On This Day in 2002: Historic Ice Storm Hits North Carolina

One of the worst ice storms to ever strike North Carolina occurred on December 4-5^th, 2002.

The meteorological setup prior to the storm featured a stout high-pressure system over the Northeast U.S., which provided sufficient low-level cold, dry air. This cold air was kept in place by northerly winds and the Appalachian Mountains, resulting in a classic cold air damming event over the Carolinas.

On December 4^th, surface temperatures were in the 20s and 30s across North Carolina as precipitation approached from a low-pressure system moving in from the west and a coastal low developing along the Gulf Coast. As warmer air arrived from the west just above the ground, deep cold air aloft and near the ground was separated by a thin above-freezing layer that would melt any precipitation falling through it. The result was a favorable setup for a devastating ice storm.

As both lows moved northeastward, precipitation began across North Carolina, causing the dew points to rise into the upper 20s, nearing the air temperatures. Light snow commenced in western North Carolina by late morning, leading to light snow accumulations. However, a warm, westerly surge above the low level cold air produced a significant layer of above-freezing temperatures. This meant that any falling snow aloft would reach the above-freezing air, melt, then refreeze on contact with objects near the ground and on the ground itself, which was below freezing.

In central and southern North Carolina, where the low level cold air was shallower to start, light snow and sleet transitioned over to freezing rain faster during the afternoon, from Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham.

Once the freezing rain began, it lasted for more than 12 hours with up to an inch of ice accumulation in parts of the Piedmont. Ice toppled branches, trees, and power lines, causing widespread outages. Duke Energy reported more than 1 million customers were without power in North Carolina, and more than half of customers in North and South Carolina lost electricity. These figures eclipsed the record from 1989 when Hurricane Hugo rammed through both states.

Carolina Power and Light reported almost half a million more customers lost power in the metropolitan area of Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill, N.C. Electrical services were finally fully restored on December 14^th.

While the power outages were ongoing, many residents used propane and kerosene powered generators and heaters to fight the cold. Some even used charcoal grills indoors to heat their homes. The significant rise in the use of these heating methods, specifically grills, resulted in a considerable number of carbon monoxide poisoning cases.

According to the N.C. Insurance News Service, estimated insured property damages were $113 million.

----------
Story Image: American flag hanging proudly from the porch of a home during a devastating ice storm. (Flickr via Wikimedia Commons)