January 8th – Weather Events On This Day

Severe Blizzard and Ice Storm (1982)

From January 7 to 9, a complex frontal system swept across central and southern UK and Ireland, bringing continuous snowfall and a major ice storm. Some areas saw over 30 cm of snow with heavy drifting, leading to widespread disruption.

Coldest January Night on Record (2010)

Altnaharra, in the Scottish Highlands, recorded a temperature of -22.3°C (-8.1°F), making it the coldest January night on record in the UK.

World Record Rainfall (Reunion Island) (1966)

Cyclone Denise swept over Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean, unleashing 1,825 mm (about 72 inches) of rain in just 24 hours—a world record that still holds. The deluge led to deadly flooding and widespread destruction.

Argentina Rainfall Record (2019)

On January 8, the city of Resistencia in Argentina saw 224 mm of rain in just 24 hours, setting a new daily rainfall record, amid a heatwave and resulting widespread flooding in the area.

Blizzard of ’96 Final Day (Eastern United States) (1996)

January 8th marked the conclusion of this historic nor’easter. Key statistics:

• Philadelphia: 30.7 inches total snowfall
• Washington D.C.: 17.1 inches (Reagan National Airport)
• West Virginia: Up to 48 inches in Pocahontas County
• Total damage: Approximately $3 billion
• Casualties: 154 deaths (plus 33 more from subsequent flooding)

Snowstorm – Madrid, Spain (2021)

Storm Filomena struck Spain, dumping 50 cm of snow on Madrid on January 8, resulting in four fatalities and thousands stranded, marking one of the heaviest snowfalls in the city’s history.

Extreme Cold Wave, Beijing, China (1940)

On January 8, 1940, Beijing hit its coldest day ever, with temperatures plunging to -27.4°C (-17.3°F), disrupting daily life and causing record-high energy use.