Blizzard
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A blizzard is a severe snowstorm characterized by strong winds and low temperature. By definition, the difference between blizzard and a snowstorm is the strength of the wind. To be a blizzard, a snow storm must have sustained winds or frequent gusts that are greater than or equal to 56 km/h (35 mph) with blowing or drifting snow which reduces visibility to 400 meters or a quarter mile or less and must last for a prolonged period of time — typically three hours or more.[1] Snowfall amounts do not have to be significant. In Australia a blizzard, by definition, necessarily contains at least some snow that has been raised from the ground.[2]
A severe blizzard has winds over 72 km/h (45 mph), near zero visibility, and temperatures of −12 °C (10 °F) or lower. A ground blizzard has snowdrifts and blowing snow near the ground, but no falling snow.[3]
Blizzards can bring near-whiteout conditions, and can paralyze regions for days at a time, particularly where snowfall is unusual or rare. The 1972 Iran blizzard, which caused approximately 4,000 deaths, was the deadliest in recorded history.
Historic events
- Groundhog Day Blizzard of 2011
- December 2010 North American blizzard
- Third North American blizzard of 2010
- Second North American blizzard of 2010
- First North American blizzard of 2010
- February 2007 North America Winter Storm
- Saskatchewan blizzard of 2007
- Blizzard of 1999
- Blizzard of 1996
- Great Blizzard of 1993
- Halloween Blizzard of 1991
- Chicago Blizzard of 1979
- Northeastern United States Blizzard of 1978
- Great Blizzard of 1978
- Blizzard of 1977
- Chicago Blizzard of 1967
- North American blizzard of 1947
- Armistice Day Blizzard of 1940
- Great Lakes Storm of 1913
- Schoolhouse Blizzard of 1888, North American Great Plains
- Great Blizzard of 1888, Northeastern U.S.
See also
References
- ^ Blizzard at the US National Weather Service glossary
- ^ Blizzard definition, Weather Words, Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
- ^ "Blizzard" Encyclopædia Britannica Online retrieved 17 March 2012
External links
- Digital Snow Museum Photos of historic blizzards and snowstorms.
- Farmers Almanac List of Worst Blizzards in the United States
- United States Search and Rescue Task Force: About Blizzards
- Scholastic.com: Snow and Blizzards
- Buffalo Blizzard Book. November 2011, by Paul K. Moore. The fascinating history of the Snow City's colossal snow events. The result of new research covering 200 years of newspaper accounts and other records.
- A Historical Review On The Origin and Definition of the Word Blizzard Dr Richard Wild
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