Trees during a blizzard.

A blizzard is a dangerous winter storm that has a combination of blowing snow and wind. These two things result in very low visibilities. Even though heavy snowfalls and cold often come with blizzards, they are not required. Strong wind can be enough to create a blizzard because sometimes strong winds pick up snow that has already fallen, creating a ground blizzard.

Blizzards have winds greater than 35 miles per hour, and the visibility in a blizzard is usually 1/4 of a mile. Visibility is the measure of how far you can see. The winds are usually created when a low pressure system meets a high pressure system. (Check out the radar picture to the left!)

Blizzards can occur almost anywhere where snow usually falls. They can often be extremely dangerous. One reason is because the low visibility caused by blowing snow makes it hard for drivers to see where they are going, and this causes accidents.

Another danger that can be found during blizzards is the wind chill factor. Wind chill factor is how cool a person feels. Because the temperature is very cold and there are strong winds, people tend to feel colder, and they can experience frost bite or hypothermia if they stay outside too long.