A coastal low impacted eastern North Carolina from February 19-20, 2025, resulting in sleet, freezing rain, and snow. Significant ice accumulation caused widespread damage and power outages, particularly inland where temperatures dropped to the teens. Detailed snowfall reports documented accumulations across multiple counties, and social media updates reflected ongoing weather conditions during the event.
On February 19-20, 2025, a coastal low pressure system formed over the U.S. Gulf Coast and moved northeast along the Southeast U.S. coastline towards the Carolinas. This system resulted in extensive precipitation, with varying forms such as sleet, freezing rain, and snow depending on local temperatures. Areas from the Crystal Coast to the southern Outer Banks primarily experienced rain, while central North Carolina through southeast Virginia saw accumulating sleet and snow. Ice accumulation ranging from 0.10″ to 0.30″ impacted areas south of the snow line, causing significant tree and power line damage, and resulting in numerous power outages across eastern North Carolina (ENC). Following the storm, temperatures dropped sharply, with lows in the teens across inland regions.
The National Weather Service collected winter weather reports from various locations in Eastern North Carolina. These reports indicated a mixture of snow and sleet, with many areas experiencing both types of precipitation. Public and emergency management spotters provided valuable data to establish an accurate account of weather conditions. For those interested in becoming official weather spotters, further information is available on the National Weather Service website.
Snowfall reports featured a variety of measurements across North Carolina. Beaufort County reported snow accumulations of 1.0 inch near Long Acre, while Dare County experienced amounts up to 4.0 inches in several locations including Southern Shores and Kitty Hawk. Other counties such as Martin and Pitt documented significant snowfall, with Robersonville reporting 4.5 inches and Greenville reporting 1.3 inches. Sleet and freezing rain reports were also prominent, emphasizing the severity of the winter storm.
On the day of the event, many social media updates illustrated the prevailing conditions. Various reports confirmed fluctuating precipitation types, along with light accumulation of sleet or snow in several areas including Winterville and Vanceboro. Images captured the icy conditions on tree branches, highlighting the storm’s impact on travel and daily life. Updates provided by officials urged caution due to hazardous travel conditions resulting from ice accumulation and low visibility during the storm.
In summary, the February 19-20, 2025 winter storm significantly impacted eastern North Carolina, producing various forms of precipitation including sleet, freezing rain, and snow. The storm caused widespread damage, including power outages and dangerous road conditions, following which temperatures plummeted. Reports and social media updates illustrated the conditions experienced during this weather event, underscoring the importance of accurate reporting and community awareness.
Original Source: www.weather.gov
