paso TX was buried under 22.4 inches of snow, including a single storm record of 16.8 inches in 24 hours. The snowfall total surpassed their previous record for an entire winter season of 18.4 inches. Record cold was experienced the next three nights as readings dipped into the single numbers. High winds ushering unseasonably cold air into the southwestern U.S. gusted to 100 mph at Grapevine CA. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1988 - Low pressure off the Atlantic coast produced up to a foot of snow in eastern Nassau County and western Suffolk County of southeastern New York State. Mild weather prevailed across the western half of the country. Nine cities reported record high temperatures for the date, including Goodland KS with a reading of 74 degrees. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1989 - Strong northwesterly winds, ushering bitterly cold arctic air into the central U.S., produced squalls with heavy snow in the Great Lakes Region. Snowfall totals in Upper Michigan ranged up to 24 inches at Manistique. Nine cities in Arkansas and Texas reported record low temperatures for the date, including Calico Rock AR with a reading of 4 degrees above zero. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)
2002 - A powerful Pacific storm system plowed into the western United States during the 13th-16th, producing high winds, heavy rains, significant mountain snowfall and causing 9 deaths (Associated Press). Rainfall amounts exceeding 10 inches occurred in parts of California, and wind gusts over 45 mph produced up to 1.9 million power outages during the period (Pacific Gas & Electric). 
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Weather History
For Saturday, December 14, 2013
1924 - The temperature at Helena, MT, plunged 79 degrees in 24 hours, and 88 degrees in 34 hours. The mercury plummeted from 63 above to 25 below zero. At Fairfield MT the temperature plunged 84 degrees in just 12 hours, from 63 at Noon to 21 below zero at midnight. (David Ludlum)
1987 - A powerful storm spread heavy snow from the Southern High Plains to the Middle Mississippi Valley, and produced severe thunderstorms in the Lower Mississippi Valley. During the evening a tornado hit West Memphis TN killing six persons and injuring two hundred others. The tornado left 1500 persons homeless, and left all of the residents of Crittendon County without electricity. Kansas City MO was blanketed with 10.8 inches of snow, a 24 hour record for December, and snowfall totals in the Oklahoma panhandle ranged up to 14 inches. Strong winds, gusting to 63 mph at Austin TX, ushered arctic cold into the Great Plains, and caused considerable blowing and drifting of snow. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)
1988 - Blowing snow was reported in western Kansas, as snow and gusty winds plagued the Central Rockies and Central High Plains. Colorado Springs CO reported thirteen inches of snow. Low pressure in Wisconsin brought heavy snow to the Lake Superior snowbelt area, with 22 inches reported at Marquette MI. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)
1989 - High winds and heavy snow prevailed from Montana to Colorado. Snowfall totals in Wyoming ranged up to 20 inches at Burgess Junction, leaving up to 48 inches on the ground in the northeast sections of the state. Wind gusts in Colorado reached 87 mph south of the town of Rollinsville. Strong northwesterly winds continued to produce heavy snow squalls in the Great Lakes Region. Totals in northeastern Lower Michigan ranged up to 29 inches at Hubbard Lake, with 28 inches reported at Posen. Two day totals in northeastern Wisconsin ranged up to thirty inches. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)
2010 - A rare tornado struck the small town of Aumsville, Oregon, tearing roofs off buildings, hurling objects into vehicles and homes and uprooting trees. No one was injured but the destruction left behind was severe. The National Weather Service classified the tornado as an EF2 with wind speeds of 110-120 mph and they said the tornado's damage trail was five miles long and 150 yards wide. 50 houses in Aumsville and the surrounding county area were affected, with 10 of them being unsuitable for occupancy. (KATU) 
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Weather History
For Sunday, December 15, 2013
1839 - The first of triple storms hit Massachusetts Bay. The storm produced whole gales, and more than 20 inches of snow in interior New England. There was great loss of life at Gloucester MA. (David Ludlum)
1901 - An intense cold front swept across the eastern U.S. The cold front produced heavy rain in Louisiana, and heavy snow in the northeastern U.S. (David Ludlum)
1945 - A record December snowstorm buried Buffalo, NY, under 36.6 inches of snow, with unofficial totals south of the city ranging up to 70 inches. Travel was brought to a halt by the storm. (14th-17th) (The Weather Channel)
1987 - A major winter storm hit the Great Lakes Region, intensifying explosively as it crossed northern Illinois. High winds and heavy snow created blizzard conditions in southeastern Wisconsin. Winds gusted to 73 mph, and snowfall totals ranged up to 17 inches at LaFarge. The barometric pressure at Chicago IL dropped three quarters of an inch in six hours to 28.96 inches, a record low reading for December. Up to a foot of snow blanketed northern Illinois, and winds in the Chicago area gusted to 75 mph. O'Hare Airport in Chicago was closed for several hours, for only the fourth time in twenty years. High winds derailed train cars at Avon IN. Light winds and partly sunny skies were reported near the center of the storm, a feature typical of tropical storms. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1988 - High pressure in the Pacific Northwest and low pressure in the southwestern U.S. combined to produced high winds from Utah to California. Winds gusting to 70 mph in the San Francisco area left nearly 300,000 residents without electricity. Winds in Utah gusted to 105 mph at Centerville. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1989 - A couple of low pressure systems spread heavy snow across the northeastern U.S. Up to two feet of snow was reported along Lake Erie in northeastern Ohio, and up to ten inches was reported in Connecticut. Heavy snow squalls developed over Michigan for the third day in a row. Three Oaks MI reported 25 inches of snow in two days. Twenty-six cities in the north central U.S. reported record low temperatures for the date. The low of 10 degrees below zero at Wichita KS was a December record for that location. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
2005 - Freezing rain and ice pellets fell throughout portions of the southeast U.S. The accumulation of ice caused about 683,000 utilities customers to lose power from northern Georgia northward through the western Carolinas. The power outages were the result of ice accretions of up to three-quarter inch in thickness. The ice storm was blamed for at least four deaths (Associated Press).
