NASA Satellite Captures Unusual Snowfall Across North Carolina, Impacting Local Communities
In late January 2026, a significant winter storm swept across North Carolina, resulting in widespread snow coverage that is atypical for the region. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite captured images on February 2, showing a continuous blanket of snow from the western mountains to the eastern beaches. According to the North Carolina State Climate Office, this event marked the first time in over a decade that all 100 counties in the state recorded measurable snowfall. The storm was characterized by Arctic air lingering from earlier in the week, which combined with moisture from a low-pressure system, leading to snow totals exceeding a foot in some mountainous areas. Cities like Charlotte experienced nearly a foot of snow, the most since 2004, while Raleigh saw lighter accumulations. Coastal areas, typically less affected by snow, also reported significant snowfall, with Carteret County receiving over a foot. 
