First flakes? Where early snow was reported across the US.

When will the first snowflakes of the season fall? For much of the nation, they already have.

Tens of millions of Americans got an early blast of wintry weather in early November, and data from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows snow has already appeared across much of the northern United States and across the mountainous West.

Despite regional snowfall, the nation hasn't yet seen a widespread, major winter storm as forecasters debate how the polar vortex, La Niña and other factors will shape the coming winter.

Even if snow has fallen early in your area, don't jump to conclusions. University of Utah atmospheric scientist Jim Steenburgh previously told USA TODAY the links between early (autumn) snowfall and winter snowfall are "tenuous," meaning early snow isn't necessarily a harbinger of a snowy winter.

Another climatologist, Judah Cohen of Atmospheric and Environmental Research, agreed, saying the relationship between early snowfall and a snowy winter is "weak."