The January 22, 1987 Southeastern Winter Storm (part of the major East Coast blizzard of January 22, 1987, often called the **January 1987 Snowstorm** or referenced in the "double whammy" of back-to-back events with January 25-26) was a powerful system that brought heavy snowfall to the Southeast U.S., including Alabama, Georgia, the Carolinas, and extending northward. The storm peaked on January 22, 1987, dumping up to 14 inches in parts of North Carolina and significant totals in Georgia and Alabama—unusual for the Deep South and causing widespread disruptions. It originated from a low that tracked from the Gulf Coast northeastward, affecting a broad swath from Mississippi to the Northeast, with the Southeast seeing some of its heaviest accumulations in years.
A low-pressure system formed over the Gulf of Mexico and tracked northeastward along or near the Southeast coast, intensifying as it moved (central pressure dropping significantly by afternoon). Deep Arctic air from a prior outbreak entrenched across the region, with Gulf/Atlantic moisture overrunning the cold dome in a classic overrunning pattern. This produced heavy snow rather than rain in inland areas, with rates up to 3 inches per hour in bands. The low's track favored widespread precipitation from the Deep South to the Mid-Atlantic/Northeast, but the Southeast's heavy band was amplified by strong lift and high snow ratios in the cold air. No classic Miller A/B nor'easter redevelopment occurred offshore for the Southeast focus; it was a Gulf-origin system with broad impacts.
Heavy, wet snow combined with cold caused widespread paralysis in the unprepared South:
Snow began March 1 in western areas and intensified March 2, heaviest in eastern/central North Carolina with rapid tapering westward:
Many totals were significant for the region, with rapid rates and wet snow in places contributing to impacts.
The storm arrived with entrenched cold air. Temperatures during snowfall were in the 20s-30s°F, supporting heavy snow. Pre- and post-storm lows were in teens/single digits in parts. The event fit into a very cold January 1987 pattern across the East, with no widespread all-time lows on the exact date but contributing to prolonged freezing conditions.
Airports closed (Atlanta Hartsfield shut for hours; others delayed/canceled); highways impassable; schools/legislatures shut in MS, AL, GA, Carolinas, VA, DC; major gridlock and accidents.
Widespread power outages (75,000+ in GA/AL/SC from snow-laden lines/trees); some prolonged.
At least 5 deaths in the South (2 in NC, 3 in AL) from slippery roads/exposure; broader storm linked to dozens nationwide.
Commerce/agriculture disrupted; emergency responses strained.
Daily life halted; federal government affected farther north; overwhelmed snow removal in South.
Bottom line: This was a major winter wallop for the Southeast.