North Carolina, February 3, 2026
A powerful winter storm has hit North Carolina, causing widespread school closures and hazardous travel conditions. Accumulations of snow up to 18 inches were reported, with Governor Josh Stein urging residents to stay off the roads. Emergency services and transportation systems experienced significant disruptions, including over 1,200 flight cancellations statewide. Communities are working toward recovery as safety concerns persist due to refreezing conditions.
North Carolina
Winter Storm Paralyzes North Carolina, Triggering Widespread Closures and Hazardous Conditions
A powerful winter storm brought extensive snowfall and hazardous ice to North Carolina over the past 48 hours, resulting in the closure of numerous schools and community colleges across the state on Monday, February 2, 2026, with many extending closures or shifting to remote learning on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. This significant weather event, which included a rapidly intensifying “bomb cyclone,” created dangerous travel conditions, impacted public services, and led to a high volume of traffic incidents and flight cancellations. Governor Josh Stein urged residents to remain off roads for safety as crews worked to clear snow and ice.
Immediate Impacts and Closures
The storm, which delivered accumulations of 8 to 12 inches across the Triad region and up to 11 inches in Charlotte, officially made Monday, February 2, 2026, a widespread snow day for nearly every school district and community college in North Carolina. This included districts in the Triad, such as Alamance-Burlington, Asheboro City, Mount Airy City, Randolph County, and Rockingham County, which implemented remote learning days. On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, many districts like Person County Schools, Polk County Schools, and Rutherford County Schools remained closed, while others, including Pitt County Schools, Richmond County Schools, and Rockingham County Schools, continued with remote instruction.
Beyond education, various public services also experienced disruptions. Onslow County offices and facilities were closed to the public on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, due to lingering impacts from winter weather conditions, though a temporary curfew in unincorporated areas was rescinded on Monday, February 2, 2026. Government offices in Forsyth County, including libraries, animal services, and public transportation in Winston-Salem, were suspended or delayed on Saturday, January 31, 2026, and Monday, February 2, 2026.
Transportation and Public Safety Concerns
The storm significantly hampered travel across the state. More than 1,000 traffic collisions and two road deaths were reported in North Carolina by Sunday, February 1, 2026, as hazardous conditions prevailed. Interstate 85 northeast of Charlotte experienced an hours-long backup due to a crash involving numerous vehicles. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) deployed over 2,500 employees and contractors statewide to plow snow and spread more than 23,000 tons of salt, focusing initially on interstates and major highways. However, officials warned that clearing some secondary roads could take up to a week, with lingering black ice remaining a significant threat as melted snow refroze overnight due to temperatures dropping below freezing. Residents were strongly advised to avoid unnecessary travel to ensure safety and allow road crews to work efficiently.
Air travel was also heavily affected, with over 1,200 flights canceled statewide due to the storm. Charlotte Douglas International Airport alone saw more than 800 cancellations for flights departing or arriving on Sunday, February 2, 2026, with operations halting on Saturday evening, February 1, 2026, to clear runways.
Significant Snowfall and Broader Impact
The winter storm, which developed into a potent “bomb cyclone,” brought record-breaking snowfall to many parts of North Carolina. Some areas along the I-85 corridor experienced up to 16 inches of snow, including Kannapolis and Lexington, with James City in eastern North Carolina recording 18 inches and Swansboro 17 inches. Charlotte Douglas International Airport measured 11 inches of snow, tying it for the fourth-highest single-day snow total in the city’s history.
This event marked the first time since January 2014 that measurable snow fell in all 100 counties of North Carolina. The storm also caused coastal flooding and damaged homes on the Outer Banks, with Highway 12 experiencing closures due to overwash. Power outages affected thousands, with Duke Energy reporting more than 8,500 outages across North and South Carolina at the storm’s peak. This followed a previous ice storm a week earlier that had already caused significant disruptions. Authorities declared states of emergency in North Carolina and Georgia in anticipation of the deteriorating conditions.
Community Resilience and Ongoing Recovery
Amidst the challenging conditions, communities demonstrated resilience. While travel was hazardous, some residents embraced the snow, finding opportunities for winter recreation. Emergency management officials urged preparedness, advising residents to have food, water, and medication stocked and to check on neighbors. As temperatures are expected to remain below freezing overnight, the threat of refreezing and black ice persists, necessitating continued caution from the public. Efforts to restore normalcy are ongoing, with officials continuing to monitor conditions and provide updates.
Key Features of the North Carolina Winter Storm
| Feature | Details | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Impact Period | February 2-3, 2026 (last 48 hours) | State-level |
| Cause of Storm | Powerful winter storm, including a “bomb cyclone” | State-level |
| School Closures | Widespread across North Carolina on February 2, 2026, with many extending or shifting to remote learning on February 3, 2026. | State-level |
| Snowfall Amounts (Triad) | 8 to 12 inches, with 10.3 inches at Piedmont Triad International Airport. | Regional (Triad) |
| Snowfall Amounts (Charlotte) | 11 inches at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, tying for fourth-highest single-day total. Up to 16 inches in parts of the northern metro area. | City-level (Charlotte) |
| Snowfall Amounts (Eastern NC) | James City recorded 18 inches, Swansboro recorded 17 inches. | Regional (Eastern NC) |
| Traffic Collisions | More than 1,000 reported statewide. | State-level |
| Road Fatalities | Two reported statewide. | State-level |
| Flight Cancellations | Over 1,200 flights statewide. More than 800 at Charlotte Douglas International Airport on Sunday, February 2, 2026. | State-level / City-level (Charlotte) |
| Road Hazards | Icy conditions, black ice, especially on secondary roads. | State-level |
| Government Closures | Onslow County offices closed February 3, 2026. Forsyth County government offices delayed openings or shut down on January 31, 2026, and February 2, 2026. | County-level |
| Power Outages | More than 8,500 outages across North and South Carolina at the storm’s peak. | State-level |
| State of Emergency | Declared in North Carolina and Georgia. | State-level |
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Author: HERE Charlotte
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