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January 30 – February 2, 2026 nor'easter

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January 30 – February 2, 2026 nor'easter
The winter storm rapidly strengthening off the East Coast of the United States on February 1
Meteorological history
FormedJanuary 30, 2026
Exited landFebruary 2, 2026
DissipatedFebruary 4, 2026
Category 2 "Minor" winter storm
Regional snowfall index: 5.35 (NOAA)
Highest gusts70 mph (110 km/h) at Jennettes Pier, North Carolina [1]
Lowest pressure964 mbar (hPa); 28.47 inHg
Max. snowfall22.5 in (57 cm) in Faust, North Carolina[2]
Overall effects
Fatalities13 total
Injuries44
Damage$550 million (2026 USD)
Areas affectedEastern United States, Eastern Canada, Bermuda, Caribbean
Power outages
> 190,000
Part of the 2025–26 North American winter

A powerful and unusual bomb cyclone and winter storm, unofficially referred to as Winter Storm Gianna by The Weather Channel and media outlets,[3][4][5][6] brought heavy precipitation and gusty winds to the Southeastern United States and Virginia, mostly in the Carolinas from January 30 to February 1, 2026.[7][8] It occurred just days after a previous winter storm caused severe impacts in some of the same regions. The storm was given an RSI number of 5.348, or a Category 2 "Minor" winter storm rating. Forming out of a shortwave trough that moved into the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean on January 30, the storm gradually organized over the following day, before moving northeastwards and rapidly strengthened late on January 31 into February 1. The cyclone brought heavy snowfall accumulations of 13–22.5 inches (33–57 cm) in the Carolinas,[2] with the highest totals in western North Carolina.[7] The storm was also the first storm to bring measurable snowfall in all 100 counties of North Carolina since a storm in 2014.[9] Near-blizzard conditions and coastal flooding were also reported closest to the shore, damaging many properties. The storm went on to impact Canada with similar conditions on February 2, before it moved out to the east into the northern Atlantic Ocean and dissipated on February 4.

North Carolina and Georgia declared states of emergencies while Virginia and South Carolina extended their states of emergencies from the previous storm. Snow began the night of January 30 in parts of the Southeast. By 11:30 a.m. on January 31, Maggie Valley, North Carolina, and Greeneville, Tennessee, both ended up with 9 in (23 cm) of snow.[10] At least 13 people were killed as a result of the storm, and damage was estimated to be near US$550 million.[11]

Meteorological history

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Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression
500 mb jet stream during the formation of the storm.

In late January 2026, a nor'easter was predicted by meteorologists to bring significant snowfall to the Southeastern United States starting around January 30.[12][9] The storm initially began to form as an extratropical low-pressure area from a large trough and upper-level cyclone in the jet stream over the Southeastern United States on January 30.[7][9] As the surface low developed, it and the upper-level cyclone began to pull moisture from the Gulf of Mexico northwards into the Southeastern United States. Snow began on the night of January 30 in parts of the Southeast due to strengthening of the upper-level low.[13] The system began developing into a nor'easter offshore of the Carolinas and began strengthening around January 31. The Weather Prediction Center began issuing storm summaries for the system at 15:00 UTC.[14] The intensity of the precipitation increased and peaked during late January 31 to early February 1 in the region, due to an inverted trough combined with upslope flow.[15] Snow began to taper off in the Southeast as the storm began to move northeastwardly away from the United States East Coast on February 1, being carried by the jet stream.[16] While this was happening, the storm underwent rapid strengthening in the northwestern Atlantic.[16][9] The storm continued causing gusty winds for the East Coast. As the storm moved away from the East Coast, the Weather Prediction Center issued its last storm summary on February 2 at 3:00 UTC.[17]

The system moved up offshore of Atlantic Canada on February 2,[18] bringing heavy snow and strong winds to Newfoundland as well as winter weather to Nova Scotia.[19] It attained a pressure of 964 millibars (28.5 inHg) by 18:00 UTC just offshore of the Avalon Peninsula.[20]

Preparations

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United States

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The Hurricane Hunters flew an Air Force Reconnaissance C-130J from Biloxi, Mississippi, into the storm to gather data on January 30.[21] The storm was predicted by several weather models to bring heavy but localized snowfall to areas in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, mainly the Carolinas.

