Blizzards are the type of weather phenomenon that occur when a jet stream descends far enough south at a point where cold air from the north will collide with very warm air from the south. With the amount of moisture available and cold temperatures, this allows for freezing precipitation, snow, sleet, freezing rain.

A blizzard is no ordinary snow storm, and they are classified differently. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), in order for a snowstorm to become a blizzard, winds have to be at least 35 mph and visibility less than ¼ mile for at least 3 hours. If these conditions are observed and detected, a Blizzard Warning will be issued. Blizzards are typical in the Great Plains and the upper Midwest regions. Visibility (Whiteout Conditions), extreme temperatures, power outages, frostbite, and hypothermia are all hazards in a blizzard. You always want to be prepared in these situations and have knowledge of how to protect yourself, whether you live in a blizzard-prone area.

All information sourced from NOAA