2010 - A winter storm swept across parts of the Southeast U.S., bringing a mixed bag of snow, sleet, and freezing rain, making for treacherous travel conditions. At least eight people were killed in Alabama, Mississippi, and North Carolina in weather-related traffic fatalities. Schools were forced to close and thousands of residents lost power in North Carolina and Virginia. The winter storm also impacted Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, and Washington D.C. (NCDC) 
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Weather History
For Monday, December 16, 2013
1835 - New England experienced one of their coldest days of record. At noon on that bitterly cold Wednesday the mercury stood at four degrees below at Boston, 15 degrees below at Norfolk CT, and 17 degrees below at Hanover NH. The temperature at Boston was 12 degrees below zero by sunset. Gale force winds accompanied the severe cold, and that night a great New York City fire destroyed much of the financial district. (David Ludlum)
1917 - An ice jam closed the Ohio River between Warsaw, KY, and Rising Sun, IN. The thirty foot high ice jam held for 58 days, and backed up the river a distance of 100 miles. (David Ludlum)
1987 - A Pacific storm battered the coast of California with rain and high winds, and dumped heavy snow on the mountains of California. Winds along the coast gusted to 70 mph at Point Arguello, and winds in the Tehachapi Mountains of southern California gusted to 100 mph at Wheeler Ridge. Snowfall totals ranged up to 24 inches at Mammoth Mountain. Snow fell for two minutes at Malibu Beach, and Disneyland was closed due to the weather for only the second time in twenty-four years. A winter storm which began in the Southern Rockies four days earlier finished its course producing snow and high winds in New England. Snowfall totals ranged up to 19 inches at Blanchard ME. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1988 - Fairbanks, AK, reported freezing rain and record warm temperatures. The afternoon high of 41 degrees was 43 degrees above normal. Snow and high winds continued to plague the mountains of southern California. Mount Wilson CA reported two inches of rain in six hours during the early morning, and a storm total of more than 3.50 inches of rain. (The National Weather Summary)
1989 - Fifty-seven cities from the Southern and Central Plains to the Appalachians reported record low temperatures for the date, including North Platte NE with a reading of 17 degrees below zero. Squalls in the Great Lakes Region produced 18 inches of snow at Syracuse NY, and 30 inches at Carlisle IND. Low pressure brought heavy snow to northern New England, with 18 inches reported at Derby VT and Saint Johnsbury VT. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
2000 - An F4 tornado hits communities near Tuscaloosa, AL, killing 11 people and injuring 125 others. It was the strongest December tornado in Alabama since 1950. 
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Weather History
For Tuesday, December 17, 2013
1884 - A three week blockade of snow began at Portland, OR. A record December total of 34 inches was received. (David Ludlum)
1924 - A severe icestorm struck central Illinois. It coated the ground with nearly two inches of glaze at Springfield. The storm caused 21 million dollars damage along with much hardship. Ice was on the trees until the 4th of January, and electricity was not restored until January 10th. (David Ludlum)
1929 - An icestorm in western New York State resulted in much damage and hardship. A Buffalo report stated, "one was kept awake by the breaking limbs, which snapped off with a report much louder than a rifle shot." (17th-18th) (The Weather Channel)
1987 - A storm in the southwestern U.S. brought heavy rain and heavy snow to parts of California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah and New Mexico. Charleston NV was blanketed with 12 inches of snow. Lake Havasu City AZ was drenched with 2.26 inches of rain. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)
1988 - Squalls brought locally heavy snow to the southeastern shores of Lake Michigan. Totals in Michigan ranged up to 14 inches at Harvey. Totals in Ohio ranged up to 16 inches at Chardon. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1989 - Twenty-one cities from Kentucky to Pennsylvania reported record low temperatures for the date, including Columbus OH with a reading of 12 degrees below zero. Heavy snow continued in the Colorado Rockies. Vail received 65 inches of snow between the 14th and the 18th of December. Steamboat Springs was buried under 74 inches, and reported a total of 108 inches of snow between the 10th and the 18th of the month. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
2002 - Thunderstorms preceding a strong cold front pushed into the U.S. Mississippi Valley, producing severe weather and tornadoes. Three people were killed in Missouri and Arkansas with more than 40 injuries (Associated Press).
2008 - A winter storm dumped as much as 3.6 inches of snow across Las Vegas, Nevada, prompting the closure of schools and highways. This was the largest December snowfall on record and the heaviest snowfall since January 1979 when a total of 7.5 inches fell (Associated Press). 
