How does a blizzard happen?

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. read more

Blizzards occur whenever a winter weather system pairs heavy snowfall with high winds, or when a winter windstorm strikes an area that has recently experienced heavy snowfall. If the storm creates sustained winds of at least 35 miles per hour and reduces visibility to a quarter-mile or less due to blowing snow, it is defined as a blizzard. read more

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. read more