Half the Country Is Covered in Snow Right Now

Snow gets a head start on this year's winter in the United States.

ByABC News
November 18, 2014, 10:37 AM

— -- The official start of winter is still more than a month away, but about half the United States is already covered in snow.

PHOTO:: Pedestrians make their way through downtown Cincinnati, Nov. 17, 2014, as the season's first snowfall resulted in thousands of power outages in the Cincinnati area.
Pedestrians make their way through downtown Cincinnati, Nov. 17, 2014, as the season's first snowfall resulted in thousands of power outages in the Cincinnati area.

Heavy snow is expected around the Great Lakes, approaching 2 feet in some areas; light snow showers will linger across the Upper Midwest and Ohio Valley through Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

PHOTO: Caelan Slate, of Nortonville, Ky., calls to say he is going to be a little late to work after losing control and landing his truck in a ditch of off the Pennyrile Parkway in Henderson County, Nov. 17, 2014.
Caelan Slate, of Nortonville, Ky., calls to say he is going to be a little late to work after losing control and landing his truck in a ditch of off the Pennyrile Parkway in Henderson County, Nov. 17, 2014.

Arctic air in the Gulf Coast and the Northeast will produce temperatures as much as 20 degrees below average.

PHOTO: Drivers cautiously make their way along I-196 at the end of the work day in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich., Nov. 17, 2014.
Drivers cautiously make their way along I-196 at the end of the work day in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich., Nov. 17, 2014.

But at least Thursday’s temperatures “won't be quite as bitter," the National Weather Service said this morning.

ABC News Live

ABC News Live

24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events