The last measurable snow in North Carolina’s capital was Jan. 29, 2022. Less than half an inch fell on the city, The News & Observer previously reported, and it quickly melted.
Some may yearn for that icy white blanket and the chance to dust off the sleds. Others may be more hesitant, remembering the dangerous travel conditions and inconveniences it may bring.
Either way, take a look at these photos from The N&O archives of winter wonderlands past.
Snow in the Triangle, 1899
The Great Snow of 1899 in Raleigh. From the General Negative Collection. Courtesy of the State Archives of North Carolina, Raleigh, NC.
Snow in the Triangle, 1996
A dramatic sunrise rolling a 1996 snow storm seen from the NC 86 bridge over I-40 in Orange County. Scott Sharpe ssharpe@newsobserver.com
Snow in the Triangle, 1998
With his toboggan pulled down over his face, Evan Thompson tries to catch some of Monday’s large snowflakes in his mouth in 1998. Scott Sharpe ssharpe@newsobserver.com
Snow in the Triangle, 2000
Martha Church walks her Lhasa Apso “Tuey” on Kendlewick Drive in Cary. Tuey was able to walk only in the ruts made by vehicles through the unplowed subdivision streets. Most subdivision streets throughout the Triangle remained impassable for most vehicles in 2000. Scott Sharpe Scott Sharpe
Mike Beaman climbs out of the igloo he built from blocks made by packing snow in the a recycling container in the days following a storm that dumped two feet of snow on the Triangle in one night in 2000. Scott Sharpe ssharpe@newsobserver.com
A four-wheel drive pickup truck makes its way by cross-country skier Blanche Haning on Duraleigh Road in 2000. Scott Sharpe ssharpe@newsobserver.com
Mike Carlson tries to dig his way through a wall of snow and ice that was plowed in front of his driveway on Maynard Road in Cary in 2000. Scott Sharpe
Snow in the Triangle, 2002
Chris Gass separates from his sled after going airborne over a jump while sledding down a hill at Bond Park in Cary in 2002. Scott Sharpe Scott Sharpe
Joanne Smith looks up from her makeshift snow shelter of a plastic grocery bag as she makes her way to her car in the afternoon snow and ice Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2002. Scott Sharpe ssharpe@newsobserver.com
Snow in the Triangle, 2010
Sledders go airborne after piloting their mat over a ramp made of packed snow at Bond Park in Cary in 2010. Scott Sharpe ssharpe@newsobserver.com
Heavy snow fell at a skating rink in Raleigh in 2010. Robert Willett ROBERT WILLETT-rwillett@newsobse
Snow in the Triangle, 2014
Kevin Miller looks out of the passenger window of his friend’s car as they sit in stuck traffic Wednesday afternoon Feb. 12, 2014, after snow and ice caused massive traffic jams in Raleigh. Scott Sharpe ssharpe@newsobserver.com
Tow truck operators try to free a vehicle from a guardrail after it slid of of westbound I-40 in Cary on Feb. 24, 2014, after early-morning snow and ice surprised many drivers on their morning commutes. Scott Sharpe ssharpe@newsobserver.com
N.C. State University student Fahad Alsuwaidi, 21, works on two snowmen in the middle of a large field on Dix Hill in Raleigh, NC Thursday afternoon, Feb. 13, 2014. Alsuwaidi, who is from the United Arab Emirates, was experiencing his first snow. Scott Sharpe ssharpe@newsobserver.com
Snow in the Triangle, 2020
Sledders make their way across a snowy field at Dix Park Friday morning, Feb. 21, 2020 after a storm coated parts of the area with 1-3 inches of snow. Scott Sharpe ssharpe@newsobserver.com
Ask the North Carolina Service Journalism Team
Questions about life in North Carolina? Or have a tip or story idea you’d like to share? The service journalism teams at The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer want to hear from you.
Renee Umsted is The News & Observer’s Affordability Reporter. She writes about what it costs to live in the Triangle, with a consumer-focused approach. She has a degree in journalism from TCU.
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