Charlotte Snowstorm Ranks 6th Biggest in City History, Becomes 4th-Largest One-Day Snowfall on Record
UNITED STATES — A historic winter storm that swept through Charlotte, North Carolina has officially secured its place among the most significant snow events ever recorded in the city, ranking as the 6th-largest snowstorm in Charlotte’s recorded history and the 4th-largest one-day snowfall on record, according to finalized snowfall totals.
Updated analysis confirms the storm produced a two-day total of 11.4 inches, with 0.4 inches falling after midnight Sunday morning, pushing the event into the city’s top-tier historical snowstorms.
One-Day Snowfall Places Storm Near the Top of Records
Based on finalized measurements, the storm’s primary snowfall ranks as the 4th-largest single-day snowfall ever recorded in Charlotte. Only three historic events produced greater one-day accumulations, placing this storm ahead of many well-known winter events that residents still reference decades later.
Most of Charlotte’s biggest snowstorms historically unfolded over two-day periods, making the strength and efficiency of this event particularly notable.
Two-Day Total of 11.4 Inches Ranks 6th All-Time
When measured over its full duration, the storm’s 11.4-inch total places it as the 6th-largest snowstorm in Charlotte’s history, according to the historical comparison chart.
The ranking places the 2026 storm alongside some of the most memorable winter events ever recorded in the region, including storms from 1902, 1927, 1969, 2004, and other milestone winters.
How This Storm Compares to Charlotte’s Biggest Snowfalls
Historical snowfall records show that Charlotte’s largest snowstorm remains the February 1902 event, which produced 17.4 inches over a multi-day period. Other major storms include:
- 13.3 inches in 1927
- 13.2 inches in 2004
- 12.1 inches in 1969
- 11.8 inches in 1988
With 11.4 inches, the 2026 storm now firmly joins this elite group, surpassing several notable snow events from the late 20th century.
A Rare Modern-Era Snowfall for Charlotte
Significant snowstorms of this magnitude are rare in the modern climate record for Charlotte, making this event especially remarkable for long-time residents and meteorologists alike. Many of the higher-ranking storms occurred decades ago, highlighting how unusual it is for a contemporary event to rival historical benchmarks.
For many in the region, this storm will be remembered as a once-in-a-generation winter event, reshaping local snowfall records and redefining expectations for what is possible in a Charlotte winter.
Stay with Waldronnews.com for continued coverage of historic weather events, climate records, and major winter storm impacts across the United States.