SOURCE:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/02/110202-winter-storm-blizzard-snow-us-satellite-picture-weather-science/You could call it Snowpocalypse 2011—one of the biggest and worst winter storms since the 1950s has walloped at least 30 U.S. states, according to NASA.
Snow, sleet, freezing rain, and just plain old rain have fallen as part of a massive system that stretches from Texas, through the Rockies, and into New England.
NASA satellites have been monitoring the storm's clouds and movement every 15 minutes, beaming back pictures of much of the U.S. blanketed in white, including the above picture, taken Tuesday.
In particular, the storm has brought blizzard conditions to the Midwest, severe ice buildup in the Mississippi River valley, and heavy rain and thunderstorms in the Deep South, according to NASA.
Some cities in the northeastern U.S. have already experienced record snowfall, such as Philadelphia, which has received 37 inches (91 centimeters) of the white stuff this winter, and New York City, which has seen 56 inches (142 centimeters).
The 20.2 inches (51.3 centimeters) of snow that hit Chicago during this winter storm alone make it the third biggest in the Windy City since record keeping began in 1886, according to the National Weather Service.
Though the storm began to loosen its grip on the Midwest Wednesday, the National Weather Service released a blunt warning reminding Chicago residents to stay off the roads and be careful shoveling snow. Traffic accidents and heart attacks due to overexertion are common causes of death in snowy weather.
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I live in Ohio, in the Northeast USA. This shit is fucking insane. We've had sleet, hail, freezing rain, snow, ice, power surges, power outages, and car crashes like nobody's business. This morning, I went out and measured the ice in our driveway (The salt we tried to use just melted through the ice and grouped together on the ground, so that's where I measured from). It was approximately 3/4" (1.9 cm) thick.
It's fucking snowing in Texas. TEXAS.
Also, I haven't had school since Monday because of it.