CHARLOTTE, N.C. — When you think of Charlotte, snow is not one of the first things you think about. But occasionally, it can really snow here. Here are the five biggest snow storms in the greater Charlotte area.
Jan. 7, 1988:
A broad-scale snowstorm stretched from the southern Plains of the United States into the Southeast. The storm dropped some of its highest totals in Charlotte.
Just over a foot of snow fell, which is the second-highest total to ever fall within a single day in Charlotte. Lake Lure, 75 miles west of Charlotte, saw 17 inches of snow, while the Queen City saw 12 inches.
Feb. 15-17, 1969:
A day after Valentine's Day, snow started to fall and Charlotte saw a total of 13.2 inches on the ground.
Parts of the southern mountains received 15-to-20 inches during this storm.
March 1-3, 1927:
More than a foot of snow blanketed most of the Piedmont. Charlotte saw 13.3 inches but totals ramped up to more than 20 inches in neighboring Iredell County.
Feb. 14-17, 1902:
This is one of the most iconic snowstorms in North Carolina history. Charlotte was one of the snowiest spots in the state with 17.4 inches total. This is the most snow to ever fall from a single storm in Charlotte's history. On Feb. 15, 14 inches of snow fell. This is the most to ever fall in a single day in Charlotte history.
Interesting Note: This weather observing station at the time was located in Uptown Charlotte's Third Ward. Today, official weather measurements are observed at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
Feb. 26-27, 2004:
This was the last time Charlotte had more than a foot of snow on the ground
The Charlotte airport had a total of 13.2 inches, which tied the city's 1969 total. Neighborhing Rock Hill, South Carolina measured up to 22 inches during this storm.