Friday Marks 8 Years Since Record-Breaking Snowfall

Raleigh, N.C. — Eight years ago today, the Triangle had its biggest snow storm in history.

Snow began falling just before midnight on Jan. 24, 2000. Before it ended the next afternoon, more than a foot and a half of snow covered the ground.

The 20.3-inch snowfall recorded at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport broke snowfall records dating to 1893.

“I will never forget that event,” WRAL’s Monica Laliberte said Friday morning as she watched old footage from the big snow. “I was there with photographer Robert Meikle. We were standing on the side of the road, and I remember we were all like, ‘Get back! Get back!’ (because cars were sliding in the snow nearby). It was crazy, but lots of fun.”

Thousands of people were without power due to the storm.

The National Guard was called out after Gov. Jim Hunt declared a state of emergency. Guardsmen were called out to assist with medical requests, including medical rescues for people stranded by the snow. They also took state employees to and from their jobs.

Do you have any pictures from the big snow of 2000? If so, you can send them to us by clicking here.

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We moved into our new house that day! My hubby had to go to the store to buy a snow shovel to get the moving truck up the driveway...He came out of the store with the only thing they had...a manuer shovel!!!LOL

coolmusicmom
January 25, 2008 5:28 p.m.

after that big snow storm, there was a dot.com bust in this area. Keep wishing for snow and all you RTP people will be shoveling snow on I40

BIGCHEESECAMATO
January 25, 2008 5:02 p.m.

My son was a meterologist at the national weather service in Washington at the time. He had a lot to say about the forecast after the fact. Not what they expected. Can still hear him laugh about it!

dohicky
January 25, 2008 4:47 p.m.

I think this was one storm that everyone made the best of and enjoyed. And everyone I know was praying for a repeat last week. I don't know if it's the good memories or the fact that we're all getting burned out and need a break.

JAT
January 25, 2008 3:56 p.m.

Byt he way, I saw earlier today on weather.com that they were calling for rain/snow showers for us next Friday and Saturday. But they had the highs in the upper 40s.

Space Mountain
January 25, 2008 3:43 p.m.