CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As Charlotte remains entrenched in one of its longest snow droughts ever, Charlotte is marking 20 years since the last time the city saw over a foot of snow.
Between Feb. 26 and Feb. 27 in 2004, Charlotte Douglas International Airport — where the city's official weather observations are recorded — measured 13.2 inches of snow. The incredible snowstorm remains the third largest snow-maker in Charlotte weather history. However, in portions of South Carolina, the snowstorm still holds the record for the most snowfall ever. Rock Hill, South Carolina saw 22 inches of snow, a record that remains unbeaten all these years later.
"Literally shut the city down," Larry Sprinkle, who has forecasted weather for WCNC Charlotte for decades, recalled Monday morning. "Took about a week or so to get out."
Charlotte has not seen snow since January of 2022, which was more than 700 days ago. Snow lovers have had to travel to the North Carolina mountains to see fresh powder these past two winters.
Recent disappointments among snow lovers cannot stop the memories of more than 20 years ago.
"It was around noon when it started snowing," Sprinkle recalled. "It just did not stop and then we had more that night."
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A visit to the WCNC Charlotte news archive reveals additional images from the 2004 winter wonderland.
February 26, 2004 Charlotte snowstorm
The biggest snowstorm in Charlotte history was in February of 1902 when 17.4" of snow fell.
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