Snow cover over Lower 48 most extensive on record for early December (going back to 2003). At least a foot of snow has fallen in 25 different states over last few days. And snow has fallen as far south as Southern California, Tennessee, and Northern Georgia. Snow covered the ground on nearly half of the real estate in the Lower 48 — 46.2 percent of land area — on Monday morning, the largest area on Dec. 2 since snow cover records from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration began in 2003. Normally, a little more than a quarter of the nation has snow on the ground at this time of year. –
Normally, usually, a little more then a quarter of the nation has snow on the ground in early December... However... 46.2 percent of the land is snow covered.
This graphic from NOAA
I personally saw the snow in southern California the day after Thanksgiving. This view below is from Interstate 5 crossing “The Grapevine” north of Los Angeles:
If you're a listener to Logos Media Podcast, Jan Irvin, is resident in California and talks about the snow storm that hit the area in his latest podcast.... No power for days. Unable to travel. EtcWashington Post :Snow cover reaches early-December record in Lower 48 after back-to-back stormsThe two powerhouse storms that swept across the nation over the past week have left behind the most extensive early-December snow cover in at least 16 years. Snow covered the ground on nearly half of the real estate in the Lower 48 — 46.2 percent of land area — on Monday morning, the largest area on Dec. 2 since snow cover records from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration began in 2003.
Cold is the absence of warmth