It is Snowing Outside Today - A Blizzard and some Snow Squalls
Hopefully it is snowing outside, I just love snow! And I am looking forward to long and snowy winter, so I can use my snow plow a lot. Each time it is snowing outside people frequently ask, "how much snow are we getting?" First they usually asks their friends and neighbors and the answer is always I don't know. Then they turn to different weather services, it used to be TV, newspapers or radio. But, these they just pull it up on their phone, or ask one of their smart assistants such as Google Home, Alexa, or even Siri.
There's no doubt that the worst of winter has arrived, bringing sub-zero temperatures and icy winds along with it. However, once a beautiful bout of snow is added to this wintry mix, we often find our feelings of bitterness transform into ones of pure, unadulterated joy. It seems to wipe the slate of our world clean, rejuvenating our personal perspectives at the same time. Whether you choose to play in the snowfall or appreciate it through a frosty window, there's no denying that the beautiful snowflakes make you pause and take notice of their arrival.
Winter Weather Related Sites for tracking Snow Squalls and Blizzards
Here are a few online weather resources you can take a look at to check the weather where you live.
What is the definition of a Blizzard?
Some people say as long as you get more than 6 inches of snow it is considered a blizzard, but that is wrong. A blizzard does not have to produce snow. The National Weather Service defines a blizzard as a storm that produces sustained winds of 35 mph or higher with enough snow in the air, falling and/or blowing and drifting, to reduce visibility to less than one-quarter mile for at least three consecutive hours. Blizzards have occurred in open areas like the Great Plains under clear skies, but with enough loose snow on the ground to cause whiteout conditions when blown into the air by relentless strong winds. Also, there is no specific temperature criterion. However, even if temperatures are hovering near freezing, strong winds will drop wind-chill readings to the teens or lower. A blizzard does not have to produce snow, and there is no specific temperature criterion.
What is a Snowsquall or Snow Squalls
A snowsquall, or snow squall, is a sudden moderately heavy snow fall with blowing snow and strong, gusty surface winds. It is often referred to as a whiteout and is similar to a blizzard but is localized in time or in location and snow accumulations may or may not be significant. A snow squall is basically a short but ferocious burst of heavy snow and strong wind, usually lasting less than an hour or so. They normally occur during the daytime. The combination of quick results in visibilities and sudden slick conditions on roadways can often lead to high speed wrecks, pile ups, and subsequently injuries and fatalities. Snow squalls can often catch people off guard.
Why the Winter Weather Predictions are Always Wrong
Remember that Winter Storm that was supposed to deliver a foot of snow, but you only got a trace to an inch. For anyone following the weather, forecasts for big storms are sometimes still roller-coaster rides, with sudden shifts in track or intensity. Computer forecast models have become the mainstay of weather prediction across North America and many other parts of the world. Run on fast supercomputers, these sophisticated mathematical models of the atmosphere have gotten better over the past couple decades, but there are still some errors. It all comes down to this: Weather forecasters have many choices for predictive models. The art of forecasting is based on years of experience spent with each model, learning the unique biases and strengths of each. The National Weather Service and other forecasting outfits have made strides in better communicating forecast uncertainty, given the inherent spread in the models. But, according to many meteorologists it still often comes down to that gut feeling.