Science Common Sense
928 - What are blizzards, and how do they form?
A blizzard is a severe snowstorm with strong, cold winds. To form a blizzard, three things need to happen:
- Cold air: There needs to be very cold air in the atmosphere. This cold air comes from the Arctic or Antarctica.
- Moisture: There needs to be moisture in the air, like from oceans or lakes. The moisture rises into the air and turns into clouds.
- Wind: Strong winds need to be present to blow the snow around and make it hard to see.
When these three things come together, a blizzard can form. The strong winds blow the snow into huge drifts, making it hard to travel, and the cold air makes it really uncomfortable outside.
Imagine a big mix of cold air, moisture, and strong winds – that's how a blizzard forms!