Flurries, squalls, snowstorms, nor’easters, snow bursts… all may deposit significant amounts of white fluffy precipitation from the sky, but none meet the definition of a blizzard.
To qualify as a blizzard, snow must fall continuously for at least three hours with accompanying winds of at least 35 miles per hour, reducing visibility to under a quarter mile. Anything falling short of these criteria is simply categorized as snowfall. However, under the right conditions, regular snowfall can escalate into a full-blown blizzard.
Blizzards are not only feared for the hazardous conditions they generate but also for the aftermath of these severe storms. Downed power lines and outages often ensue in the aftermath of a blizzard. Harsh temperatures and limited heating options can result in frozen and burst pipes, leading to flooding and property damage. These storms typically bring substantial snowfall, making roadways slippery, obstructed, or even completely impassable. Roofs may collapse under the weight of heavy snow, and the physical exertion of shoveling has been known to trigger heart attacks.
While modern meteorology cannot mitigate the severity of blizzards, the ability to predict such storms fortunately helps reduce their impact on those in their path.
Antonio Alcalá and Leslie Badani designed the 2015 Snowflake stamps, featuring various types of snowflakes in different colors.
