The Ice Storm of 1998, caused by El Niño, strikes southern Ontario and Quebec, Canada, resulting in widespread power failures, severe damage to forests, and a number of deaths.
Current events of January 6, 1998 (1998-01-06) (Tuesday)
The Lunar Prospector spacecraft is launched into orbit around the Moon, and later finds evidence for frozen water, in soil in permanently shadowed craters near the Moon's poles.
Current events of January 8, 1998 (1998-01-08) (Thursday)
