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 the definition requires that at least some snow 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.
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[edit] 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.
- The Carolean Death March 1718
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "Blizzard at the US National Weather Service glossary". Weather.gov. 2009-06-25. http://www.weather.gov/glossary/index.php?letter=b. Retrieved 2012-08-18.
- ^ "Blizzard definition, Weather Words, Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology". Bom.gov.au. http://www.bom.gov.au/info/wwords/. Retrieved 2012-08-18.
- ^ "Blizzard" Encyclopædia Britannica Online retrieved 17 March 2012
[edit] External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Blizzard |
- 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
- A Historical Review On The Origin and Definition of the Word Blizzard Dr Richard Wild
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