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Weather History
For Wednesday, December 18, 2013
1957 - A tornado swept across Jackson County, Williamson County and Franklin County in southern Illinois killing eleven persons. (David Ludlum)
1981 - A heavy lake-effect snow blanketed the southern and southeast shores of Lake Michigan leaving up to 22 inches of snow at Valparaiso IND. (David Ludlum)
1983 - Record cold hit the north central states. At Havre, MT, the mercury plunged to a record reading of 34 degrees below zero. (Sandra and TI Richard Sanders - 1987)
1984 - A storm over southern California left up to 16 inches of snow in the mountains and upper deserts, with 13 inches reported at Lancaster. Edwards Air Force Base was closed, and Interstate 5 was closed from Castaic to the Tehachapis Mountains. (18th-19th) (The Weather Channel)
1986 - A strong winter storm, which developed off the coast of New Jersey and moved out to sea, lashed the northeastern U.S. with high winds, heavy rain, and heavy snow. The storm left snowfall amounts of up to 30 inches in Vermont, 24 inches in Massachusetts, and 20 inches in New Hampshire. The highest rainfall amounts approached four inches in southern New England, where winds gusted to 70 mph. (Storm Data)
1987 - A weakening storm moved into the Rocky Mountain Region producing six inches of snow at the Platoro Reservoir in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. The storm then spread rain and drizzle across the Southern High Plains into the Middle Mississippi Valley, with thunderstorms over Texas. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)
1988 - Warm weather prevailed in the central U.S. while cool weather prevailed across the eastern states. Sheridan, WY, with a record warm afternoon high of 68 degrees, was seven degrees warmer than Key West FL. (The National Weather Summary)
1989 - A winter storm moving out of the Great Plains Region spread freezing rain, sleet and snow across parts of the southeastern U.S. Freezing rain resulted in 170 auto accidents in the Memphis area during the evening hours. Unseasonably warm weather continued ahead of arctic cold front. Miami FL equalled their record for December with an afternoon high of 87 degrees. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)
2009 - A monster snow storm affected the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions of the U.S. on December 18th through December 20th. The storm originated in the Gulf of Mexico and moved northward along the Eastern Seaboard, leaving behind heavy snow accumulations from North Carolina to Massachusetts. Impacts from this storm included the closing of major airports, interstate highways, and rail systems. Over 1,200 flights were cancelled at the three major airports in the New York City area, and hundreds of thousands of people lost power due to the storm. Seven people were reported killed across the Mid-Atlantic (source: Reuters). Over two feet of snow accumulation was reported in portions of North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York. At one point, the storm was over 500 miles in width, and affected 14 states and tens of millions of Americans (Source: AFP). 
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Weather History
For Thursday, December 19, 2013
1777 - The Continental Army moved into encampment at Valley Forge amidst stormy winds and piercing cold. A relatively moderate winter followed. (David Ludlum)
1924 - The Riverside Ranger Station in Yellowstone Park, WY, reported a low of 59 degrees below zero, a December record for the U.S. (David Ludlum) (The Weather Channel)
1957 - A tornado, 200 yards in width, killed two persons along its 15-mile path from near Waldo to near Bueana Vista in southwestern Arkansas. People from one house were carried 250 yards, and cars were said to have been carried 600 yards. (The Weather Channel)
1967 - A record 83 inches of snow covered the ground at Flagstaff, AZ. The heavy snows inflicted great hardships on reservations. (David Ludlum)
1987 - Thunderstorms produced large hail and damaging winds in eastern Texas and the Lower Mississippi Valley. Thunderstorms produced wind gusts to 90 mph at Venus TX and Providence LA. Rain prevailed from the Southern Plains to the Middle Mississippi Valley. Small stream flooding was reported around Columbia MO. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1988 - Low pressure and a trailing cold front in the central U.S. brought snow and high winds to parts of the Rocky Mountain Region. Winds in Colorado gusted to 67 mph at La Junta. Thunderstorms along the same cold front produced wind gusts to 65 mph at Kansas City MO. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1989 - High winds and heavy snow plagued the northern and central Rockies. Snowfall totals in Montana ranged up to 12 inches at Lincoln, and wind gusts in Colorado reached 97 mph at Squaw Mountain. Twelve cities in the north central U.S. reported record low temperatures for the date, including Dickinson ND with a reading of 26 degrees below zero. Bismarck ND was the cold spot in the nation with a morning low of 35 degrees below zero. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
2008 - A snow and ice storm on December 19 affected parts of the U.S. Midwest. Over 220,000 homes and businesses across Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio were left without electric services. No fatalities were reported (Reuters). 
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Weather History
For Friday, December 20, 2013
1836 - A famous cold wave occurred in central Illinois. A cold front with 70 mph winds swept through at Noon dropping the temperature from 40 degrees to near zero in a matter of minutes. Many settlers froze to death. Folklore told of chickens frozen in their tracks and men frozen to saddles. Ice in streams reportedly froze to six inches in a few hours. (David Ludlum) (The Weather Channel)
1942 - An early cold wave sent the temperature plunging to 3 degrees below zero at Nantucket, MA, and to 11 degrees below zero at Boston MA. (The Weather Channel)
1987 - Heavy snow fell in the northern mountains of Colorado, with 15 inches reported in the Mary Jane ski area. Strong and gusty winds prevailed from the Northern High Plains to the Great Lakes. Winds gusted to 54 mph at Buffalo NY, and reached 66 mph at Livingston MT. Rain, freezing rain, sleet and snow fell across New England, with up to seven inches of snow in Maine. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1988 - Strong southerly winds ahead of a cold front in the central U.S. gusted to 70 mph at Indianapolis IN. The high winds toppled a masonary wall killing a construction worker. Low pressure and a trailing cold front brought rain and snow and high winds to the western U.S. Winds gusted to 90 mph at the Callahan Ranch south of Reno NV. Soda Springs, in the Sierra Nevada Range of California, received 17 inches of snow in less than 24 hours. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)
1989 - Brutal northwest winds ushered bitter cold arctic air into the north central U.S. International Falls, MN, and Warroad, MN, tied for honors as the cold spot in the nation with morning lows of 34 degrees below zero. Minot ND reported a wind chill reading of 81 degrees below zero. Squalls produced more heavy snow in the Great Lakes Region. Erie PA received 21 inches of snow, including four inches in one hour, to bring their total snow cover to 39 inches, an all-time record for that location. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)
2006 - A major winter storm affected Colorado, dumping several feet of snow on areas of the Rocky Mountains. The snowstorm temporarily closed the Denver International Airport. 
