UK Related
- 1
North Sea Coast: Boxing Day Storm Surge (1813)
On December 26, 1813, a powerful North Sea gale produced storm surges that flooded parts of eastern England, including Norfolk and Lincolnshire. Coastal villages suffered significant damage to sea defences, and merchant vessels were wrecked near Great Yarmouth. The surge was one of the century’s worst Christmas-period marine disasters in Britain.
- 2
Northern England: Intense Winter Storm (1872)
December 26, 1872, saw heavy snow and gales sweep across much of northern England and Scotland. Severe drifts halted railway services between Leeds and Newcastle. Reports from Edinburgh recorded gusts exceeding 70 mph. The storm caused at least a dozen fatalities and dozens of structural collapses across northern counties.
- 3
Eastern England: Deep Freeze Intensifies (1962)
Following the onset of the “Big Freeze” beginning Christmas, December 26, 1962, brought widespread blizzards across eastern England. Norfolk and Suffolk were cut off by snowdrifts over two metres high. Road and rail services ceased for days. Temperatures fell to -15°C overnight, cementing the start of one of the UK’s most famous winters.
- 4
Storm Bella (2020)
A large, deep low-pressure system brought relentless heavy rain and powerful winds to the UK on December 26–27, 2020. Wind gusts hit 106 mph (171 km/h) on the Isle of Wight, while widespread flooding swept across England and Wales, worsening conditions in areas that were already waterlogged.
And if you want to see the weather we have experienced on December 26th in Crondall over the years then go here for weather on any particular day (select from drop down menus) or here to see how it compares to the records for that day.
Non UK Related
- 1
Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami (2004)
On December 26, 2004, a magnitude 9.1 megathrust earthquake off Sumatra triggered a massive tsunami affecting 14 countries. Coastal areas of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand were devastated, leading to approximately 230,000 fatalities. It remains one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history.
- 2
Northern Europe – Storm Lothar (1999)
On December 26, 1999, the severe windstorm Lothar crossed northern Europe, hitting France, Germany, and Switzerland. Wind gusts exceeded 200 km/h in parts of the Alps, causing widespread infrastructure collapse and power outages. More than 100 people were killed, making it one of Europe’s most destructive winter storms.
- 3
Northeast USA – Boxing Day Blizzard (2010)
A major blizzard struck the U.S. East Coast on December 26, 2010. New York City received more than 50 cm of snow, and wind gusts exceeded 100 km/h. Airports closed, and public transit systems froze for days. The storm was among the most disruptive winter events of the decade.
- 4
Japan – Heavy Snowfall in Niigata Prefecture (1935)
December 26, 1935, marked one of the heaviest single-day snowfalls ever recorded in Niigata Prefecture, Japan. More than 90 cm fell within 24 hours, isolating mountain villages. The event prompted the Japanese government to improve rural winter preparedness programs in one of Japan’s snowiest regions.
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