A blizzard is a long lasting and intense snowstorm with very strong winds. Generally, blizzards form when cold polar air meets warm, moist air from lower latitudes. Three things are needed for a blizzard to occur, cold air at the surface, lots of moisture, and lift: 1.
The term "blizzard" is often tossed around when big winter storms blow in. But the National Weather service has an official definition of blizzard: A blizzard is a storm with "considerable falling or blowing snow" and winds in excess of 35 mph and visibilities of less than 1/4 mile for at least 3 hours.Oct 18, 2012
For a blizzard to form, warm air must rise over cold air. There are two ways that this may happen. Winds pull cold air toward the equator from the poles and bring warm air toward the poles from the equator. When warm air and cold air are brought together, a front is formed and precipitation occurs.
Some areas are more likely to be hit by blizzards than others, but a blizzard can occur in any place where snow falls. In North America, blizzards happen often in the northern-east states, and in the provinces of Canada. In this region, blizzards can happen more than twice each winter.
- If people are caught outside in a blizzard, they risk getting frost bite and hypothermia. - A blizzard can cause lots of property damage, such as roof cave-ins and windows breaking. Trees can fall on houses, cars, etc. - Blizzards can be the cause of lots of car accidents.
Ice and winds cause trees to fall and plants to die. The Environmental Protection Agency says that such storms have the potential to cause significant damage to entire forests, which then release carbon during decay. The excess carbon causes an imbalance in the local ecosystem, which impacts other plants and wildlife.
The air must be cold for snow to fall on the ground both up in the clouds where snowflakes form. Creates huge drifts, making it very hard to drive. Blizzards also can cause a variety of other problems. Power outages can occur due to strong winds and heavy snow.
Dress properly for cold weather. Wear layers and proper footwear. "A lack of preparation can lead to things like people being outside in a blizzard in tennis shoes or not having any gloves," Dornford says.Make sure you stay hydrated. "Dehydration is a very dangerous thing in a survival situation.
In the United States, blizzards are common in the upper Midwest and the Great Plains but occur in most areas of the country except for the Gulf Coast and the California coast. Blizzards can occur all over the world, even in the tropics where it is cold on high altitude mountaintops.