Book 7, Question 48
Why Do Blizzards Make It Hard to See?
A blizzard is a snowstorm with strong winds and very low visibility. The wind blows snow around so much that the sky and the ground blend together into one white blur. That is called a whiteout, and it can make the world seem to disappear.
From the book
Page from A Million Whys Book 7
More fun facts
- The National Weather Service calls a storm a blizzard when winds are above 35 miles per hour and you can see less than a quarter mile.
- Those conditions have to last at least three hours.
- In January 2022, a blizzard dumped 23.6 inches of snow on Boston in 24 hours, tying the city's record.
- Snow can fall as fast as 3 to 4 inches per hour in a big storm.
- Blizzard winds can knock down power lines, leaving homes without heat.
- Most winter storm deaths are not from the storm itself. Many happen in car crashes on icy roads.
Sources: National Geographic Kids, NASA, NOAA
Questions kids ask
What makes a snowstorm a blizzard?
Winds above 35 miles per hour and visibility under a quarter mile for at least three hours.
Is a blizzard just a lot of snow?
No. It's the strong wind and blowing snow that make it a blizzard.