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Weather History
For Saturday, December 21, 2013
1892 - Portland, OR, was buried under a record 27.5 inches of snow. (21st-24th) (The Weather Channel)
1929 - An exceptional storm produced snow from the Middle Rio Grande Valley of Texas to southern Arkansas. The storm produced 26 inches of snow at Hillsboro TX, 18 inches at El Dorado AR, and 14 inches at Bossier LA. (21st-22nd) (David Ludlum) (The Weather Channel)
1964 - A great warm surge from the Pacific Ocean across Oregon and northern California brought torrential rains on a deep snow cover resulting in record floods. (David Ludlum)
1987 - High winds continued along the eastern slopes of the Rockies. During the morning hours winds gusted to 64 mph at Cheyenne WY, and reached 97 mph near Boulder CO. Gale force winds prevailed across the Great Lakes Region. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1988 - Seven cities in the eastern U.S. reported record high temperatures for the date, including Charleston SC with a reading of 78 degrees. A storm in the northwestern U.S. produced 22 inches of snow at Idaho City ID in two days, and up to two feet of snow at Happy Camp CA. Ski resorts in Idaho reported three to six feet of snow on the ground. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1989 - Forty cities in the north central U.S., including thirteen in Iowa, reported record low temperatures for the date. Havre and Jordan, MT, tied for honors as the cold spot in the nation with morning lows of 43 degrees below zero, and the temperature remained close to 40 degrees below zero through the daylight hours. Dickinson ND reported a morning low of 33 degrees below zero and a wind chill reading of 86 degrees below zero. The high for the date of 16 degrees below zero at Sioux Falls SD was December record for that location. (The National Weather Summary)
1998 - Cold air spread into the southern San Joaquin Valley of California. For the next four nights, temperatures in the agricultural portions of Fresno, Tulare, and Kern counties dropped below 28 degrees for several hours at a time. In some locations, temperatures dipped into the teens. The California citrus industry suffered more than $600 million in damages due to the extreme cold. 
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Weather History
For Sunday, December 22, 2013
1839 - The second of triple December storms hit the northeastern U.S. The storm produced 25 inches of snow at Gettysburg, PA, and gales in New England, but only produced light snow along the coast. (David Ludlum)
1961 - Holiday travel was paralyzed over extreme northeastern Kansas, and adjacent parts of Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska. The storm produced 5 to 15 inches of snow, with drifts up to ten feet high. (22nd-23rd) (The Weather Channel)
1983 - On the first day of winter 75 cities reported record low temperatures for the date, with twelve of those cities reporting record low temperatures for the month as a whole. The mercury plunged to 51 degrees below zero at Wisdom MT, and Waco TX set an all-time record low a reading of 12 above zero. (The National Weather Summary)
1987 - The first day of winter was a relatively tranquil one for much of the nation, but heralded a winter storm in the Central Rockies. The storm produced 40 inches of snow at the top of the Pomerelle Ski Resort, south of Burley ID, the heaviest snow of record for that location. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1988 - Strong winds prevailed in the foothills of Wyoming and Colorado. Winds gusted to 123 mph southwest of Fort Collins CO, and reached 141 mph at the summit of Mount Evans. An ice storm paralyzed parts of Upper Michigan during the day. The freezing rain left roads around Marquette MI blocked by cars and semi- trucks. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1989 - A total of 137 cities across the central and eastern U.S. reported record low temperatures for the date. Thirty-five of those cities established record lows for the month of December. Morning lows of 23 degrees below zero at Kansas City MO, 26 degrees below zero at Concordia KS, and 27 degrees below zero at Goodland KS established all-time records for those three locations. Unofficial morning lows included 50 degrees below zero at Recluse WY and 60 degrees below zero at Rochford SD. Broadus MT and Hardin MT tied for honors as the official cold spot in the nation with morning lows of 47 degrees below zero. Chinook winds at Cutbank MT helped warm the temperature 74 degrees, from a morning low of 34 degrees below zero to an afternoon high of 40 degrees. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data) 
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Weather History
For Monday, December 23, 2013
1811 - A cold storm hit Long Island sound with a foot of snow, gale force winds, and temperatures near zero. During the storm many ships were wrecked, and in some cases entire crews perished. (David Ludlum)
1955 - The barometric pressure dipped to 28.97 inches (981 millibars) at Boise ID, an all-time record for that location. (The Weather Channel)
1982 - A major winter storm struck Colorado producing heavy snow and blizzard conditions. A record two feet of snow was reported at Stapleton Airport in Denver, which was shut down for 33 hours. Up to 44 inches of snow fell in the foothills surrounding Denver. The storm hurt the ski industry as skiers were unable to make it out of Denver to the slopes, and the closed airport became a campground for vacationers. (23rd-25th) (The Weather Channel) (Storm Data)
1983 - The temperature plunged to 50 degrees below zero at Williston ND to equal their all-time record. Minneapolis MN reported an afternoon high of 17 degrees below zero, and that evening strong northerly winds produced wind chill readings of 100 degrees below zero in North Dakota. (The National Weather Summary)
