For much of the lower 48 states of the United States the 2010 to 2011 winter season has been a rough one.  Blizzards and snowstorms have stretched into the Deep South and this morning data shows that nearly three quarters of the nation is covered in snow.

The latest analysis from NOAA’s National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center shows 69.4% of the lower 48 states covered in snow as of this morning.  This is a significant increase over the 33.1% cover seen in December and bests the previous snow season’s highest number.

• NOAA animation – The 2010 / 2011 snow season to date (Examiner.com)

Perhaps most interesting is that 47 of the lower 48 states and 49 of all 50 states including Hawaii have at least some snow with the only exception being Florida.  Even the Deep South reaching nearly to the Gulf of Mexico is covered in a blanket of white today after ice and snow pummeled the region yesterday.  Early this morning only five of the 48 did not have some sort of a winter weather warning or advisory in effect.

A snowstorm that started in the South before Christmas moved up the East Coast and left record-setting snow totals in its wake including in New York City.  The same storm that struck the South yesterday now has its sights set on the same area from the mid-Atlantic to New England. 

The United States is not alone as across the Northern Hemisphere an unusually cold and snowy winter is being felt.  Northern Europe has been struck with multiple snowstorms and the United Kingdom saw its coldest December on record according to the U.K. Met Office.

Yesterday snow and ice covered the southern United States nearly to the Gulf of Mexico wreaking havoc and bringing the region to a standstill.  Even as the South digs out the northeastern United States prepares for its turn to get pummeled by the storm.  Click here for snow and ice totals from yesterday’s storm in the South (Examiner.com).

Colorado which normally has more than its fair share of snow has been a tale of two halves this season.  The mountain areas on the western half of the state have enjoyed tremendous snow depths that have ski resorts rejoicing.  For eastern Colorado however a severe snow deficit has brought moderate drought conditions and a near record setting lack of snow.