All About Blizzards
This video is a part of Animated Atmosphere, a suite of short videos produced by the UCAR Center for Science Education with FableVision Studios.
A blizzard isn’t just any old snowstorm. It’s extreme winter weather. Watch and learn what makes these storms special.
Transcript
If you've ever wondered about the difference between a snowstorm and a blizzard, you're in luck!
A storm where precipitation falls as snow is called a snowstorm.
The wind blows the snow, making it hard to see.
Blizzards last for three or more hours, and often lead to high snow accumulation from falling and drifting snow.
When the wind stops blowing, snow is left in snow drifts.
The great blizzard of 1888 created 50-foot high snow drifts along the Atlantic coast.
Any winter storm can bring dangerous freezing temperatures, wind, snow, and ice.
Be aware—and get prepared—by checking the forecast.