Nearly 50 Percent of Nation Covered in Snow
By Alex Sosnowski, Expert Senior Meteorologist
March 27, 2013; 9:45 PM
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Much of the northern United States has a blanket of snow on the ground this March, when compared to practically no snow this time last year.
A series of storms sweeping across the nation from the Northwest to the Northeast and at times dipping into part of the South has delivered near- to above-normal snowfall in many locations this winter and early spring.
While the winter got off to a late start in many areas, once cold air became established later in January, the snow guns were armed.
The most recent cross-country storm that swept from the Cascades of the Northwest to the southern Rockies, central Plains, Ohio Valley, Appalachians and part of the mid-Atlantic greatly contributed to snow cover that blanketed nearly 50 percent of the nation. (Much of the snow that fell during the storm spanning March 23 to 25 will melt by the Easter Weekend).
Snow cover as of March 25, 2013 based on surface observations, satellite data and computer analysis.
Snow cover on March 25, 2013, covered 48.7 percent of the country. Compared to March 25, 2012, only less than 8 percent of the nation had at least an inch of snow on the ground. Most of that was limited to the high country in the West and in northern New England.
Snow cover as of March 25, 2012, based on surface observations, satellite data and computer analysis.
Snow cover is what agricultural interests wanted in the Midwest and their prayers were answered with multiple storms over the winter, although be it late winter in most cases.
Most of the time the snow gradually melts and often has a better chance at seeping deep into the soil than a brief heavy rain. Winter snow is a big part of replenishing ground water supplies and can go a long way in filling streams, lakes and reservoirs.