Blizzard is one of the atmospheric natural disasters faced by many people in different parts of the world. Out of the many natural disasters that take place on earth, a blizzard is one of the natural disasters which usually take place in the winter season. This article will shed more light on blizzards.
Blizzard – Meaning, Size
A blizzard is a severe snowstorm characterised by low visibility and strong sustained winds lasting for a very long period of time usually around three or four hours. A weather condition where there is no snow but loose snow on the ground is lifted and blown by strong winds is known as a ground blizzard.
The size of blizzards is so massive that it spreads over a distance of hundreds of kilometres or even thousands of kilometres.
Blizzard – Effect, Season, Location of Occurrence
- The effect of the blizzard is that it creates dangerous conditions for travellers.
- Due to the blizzard, there will be massive power outages.
- Blizzards are usually found in high mountains, polar regions, and temperate regions.
Different Countries – Definition of Blizzard, Difference between Blizzard and Snowstorm
“Violent and very cold wind which is laden with snow, some part, at least, of which has been raised from the snow-covered ground.” is the definition of a blizzard as per the Australia Bureau of Meteorology.
“A blizzard is a storm with wind speeds exceeding 40 km/h (25 mph) accompanied by the visibility of 400 metres (0.25 mi) or less, resulting from snowfall, blowing snow, or a combination of the two” is the definition of blizzard as per Environment Canada.
As per the National Weather Service of the United States, the difference between a snowstorm and a blizzard is not the amount of snow but the strength of the wind. The National Weather Service defines a blizzard as “a severe snowstorm characterised by strong winds causing blowing snow that results in low visibilities.”
Classification of Natural Disasters
The 4 main classifications of natural disasters are:
- Atmospheric
- Terrestrial
- Aquatic
- Biological
Atmospheric – Natural Disasters
The different types of atmospheric natural disasters are:
- Blizzards
- Tornadoes
- Tropical Cyclones
- Droughts
- Hailstorms
- Heatwave
- Coldwave
Terrestrial – Natural Disasters
The different types of terrestrial natural disasters are:
- Earthquakes
- Avalanches
- Landslides
- Soil Erosion
- Volcanic Eruptions
Aquatic – Natural Disasters
The different types of aquatic natural disasters are:
- Floods
- Tsunami
- Tidal Waves
- Ocean Currents
- Storm Surge
Biological – Natural Disasters
The different types of biological natural disasters are:
- Viral, fungal, bacterial diseases.
- Animals and plants as colonisers (locusts, etc.).
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