RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – Raleigh Durham International Airport typically receives just less than six inches of snow a year. And we know it doesn’t take much to bring this area to a stop when wintry weather is in the forecast.
The top 5 snowfalls in Raleigh brought more than just everyday routines to a screeching halt but widespread power outages and record amounts of snow.
At the top of the list is Jan. 25, 2000.
It’s a storm that many remember clearly as it set an all-time single storm snow accumulation record at RDU with 20.3 inches.
It started snowing shortly after midnight on the Jan. 25 and continued for nearly the entire day.
The heavy snow and strong wind gusts caused thousands of businesses and residents to lose power for several days.
Residents even remember being stuck in their homes for days on end because plows could not clear the roads.
That particular January was an unusually activ with four winter storms in two weeks.
Second on the list was Feb. 10, 1948 when 14.5 inches fell in Raleigh.
A late season snowfall is third, when a little more than 11 inches of snow was recorded on March 2, 1980.
Areas north and east of the Triangle were hit even harder.
Parts of Nash, Halifax and Northampton counties recorded between 22 and 27 inches of snow.
Fourth is a winter storm that came shortly after the New Year in 2002.
Falling between Jan. 2 and 3, 10.8 inches of snow accumulated at RDU.
The highest totals with this storm were reported across portions of Person, Granville and Vance counties with a foot or more of snow.
Wrapping up our top 5 snowfalls in Raleigh – we have to look back to Feb. 19, 1979 when 10.4 inches of snow fell.
No. 1 – Jan. 25, 2000 – 20.3 inches of snow
No. 2 – Feb. 10, 1948 – 14.5 inches of snow
No. 3 – March 2, 1980 – 11.1 inches of snow
No. 4 – Jan. 3, 2002 – 10.8 inches of snow
No. 5 – Feb. 19, 1979 – 10.4 inches of snow
