Heavy snow began to fall across the foothills, piedmont, and northern mountains of North Carolina during the late morning. Although snowfall intensity decreased dramatically during the early-to-middle portion of the afternoon, heavy snow redeveloped during the late afternoon, and continued into the evening and overnight hours. Scattered thunderstorms contributed to intense snowfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour from time to time, especially in the piedmont, where total snowfall of 12-22 inches occurred. The heaviest amounts occurred in the southwest piedmont, particularly in southern portions of Charlotte metro. Thousands of people were stranded on I-77 during the early afternoon, and some required rescue. The weight of the snowfall caused damage to numerous roofs, while some roofs completely collapsed. Across the foothills and northern mountains, accumulations were considerably lighter, generally in the 4-8 inch range, although amounts of 10-16 inches fell along the Blue Ridge north of I-40.

Heavy Snow in MITCHELL, NORTH CAROLINA
From 26-FEB-04 10:00:00 to 27-FEB-04 02:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 1K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Heavy Snow in ROWAN, NORTH CAROLINA
From 26-FEB-04 10:00:00 to 27-FEB-04 02:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Heavy Snow in MCDOWELL, NORTH CAROLINA
From 26-FEB-04 10:00:00 to 27-FEB-04 02:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 2K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Heavy Snow in BURKE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 26-FEB-04 10:00:00 to 27-FEB-04 02:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 2K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Heavy Snow in LINCOLN, NORTH CAROLINA
From 26-FEB-04 10:00:00 to 27-FEB-04 02:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 2K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Heavy Snow in GASTON, NORTH CAROLINA
From 26-FEB-04 10:00:00 to 27-FEB-04 02:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 50K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Heavy Snow in CLEVELAND, NORTH CAROLINA
From 26-FEB-04 10:00:00 to 27-FEB-04 02:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 2K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Heavy Snow in CATAWBA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 26-FEB-04 10:00:00 to 27-FEB-04 02:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 2K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Heavy Snow in POLK, NORTH CAROLINA
From 26-FEB-04 10:00:00 to 27-FEB-04 02:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 1K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Heavy Snow in AVERY, NORTH CAROLINA
From 26-FEB-04 10:00:00 to 27-FEB-04 02:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 1K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Heavy Snow in YANCEY, NORTH CAROLINA
From 26-FEB-04 10:00:00 to 27-FEB-04 02:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 1K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Heavy Snow in IREDELL, NORTH CAROLINA
From 26-FEB-04 10:00:00 to 27-FEB-04 02:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Heavy Snow in MECKLENBURG, NORTH CAROLINA
From 26-FEB-04 10:00:00 to 27-FEB-04 02:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 2.5M
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Heavy Snow in CABARRUS, NORTH CAROLINA
From 26-FEB-04 10:00:00 to 27-FEB-04 02:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 50K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Heavy Snow in UNION, NORTH CAROLINA
From 26-FEB-04 10:00:00 to 27-FEB-04 02:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 500K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Heavy Snow in RUTHERFORD, NORTH CAROLINA
From 26-FEB-04 10:00:00 to 27-FEB-04 02:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 1K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER