Following dangerous blizzard conditions in the Midwest, AccuWeather's Anna Azallion breaks down the differences between the definitions of blizzards and snow squalls.
00:00Let's talk a little bit more about what exactly a blizzard is, and we're going to compare it to a snow squall too, because those are a little bit more common.
00:06So there's a definition, there are criteria that have to be met for blowing snow to officially be a blizzard.
00:12First of all, it is blowing snow. You have to have winds 35 miles per hour or stronger, visibility less than a quarter mile, which I mean the video you saw there, certainly less than a quarter mile at times.
00:24Those conditions have to last three hours or more. So if you find yourself driving in a blizzard, I mean, hopefully you aren't in that situation, but you never know.
00:35Well, one thing to keep in mind, if you absolutely do not have to be heading out about, you shouldn't.
00:39That's one of the things that officials were saying there in Iowa and Minnesota and many other places today.
00:44Now, if you have to travel, make sure you have a survival kit with you in case you get into really tricky situations.
00:49If you end up stranded, make sure you stay in your vehicle.
00:52Comparing this to a snow squall, it's similar, however, doesn't last as long.
00:56These are bursts of heavy snow, can come out of nowhere though, and that visibility can drop to near zero as well.
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