Blizzards

A blizzard is a huge snowstorm with very strong winds. The wind blows so hard that it is hard to see anything. Blizzards can drop many inches of snow in just a few hours. They can make roads unsafe and close down schools and shops.

What Makes a Blizzard

A storm becomes a blizzard when winds blow faster than 35 miles per hour. It must also have blowing snow that makes it hard to see. The storm needs to last at least three hours. Temperatures are usually below freezing. All these things together make a blizzard different from a regular snowstorm.

Blizzard Safety

Blizzards can be very dangerous, so people need to be careful. The safest thing to do is stay inside and keep warm. People should have food, water, and flashlights ready before a storm comes. Driving in a blizzard is hard because you can't see the road. Schools often close so kids can stay home safely.

Fun Facts

• The Great Blizzard of 1888 dropped more than 50 inches of snow in parts of the United States.
• Blizzards can create snowdrifts taller than a grown-up.
• The word blizzard was first used in the 1870s to describe a bad snowstorm.

Did You Know?

In a really bad blizzard, the wind and snow can make it so hard to see that you cannot even see your hand in front of your face. This is called a whiteout.