They say this happens every 15/20 years, so yeah, here we are - 11 hives in the middle of the 2026 Snow Storm in Lake Wylie, SC - just outside of Charlotte.
Cleaning the entrances
The snow storm and blizzard are covering the entrances. I know bees need ventilation, and it is fact that moisture kills bees not the cold. I'm a little thorn about removing the snow cap from the entrance as I am feeling it might be providing a bit of insulation and stopping the cold drifts from going in.
Listening for the hummmm
The only way to know if they are still alive in there is to listen closely for the humming. The ones I quickly checked were good. Time will tell how many of the 11 will survive. This is definitely not something south carolina bees are ever used to. I did what I could however to get them ready for it.
It is a bee winer wonderland out here!
Post storm check
Walking in the snow towards the apiary...
It is sunny but very very cold. Temperature is in the mid to low teens this morning.
I made sure there is a small gap in the entrance is so that the bees do no suffocate. They produce CO2 and need oxygen to come in. Good news, every hive I put my ear against I heard the humming noise in! That's good.
Pretty sight. Probably once or twice in a lifetime in this areas, or just about.
After the storm…
After the snow storm, any little bit of movement is a good sign. Bees are coming out for a bit of sun and some fresh air.
Having the hives positioned to get all the sun they can get during the winter is a very good idea.
The snow is slowly starting to melt away. Let’s get that spring coming soon!
| Condition | So far, so good... :) |
We are expecting up to 8in of snow. That's crazy for this part of the country.