1987 - A winter storm brought heavy snow to the Central Rockies, and also spread a blanket of snow across the Middle Missouri Valley in time for Christmas. Snow and high winds created near blizzard conditions in Wyoming. Snowfall totals in Wyoming ranged up to 25 inches at Casper, with four feet of snow reported at the Hogadon Ski Resort on Capser Mountain. The Wolf Creek Ski Resort in Colorado received 26 inches of snow. Totals in the Middle Missouri Valley ranged up to 16 inches at Alpena SD, with 14 inches at Harrison NE. Strong winds ushered unseasonably cold air into the southwestern U.S. Canyon winds gusting to 100 mph created ground blizzards in Utah. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1988 - Low pressure in the Upper Midwest produced strong and gusty winds across the Great Lakes Region and the Ohio Valley. Winds in Ohio gusted to 47 mph at Cincinnati, and reached 51 mph at Cleveland. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1989 - An historic arctic outbreak spread to the Gulf Coast Region, and a total of 122 cities across the central and eastern U.S. reported record low temperatures for the date. Forty-one of those cities reported record lows for the month of December, with some cities breaking December records established the previous morning. Morning lows of 11 degrees at New Orleans LA and Lake Charles LA, 4 degrees below zero at San Angelo TX, and 26 degrees below zero at Topeka KS, established all-time records for those four locations. Yankton SD was the cold spot in the nation with a morning low of 31 degrees below zero. A storm system moving across the Florida peninsula and along the Southern Atlantic Coast produced high winds and record snows along the Carolina coast. Snowfall totals of 15 inches at Wilmington NC and 13.3 inches at Cape Hatteras NC were all-time records for those two locations.
2009 - Severe storms and heavy rainfall were associated with the same storm that brought blizzard conditions to the central parts of the U.S. on December 23rd and 24th. At least one death in Louisiana was blamed on the heavy rainfall and storms. There were 35 preliminary tornado reports and 34 hail and wind reports along the Gulf Coast over the 2-day period. The 10-year average number of tornadoes across the country in December is 36. (NCDC) 
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Weather History
For Tuesday, December 24, 2013
1872 - Extreme cold gripped the Upper Midwest on Christmas Eve. Downtown Chicago reported an all-time record low of 23 degrees below zero, which stood until January 1982, and Minneapolis MN reached 38 below. The afternoon high at Minneapolis was 17 degrees below zero. (David Ludlum)
1983 - The barometric pressure reached 31.42 inches at Miles City, MT, to establish a record for the U.S. It was the coldest Christmas Eve of modern record. More than 125 cities reported record low temperatures for the date, and all-time record lows for December were reported at seventeen cities, including Chicago with a low of 25 degrees below zero, and Havre MT with a reading of 50 below zero. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1987 - A four day seige of heavy rain began in the south central U.S. Flooding claimed four lives and caused millions of dollars property damage. Western Tennessee was drenched with up to fourteen inches of rain in two days. Total rainfall exceeded twelve inches around Memphis TN, and the heavy rain and subsequent flooding added insult to injury to victims of the West Memphis tornado on the 14th of the month. Little Rock AR experienced their wettest December day of record with 5.01 inches of rain. West Little Rock reported 10.20 inches of rain in 24 hours. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1988 - Early morning thunderstorms developing along a cold front spawned a powerful tornado at Franklin, TN, which killed one person, injured seven others, and caused eight million dollars damage. Another in a series of winter storms in the western U.S. produced 20 inches of snow at Blue Canyon CA in 24 hours. Bishop CA received 14 inches of snow in just six hours, and Redding CA, which averages three inches of snow per year, was blanketed with ten inches. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1989 - Fifty-seven cities in the south central and eastern U.S. reported record low temperatures for the date, including Elkins, WV, with a reading of 22 degrees below zero. Key West FL equalled their record for December with a morning low of 44 degrees. The high of just 45 degrees at Miami FL was an all-time record for that location. It smashed their previous record for the date by twenty degrees. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data) 
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Weather History
For Wednesday, December 25, 2013
1966 - A white Christmas was enjoyed by residents from North Carolina to New England in the wake of a major snowstorm. Even coastal Virginia was white. (David Ludlum)
1980 - It was the coldest Christmas Day of modern record in the northeastern U.S. Temperatures as cold as 36 degrees below zero were reported in New York State, and as the sharp cold front swept southeastward the temperature at Boston MA plunged from 34 degrees to seven degrees below zero during the day. (David Ludlum)
1983 - It was the coldest Christmas Day of modern record for the central and eastern U.S. More than 125 cities reported record low temperatures for the date, and thirty-four of those cities reported all-time records for the month of December. The temperature plunged to one degree below zero at Huntsville AL, and dipped to 14 degrees at Galveston TX. Snow covered the ground from the Pacific Northwest through much of the Great Plains Region to the Northern Appalachains. (The National Weather Summary)
1987 - Residents of Tucson, AZ, awoke to a white Christmas for the first time in forty-seven years of records, as a winter storm blanketed the area with up to four inches of snow. While heavy rain inundated Arkansas, freezing rain was reported from northwest Texas to southwestern Missouri, with an inch of ice reported at Harrison AR. Unseasonably mild weather prevailed in the southeastern U.S. Seven cities reported record high temperatures for the date. For the second day in a row McAllen TX was the hot spot in the nation with an afternoon high of 91 degrees. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1988 - A massive winter storm made for a very white Christmas in the western U.S. Las Vegas, NV, reported snow on the ground for the first time of record. Periods of snow over a five day period left several feet of new snow on the ground of ski areas in Colorado, with 68 inches reported at Wolf Creek Pass. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)
1989 - It was a record cold Christmas Day for parts of the southeastern U.S. Morning lows of zero degrees at Wilmington, NC, and five degrees below zero at Jacksonville NC established all-time records for those two locations. Miami Beach FL equalled a December record established the previous morning with a low of 33 degrees. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
2003 - Heavy rains affected areas of southern California that were just recently ravaged by wildfires in October. The downpour produced flash flooding that resulted in mudslides, taking the lives of 15 people at area campgrounds in San Bernardino (AFP).
