This Date In Weather History

With a special thanks to my buddy Kevin Shaw (for the info)

DECEMBER 8TH IN WEATHER HISTORY
1783
On Dec. 8th a mild period set in and by the 11th all the snow had melted and a diary entry on Dec. 8th described the mild period as "Indian Summer." Today, "Indian Summer" refers to mild fall weather after the season's first frost has occurred.
(Washington Weather Book 2002 by Ambrose,Henry,Weiss)

1876
The term BLIZZARD first employed in government “Monthly Weather Review”

1892
A tremendous icefall 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 Staunton 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)