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Snowstorm leads to extreme cold, closed schools, businesses, travel dangers in NC | Live Updates

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Last updated: Wednesday, February 4, 2026 1:53AM GMT
Second round of winter weather in Central NC

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Another winter storm, known as a bomb cyclone, hit parts of Central North Carolina for the second consecutive weekend.

Several weather alerts were issued for the ABC11 viewing area, including a winter storm warning and extreme cold warning. Heavy snow fell across the Triangle and much of North Carolina.

The National Weather Service office in Raleigh warned that wind chills will drop early Monday to near zero Fahrenheit (-17 Celsius). "Snow and ice will linger, with refreezing tonight making travel hazardous," the office said Sunday on social media. "Use caution on roads and dress in warm layers."

In eastern North Carolina, James City recorded 18 inches of snow, while Swansboro recorded 17 inches, the weather service reported.

The bomb cyclone, known to meteorologists as an intense, rapidly strengthening weather system, contributed to nearly a foot of snow in and around Charlotte. The snowfall represented a top-five snow event all-time there, the NWS said.

Flight cancellations exceeded 2,800 in the U.S. on Saturday, with at least another 1,800 on Sunday, according to FlightAware, a flight tracking and data company. More than 800 of those Sunday cancellations were for flights departing from or arriving at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

The storm caused an hours-long mess on Interstate 85 northeast of the city, after a crash left dozens of semitractors and other vehicles backed up into Saturday evening, according to the State Highway Patrol. More than 1,000 traffic collisions and two road deaths were reported, North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein said Sunday.

Last week's storm blanketed the area with ice and kept schools closed for most of the week. However, most schools had remote learning days. Business owners said they were hurt by the storm because they had to close early or couldn't open at all.

The Associated Press contributed

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
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Feb 01, 2026, 4:49 AM GMT

Latest snowfall totals from across the region

The National Weather Service has released updated information on snowfall totals as of 10:30 p.m. from various parts of central North Carolina.

Totals are for the highest recorded amount in each city/municipality.

Alamance County

Glen Raven - 7 inches.
Burlington - 5.8 inches.
Graham - 5.5 inches
Mebane - 3.8 inches

Chatham County

Carpenter - 2.8 inches

Fearrington - 1.5 inches

Cumberland County
Fayetteville - 1 inch

Durham County
Rougemont - 4.5 inches
Durham - 4 inches
Gorman - 2.7 inches
East-Northeast Chapel Hill - 1.5 inches

Edgecombe County

Rocky Mount - 7 inches

Tarboro - 6 inches

Franklin County

Purnell - 3.5 inches

Youngsville - 3 inches

Halifax County

Halifax - 4.3 inches

Roanoke Rapids - 4 inches

Harnett County

Benson - 1 inch

Hoke County

Silver City - 3.5 inches

Raeford - 1.5 inches

Johnston County

Clayton - 4.5 inches
Emit - 4 inches
Kenly - 3.5 inches

Lee County

Sanford - 5 inches

Moore County

Southern Pines - 5 inches
Seven Lakes - 4.5 inches
Taylortown - 4 inches

Nash County

Rocky Mount - 6 inches
Red Oak - 5 inches
Battleboro - 4 inches
Dortches - 2.3 inches

Orange County

Southwest Rougemont - 4 inches
Efland - 3.5 inches
Hillsborough - 3.5 inches
Chapel Hill - 3.3 inches

Wake County

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..
Wake Forest - 3 inches
Raleigh - 2.5 inches
Purnell - 2 inches
Wendell - 2 inches
Rolesville - 1.5 inches
Apex - 0.3 inches

Wayne County

Elroy - 7.5 inches
Seven Springs - 5.5 inches
Goldsboro - 5.5 inches
Mar-Mac - 4.5 inches

Wilson County

New Hope - 8.5 inches
Wilson - 5.5 inches

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Feb 01, 2026, 3:35 AM GMT

Portion of NC12 at the Outer Banks closed for winter weather

NCDOT has closed a portion of NC12 in the Outer Banks due to winter weather.

Marc Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe has been closed due to the deteriorating conditions and poor visibility.

Get live updates from ABC11 throughout the storm online, where you stream and in our live blog.

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Feb 01, 2026, 2:11 AM GMT

Raleigh Parks announce Sunday hours

Raleigh Parks will be open Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Get live updates from ABC11 throughout the storm online, where you stream and in our live blog.

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Feb 01, 2026, 4:02 AM GMT

Johnston County deputy stops car going 103 mph in the snow

A deputy pulled over a car clocked at 103 mph in the snow on Highway 70 near Princeton, the Johnston County Sheriff's Office said.

According to the sheriff's office, the driver was impaired. The deputy also noticed a 1-year-old unrestrained in a child seat.

Family members came and got the child.

The driver was taken into custody and was being held at the Johnston County Detention Center.

Full story here.

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