Georgia governor Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency on January 30 for all counties in Georgia.[22] Virginia extended its state of emergency from the previous storm.[13] South Carolina governor Henry McMaster extended the state of emergency declaration from the previous winter storm on January 29.[23] On January 29, North Carolina governor Josh Stein declared a state of emergency.[24] Parts of North Carolina Highway 12 on Ocracoke Island was closed on the morning of January 31 ahead of the storm.[13]

Canada

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Environment Canada issued a special weather statement for Nova Scotia on January 31.[25] An orange weather alert was issued for Newfoundland by Environment Canada on January 31, as well as a yellow winter storm watch.[26] By February 1, up to 50 cm (20 in) of snow was forecasted for some areas. The Avalon Peninsula, Burin Peninsula, Clarenville, and some areas of central Newfoundland were under orange winter storm warnings. Other areas of central Newfoundland were under yellow winter storm warnings and up to 30 cm (12 in) was expected. Saint Bonaventure's College in St. John's cancelled class for February 2.[27]

Bermuda

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The Bermuda Weather Service issued a gale warning for the evening of January 31, as the storm was expected to cause heavy precipitation and wind to the islands.[28]

Impacts

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United States

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Over 2,000 flights were cancelled by the afternoon of January 31[29] and several Amtrak trains were cancelled or delayed.[30] There were just under 190,000 power outages across the southeast by 7:30 p.m.[13] Snow flurries occurred in parts of Florida from ocean-effect snow.[31][32] Light snow also occurred in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, as well as minor coastal flooding.[33]

Southeast

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Snow at NWS Wilmington in North Carolina on February 1

Two crashes occurred in Gastonia, North Carolina, on the morning of January 31, with one weather-related and the cause of the other is undisclosed.[34] Later that afternoon Access GSO suspended its services due to hazardous conditions.[35] 750 crashes were reported by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol from 12 a.m. to 6 p.m. on January 31.[36] A significant 100+ car pileup was reported on Interstate 85 near Kannapolis.[32] A driver died after striking a motor grader as well as three other occupants received injuries on January 31 in Rutherford County.[37] Another car collision killed one person in Robeson County.[38] A 76-year-old man was killed in a side-by-side accident in Madison County.[39][40] The North Carolina State Highway Patrol responded to 132 accidents between the midnight of January 31 and the morning of February 1. Of those crashes, 14 had injuries.[37] Lexington received 16 in (41 cm) of snow. Widespread power outages occurred, with 2,000 outages in Henderson County by the morning of February 1.[41]

Charlotte Douglas International Airport recorded 11 in (28 cm) of snow, tying with a December 1880 winter storm for the fourth-highest single-day snow total on January 31.[42]

One person was killed in a sledding accident in Abbeville County, South Carolina, on January 31.[43][44] Two people were killed in car accidents.[45] One person died from hypothermia in Anderson County.[46] A chunk of ice flew off of a car and hit the windshield of another, destroying it.[39]

The storm delivered snowfall across parts of South Carolina, an unusual event given the typically mild winters in the state.[47] Arctic air behind the system brought record-setting cold temperatures and dangerously low wind chills across the region.[48] Roads were hazardous due to snow and ice, prompting advisories for residents to stay off roads unless travel was necessary.[49] State authorities reported prioritizing major highway treatments and responding to hundreds of incidents (e.g., collisions, motorists needing assistance) between January 31 and February 1.[49] ~3,000 Department of Transportation personnel for road treatment.[49] Over 350 National Guard members and support vehicles for recovery and incident response efforts.[49] 9 general population shelters opened across the state for residents unable to remain safely at home due to weather conditions.[49]

Snowfall analyses from for 72 hours preceding 12:00 UTC on February 1, 2026

Virginia State Police responded to 289 crashes between the morning of January 30 to 11 a.m. on February 1, with 29 injuries, though not all crashes were weather-related. Three fatal crashes occurred, one in Greensville County and another in Fauquier County, and the third was non-weather-related in Dinwiddie County.[50][51]

