Blizzards: Explained

It's a blizzard out there! Everyone says it but do you know what it actually means? Contrary to popular belief a blizzard isn't about how heavy the snow is falling. It's all about visibility.

A snowstorm can only be a blizzard if it goes on for 3 or more hours. During that time, the visibility has to be less than a quarter of a mile... And winds must be at least 35 miles per hour and snow has to be falling or blowing for the entire time.

Usually when blizzard conditions are expected, the national weather service will issue a "blizzard warning". So, what should you do? The best thing to do is stay home, and be prepared for power outages due to high winds.

We all know if you have drive to slow down, but what happens if you get stuck? State Troopers in New York say to "stay in your car, clear your tailpipe, [and] roll your window down a smidge". Conditions can change rapidly and just as you would in severe weather, check the forecast multiple times and be prepared.

Did you know that you could be under a blizzard warning even though it's not snowing? All it takes is snow on the ground and gusty winds to produce treacherous conditions. Even when it's not snowing, freshly fallen powder can become airborne, creating dangerous white out conditions.

This phenomenon is known as a ground blizzard. Ground blizzards are most common when there's a powdery light snow on the ground as compared to a heavy wet snow.

Elevated highways in the high terrain and exposed roadways in the plains are prime targets for when pleasant travel on a sunny day can rapidly deteriorate into a chaotic snowy mess. The same winds that produce ground blizzards can also pile snow up, creating towering snow drifts on or near roadways. Even if the snow isn't in the forecast, be prepared for whatever the weather may bring