Some elevations in North Carolina’s mountains receive as much as 80 inches of snow (or more) each year. But for those living in the Piedmont and Coastal regions of the Tar Heel State, there is very little chance of seeing snowfall of that magnitude over the course of the winter season. In fact, if you live in those regions, you may actually wish for a little snow every now and then. This may have been the case on January 25, 2000, when an unexpected winter storm hit the Carolinas dumping as much as 24 inches in Raleigh and other amounts from Winston-Salem all the way to the coast in a 24-hour period. Here’s more on the unforgettable Great Blizzard of 2000 in North Carolina.
The historic snow event is known as the Carolina Crusher.
Wikipedia/SeaWiFS Project, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, and ORBIMAGE
The Category 3 nor’easter blew up from Georgia and was expected by meteorologists to leave trace amounts of snowfall in the Piedmont and Coastal regions of North Carolina — but something entirely different manifested overnight.
National Weather Service
Where the airflow had been expected to be from the south, overnight, it shifted bringing in colder air from Canada. In essence, the little snow flurries turned into a major nor’easter and much of the two-thirds of the state closest to the coast were blanketed in fresh powder.
Flickr/Ruby Sinreich
Those in Wilmington saw five inches of snow. Jacksonville got four, and Rocky Mount received eight inches. For these cities (and others) the snowfall turned the landscape into a winter wonderland. And all would have been fine, except for the…
Flickr/Ruby Sinreich power outages. The snow fell from Winston-Salem all the way eastward toward the coast, with Raleigh receiving the most amount of snowfall… a record 24 inches in 24 hours.
The Queen City (Charlotte) got 10 inches, while the neighboring little town of Monroe got 20.
Flickr/James Willamor Perhaps the most interesting part of this storm was that the mountains of North Carolina didn’t get as much as a single snowflake.
The Great Blizzard of 2000 in North Carolina closed entire towns as power outages wiped out traffic lights as well as sources of heat and light for many residents.
Flickr/Ruby Sinreich By mid-afternoon, the storm had rolled up the coast and begun to wreak havoc on Central Virginia. It would continue its path all the way up the coast of the eastern United States, ultimately affecting D.C., Pennsylvania, and New Jersey as well.
Do you remember this catastrophic Great Blizzard of 2000 in North Carolina over 20 years ago, dumping snow nearly everywhere except the mountains? Did you make the most of the situation? If so, how?
Wikipedia/SeaWiFS Project, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, and ORBIMAGE
National Weather Service
Flickr/Ruby Sinreich
power outages. The snow fell from Winston-Salem all the way eastward toward the coast, with Raleigh receiving the most amount of snowfall… a record 24 inches in 24 hours.
Flickr/James Willamor
Perhaps the most interesting part of this storm was that the mountains of North Carolina didn’t get as much as a single snowflake.
By mid-afternoon, the storm had rolled up the coast and begun to wreak havoc on Central Virginia. It would continue its path all the way up the coast of the eastern United States, ultimately affecting D.C., Pennsylvania, and New Jersey as well.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Great Blizzard of 2000 in North Carolina October 07, 2021 Beth C. What are winters in North Carolina like? As you’ve learned from reading all about the Great Blizzard of 2000 in North Carolina, winters in the Tar Heel State can be quite unpredictable. On average, however, the colder months are relatively mild for most of the state. Average temperatures reach a high of 50s, and lows can be in the 10s or 20s, especially at night and at higher elevations. For those living in the mountains, snowfall is common and due to colder temperatures, tends to stick around for a while. If you’re looking to experience a winter wonderland, your best bet is Beech Mountain, the snowiest town in North Carolina. Learn more about what life is like inside the snowiest town in North Carolina. What’s the highest point in North Carolina? The highest point in North Carolina is the top of Mount Mitchell, which just so happens to be the tallest point on the East Coast. Mount Mitchell is located off of the Blue Ridge Parkway inside the namesake Mount Mitchell State Park. The top of the mountain, which resides at 6,684 feet above sea level, is relatively easy to access thanks to the parking lot and brief, paved walk leading you to the overlook. From the top of the observation deck, it’s possible to see 85 miles on a clear day! Also at the top of the mountain, you’ll find restrooms and a gift shop. For those looking to spend more time at the park, there’s a beautiful picnic area and plenty of trails to explore. What are the best winter trails in North Carolina? Most people associate the winter months with staying warm and cozy indoors. And while this is always an appealing option, there’s something quite magical about bundling up and getting outside. For one, North Carolina’s outdoor attractions are significantly less crowded during the winter, giving you the chance to experience the state’s natural wonders without the crowds. For some excellent winter hiking, we would suggest any of the following destinations: Max Patch, Linville Gorge, Dry Falls, DuPont State Forest, Mount Mitchell (weather permitting!), Linville Falls, Roan Mountian, Bearwallow Mountain, and Pilot Mountain. Have you ever experienced any of these North Carolina hiking trails during the winter?