2004 - Snow fell on Christmas Day in Deep South Texas. Snow totaled 4.4 inches in Corpus Christi, making it the second White Christmas ever. Farther north, Victoria had their first white Christmas on record when 12.5 inches of snow fell.
2006 - Severe thunderstorms produced four tornadoes in Florida. Columbia, Pasco, Lake and Volusia counties were hardest-hit, including the Daytona Beach area. A tornado generated considerable damage on the campus of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, delaying the start of the spring semester (Orlando Business Journal).
2010 - Up to 32 inches of snow and blizzard conditions affected parts of the eastern U.S. on December 25th-27th. A state of emergency was declared in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Maine. In New York City, up to 24.5 inches of snow fell, effectively shutting down rail lines, major airports, and bus services. Thousands of flights were cancelled and stranded subway riders were forced to spend a night in unheated train cars. One person was reported killed in Maine due to the weather conditions. (NCDC) 
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Weather History
For Thursday, December 26, 2013
1776 - George Washington crossed the ice clogged Delaware River. He marched on Trenton in the midst of snow and sleet thus surprising and capturing many of the British garrison. (David Ludlum)
1947 - New York City received a record 26.4 inches of snow in 24 hours, with as much as 32 inches reported in the suburbs. The heavy snow brought traffic to a standstill, and snow removal cost eight million dollars. Thirty thousand persons were called upon to remove the 100 million tons of snow. The storm claimed 27 lives. (26th-27th) (David Ludlum)
1983 - Miami, FL, established a December record with a morning low of 33 degrees. Just three days earlier, and again three days later, record warm temperatures were reported in Florida, with daytime highs in the 80s. (The National Weather Summary)
1987 - Freezing rain plagued parts of the south central U.S., from northwest Texas to southwestern Missouri. Southwestern Missouri was turned into a huge skating rink as roads became sheets of ice. Damage to tree limbs and power lines compared to a hundred tornadoes, and half of the city of Springfield was left without electricity for 24 hours. Snow, sleet and ice covered the northwest two thirds of Oklahoma. 75,000 homes were left without electricity as ice accumulated one to two inches in a 40-mile band from Duncan to Norman to Tulsa to Miami. 25,000 of those homes were still without power a week later. The storm claimed the lives of seven persons. (24th-27th) (The Weather Channel) (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)
1988 - Low pressure produced heavy snow from North Dakota to western sections of the Great Lakes Region, with up to fourteen inches reported in the Chicago area. Cold arctic air hovered over the Plateau Region. Temperatures in the Big Smokey Valley of Nevada plunged to 31 degrees below zero. (The National Weather Summary)
1989 - Strong northerly winds behind an arctic cold front produced snow squalls in the Great Lakes Region and dangerous wind chill temperatures in the northeastern U.S. Wind chill readings as cold as 40 degrees below zero were reported in New York State. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
2003 - A major snow storm in Utah caused several fatalities due to avalanches. As much as 2 ft of snow fell in parts of the state, particularly south of Salt Lake City. Three people that were seen snowboarding in the Aspen Grove recreational area have been presumed dead, all others managed to escape or be rescued (Reuters). 
