Blizzards

A blizzard is a long-lasting snowstorm with very strong winds and intense snowfall. It is characterized by
low temperatures and strong winds (greater than 35
mph) bearing a great amount of snow, either falling
or blowing. Visibility decreases to less than a
quarter of a mile for periods of more than three
hours. Blizzards also create a wind chill effect that
can be dangerous. The blowing winds and low
temperature can cause frostbite and/or
hyperthermia.
Word Bank: Blizzards that
occur on the East
Hyperthermia- a medical emergency
in which the body loses more heat Coast of the United States (including us in Brooklyn, NY) are known as
than it produced. Noreasters. Because of the Atlantic Ocean, the storm stalls over the
coast and can sometimes last for 24 hours dumping huge amounts of
Frostbite- frozen body tissue, usually
snow over the area.
the skin, but sometimes deeper
tissue.

You need three things to have a blizzard: cold air at the surface, lots of moisture, and lift. Warm air must
rise over cold air.

Cold air (below freezing) is needed to make

snow. For snow to fall to the ground, the
temperature must be cold both up in the
clouds where snowflakes form, and down at
ground level. If the air near the ground is too
warm, the snow will melt on its way down,
changing to rain or freezing rain.
Moisture is needed to form clouds and
precipitation. Moisture in the air is called
water vapor. Air blowing across a body of water, such as a large lake or the ocean, is an excellent source of
water vapor. As wind moves air over the water, some water evaporates from the surface, putting vapor into
the air. This is how lake effect snowstorms and Noreasters pick up so much moisture. However, cold
air is not able to hold much water vapor. In fact, very cold air does not make very much snow.

Warm, rising air is needed to form clouds and cause precipitation.

For a blizzard to form, warm air must rise over cold air. There are
two ways that this may happen. Winds pull cold air toward the
equator from the poles and bring warm air toward the poles from
the equator. When warm air and cold air are brought together, a
front is formed and precipitation occurs. Warm air can also rise to
form clouds and blizzard snows as it flows up a mountainside.
Heavy snowstorms with accumulations of over a foot in depth are common in the winter along the eastern
side of the United States. Yet blizzard warnings are rare in the area. For one thing, the wind doesnt
normally exceed 35 miles per hour, except along the coast where the wind off the warm water often turns
the precipitation to rain. Furthermore, the snow is wet and heavy (temperatures are usually near freezing),
and heavy snow doesnt blow very much.

The northern plains, however, are the perfect location for blizzard
conditions:

The flat land allows the wind to reach blizzard-speed

requirements.
The cold temperatures allow the snow to be light and easily blown around.

If you are located in an area where blizzards occur, you should make sure you have extra food and supplies.
You should also have a radio with extra batteries, candles, a cell phone and lots of blankets. You should
also plan on staying inside. Many times, children playing right outside of their homes have gotten lost in
the blinding snow.

Nor'easters usually form anytime from September

through April. They are called "Nor'easters" because
of the strong northeast winds. A Nor'easter is an
intense low-pressure area. The winds blow around the
low in a counterclockwise direction. These storms are
unique from those that hit elsewhere in the US
because they are closely tied to the warm Gulf Stream
waters off our East Coast. These warm waters help to
fuel the storms development and bring us all of that
rain or in some cases, a lot of snow. A Nor'easter
develops along the Southeast or Mid-Atlantic coast
upon interacting with the Gulf Stream and then often
moves north up the coastline into New England.
Some of these storms are quite intense and can cause damage like that of a weak hurricane. While every
storm is a little different and affects different portions of the coast, it is not uncommon to see a half dozen
nor'easters through the fall into early spring, with two really intense ones.

If you are ever caught in a car during a blizzard, it is best to stay with the
car. Many people have walked in circles, because they couldnt see where
they were going in the blinding snow.