Blizzard
The National Weather Service defines a blizzard as a winter storm in which two conditions must prevail for a minimum of three hours:
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Sustained wind or frequent gusts of 35 miles per hour or greater; and
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Visibility of less than one-quarter of a mile
The definition does not include any threshold for the amount of snow produced by the storm.
Before it came to be employed in the context of weather, the term originally was used to describe a cannon shot or a volley of musket fire, the National Weather Service says on its website. It was only in the 1870’s that an Iowa newspaper used the term to describe a snowstorm. By the following decade, the term came into regular usage in the United States and England.
Because of the cold and the low-visibility caused by the blowing snow, blizzards are considered dangerous weather events. Throughout history there have been several severe blizzards that caused damage and loss of life. The deadliest in recorded history was the Iran blizzard of 1972, in which approximately 4,000 people died.
(Text by Steve Pollak)
(Photo: AJC1/Flickr)
Articles about Blizzard
Wed, Apr 04 2012 at 5:52 AM EST
The blizzard began a week after the region saw a record high temperature for March.Tue, Feb 07 2012 at 9:47 AM EST
The freeze shows no signs of releasing Europe from the icy grip, with forecasters expecting the bitter cold to last another two weeks.Fri, Feb 03 2012 at 1:44 PM EST
A blizzard in Colorado and potential tornado conditions in the Southeast are in the forecast.Fri, Feb 03 2012 at 6:20 AM EST
The bitter cold has come as an unexpected surprise due to the region's earlier warmer-than-normal winter weather.Mon, Jan 30 2012 at 2:39 PM EST
Officials said almost 200 flights were cancelled due to the snow, and hundreds of people were stuck in private vehicles or public transport.Wed, Jan 18 2012 at 4:27 PM EST
Cold air from Alaska has combined with a low-pressure system to bring nearly a year's worth of snow to the Emerald City.Tue, Dec 20 2011 at 9:28 AM EST
A super-juiced La Niña helped cause the blizzards and tornadoes that plagued the U.S. over the course of the year.Sun, Dec 18 2011 at 8:01 PM EST
Concerns over wind gusts that could reach 50 miles per hour are especially worrying as it could blow up enough snow to affect visibility.Wed, Dec 14 2011 at 3:48 PM EST
Don't be caught unaware by a severe winter storm. Learn how to be ready for a blizzard now.Wed, Nov 09 2011 at 8:40 AM EST
Wind speeds are expected to reach hurricane strength, with severe flooding also a strong possibility.- 1. Solar Storm
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