There's been snow. How's NC's Winter Compare?

Winter 2025-26 is officially living up to its name here in North Carolina. With the spring equinox less than five weeks away, we’ve had a season that’s been cold, snowy in places, and unforgettable compared with recent years — especially if you’ve spent many mornings scraping ice off your windshield.

One of the most striking features of this winter has been the persistently low temperatures. Central and eastern parts of the state — including cities like Raleigh and Fayetteville — have logged 10 mornings in the teens so far this season. That’s the most sub-20°F starts since the winters of 2017-18.

For those who thought North Carolina winters had turned milder over time, this season has felt like a blast from the past — cold enough to remind us why we invest in thick coats and heated car seats.

Snow has also made a more consistent appearance than in recent years, especially for the Triangle region. Through mid-February, the Raleigh area has seen roughly 3.6 inches of cumulative snowfall, the snowiest it’s been in that part of the state since the winter of 2018-19.

That might not sound like much to someone from up north, but remember: average winter snowfall here has decreased over the last decade — from around 6–7 inches historically to closer to 2–4 inches more recently.

While the Triangle’s totals are noteworthy, other parts of North Carolina have seen truly impressive snow. The Outer Banks endured blizzard-like conditions at the end of January, and places like New Bern recorded upwards of 18 inches — rivaling snow totals in parts of Colorado this winter.

Morehead City’s snowfall was the highest there since Christmas of 1989, according to meteorologists with the National Weather Service.

It was significant enough that residents are still digging out weeks later.

While there are still a few weeks left of meteorological winter, and the question many locals have asked is: Are we done?

Long-range outlooks from NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center suggest that warmer-than-average temperatures may become more common as we transition into spring — at least across the southern U.S. But here’s the twist: historical climate data shows that about 35% of annual snow in this region falls after mid-February. So snow lovers shouldn’t give up hope just yet.

This winter has been a reminder that North Carolina weather can still surprise us — cold snaps, measurable snow, and memorable mornings included. Whether you’ve loved the snow or not, one thing is clear: this Winter season has carved out a place in our recent climate history.

-TBob