Best chance for snow in NC in February?
Jan 9th, 2007, 10:23 AM
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Best chance for snow in NC in February?
Even though we live in Atlanta, my children's school seems to be obsessed with snow--decorating snowmen, making snowflakes, reading books about sledding, etc. As a result, my kids are desperate to actually see some real snow. Since that is not likely to happen here, I've decided to try to take them to North Carolina for a weekend in February.
With the unseasonably warm weather, though, I'm worried. Any thoughts on where to go for the best chance of seeing real snow?
Thanks.
With the unseasonably warm weather, though, I'm worried. Any thoughts on where to go for the best chance of seeing real snow?
Thanks.
Jan 9th, 2007, 10:52 AM
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What part of NC are you coming to? If you go the mountains your odds will be much better. Any other place (i.e. Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Durham) it will be a "roll of the dice" Ya never know....
Snowfall in North Carolina is just something you can not predict this far out.
Snowfall in North Carolina is just something you can not predict this far out.
Jan 9th, 2007, 10:58 AM
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Based on weather so far, I'd say you'll be lucky to get snow in Feb. even in the mountains. They have some forecast for this weekend in the northern areas (e.g., Boone, etc.), but which part of Feb. are you planning to go, and which part of the state? Asheville's fun, but for kids maybe you want to head further north.
Jan 9th, 2007, 11:33 AM
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I agree with Boone / Blowing Rock. The ski resorts of Sugar and Beech. Check the NC ski resorts to see which have tubing and let them play on the snow - even if it is manmade snow.
I get a daily snow report from Cataloochee Ski Resort because it is closest to me (and would be to you). I haven't opened them lately due to foot problems, but you could sign up for e-alerts and would know the snow conditions before you drive north.
There were little pockets of not-yet-melted snow at my place in North Ga last weekend although I'm not sure exactly when it fell. Higher elevations = more snow. It snowed once (in N GA) 4 times before Thanksgiving - and Atlanta got nothing.
I get a daily snow report from Cataloochee Ski Resort because it is closest to me (and would be to you). I haven't opened them lately due to foot problems, but you could sign up for e-alerts and would know the snow conditions before you drive north.
There were little pockets of not-yet-melted snow at my place in North Ga last weekend although I'm not sure exactly when it fell. Higher elevations = more snow. It snowed once (in N GA) 4 times before Thanksgiving - and Atlanta got nothing.
Jan 9th, 2007, 11:44 AM
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http://www.cataloochee.com/report.html
Today, Cataloochee is closing at 4:30 due to "blizzard and dangerous road conditions". They reopen tomorrow at 9. (What's the temp at your house in Atlanta today?)
They have 5 slopes out of 12 open and 1 lifts running.
Tube World located in Maggie Valley, across from Ghost Town, four miles from the ski area will reopen on Thursday, January 11 at 4pm.
Today, Cataloochee is closing at 4:30 due to "blizzard and dangerous road conditions". They reopen tomorrow at 9. (What's the temp at your house in Atlanta today?)
They have 5 slopes out of 12 open and 1 lifts running.
Tube World located in Maggie Valley, across from Ghost Town, four miles from the ski area will reopen on Thursday, January 11 at 4pm.
Jan 9th, 2007, 12:12 PM
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If your criteria is for the kids to see falling snow, that really is a hit or miss proposition. You'd have to go somewhere in the NC mountains, and even then, you'd have to cross your fingers and rub your lucky rabbit's foot. Any other place in the state, and the odds of snowfall would be much lower. From growing up in NC, I remember February being the month where we got snowfall most often, but it still was pretty darn rare (ice storms being far more prevalent!).
Simply seeing snow on the ground is another story, and I would think that a number of ski resorts would have some on the ground and be making more daily. Of course, the snow machines at most ski resorts are so awful and thick, that it cannot be likened at all to a real snowfall, but it is white, wet and cold!
Simply seeing snow on the ground is another story, and I would think that a number of ski resorts would have some on the ground and be making more daily. Of course, the snow machines at most ski resorts are so awful and thick, that it cannot be likened at all to a real snowfall, but it is white, wet and cold!
Jan 9th, 2007, 01:48 PM
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Snow is predicted for Maggie Valley, NC for tonight and then again for a week from now. The days after next week's predicted slow should be cold enough to keep some real snow on the ground. You want to make a January weekend trip?
Check weather.com for info.
Check weather.com for info.
Jan 9th, 2007, 06:41 PM
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www.skinorthcarolina.com has NC High Country (Boone area) webcams so you can see for yourself if there's snow.
Hardly any places in NC keep snow on the ground unless there's a terrible cold snap after a storm, so it would be hard to plan a trip and guarantee snow. But if you visit the High Country you could at least try for the ski areas -- Beech Mountain, Sugar Mountain in Banner Elk, Appalachian in Boone. Etc. The link above will have the details. Maggie Valley / Smokies / Cataloochie area would be another area to try. Maggie Valley is deserted this time of year, many restaurants that are closed, so not much to choose from.
Hardly any places in NC keep snow on the ground unless there's a terrible cold snap after a storm, so it would be hard to plan a trip and guarantee snow. But if you visit the High Country you could at least try for the ski areas -- Beech Mountain, Sugar Mountain in Banner Elk, Appalachian in Boone. Etc. The link above will have the details. Maggie Valley / Smokies / Cataloochie area would be another area to try. Maggie Valley is deserted this time of year, many restaurants that are closed, so not much to choose from.
Jan 9th, 2007, 06:44 PM
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The direct link is http://www.skinorthcarolina.com/webcams.htm -- it's not obvious from the front page.
