CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Parts of Charlotte experienced an unusual weather phenomenon Tuesday when snow fell despite temperatures hovering near 40 degrees, according to WCNC Weather Impact chief meteorologist Brad Panovich.

Residents in Steele Creek, Lake Wylie and Pineville reported snow flurries Tuesday afternoon in what meteorologists call seeder-feeder snow, a rare occurrence that combined natural atmospheric conditions with steam from nearby power plants.

The Catawba Nuclear Station, south of Charlotte and the McGuire Nuclear Station on Lake Norman released plumes of water vapor that provided condensation nuclei, tiny water droplets necessary for snow formation. When these droplets mixed with supercooled water in low-level clouds passing overhead, snow began to fall in localized areas.

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