November snow surprises South Carolina

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A surprise band of snow about 25 miles wide swept across parts of South Carolina today, falling on pumpkins and power lines.

It was the earliest snow on record in the Columbia area by eight days, according to the National Weather Service. Neither Boston nor New York City has had snow yet this fall and Fargo, N.D., has had only a trace of the white stuff.

The wet flakes in South Carolina collected on trees and sent branches still full of leaves crashing down on power lines. Utilities reported a peak of about 20,000 power outages as the snow tapered off before noon today. It measured about two inches in several places.