Over 500 flights were cancelled at Atlanta by 10:45 a.m. on January 31. Many crashes occurred, with one crash on I-985 causing minor injuries. 11,569 people lost power in North Georgia by 8:45 p.m., 4,921 of which were in DeKalb County.[52] The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency reported three deaths across East Tennessee.[53] An indirect weather-related fatality was reported in Greene County on February 1.[54] Sullivan and Washington counties each had one fatality.[53]

The storm brought flurries as far south as South Florida,[55] and the airmass that brought the flurries also brought record cold temperatures on February 1 to Miami and West Palm Beach.[56]

Bermuda

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2,298 BELCO customers lost power by 10 p.m. on January 31. Residents reported flooding in low-lying places due to heavy rain.[57] All ferry services were cancelled by February 1.[58]

Canada

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Some schools and universities in Nova Scotia were closed on February 2. Public transit, municipal buildings, and recreational facilities ceased operations as well in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. A snowplow struck a woman at 6:30 a.m. Turo, killing her. Small vehicles on the off-ramps of Highway 125 got stuck.[59] The Groundhog Day event at Shubenacadie Wildlife Park was cancelled. Dover saw 11 in (27 cm) of snow while 5.9–7.9 in (15–20 cm) fell across Cape Breton. Halifax saw around 3.9 in (10 cm) of snow.[19]

Schools were closed in eastern and central Newfoundland for February 2. Buses were kept off roads and municipal and all courts were closed in St. John's. The storm impacted the island on the morning of February 2 with winds gusting to 62 mph (100 km/h). This caused whiteout conditions and dangerous roads. Multiple vehicles were reported to be stuck by the Holyrood RCMP detachment prior to 10 a.m. Then a lull in the storm occurred right before noon. The metro region of St. John's saw roughly 12 in (30 cm) of snow by noon.[60] About 8,000 customers on the Avalon Peninsula lost power.[61] St. John's recorded 16–19 in (40–47 cm) of snow. The storm ended at around 2 a.m. on February 3. Trepassey declared a state of emergency on February 3 after debris and waves on a seaside road made it impossible to travel by car.[62] Flights into the morning of February 3 were cancelled at St. John's International Airport.[19]

Caribbean

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The cold front resulted in gusts of 40–50 mph (64–80 km/h) in Cuba on January 31.[63] The winds led to flooding in the waterfront of Havana as well as the northern and western regions of Cuba on February 1.[63][64] Strong winds caused power outages to much of The Bahamas. Wind chills of 30–39 °F (−1–4 °C) prompted church leaders and volunteers gave out food, water, and blankets. The Cayman Islands suspended or restricted water sports and marine operations from January 31 to February 1 due to rough seas. Strong winds occurred in Jamaica.[64]

In the wake of the storm, Cuba recorded its first-ever freeze, with a temperature of 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit) being recorded in Perico on the morning of February 3.[65]

