Many locations that are under a blizzard warning could still see whiteout conditions even after the snow stops falling.
The National Weather Service officially defines a blizzard as a storm which includes large amounts of falling OR blowing snow, with winds higher than 35 mph and visibilities less than 1/4 mile for an extended period of time (at least 3 hours). The National Weather Service will issue a “Blizzard Warning” when these conditions are expected.
The heavy snow that fell across parts of the plains to end the weekend doesn’t by itself constitute blizzard conditions. The ingredients required for a blizzard are high wind and BLOWING snow. We will have enough of that light, fluffy snow and the winds to blow it around even after the snow stops falling. This means that visibilities of less than ¼ mile and blowing and drifting snow could impact your Monday right through Monday evening.
Mike Morrison
Tweets
BLOWING & DRIFTING: This was the scene along several roads in rural and open areas of South Dakota Saturday. #SDwx https://t.co/8JyyNiiAEz
We are growing more concerned about the potential for long duration river flooding across parts of the Southeast th… https://t.co/Jui271KrAg
4 hours ago by WeatherNationBrace yourselves. More #winter weather is coming! The latest round of #snow and wintry mix will keep things slipp… https://t.co/fRNPq29eni
5 hours ago by WeatherNationFlash flooding is an increasing concern for the work week ahead as heavy rain develops in the southeast. FULL STO… https://t.co/g1TBqUxkyQ
6 hours ago by WeatherNationDangerous snow squalls made their way through the Denver Metro, causing numerous crashes, including a 30 car pile u… https://t.co/FCPpnMD4u3
6 hours ago by WeatherNation❄️⚡️THUNDERSNOW!❄️⚡️ Listen carefully and you'll hear rumbles of #thundersnow in Parker, Colorado! #COwx… https://t.co/kXObzE4egi
7 hours ago by WeatherNationHuge snowflakes were falling over the McKenzie River basin in central #Oregon Saturday afternoon. Check it out!… https://t.co/dATEVcz6SD
7 hours ago by WeatherNation
BIG SKY, BIG SNOW: Miles City in southeastern #Montana has had a wintry Saturday to say the least! An additional 6… https://t.co/sLSqcLcC01
8 hours ago by WeatherNation❄️SNOW in the DESERT?? Yep, it happened today outside #LasVegas! This video was taken at Red Rock Canyon.… https://t.co/Bhczoye4FQ
9 hours ago by WeatherNationHeads up, southern #Colorado! Winter Storm Watches are posted for incoming #snow Sunday night through Tuesday morn… https://t.co/noBzM4FrDb
9 hours ago by WeatherNationCRAZY video shows a car flip into a police cruiser after a rockslide covered the road in Tennessee. Police said the… https://t.co/sW1Nfe6F1O
10 hours ago by WeatherNationWhat a month it has been so far... https://t.co/XioQAbSyCb
10 hours ago by WeatherNationChalk up another 24" in 24 hours for @KirkwoodMTN ! Not pictured here, but Castle Peak picked up 45" in the past 24… https://t.co/rGYgnikjN2
11 hours ago by WeatherNation