Reduced visibility is common during a blizzard. This series of images show the progression of a blizzard that hit Winchester Hills, WY on December 20, 2006. These images were taken before the snow fell, 11AM, and 3PM respectively. This blizzard caused 12.5 inches (0.3 meters) of snow to fall in Cheyenne. Images Courtesy of the National Weather Service Forecast Office of Cheyenne, WY/ Ben Jacquot

Fast winds blowing up to 75 mph (120 kph), 43 inches (1 meter) of snowfall, power outages, and roofs collapsed due to the weight of the snow were all part of the Blizzard of 1993 that hit the entire East Coast of the United States. A blizzard or a severe snowstorm can cause a multitude of impacts.

Generally a blizzard is defined by the National Weather Service as a storm with large amounts of snow or blowing snow, winds greater than 35 mph (56 kph), and visibility of less than ¼ mile (0.4 km) for at least three hours. Some blizzards do not have snow falling at all. Instead, snow that had fallen previously blows at such a rate that it creates an effect similar to falling snow or large drifts of snow. This is called a ground blizzard.

Blizzard conditions usually build up on the northwestern side of a powerful storm system. The strong winds are from the difference in pressures between two systems; this means the difference in the low pressure system which is causing the stormy weather and the high pressure system to the west of the low.

The word blizzard was first used in the United States during the 1870’s when a snowstorm in Iowa was described as a blizzard in a newspaper. This word caught on and has been used throughout the United States and England ever since.

Blizzards are most common in the United States, particularly the upper Midwest and the Great Plains according to the National Weather Service. Blizzards are common in Canada and Russia as well. In Russia, blizzards are called "purgas". While the areas mentioned are the most common, blizzards can occur all over the world. Iran experienced a blizzard in January of 2008 where the temperatures reached -11ºF (-24ºC), and record snowfalls were recorded. Places near the equator can experience blizzards especially at high altitudes.

Blizzard conditions can be severe. Automobile travel becomes dangerous when blowing snow causes whiteout conditions and everything looks white and indistinguishable. Roads can be partially or fully blocked by drifts of snow that have been caused by the blowing snow. Many times cold temperatures, below freezing, are also part of blizzard conditions. A cold temperature combined with high winds can lead to low wind chill values. Low wind chill values can cause hypothermia or frostbite.

Reduced visibility is common during a blizzard. This series of images show the progression of a blizzard that hit Winchester Hills, WY on December 20, 2006. These images were taken before the snow fell, 11AM, and 3PM respectively. This blizzard caused 12.5 inches (0.3 meters) of snow to fall in Cheyenne. Images Courtesy of the National Weather Service Forecast Office of Cheyenne, WY/ Ben Jacquot

Can you image winds blowing at 75 mph (120 kph), snowfall of 43 inches (1 meter), lost electrical power, and roofs collapsing due to the weight of the snow? These events were part of the Blizzard of 1993 that hit the entire East Coast of the United States.

The National Weather Service defines a blizzard as a storm with large amounts of snow or blowing snow, winds greater than 35 mph (56 kph), and visibility of less than ¼ mile (0.4 km) for at least three hours. Some blizzards have no falling snow. Instead, snow that had fallen before the blizzard is blown around or drifts in a way to create these conditions. This type of blizzard is called a ground blizzard. Conditions for a blizzard usually will build up on the northwestern side of a powerful storm system. The strong winds are from the difference in pressures between two systems. This means the difference in the low pressure system which is causing the stormy weather and the high pressure system to the west of the low.

The word blizzard was first used in the United States during the 1870’s when a snowstorm in Iowa was described as a blizzard. This word has been used throughout the United States and England ever since.

Blizzards are most common in the United States mostly the upper Midwest and the Great Plains according to the National Weather Service. Other countries that have blizzards include Canada and Russia. Russia uses a different name for blizzards, "purgas". Blizzards can occur all over the world. Iran experienced a blizzard in January of 2008 where the temperatures reached -11ºF (-24ºC), and record snowfalls were recorded. Places near the equator can experience blizzards especially at high altitudes.

Conditions of a blizzard can be severe. Travel becomes dangerous when the blowing snow causes whiteout conditions and sky and ground look white. Roads can be partially or fully blocked by drifts of snow that have been caused by the blowing snow. Many times cold temperatures are part of blizzard conditions. The cold temperatures can cause frostbite or hypothermia.

Blowing snow during a blizzard can make it difficult to see. These four pictures were taken before (top) and then during a blizzard in Wyoming on December 20, 2006. Images Courtesy of the National Weather Service Forecast Office of Cheyenne, WY/ Ben Jacquot

Can you imagine cold winds blowing fast enough to knock you over and snow deeper than you are tall? Imagine that it’s dark because the electricity is out, and the roofs of buildings collapse because of the large amount of snow. These were all part of the Blizzard of 1993 that hit the entire East Coast of the United States.

A blizzard is a storm with large amounts of snow or blowing snow and strong winds that are blowing more than 35 mph (56 kph). During a blizzard, it’s difficult to see the landscape because the blowing snow makes everything look white. During some blizzards, no new snow falls. Instead snow that is on the ground blows around. This is called a ground blizzard. The strong winds of a blizzard form because of a difference in pressures between two systems. These pressure systems are the low pressure system which is causing the stormy weather and the high pressure system on the back side of the low pressure system.

The National Weather Service says that blizzards are most common in the United States mostly the upper Midwest and the Great Plains. Blizzards are common in countries like Canada and Russia too. Russia uses a different name for blizzards, "purgas". Blizzards can occur all over the world. Iran had a blizzard in January of 2008. This blizzard brought very cold temperatures and lots of snow. Places near the equator can experience blizzards especially at high altitudes.

Blizzards can be very dangerous. The blowing snow makes it hard for people driving automobiles to see the road in front of them. Roads can be blocked by big piles of snow that were carried by the wind. Many times cold temperatures are also part of blizzard conditions so people need to wear warmer clothing.