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ "HIGHEST WIND REPORTS OVER THE PAST 24 HOURS". Iowa Environmental Mesonet. National Weather Service Newport NC. February 1, 2026. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  2. 1 2 "UPDATED SNOWFALL TOTALS FROM 30 JAN TO 1 FEB 2026 WINTER STORM". Iowa Environmental Mesonet. National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC. February 2, 2026. Retrieved October 2, 2026.
  3. ↑ Whitmire, Kelly (January 31, 2026). "Roads closed, drivers asked to stay home after Winter Storm Gianna brings snow to Forsyth County". Forsyth County News. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  4. ↑ "Winter Storm Gianna Information and Safety Reminders". Brunswick County, NC. January 31, 2026. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  5. ↑ Six, Christopher (January 30, 2026). "Winter Storm Gianna Expected to Dump Snow, Trigger Power Outages and Dangerous Travel". Williamsburg Yorktown Daily. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  6. ↑ "City of Aiken Winter Storm Gianna Notifications". City of Aiken, SC. February 1, 2026. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 "Winter Storm: January 30-February 1, 2026". National Weather Service Wilmington, North Carolina. February 10, 2026. Retrieved May 3, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ↑ "January 31 - February 1, 2026 Historic Snowstorm". NWS Newport / Morehead City, North Carolina. Arcgis Storymaps. April 5, 2026. Retrieved May 18, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. 1 2 3 4 Davis, Corey (February 2, 2026). "Rapid Reaction: A Statewide Snowstorm for the Ages". North Carolina State Climate Office. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Bomb cyclone starts strengthening as it spreads snow across the Southeast". CNN Weather. January 31, 2026. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Global Catastrophe Recap - First Quarter (Q1) of 2026" (PDF). Aon. April 17, 2026.
  12. ↑ Wade, Jo; Keith-Lucas, Sarah (January 29, 2026). "Extreme cold and disruptive snow to hit eastern USA this weekend". BBC Weather. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  13. 1 2 3 4 "Bomb cyclone starts strengthening as it spreads snow across the Southeast". CNN Weather. January 31, 2026. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
  14. ↑ Roth. "Storm Summary Number 1 for Southern Appalachians/Carolinas Snow Storm". The Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
  15. ↑ Wilder (January 31, 2026). "Storm Summary Number 2 for Southern Appalachians/Carolinas Snow". The Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  16. 1 2 Oudit. "Storm Summary Number 3 for Southern Appalachians/Carolinas Snow Storm". The Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  17. ↑ Wilder (February 2, 2026). "Storm Summary Number 5 for Southern Appalachians/Carolinas Snow Storm". The Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved February 2, 2026.
  18. ↑ Blanco-Alcala (February 2, 2026). "WPC surface analysis valid for 02/02/2026 at 12 UTC". wpc.ncep.noaa.gov. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
  19. 1 2 3 MacDonald, Michael (February 2, 2026). "Parts of Atlantic Canada once again pummeled by winter storm". Global News. The Canadian Press. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
  20. ↑ Oudit (February 2, 2026). "WPC surface analysis valid for 02/02/2026 at 18 UTC". wpc.ncep.noaa.gov. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
  21. ↑ Rawlins, Mike; Sullivan, Kieran (January 31, 2026). "Live updates: Nor'easter 'bomb cyclone' to blast Carolinas with heavy snow and coastal flooding". FOX Weather. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
  22. ↑ "Gov. Kemp issues state of emergency for winter weather this weekend". WSB-TV. January 30, 2026. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
  23. ↑ Kesler, Alex (January 29, 2026). "State of Emergency extended into the weekend". WACH FOX 57. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
  24. ↑ "North Carolina braces for another winter storm: Gov. Josh Stein declares state of emergency". WRAL News. January 29, 2026. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
  25. ↑ Dev, Prisha (January 31, 2026). "Major weather alerts issued for Saskatchewan, Toronto and N.S". Global News. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
  26. ↑ Hawthorn, Andrew (January 31, 2026). "Eastern Newfoundland bracing for over 50 cm of snow in looming storm". CBC News. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
  27. ↑ Howells, Laura (February 1, 2026). "Major winter storm incoming for parts of N.L., promising 'wet and dense' snow". CBC News. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
  28. ↑ Bell, Jonathan (January 30, 2026). "Fresh winter storm in US augurs wet weekend for Bermuda". The Royal Gazette. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
  29. ↑ Relman, Kyle; Hemingway, Ahmad (January 31, 2026). "Another winter storm threatens to drop more snow as dangerous cold lingers". ABC News. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
  30. ↑ "Amtrak 'weather-related' cancellations extended". Trains. Retrieved 2026-02-04.
  31. ↑ Johnson, Dacia (January 31, 2026). "Snow flurries spotted as 'extreme cold' moves into Central Florida | Live updates". WESH 2 News. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
