Ice, snow and cold enhance winter's grip on U.S.

Winter arrived with a vengeance this week as snow and cold blanketed much of the country.

Ice was the source of trouble throughout the Pacific Northwest. Coated roads made for dangerous driving in Oregon. School and business closures were common in the region. 

Heavy snow blocked rural roads in Iowa for days as two fronts crossed the state. The second  storm dropped nearly a foot of snow over the weekend, but the cold lasted for an extended period of time - school cancellations were the norm as wind chills in the 70 below range were recorded. 

Snow depth across the country has increased dramatically over the last two weeks. The highest totals were found from the western mountains to the upper midwest. 

Louisiana officials were forced to close the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway near New Orleans as a combination of sleet and a dip below freezing put ice on the road. 

Those along Lake Michigan in Chicago are used to winter, but this week was a different kind of experience. 

Richard Wineberg, Chicago resident: "Today and yesterday and the day before particularly dramatic as we've had below zero weather and a 41-degree lake and a west wind."

The city of Philadelphia, received its first significant snowfall in two years. As sidewalks were being cleared, several residents found their way outside to enjoy the weather. 

Isaiah Stout, Philadelphia resident: “And my daughter's four. She doesn't remember the snow so it is her first time actually checking it out. So yesterday I said it might snow today you guys. So, when they woke up this morning I see snow all over the ground, they lost their minds. 

The moisture did improve the nation’s drought picture, but more than half of the lower 48 remain in some form of drought. 

For Market to Market, I’m Peter Tubbs. 

Contact: Paul.Yeager@Iowapbs.org