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Weather History
For Friday, December 27, 2013
1869 - A post Christmas storm in New York and Vermont produced record storm totals of 30 inches at Burlington, VT, and 39 inches at Montpelier VT. A public emergency was declared in Vermont. (David Ludlum)
1892 - An Atlantic coast storm produced a record 18.6 inches of snow at Norfolk, VA, including 17.7 inches in 24 hours. The storm also produced 9.5 inches of snow at Raleigh NC, and brought snow to northern Florida for the first time in 35 years. (26th- 28th) (The Weather Channel)
1982 - The worst Louisiana rainstorm in more than 100 years came to an end. More than 18 inches fell at Vinton, LA, during the three day storm. Flooding was widespread, and property damage was estimated at 100 to 200 million dollars. President Reagan visited the state and declared ten parishes in northeastern Lousiana disaster areas. (The Weather Channel)
1987 - A winter storm produced snow and high winds in Wyoming, Colorado and Nebraska. Denver CO experienced its worst snowstorm since December 1983 as high winds gusting to 46 mph created near blizzard conditions, whipping the fifteen inch snow into drifts five feet high, and closing Stapleton Airport. Snowfall totals in the foothills southwest of Denver ranged up to 42 inches, at Intercanyon. Blizzard conditions raged across southeastern Wyoming through the day, stranding 300 holiday travelers in the tiny town of Chugwater. Heavier snowfall totals included 19 inches at La Grange WY, and 22 inches at Elsmere NE. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)
1988 - Severe thunderstorms developing along a cold front in the south central U.S. spawned a dozen tornadoes in Mississippi between early afternoon and sunrise the following day. A tornado at Harperville destroyed five chicken homes killing thousands of chickens. Strong thunderstorm winds gusted to 80 mph at Rolling Fork MS. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1989 - Half a dozen cities in the northeastern U.S. reported record low temperatures for the date, including Elkins, WV, with a reading of 13 degrees below zero. Watertown NY was the cold spot in the nation with a morning low of 37 degrees below zero. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)
2004 - A major storm system affected parts of the western United States during December 27-29, bringing a variety of weather conditions to the region. Heavy rainfall broke daily precipitation records at some locations in California. Very heavy snow fell across the Sierra Nevada Mountains, with some areas receiving several feet of accumulation. Winds with this weather system gusted over 65 mph at some coastal and mountain locations in California. 
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Weather History
For Saturday, December 28, 2013
1839 - The third storm in two weeks hit the northeastern U.S. It brought two more feet of snow to Hartford, CT, and Worcester, MA. Whole gales swept the coast causing many wrecks. (David Ludlum)
1897 - The temperature at Dayville, OR, hit 81 degrees to establish a state record for December. (The Weather Channel)
1924 - Iowa experienced it coldest December morning of record. Morning lows averaged 25 degrees below zero for the 104 weather stations across the state.
1955 - Anchorage, AK, was buried under 17.7 inches of snow in 24 hours, a record for that location. (28th-29th) (The Weather Channel)
1958 - Albuquerque, NM, received 14.2 inches of snow to establish a 24 hour record. (28th-29th) (The Weather Channel)
1987 - A winter storm produced heavy snow in the Upper Mississippi Valley and the Upper Great Lakes Region. Up to twenty inches of snow buried southern Minnesota, and 20 to 40 mph northwesterly winds produced snow drifts six feet high, and reduced visibilities to near zero at times in blowing snow. There were a thousand traffic accidents in Michigan during the storm, resulting in thirty-five injuries. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1988 - Strong winds behind a cold front claimed three lives in eastern Pennsylvania, and injured a dozen others in eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Maryland. Winds gusted to 87 mph at Hammonton NJ and in the Washington D.C. area. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1989 - Squalls continued to bring snow to the Great Lakes Region, with heavy snow reported near Lake Superior and Lake Ontario. Syracuse NY received 8.5 inches of snow to push the total for the month past their previous December record of 57 inches. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
2003 - A severe snow storm hit northern California and southern Oregon. As much as 2 feet of snow fell along Interstate 5 closing a 150-mile stretch of the interstate, stranding hundreds of travelers. Winds from the storm caused power outages to more than 200,000 customers in California and Oregon. One man died of a heart attack after helping other drivers. (CNN)
2004 - Los Angeles (downtown) broke a daily rainfall record for the month of December (5.55 inches). This was the third wettest calendar day in Los Angeles since records began in 1877.
2005 - An outbreak of severe thunderstorms across portions of the southeast United States on the 28th produced hail, high winds and a few tornadoes. The states of Georgia and Tennessee were the most affected. (NCDC) 
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1830 - A very heavy snowstorm ushered in the "winter of the deep snow." The storm produced 30 inches of snow at Peoria IL and 36 inches at Kansas City MO. Cold and snow continued until the middle of February causing great suffering among pioneers. (David Ludlum)
1894 - A severe freeze hit Florida destroying fruit and causing considerable damage to trees. (David Ludlum)
1954 - Fort Scott, KS, was buried under 26 inches of snow in 24 hours to establish a state record. (28th-29th) (The Weather Channel)
1984 - One hundred cities in the central and eastern U.S. reported record high temperatures. Kansas City, MO, experienced its warmest December day of record with a morning low of 60 degrees and an afternoon high of 71 degrees. (The National Weather Summary) (Sandra and TI Richard Sanders - 1987)
1987 - A storm off the Middle Atlantic Coast produced heavy snow in the Appalachians and the northeastern U.S. Snow and high winds created blizzard conditions in southeastern Massachusetts. Cape Cod received thirteen inches of snow, and snow drifts three feet deep were reported around Chatham MA. Strong winds produced wind chill readings as cold as 60 degrees below zero in southwestern New England. In the western U.S., a Pacific coast storm produced heavy snow in the Sierra Nevada Range of California, with 24 inches reported at Mammoth Mountain. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1988 - A cold front brought rain and snow to the northwestern U.S. The rainfall total of 2.70 inches at Astoria OR was a record for the date. High winds along the eastern slopes of the Northern Rockies gusted to 81 mph at Livingston MT. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)