  32. 1 2 Noll, Ben (February 1, 2026). "Bomb cyclone brings historic snow to North Carolina, flurries to Florida". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  33. ↑ Cicalese, Kelly Ann (February 1, 2026). "Strong storm brushes parts of Mass. on Sunday with snow, winds, chance of flooding". WCVB 5. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  34. ↑ Carroll, Diamond (January 31, 2026). "2 crashes reported in Gastonia as winter storm brings icy, dangerous conditions". WCNC Charlotte. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
  35. ↑ Moorhead, Kristen (January 31, 2026). "Snowy roads cause over 100 accidents in Greensboro, halt city bus services". ABC 45 News. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
  36. ↑ Ford, Taylor (January 31, 2026). "Winter storm causes dozens of crashes in Greensboro, hundreds statewide". WFMY News 2. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
  37. 1 2 Hensley, Dean (February 1, 2026). "1 dead after truck crashes into motor grader removing snow in Rutherford County". ABC 13 News. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  38. ↑ "At least 2 dead in North Carolina as storm brings heavy snow to South". Yahoo News. February 1, 2026. Retrieved February 2, 2026.
  39. 1 2 "Man dies after UTV crashes, officials confirm". WYFF. February 2, 2026. Retrieved February 2, 2026.
  40. ↑ Medley, Lorenza (February 2, 2026). "Man killed in UTV crash in Madison Co. during winter storm". FOX Carolina. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  41. ↑ Hensley, Dean (February 1, 2026). "Gov. Stein providing a Feb. 1 North Carolina winter storm update". ABC 13 News. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  42. ↑ Lee, Hank (February 1, 2026). "How much snow fell in the Charlotte area on Saturday?". WCNC. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  43. ↑ "One person dead after sledding incident involving an UTV". WYFF. February 1, 2026. Retrieved February 2, 2026.
  44. ↑ "Dad of 3 Dies in 'Tragic' Accident While Sledding with Friends and Family in S.C.: 'One in a Million'". People.com. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  45. ↑ "Two traffic deaths reported over winter storm weekend". WACH. February 2, 2026. Retrieved February 2, 2026.
  46. ↑ "Possible hypothermia death under investigation in South Carolina, coroner confirms". WYFF. February 2, 2026. Retrieved February 2, 2026.
  47. ↑ Reiman, Kyle (January 31, 2026). "Another winter storm dumps more snow as dangerous cold lingers". ABC News. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  48. ↑ "Snow hits the Carolinas as low temps compound power outage woes elsewhere from last weekend's ice". AP News. 2026-01-31. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  49. 1 2 3 4 5 "Roads Impacted by Winter Weather; Drivers Urged to Stay Home if Travel Is Not Necessary - South Carolina Emergency Management Division". www.scemd.org. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  50. ↑ Lundy, Kathleen (February 1, 2026). "Virginia State Police report hundreds of crashes amid weekend winter storm". 13 News Now. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  51. ↑ Nguyen, Jessie (February 1, 2026). "Virginia sees 280+ crashes since start of winter storm: VSP". WRIC+. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  52. ↑ "LIVE UPDATES: North Georgia waking up to below-freezing wind chills after snow". FOX 5 Atlanta. February 1, 2026. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  53. 1 2 Garcia, Tony (February 5, 2026). "Death toll continues to climb as 4 more fatalities linked to Midstate winter storm". WSMV4. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
  54. ↑ Little, Faith (February 1, 2026). "TEMA: One weather-related fatality reported in Greene Co". wjhl. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  55. ↑ "National Weather Service posts video of snow flurries east of Naples". Naples Daily News. Naples, Florida. February 1, 2026. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  56. ↑ "Florida cold snap delivers snow flurries, falling iguanas and record-breaking lows". AccuWeather. February 1, 2026. Retrieved February 2, 2026.
  57. ↑ Johnston-Barnes, Owain (January 31, 2026). "Thousands lose power as gusts hammer the island". The Royal Gazette. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  58. ↑ "Photos & Video: Weather On The South Shore". Bernews. February 1, 2026. Retrieved February 2, 2026.
  59. ↑ "Some schools closed as another winter storm crosses N.S." CBC News. February 2, 2026. Retrieved February 2, 2026.
  60. ↑ "Schools closed, buses pulled off roads as storm hammers Newfoundland". CBC News. February 2, 2026. Retrieved February 2, 2026.
  61. ↑ "Schools delayed opening as parts of Newfoundland dig out from storm". CBC News. February 3, 2026. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  62. ↑ "Newfoundland town declares state of emergency after ferocious 24-hour winter storm". The Canadian Press. February 3, 2026. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  63. 1 2 Erdman, Jonathan (February 4, 2026). "Cuba Just Had Its First Freeze On Record". The Weather Channel. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  64. 1 2 Wilkinson, Bert (February 4, 2026). "U.S. cold front hits northern Caribbean". Caribbean Life. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  65. ↑ "Cuba Just Had Its First Freeze On Record". The Weather Channel. February 4, 2026. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
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