A rare and intense winter storm swept across the southeastern United States over the weekend, bringing heavy snow to North Carolina and even surprising parts of Florida with snow flurries and extreme cold temperatures. Weather officials described the system as a bomb cyclone, a rapidly intensifying storm that delivered significant snow, hazardous travel conditions and widespread disruption.
In North Carolina, all 100 counties saw measurable snowfall, turning beaches, cities and rural areas white and creating treacherous conditions on roads. Charlotte was among the hardest‑hit cities, receiving nearly a foot of snow in what forecasters said was one of the largest winter snowfalls in years. The National Weather Service warned drivers to stay off icy highways following reports of a massive multi‑vehicle crash on Interstate 85 that involved as many as 100 vehicles.
Governor Josh Stein urged residents to avoid travel amid ongoing freezing temperatures and lingering icy patches that could make roads unsafe for days. In more coastal areas like the Outer Banks, the combination of wind, ocean surge and snow led to flooding and structural damage.
The storm also extended far beyond the Carolinas. In Florida, meteorologists recorded snow flurries as far south as Sarasota County and temperatures plunged into the coldest readings in decades. In South Florida, iguanas dropped from trees after being unable to cling to branches in the unusual cold, and farmers reported ice forming on strawberries and oranges, a rare sight in the region.
The bomb cyclone disrupted travel for millions. Thousands of flights were canceled or delayed across major hubs, including at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, where flight cancellations numbered in the thousands over Saturday and Sunday. The storm also led to widespread power outages and raised the death toll as rescue operations responded to crashes and winter‑related emergencies across multiple states.
Meteorologists said the storm covered a vast area from the Gulf Coast into New England, with extreme cold warnings and wind chill advisories affecting up to 150 million people. Authorities cautioned that freezing temperatures, icy roads and continued travel disruptions could persist as the region reacted to this historic winter event.
Summary for Skim‑Readers
- A rare and powerful winter bomb cyclone brought heavy snow across North Carolina and into the southeastern United States.
- Charlotte and other areas saw some of their biggest snow totals in years, prompting travel warnings and major accidents.
- Florida experienced rare snow flurries and record cold that caused iguanas to fall from trees and ice on fruit crops.
- Thousands of flights were canceled, and extreme cold and icy conditions continue to affect emergency crews and travelers.
- Weather officials expect hazardous conditions and cold air to persist in the aftermath of the storm.