Charlotte, North Carolina, operates under a humid subtropical climate, which results in characteristically mild winters. While cold air masses do arrive, they are often transient and not cold enough for sustained periods of freezing precipitation. Consequently, heavy or frequent snowfall is not the standard expectation for the region. The city’s winter experience is generally defined by cold rain, occasional ice, and temperatures that frequently rise above the freezing point during the day.
Average Timing and Frequency of Snowfall
The window for potential snowfall in Charlotte is concentrated within the meteorological winter months, spanning primarily from late December through February. Historical data indicates that the season’s snowy period typically begins around December 9 and concludes by March 5. This span captures when conditions align for snow formation.
January consistently stands out as the month most likely to deliver snow, showing the highest average monthly accumulation compared to December or March. February follows closely as the second most active month for winter precipitation events. The frequency of snow is low; Charlotte averages only about 1.9 days per year that see measurable snowfall (0.1 inches or more).
These infrequent events are highly sensitive to the exact track of winter storms, as a shift of only a few miles can determine whether the city receives cold rain, a wintry mix, or significant accumulation. The earliest measurable snowfall was recorded on November 11, 1968, and the latest occurred on March 13, 1993, highlighting the potential for late-season storms.
Historical Snowfall Averages and Variability
The long-term average annual snowfall for Charlotte, based on the 1991 to 2020 climate period, is approximately 3.5 inches. Using a slightly longer historical record, the 30-year average rises slightly to 4.3 inches. This relatively low annual figure underscores the city’s position in the transitional zone between colder northern climates and milder coastal areas.
A more insightful statistic is the extremely high variability in seasonal totals. Annual snowfall has ranged from years with only a trace amount to a maximum seasonal total of 22.6 inches, which occurred during the winter of 1959–1960. This wide range means the mean average is strongly skewed by a few large outlier storms.
Many years experience “snow droughts,” where the annual accumulation is near zero, such as the winters of 2022–2023 and 2023–2024, which recorded no measurable snowfall. Other seasons see significant activity, with the 2003–2004 winter accumulating 14.5 inches. This pattern illustrates that most years fall below the average, with a few large events boosting the overall long-term mean.
Record Events and Snow Duration
The most extreme winter event in Charlotte’s recorded history was a storm that delivered 17.4 inches of snow between February 14 and 17, 1902. This historic accumulation stands as the largest single-storm total for the city. The largest one-day snowfall total was recorded during the same event, with 14.0 inches falling on February 15, 1902.
Despite these occasional large accumulations, the snow rarely remains on the ground for an extended period due to the city’s mild winter temperatures. Charlotte averages only 1.5 days per year where the temperature remains below the freezing mark for the entire 24-hour period. The average daily mean temperature in January is 42.1 degrees Fahrenheit, which is well above freezing.
This combination of mild air and the high angle of the winter sun rapidly accelerates the melting process. Even after a significant snowfall, the accumulation typically melts and clears within 24 to 48 hours. The ground temperature also often remains too warm for initial accumulation, leading to quick melting.