Blizzard

Subject – Geography

Context – Winter storm pounds Washington; federal offices shut down, schools delay resumption

Concept –

A blizzard is a dangerous weather event, bringing with it frigid temperatures, howling winds, and decreased visibility.
Blizzards can be deadly, which is why it is important that meteorologists accurately measure atmospheric conditions and provide the public with timely warnings.
Blizzards are not just bad snowstorms; they are specific types of snowstorms that consist of large amounts of snow lasting more than three hours, winds of at least 56 kilometers (35 miles) per hour, and visibility of less than 0.4 kilometers (0.25 miles) away.
A ground blizzard is a weather condition where snow is not falling but loose snow on the ground is lifted and blown by strong winds.
Blizzards can have an immense size and usually stretch to hundreds or thousands of kilometres.

Snowstorm and Severe blizzard

The United States National Weather Service’s winter weather advisory, watch, or warning system helps meteorologists determine whether atmospheric conditions should be classified as typical winter weather, a snowstorm, or a severe blizzard.

Snowstorm

Blizzard

The air temperature high in the atmosphere and near the ground must be below 0°C (32°F).
There also needs to be enough water vapor in the air to form snowflake crystals.
While snowstorms do not typically last very long (less than a few hours), they can bring high snow accumulations, which can be hazardous.

The storm must last for at least three hours and produce a large amount of falling snow.
Blizzards also have winds measuring over 56 kilometers (35 miles) per hour.
These winds cause a large volume of snow to blow around in the air and near the ground, decreasing visibility.
Meteorologists will declare blizzard conditions if the snow limits visibility to the point where it is difficult to see an object more than 0.4 kilometers (0.25 miles) away.