Charlotte, Greenville, Asheville, Wilmington, and the Southern Appalachians Slammed by Heavy Snow and Powerful Wind Gusts in Late-January Winter Storm
UNITED STATES — A powerful winter storm swept across the Southern Appalachians, Southeast, and southern Mid-Atlantic between January 30 and February 1, 2026, delivering heavy snow, strong winds, and widespread travel impacts, according to a summary released by the Weather Prediction Center.
The storm produced double-digit snowfall totals across parts of North Carolina and Tennessee, while damaging wind gusts were recorded as far south as Georgia and along the Atlantic coast.
Heavy Snow Blankets the Southern Appalachians and Carolinas
Snowfall reports show a broad swath of heavy accumulation stretching from eastern Tennessee through western and central North Carolina and into parts of South Carolina.
Some of the highest reported snowfall totals include:
- Beaufort, North Carolina: 17.0 inches
- Kannapolis, North Carolina: 16.0 inches
- Greenville, North Carolina: 15.0 inches
- Pigeon Forge, Tennessee: 13.5 inches
- Winston-Salem, North Carolina: 11.0 inches
- Charlotte, North Carolina: 10.0 inches
- Greensboro, North Carolina: 10.0 inches
- Wilmington, North Carolina: 9.5 inches
- Elizabeth City, North Carolina: 9.3 inches
Snowfall totals of 7 to 8 inches were also reported in Florence, SC; North Myrtle Beach, SC; Duck, NC; Wilkesboro, NC; and Spartanburg, SC, highlighting the storm’s broad regional footprint.
Southern Appalachians Hit Especially Hard
The Southern Appalachian Mountains experienced some of the most intense snowfall, with Asheville, North Carolina reporting 6 inches and surrounding higher-elevation areas receiving even greater amounts.
The terrain helped enhance snowfall rates, leading to dangerous driving conditions and prolonged snow cover across mountain communities.
Strong Wind Gusts Added to Impacts
In addition to snow, the storm brought powerful wind gusts that worsened conditions and increased the risk of power disruptions.
Notable wind gust reports include:
- Atlanta, Georgia: 63 mph
- Oregon Inlet, North Carolina: 58 mph
- Norfolk, Virginia: 55 mph
- Nags Head, North Carolina: 50 mph
- Virginia Beach, Virginia: 56 mph
- Sea Bright, New Jersey: 53 mph
- Asheville, North Carolina: 49 mph
These gusts contributed to blowing snow, reduced visibility, and hazardous travel, especially in exposed and elevated areas.
Widespread Regional Impacts From Snow and Wind
The combination of heavy snowfall and gusty winds created challenging conditions across multiple states, from the Southern Appalachians into the Carolinas and parts of the southern Mid-Atlantic.
Road conditions deteriorated rapidly in many areas, and the storm’s duration allowed snow to accumulate steadily over several days.
Safety Remains a Priority After the Storm
With deep snow still on the ground in many communities, officials urge residents to use caution while shoveling, dress warmly, stay hydrated, and take frequent breaks to avoid injury or cold-related illness.
This storm will be remembered as one of the most impactful winter events of the 2025–26 season for the Southeast and southern Mid-Atlantic.
Stay with Waldronnews.com for continued coverage of major winter storms, regional impacts, and weather summaries from across the United States.