Charlotte, North Carolina – Snowfall totals surged well above average across parts of North Carolina this winter, and in Charlotte, the numbers climbed high enough to place the season among the city’s snowiest on record.
According to the U.S. National Weather Service Eastern Region Headquarters, Charlotte recorded 12.2 inches of snow from December 2025 through February 2026. That makes it the 14th snowiest meteorological winter since records began in 1878. The seasonal total far exceeded the normal winter snowfall of just 3.1 inches.
Temperatures averaged 44.3 degrees during the three-month stretch, slightly above the normal 44.2 degrees. Even with near-normal temperatures, several well-timed cold snaps allowed accumulating snow to stick, particularly across Mecklenburg County and into Cabarrus and Union counties.
Charlotte logged four days with at least one inch of snow on the ground, doubling the normal of two days. Snow events led to school delays and hazardous travel along Interstate 77, Interstate 85 and Independence Boulevard during peak commute hours.
Statewide, a mix of Gulf moisture and coastal systems delivered wintry precipitation across central and western North Carolina. The late-February “Bombo Genesis” storm strengthened offshore and wrapped enough cold air southward to squeeze out additional snowfall, helping push Charlotte’s seasonal total into the top 15 ranking.
With 12.2 inches officially recorded, winter 2025-2026 stands out as an unusually snowy season for Charlotte and much of the Piedmont. Final climate summaries are expected as the National Weather Service completes its seasonal review.
