Historic Winter Storm Delivers Rare Double‑Digit Snowfall Across Brunswick and Columbus Counties

Single‑digit temperatures and coastal snow bands create once‑in‑a‑generation event

By BCNews Staff Writer

A powerful winter storm swept across southeastern North Carolina from January 31 through February 1, delivering some of the heaviest snowfall the region has seen in decades. Coastal Brunswick County recorded totals rivaling the landmark 1989 storm, with several communities reporting more than a foot of snow. The snowfall was accompanied by single‑digit temperatures, an unusually bitter cold snap for the Cape Fear coast that helped the snow accumulate rapidly and persist longer than typical winter events.

According to analysis from the National Weather Service in Wilmington, the storm’s heaviest band tracked directly across the Cape Fear coastline and into southern Columbus County, producing sharp snowfall gradients over short distances. While inland communities saw more modest accumulations, the beaches and riverfront towns were buried under unusually deep totals for this part of the state.

Snow began late Friday and intensified overnight, with the most significant accumulation occurring before sunrise Saturday. Temperatures plunged into the upper single digits and low teens, allowing snow to stick instantly to roads, bridges, and coastal surfaces that rarely freeze. By the time the storm tapered off in the afternoon, the region had been transformed into a rare coastal winter landscape.

Below are the estimated snowfall totals for Brunswick and Columbus counties based on the NWS analysis and regional observations.

The storm’s footprint was felt across both counties, prompting widespread closures, difficult travel, and a full day of cleanup as crews worked to clear major routes. Combined with the unusually low temperatures, the event stands out as one of the most significant winter storms to affect the southeastern North Carolina coast in many years. While official climate verification is still pending, early analysis suggests this may be the most substantial coastal snowfall since 1989.

As temperatures rise in the coming days, the snow is expected to melt quickly. But for many residents, the sight of double‑digit snowfall and single‑digit cold along the Carolina coast will be a memory that lingers far longer than the drifts themselves.

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