1/13/2011 Jay Yunker | Category: Industry News | 760 Views | 0 Comments |

Snow in 49 States, Florida the Only Holdout

Updated: Wednesday, 12 Jan 2011, 10:38 AM EST
Published : Wednesday, 12 Jan 2011, 9:58 AM EST

(CANVAS STAFF REPORTS) - Florida was the holdout on Wednesday as the National Weather Service reported all the other 49 states had snow on the ground.

Snow covered 69.4 percent of the contiguous United States as of Tuesday. The weather service said that is more than double the snow cover from last month.

Hawaii even got some as Hawaii News Now said snow fell on the Mauna Kea volcano on the Big Island. CNN said it's common for Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea to get snow all winter.

This year's wintery nation was the culmination of snow and ice events in the Southeast, Plains and Midwest. CNN said one storm began in the northern Plains and Midwest while the other one got its start in Texas, headed over the Gulf Coast and up into the eastern half of the country.

The snow so far left 32 states with winter storm advisories in its wake. A foot or more was expected in Northeast cities like Boston and Hartford, Conn.

Because such events are not tracked by the weather service there's no way to say how rare it is, but it is at least the second time within a year's time.

The Associated Press reported on Feb. 13, 2010, that 49 states had at least some snow cover. Florida had snow while Hawaii and its 13,800-foot Mauna Kea did not.

The 2010 event was particularly strange because Canada, which was hosting the Winter Olympics at the time, was lacking its usual amount.

While Florida is this year's holdout, Buffalo Business First said that doesn't exactly mean people can flock there for a taste of the sun as airports suffer delays and so many states have winter storm advisories.

There are no reports of all 50 states having snow at once. The AP reported that Jan. 19, 1977, had snow in all states but South Carolina.

This year came close. The Huffington Post said the "Sunshine State" just had snow a few days ago.

As far as what's next? FOX News said colder air is on the way with temperatures up to 25 degrees below average.

That leaves Florida with time to join in.

Info Received from: Myfoxboston News