A coastal low pressure system resulted in a winter storm across Eastern North Carolina on February 19-20, 2025, producing mixed precipitation types including snow, sleet, and freezing rain, particularly in central North Carolina and southeast Virginia. The event caused significant ice accumulations leading to widespread damage, and temperatures dropped significantly following the storm. Weather reports indicated varying degrees of snowfall, ice, and sleet across multiple counties, presenting hazardous conditions.
On February 19-20, 2025, a coastal low developed along the U.S. Gulf Coast and moved northeast along the Southeastern U.S. coastline, generating widespread precipitation. Regions with colder temperatures experienced various forms of wintry weather, including sleet, freezing rain, and snow. While areas like the Crystal Coast and southern Outer Banks mostly received rain, central North Carolina to southeast Virginia experienced significant sleet and snow accumulation, along with ice accumulation that resulted in widespread tree and power line damage due to weight related to ice and wind.
The National Weather Service reported numerous instances of both snowfall and freezing rain, detailing precise measurements from across Eastern North Carolina. Reports indicated variations in weather conditions, often changing minute by minute. Areas were categorized by predominant precipitation type with acknowledgments to spotters and weather observers who contributed data. Note that for reports regarding snow and sleet, many measuring points indicated a combination of both types of precipitation.
Snowfall accumulations varied significantly by location, with Beaufort County recording reports of up to one inch, while Dare County noted up to four inches in places such as Southern Shores and Kitty Hawk. Various other counties also reported measurable snow and sleet, with significant numbers noted in Pitt County, including Greenville reporting 1.3 inches of snow. In contrast, freezing rain measurements indicated notable ice accretion, particularly in Beaufort and Craven Counties.
Accumulated ice also led to disruption in utility services as trees and power lines faced damage. The ongoing combination of weather challenges and persistence of cold temperatures following the event created dangerous conditions, particularly overnight, with lows plummeting into the teens away from coastal regions. Social media provided real-time updates from various observers, showcasing hazardous conditions and ensuing impacts on travel and daily life across the region.
The winter storm of February 19-20, 2025, caused significant disruptions across Eastern North Carolina due to a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain resulting from a coastal low pressure system. Many areas experienced damaging ice accumulations that led to power outages and hazardous travel conditions. The event underscored the importance of accurate weather monitoring and the contributions made by local weather spotters in reporting on changing precipitation conditions.
Original Source: www.weather.gov
