Looking Back at Some of the Nation’s Most Memorable Christmas Storms

Posted: December 21, 2023 3:15 pm

While most people associate Christmas with softly falling snow and beautiful winter landscapes, Mother Nature does not care about the date on the calendar when it comes to wreaking havoc. Here are just a few of the most famous Christmas storms on record.

Texarkana Ice Storm – 2000

An unprecedented ice storm throughout the Texarkana region ruined the holiday for thousands of families. The storm primarily affected the southwestern corner of Arkansas, northeastern Texas, and southeastern Oklahoma. The accumulation of ice of up to an inch in the hardest-hit areas resulted in widespread power outages on both Christmas and the following days. In addition to not having power, the affected region also was left without water and telephone service as a result of the highly damaging storm.

New York Snow Storm – 2001

Those wanting a white Christmas in New York state in 2001 certainly got their wish. A lake-effect snowstorm dumped well over five feet of the white stuff on Buffalo. The snow event got started on Christmas Eve and continued over the next few days, stranding many in their homes for an extended holiday. By the time the calendar flipped to the new year, over 100 inches of snow had accumulated on the Tug Plateau, breaking a record as the biggest snowstorm on record for the region.

New York City Blizzard – 1947

The snow held off until the day after Christmas for New York City in 1947. However, it was a real doozy once it got started, dropping 26.4 inches of snow by the time that the snow event had wrapped up. The blizzard broke a record that had stood for nearly 50 years. That record was then broken in 2006. The 1947 blizzard claimed the lives of at least 75 people, shutting down the city’s transportation system and bringing the vibrant city to a standstill.

Southeast Snow – 1989

It is not often that the Southeast sees a white Christmas. However, in 1989, the snow started flying on December 22 and lasted for three days, bringing a white Christmas to the region and qualifying as the largest snowstorm on record for the Southeast coastal region. Wilmington, North Carolina measured 15.3 inches of snow during this time period. This event was the first and last white Christmas on record for the city. In addition, Wilmington experienced an all-time low temperature of zero degrees.

A little to the south, Charleston, South Carolina recorded eight inches of snow over a period of three days leading up to Christmas. There were still four inches on the ground when Christmas rolled around, giving the southern city its first white Christmas ever. The snow stretched all the way down to the northern tier of Florida, sending flakes flying in Jacksonville ahead of the holiday.

One-two Holiday Storm Punch in Northeast – 2002

It was a one-two punch of storms in the Northeast in 2002. A Christmas Day storm left widespread power outages and messy road conditions throughout eastern New York state and western New England. Albany, New York saw the worst of the accumulation with over 24 inches of snow. It was a fast-moving storm with the bulk of the snow falling in just 12 hours, catching many people off guard with its intensity.

Up to five inches of snow fell in Manhattan, disrupting the travel plans of those in town for the holiday.

Just one week later, another storm slammed into the area. The primary disruptions with this second storm came at the hands of ice. Trees and power lines that were already weighed down with snow were then coated with ice, leading to massive widespread power outages.

Severe Weather Outbreak – 2012

A pair of severe weather events in the central U.S. grabbed the headlines on Christmas Day in 2012. A total of 29 tornadoes struck in a stretch of land from eastern Texas to Alabama. Two of these twisters were EF3 tornadoes based on the Enhanced Fujita designation.

A large swath of land from Oklahoma to Ohio saw over a foot of snow as blizzard warnings blanketed the area. The snow stretched up to New England with two feet of accumulation in some of the hardest-hit areas.

South Texas White Christmas – 2004

The normally balmy region of South Texas saw a rare snowstorm on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, putting snow on areas such as Corpus Christi. The heavy snowfall closed most major roadways in a region with drivers not familiar with this type of weather.

For the most part, Christmas 2021 saw relatively moderate weather conditions throughout the U.S., a nice break from the severe weather that characterized much of December for a large part of the country.

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