NWS Wilmington, NC

Weather Forecast Office

January 28-29, 2014 Winter Storm

Summary

A rare and significant winter storm impacted southeast North Carolina and northeast South Carolina on January 28-29, 2014. This storm brought a combination of sleet, snow, and even some freezing rain to our area - resulting in significant accumulations and impacts that were felt for several days after the event. Snow and sleet accumulations of 2 to 4 inches were reported northwest of a line roughly extending from Kingstree, SC to Burgaw, NC. Accumulations were less than 2 inches closer to the coast. This was the first major winter storm to impact our forecast area since January 2011.

Photo credit: Tim Armstrong, NWS Wilmington NC

Meteorological discussion

An Arctic cold front pushed across the Carolinas during the early morning hours of January 28. A shallow layer of very cold, subfreezing air infiltrated the region during the day as the boundary stalled offshore. Meanwhile, upper level divergence ahead of an approaching shortwave trough supported the development of surface low pressure along the stalled front. Clouds and wintry precipitation developed over the eastern Carolinas as warmer, moist air from the Gulf of America ascended over the frigid surface layer in place across the region.

(Archived radar images via locust.mmm.ucar.edu)

Although temperatures aloft were well above freezing for much of this event, subfreezing temperatures in the lowest levels allowed the melted snow to refreeze into sleet by the time it reached the surface. Eventually, precipitation transitioned to all snow (heaviest across our inland counties) before the event came to an end on the morning of January 29. The radar image below was captured just after midnight on January 29 as sleet and snow continued to fall within our area. The "bright band" feature denoted by higher reflectivities indicates the level where snow was melting aloft, but the subfreezing layer below allowed the precipitation to refreeze before it reached the surface. Note that temperatures were in the 20s across the region according to the surface plots in yellow. Most locations east of the enhanced reflectivities were seeing light to moderate sleet at this point. Further inland (west of a line extending from Lumberton, NC to Florence, SC), snow was the dominant precipitation type.

Local Impacts

Although there was some light freezing rain over our coastal counties on January 28, sleet and snow were the dominant precipitation types during this event. Packed sleet over area roadways and other surfaces became the most significant impact as cold and cloudy conditions for the next couple days severely limited the melting process. Icy roads resulted in school and business closures for several days even after the precipitation had ended. New Hanover County 911 Center reported over 58 calls of slip and fall injuries due to icing.


Snow/Sleet Accumulation Map	Ice Accumulation Map

Unofficial Snow, Sleet, and Ice Accumulations
(click on tabs to view reports by county)

NOTE: Mixed precipitation types were observed across the area, and it is impossible to accurately distinguish between pure freezing rain reports & snow and/or sleet accumulations. In the table below, "Storm Total Snowfall" refers to snow/sleet accumulations, while "Storm Total Ice" includes reports of ice accretion due to freezing rain.

Event pictures

Sleet falling outside the NWS office near the Wilmington Airport. Photo credit: Brad Reinhart, NWS Wilmington NC

Icicles formed on the satellite dish outside the NWS office. Photo credit: Brad Reinhart, NWS Wilmington NC

North College Road near the beginning of I-40 in Wilmington. Photo credit: Tim Armstrong, NWS Wilmington NC

Roads and driveways remained frozen for a couple days after the storm. Photo credit: Brad Reinhart, NWS Wilmington NC

A frozen North Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach, SC.
Photo credit: Matt Moore via Jamie Arnold, WMBF News

Aerial view of an icy Myrtle Beach, SC. Photo credit: Courtney Smith via Jamie Arnold, WMBF News

Snowy and icy conditions in Florence, SC. Photo credit: Ken Baker via Jamie Arnold, WMBF News

Snow covered yard in Marion, SC. Photo credit: Richard Simpson via Jamie Arnold, WMBF News

other references

ICED OVER: Storm gone, but frozen impact still grips region - WWAY News Wilmington, NC

Grand Strand, Pee Dee roads covered in ice, sleet and snow - WMBF News Myrtle Beach, SC

Winter storm leaves Pee Dee roads covered in snow and ice - WBTW News Myrtle Beach, SC

Area winter storm was mostly a 'three-day inconvenience' - Wilmington Star News

Snow day at Wrightsville - Wrightsville Beach Lumina News

Page Author: Brad Reinhart
Last Updated: January 21, 2015