With six ski resorts, you’d think that winter in North Carolina is extremely cold. However, while North Carolina’s mountains will greet you with snow and crisp air, you might find a different story elsewhere in the state.
You see, the Old North State features a diverse geography. The Blue Ridge Mountains run along the western part of the state, and moving eastward are hilly urban areas. Toward the easternmost portion of the state are its coastal regions, including hundreds of miles of barrier-island beaches.
Primarily because of these diverse geographic characteristics and varied altitude, winter temperature in North Carolina also varies.
What is North Carolina Winter Weather Like?
Winter in North Carolina typically starts in December and lasts until February. However, in mountainous regions, snow might begin falling as early as November.
Across the state, January tends to be the coldest month. Temperatures hover in the 40s along the coast and often drop to below freezing in the mountain regions. But, in general, North Carolina winters are still considered to be mild compared to northern states.
- The Mountains (Western North Carolina)
This region of the state is a haven for skiers and other snow enthusiasts, thanks to ski resorts that offer several winter activities. Temperatures in the area range from a low of 21°F (−6°C) in January to highs of 53°F (around 12°C) in February, according to WRAL meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth.
The Mountains also receive a fair share of snow, anywhere from 4.3 inches, on average, to 31.4 inches per year. The region sees the most amount of snow in the state.
- The Piedmont (Central North Carolina)
The Piedmont is a relatively low rolling plateau in the central part of North Carolina. It consists of the area located between the state’s western mountains and its Coastal Plain in the east.
In winter, the Piedmont experiences relatively mild weather compared to the northern states, although there might be occasional cold snaps. Winter temperatures range from lows of 32°F (0°C) in January and highs of 59°F (15°C) in February, according to Wilmoth.
Light snow is possible but rare. For instance, Raleigh only receives 5.2 inches of snow annually and Charlotte gets less than 3.5 inches of snow in a year.
- The Coast (Eastern North Carolina)
While the mountains might offer snowy adventures during winter, North Carolina’s coast provides an alternative to the white powder. Winter in the area is far milder, which makes exploring the usually empty beaches a haven for those seeking tranquility and solitude.
Temperatures in Eastern North Carolina range from a low of 31°F (−0.6°C) in January to a high of 63°F (about 17°C) in February. This mild temperature makes it a great time for a brisk walk along the beach.
Is North Carolina Winter Warming Up?
While North Carolina winter is generally mild, several reports have been stating that winter in the state is becoming warmer and warmer. A report from the Citizen Times describes the 2024 winter season as feeling “more like an extension of fall.”
According to AccuWeather, places across North Carolina will be experiencing temperatures that are more than 3 degrees above the historical average this winter. Meanwhile, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts a 40% to 60% chance of higher-than-normal average temperatures for much of the state from November to January 2025.
Warmer Than Typical North Carolina Winter
Experts have noted that there is a warming trend in the state’s winter. For instance, during the 2023 winter season, different locations in North Carolina recorded temperatures that were higher than normal, with Jan. 26 and Feb. 10 appearing to be the warmest winter days recorded for the season.
Wallace reached 84°F (around 29°C) on Jan. 26, which is 25 degrees above its average winter temperature. Wilmington isn’t far behind, reaching a record high temperature of 83°F (about 28°C) on the same date. This is closely followed by New Bern, with 81°F (approximately 178°C). This is the city warmest winter day.
Table 1. Highest Temperatures During Winter 2023 in North Carolina.
| Date | Place / Location | Recorded Temperature |
| Jan. 26, 2024 | Wallace | 84°F (around 29°C) |
| Jan. 26, 2024 | Wilmington | 83°F (about 28°C) |
| Jan. 26, 2024 | New Bern | 81°F (approximately 178°C) |
| Feb. 10, 2024 | Asheville | 72°F (around 162°C) |
| Feb. 10, 2024 | Raleigh | 76°F (about 169°C) |
On Feb. 10, Asheville and Raleigh recorded highs of 72°F (around 162°C) and 76°F (about 169°C), respectively. Asheville’s temperature that day was 20 degrees above normal, while Raleigh hit a new daily record high.
Asheville’s average high temperatures for the month even ranked in the top 10 since the late 1880s when recordkeeping began. Two other western North Carolina localities, namely Hickory and Lincolnton, also ranked in the top 10.
Factors Contributing to North Carolina’s Warming Winter
Scientists at Climate Central believe that climate change and global carbon pollution are the main driving forces of these high temperatures we’re seeing in North Carolina. Meanwhile, AccuWeather blames La Niña, mild Pacific air flows to the Plains and East, and above-average water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico for the warmer-than-average winter temperatures in North Carolina and the rest of the Southern states.
North Carolina’s Snow Drought Problem
In addition to the rising winter temperatures, North Carolina is also dealing with the issue of receiving less snow. For instance, AccuWeather predicts that the Asheville area will only have a total of three days to receive snow (or ice, sleet, etc.) this winter.
If this forecast pans out, then ski resorts in the area might be facing some issues. “The heart of the ski season can be rough in the East,” Paul Pastelok, AccuWeather senior meteorologist and long-range expert, says. In particular, Pastelok fears that slopes might become icy due to snow melting in the day and then freezing overnight.
However, Asheville might be luckier than other places in North Carolina. Raleigh experienced its first-ever winter without snow last year. For Charlotte, this was the second year in a row without snow.
“We’ve always been on the edge of that 32 degrees Fahrenheit,” Kathie Dello, North Carolina’s state climatologist, told WFAE 90.7. “We know our winters aren’t that cold here. But it would always be cold enough to reliably have some snow.”
The main problem is not that there will be no snow, however, but that the amount will be much lesser than what North Carolinians have come to expect as normal. In other words, there will be fewer snow days.
“Winter still will happen,” Dello said. “But we’re stacking the deck for more years with no snow.”