Mark Strehl Blog: A week ago, most of U.S. was covered in snow

Just about six or seven days ago, there was snow on the ground in 49 of the 50 States (Florida, if you have to ask...).

63 percent of the USA was covered. Now just about a week later, the snow cover is just under 20 percent! That's the lowest ground cover since the week of December 12.

The largest snow packs are over the Rockies, New England, and parts of the upper Midwest. Around the Midwest, we have the state of Michigan - which is nearly 100 percent covered. In Wisconsin, only the northern half is snow covered. Same for Minnesota - only the north half of the state covered.

In Illinois, the snow has melted from most of the major cities, but still covers much of the northern half of the state. Ironically, there is also a swath of snow across Central Illinois, another small strip across Southern Illinois that cuts all the way into Tennessee!

Think about it, snow cover in Tennessee but no snow in St. Cloud, Minnesota!