A coastal low pressure system caused a winter storm in Eastern North Carolina on February 19-20, 2025. The storm produced significant snowfall, sleet, and freezing rain, resulting in hazardous conditions, power outages, and damage to infrastructure. Various locations reported substantial ice accumulation, necessitating public awareness and continued vigilance following the storm’s passage.
On February 19-20, 2025, a significant winter storm emerged as a coastal low pressure system along the U.S. Gulf Coast, progressing northeast along the Southeast coastline and exiting off the Carolinas. The storm produced extensive precipitation, including sleet, freezing rain, and snow in colder regions. While areas from the Crystal Coast to the southern Outer Banks primarily experienced rain, central North Carolina and southeast Virginia saw a notable accumulation of snow and ice, leading to downed power lines and numerous outages due to ice and wind damage.
Reports from the National Weather Service indicate a substantial range of snowfall and ice accumulation across Eastern North Carolina during this winter event. Variations in precipitation types were frequent, prompting a plethora of reports categorized by the predominant precipitation type. Thanks are extended to local observers, emergency management agencies, and the public for their invaluable contributions in documenting the impacts of the storm.
Snowfall accumulation ranged widely across various locations, with notable reports of 4.0 inches in Kitty Hawk, Dare County, and 4.5 inches in Robersonville, Martin County. In Pitt County, reports indicated up to 2.0 inches, with varying contributions from sleet and snow. Locations experiencing freezing rain reported ice accumulation ranging between 0.10 and 0.30 inches, significantly impacting icy conditions and public utilities.
Overall, freezing rain was particularly prevalent, with reports of up to 0.30 inches at Cherry Point in Craven County and additional significant icing impacts reported throughout the region. A variety of sleet accumulations were also documented, with Vanceboro reporting up to 1.8 inches of sleet. The storm’s impacts were widespread and require ongoing attention and preparedness for potential hazardous conditions.
This comprehensive winter storm on February 19-20, 2025, highlighted the significant impacts of mixed precipitation, leading to extensive snowfall, sleet accumulation, and ice formation across Eastern North Carolina. The storm not only caused disruptions due to power outages but also necessitated collaborative reporting from local observers. With temperatures dropping sharply following the storm, the effects continued to pose risks to public safety and infrastructure.
Original Source: www.weather.gov