The OIYS Visitor Center
Great Blizzard of 2000 in North Carolina
October 07, 2021
Beth C.
What are winters in North Carolina like? As you’ve learned from reading all about the Great Blizzard of 2000 in North Carolina, winters in the Tar Heel State can be quite unpredictable. On average, however, the colder months are relatively mild for most of the state. Average temperatures reach a high of 50s, and lows can be in the 10s or 20s, especially at night and at higher elevations. For those living in the mountains, snowfall is common and due to colder temperatures, tends to stick around for a while. If you’re looking to experience a winter wonderland, your best bet is Beech Mountain, the snowiest town in North Carolina. Learn more about what life is like inside the snowiest town in North Carolina. What’s the highest point in North Carolina? The highest point in North Carolina is the top of Mount Mitchell, which just so happens to be the tallest point on the East Coast. Mount Mitchell is located off of the Blue Ridge Parkway inside the namesake Mount Mitchell State Park. The top of the mountain, which resides at 6,684 feet above sea level, is relatively easy to access thanks to the parking lot and brief, paved walk leading you to the overlook. From the top of the observation deck, it’s possible to see 85 miles on a clear day! Also at the top of the mountain, you’ll find restrooms and a gift shop. For those looking to spend more time at the park, there’s a beautiful picnic area and plenty of trails to explore. What are the best winter trails in North Carolina? Most people associate the winter months with staying warm and cozy indoors. And while this is always an appealing option, there’s something quite magical about bundling up and getting outside. For one, North Carolina’s outdoor attractions are significantly less crowded during the winter, giving you the chance to experience the state’s natural wonders without the crowds. For some excellent winter hiking, we would suggest any of the following destinations: Max Patch, Linville Gorge, Dry Falls, DuPont State Forest, Mount Mitchell (weather permitting!), Linville Falls, Roan Mountian, Bearwallow Mountain, and Pilot Mountain. Have you ever experienced any of these North Carolina hiking trails during the winter?
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
As you’ve learned from reading all about the Great Blizzard of 2000 in North Carolina, winters in the Tar Heel State can be quite unpredictable. On average, however, the colder months are relatively mild for most of the state. Average temperatures reach a high of 50s, and lows can be in the 10s or 20s, especially at night and at higher elevations. For those living in the mountains, snowfall is common and due to colder temperatures, tends to stick around for a while. If you’re looking to experience a winter wonderland, your best bet is Beech Mountain, the snowiest town in North Carolina. Learn more about what life is like inside the snowiest town in North Carolina.
What’s the highest point in North Carolina?
The highest point in North Carolina is the top of Mount Mitchell, which just so happens to be the tallest point on the East Coast. Mount Mitchell is located off of the Blue Ridge Parkway inside the namesake Mount Mitchell State Park. The top of the mountain, which resides at 6,684 feet above sea level, is relatively easy to access thanks to the parking lot and brief, paved walk leading you to the overlook. From the top of the observation deck, it’s possible to see 85 miles on a clear day! Also at the top of the mountain, you’ll find restrooms and a gift shop. For those looking to spend more time at the park, there’s a beautiful picnic area and plenty of trails to explore.
What are the best winter trails in North Carolina?
Most people associate the winter months with staying warm and cozy indoors. And while this is always an appealing option, there’s something quite magical about bundling up and getting outside. For one, North Carolina’s outdoor attractions are significantly less crowded during the winter, giving you the chance to experience the state’s natural wonders without the crowds. For some excellent winter hiking, we would suggest any of the following destinations: Max Patch, Linville Gorge, Dry Falls, DuPont State Forest, Mount Mitchell (weather permitting!), Linville Falls, Roan Mountian, Bearwallow Mountain, and Pilot Mountain. Have you ever experienced any of these North Carolina hiking trails during the winter?
