WRAL WeatherCenter Blog

Remember? In Jan. 2000, more than 23 inches of snow were recorded at RDU

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Posted January 24, 2019 10:25 a.m. EST
Updated January 22, 2022 9:12 a.m. EST

By Jessica Patrick, WRAL Sr. multiplatform producer

Morrisville, N.C. — Twenty-two years ago this week, the Triangle was surprised by a record-breaking 23 inches of snow.

Between Jan. 18-25, 2000, more than 23 inches of snow were recorded at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport, breaking snowfall records dating back to January 1893, which saw 20 inches of snow.

The heaviest snow began falling around 7 p.m. on Jan. 24.

The snow prompted dozens of Triangle area schools, colleges and businesses to close. Gov. Jim Hunt declared a state of emergency for all of North Carolina, and Durham city and county leaders enacted a curfew for residents.

The snow knocked out power to more than 100,000 homes and businesses in the Triangle.

Many people who lived in Raleigh at the time recalled the fun of missing "more than a week" of school, according to some recollections.

Home photo of the snowstorm of 2000

Some said the snow was up to their waists.

Andrea Farrow, who shared childhood photos of playing in the record-breaking snowfall said, "We measured 24 inches in a few different places in our yard. It was a middle schoolers dream!"

Enjoying Raleigh's record-breaking snowfall

Other records

The largest snowfall ever recorded at RDU in a 24-hour period was 17.8 inches on March 2, 1927. The most snowfall from a single storm was 17.9 inches in February 1902.

Check out more Triangle snowstorms.

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