North Carolina Sees Rare Statewide Snowfall as Every County Records Accumulation From Mountains to Coast
NORTH CAROLINA — North Carolina experienced one of its rarest winter weather events in recent memory, as all 100 counties across the state recorded measurable snow accumulation during a powerful winter system that swept from the Appalachians to the Atlantic coast.
Satellite imagery and snowfall reports confirm that snow covered the entire state, from the Blue Ridge Mountains through the Piedmont and into coastal communities, a scenario that happens only a handful of times in a generation.
Visible Satellite Confirms Widespread Snow Cover
Visible satellite imagery from the event shows snowpack stretching uninterrupted across North Carolina, clearly outlining county boundaries and terrain differences. Cities including Asheville, Boone, Greensboro, Charlotte, Raleigh, Fayetteville, Wilmington, Jacksonville, and Elizabeth City all appeared under a blanket of snow in daylight satellite views.
The imagery highlights how cold air was firmly entrenched statewide, allowing snow to reach even typically warmer coastal and southeastern counties.
Snowfall Totals by Region Show Major Impacts
Snowfall reports from the weekend reveal significant accumulation across every region, with several distinct bands:
- Western Mountains (Boone, Asheville region): 3 to 6 inches, with localized higher totals in higher elevations
- Central Piedmont (Charlotte, Greensboro): 6 to 12 inches, including a core zone exceeding 12 inches
- Triangle Area (Raleigh): 1 to 3 inches, marking a rare measurable snow
- Eastern NC (Greenville, Elizabeth City): 6 to 12 inches, with pockets over 12 inches
- Southeastern Coast (Wilmington area): 12+ inches, an exceptional total for coastal North Carolina
Even areas along the Outer Banks and coastal plain, which often see rain or mixed precipitation, recorded solid snow accumulation.
Why This Event Was So Unusual
What made this storm historic was not just the totals, but the coverage. North Carolina’s geography usually prevents statewide snow due to:
- Warmer coastal waters
- Elevation differences
- Marginal temperatures in the east
This storm overcame all three factors, delivering cold air deep into the Southeast while moisture tracked perfectly across the state.
Meteorologists note that statewide snow coverage across all counties is exceptionally rare, especially with double-digit totals reaching the coast.
Travel and Infrastructure Disruptions
Snow-covered roads were reported statewide, including Interstate 40, I-85, I-95, and numerous secondary highways. Airports across the state experienced delays and cancellations, while emergency crews responded to slick road conditions from the mountains to the shoreline.
Power outages were isolated but occurred mainly where heavier, wetter snow accumulated near the coast.
A Snowstorm That Will Be Remembered
For many residents, this storm will be remembered as a once-in-a-generation event — a true all-county snowstorm that blanketed North Carolina from end to end.
Weather records and snowfall maps from this system are expected to be referenced for years when comparing future winter storms across the Carolinas.
Have photos or snowfall totals from your area? Share your experience and stay updated with full weather coverage at Waldronnews.com.