1989 - Snow and ice prevailed from the southwestern U.S. to the Great Lakes Region. Flagstaff, AZ, received nine inches of snow in just six hours. Bitter cold weather continued over Maine. Portland ME reported a record twenty-two straight days with highs 32 degrees or colder. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data) 
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Weather History
For Monday, December 30, 2013
1880 - The temperature at Charlotte, NC, plunged to an all-time record cold reading of 5 degrees below zero, a record which was equalled on the 21st of January in 1985. (The Weather Channel)
1917 - A great cold wave set many records in the northeastern U.S. The mercury plunged to 13 degrees below zero at New York City, and to 15 degrees below zero at Boston. Temperature readings dipped below zero at Boston five nights in a row. Berlin NH hit 44 degrees below zero in the "Great World War I Cold Wave," and Saint Johnsbury VT reached 43 degrees below zero. (David Ludlum)
1933 - The temperature reached 50 degrees below zero at Bloomfield, VT. It was the coldest reading in modern records for New England. The temperature at Pittsburgh NH reached 44 degrees below zero. (David Ludlum)
1955 - Anchorage, AK, reported an all-time record snow depth of 47 inches. (30th-1st) (The Weather Channel)
1987 - A storm in the western U.S. produced heavy snow in Utah, with 28 inches reported in the Mount Holly and Elk Meadows area. Strong winds prevailed ahead of a cold front in the central U.S. Winds gusted to 46 mph at Dodge City KS, and reached 80 mph at Ruidoso NM. Strong northerly winds, ushering arctic cold into the north central U.S., created blizzard conditions in western Minnesota and central and eastern South Dakota. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)
1988 - Unseasonably cold weather prevailed in the southwestern U.S. A week of subfreezing temperatures in southern California claimed the lives of five people. Redding CA was blanketed with four inches of snow. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1989 - Extreme cold continued across northern Maine. Milo ME was the cold spot in the nation with a morning low of 38 degrees below zero, and the low of 31 degrees below zero at Caribou ME was a December record for that location. Freezing rain spread across much of Lower Michigan, knocking out electrical power to 1.9 million customers in southeastern Lower Michigan. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
2008 - Severe to extreme drought was observed across parts of the Hawaiian Islands, the western continental U.S., and parts of Georgia and South Carolina. Meanwhile, severe to exceptional drought conditions were present across southern Texas. (NCDC) 
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Weather History
For Tuesday, December 31, 2013
1917 - The temperature at Lewisburg, WV, plunged to 37 degrees below zero to set a state record. (Sandra and TI Richard Sanders - 1987)
1929 - Greenland Ranch, in Death Valley, California, went the entire year without measurable precipitation. (The Weather Channel)
1933 - A 24 hour rainfall of 7.36 inches set the stage for the worst flood in Los Angeles history. Flooding claimed 44 lives. (David Ludlum)
1941 - Snow which began on New Year's Eve became a major blizzard on New Year's Day, burying Des Moines, IA, uunder 19.8 inches of snow in 24 hours, an all-time record for that location. (The Weather Channel)
1947 - A late afternoon tornado touched down 10 miles north of Shreveport LA, and dissipated south of El Dorado AR. The tornado, as much as 400 yards in width, killed 18 persons. It damaged or destroyed two thirds of the structures at Cotton Valley LA. (The Weather Channel)
1962 - Perhaps the worst blizzard in the history of the state of Maine finally came to an end. The storm produced 40 inches in 24 hours at Orono, and a total of 46 inches at Ripogenus Dam. Gale force winds produced snow drifts twenty feet high around Bangor. A disastrous icestorm was over Georgia and South Carolina. It ravaged the two states for days causing more than seven million dollars damage. (David Ludlum) (The Weather Channel)
1963 - A snowstorm struck the Deep South. Meridian, MS, received 15 inches of snow, 10.5 inches blanketed Bay St Louis MS, and 4.5 inches fell at New Orleans LA. Freezing temperatures then prevailed for New Year's Day. (David Ludlum)
1987 - Torrential rains caused extensive flash flooding over eastern sections of the island of Ohau in Hawaii, resulting in many rock and mud slides. Rainfall totals ranged up to 22.89 inches in a 24 hour period, and property damage was estimated at 35 million dollars. Strong winds continued to usher arctic cold into the north central U.S. The temperature at Alexandria MN remained below zero through the day, and Jamestown ND reported a wind chill reading of 58 degrees below zero. Gales lashed the Great Lakes, with wind gusts to 54 mph reported at Lansing MI. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)
1988 - Warm and wet weather prevailed in the southeastern U.S. Six cities in Florida reported record high temperatures for the date. Thunderstorms produced locally heavy rains from the Lower Mississippi Valley to the Southern Atlantic Coast. (The National Weather Summary)
1989 - The year and decade ended on a soggy note in the eastern U.S. Thunderstorm rains pushed precipitation totals for the year to 88.32 inches at Baton Rouge, and to 75.37 inches at Huntsville AL, establishing all-time records for those two locations. Dry weather continued in California. Sacramento and San Francisco finished the month without any rain or snow, and Santa Maria reported their driest year of record with just 3.30 inches of precipitation. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
2010 - Unusually warm air fueled strong storms in the midwestern and southern U.S., producing high winds and a preliminary count of 53 tornadoes across five states. At least eight people were killed in Missouri and Arkansas and dozens of others were injured. In Mississippi, about 200 people were evacuated from the Jackson-Evers International Airport, where an EF-2 tornado crossed a runway. (NCDC) 
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See also http://www.weatherforyou.com/weather_history/
See also http://climate.umn.edu/pdf/day_in_weather_history/may_wx_history.pdf 
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/mkx/?n=thisdayinhistory
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/arx/history/request_history.php
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/iwx/program_areas/wxhisttdy/calendar.php