BlizzardsTan2

Blizzards
Nate G. and Brian P.



Introduction Blizzards are powerful snow storms defined by their strong winds, freezing temperatures, and decreased visibility[2]. Oftentimes deadly, blizzards can cause travel to grind to a halt, trapping people on dangerous icy roads in subzero temperatures]. In poorly heated homes water pipes can burst or become frozen, cutting off water[1]. Economic damage to both cities and rural areas can be heavy, making winters an expensive affair[1]. Ultimately however, two conditions separate a blizzard from more mild snow storms: winds of 35mph or greater, and visibility of less than 1/4 of a mile for a period of time greater than three hours. And of course, blizzards are accompanied by frigid temperatures, below freezing, and heavy snowfall[2]. Interestingly however, they do not need to have falling snow to obscure vision and thus receive their designation as blizzards; if winds are very strong, previously fallen snow can be blown around fast enough, and long enough, to act like a heavy sheet of falling snow, blocking vision and stopping traffic.



Dangers

There are a number of dangers associated with blizzards, some of which are personal, and others economic. When one is caught outside during a blizzard, there are two main dangers; hypothermia and frostbite[1]. Frostbite is permanent nerve damage caused by the cold, and is evident by paleness of extremities and loss of sensation in that body part[1,7]. Hypothermia is perhaps the more dangerous of the two however, as it is the chilling of the entire body, and can cause disorientation, loss of memory and can cause drowsiness or exhaustion[1]. If hypothermia sets in, one might not survive, as the disorientation coupled with sleepiness makes it impossible to continue traveling towards shelter. Both of these dangers are caused by the wind chill a blizzard creates. Winds make low temperatures seem colder than they really are, blasting people with freezing air. Danger to property can also be severe, as on farms livestock caught outside will perish in the cold[5]. Plants wither and die, unaccustomed to the low temperatures, causing farms to lose entire crops[1,7]. Driving can become a perilous type of travel as roads become icy, and snow piles up. Cars either cannot force their way through the thick snow, or slip on the ice, losing control, possibly colliding with other cars or objects.





Conditions of Formation A number of conditions are required for a blizzard to form. The first condition is warm rising air, which forms clouds[4]. The clouds in turn must contain water vapor, to create the precipitation required of a snow storm: snow[3]. Another requirement of a blizzard is cold temperatures throughout the atmosphere; it must be cold at the clouds, so that the snow will form, but also it must be cold at the ground, so that the snow will remain snow and not change forms to become another type of precipitation; rain for example[4]. Lastly, a region of high atmospheric pressure must interact with an area of low atmospheric pressure, creating the powerful winds needed for the designation of blizzard[3]. This would be shown on a weather map as very close isobars, meaning that the pressure gradient would be high, creating powerful winds[2]. Oftentimes these storms will form on the side of another storm, as the cyclone, an area of low pressure, interacts with the higher pressure areas around it[2]. Blizzards can be extremely powerful when they are formed near water, creating "lakesnow storms", as the water from the surface evaporates, adding to the water vapor in the air[4]. As the air is extremely cold, it cannot hold much water vapor, causing most of it to become precipitation.

Historical Examples The blizzard of 1978 was one of the most dangerous and memorable blizzards of all time. The conditions that caused such a blizzard related to the fact that there was a 984Mb pressure center that came into contact with a 1054MB pressure center[5]. These conditions caused winds up to 100 mph. The powerful storm paralyzed much of New England, trapping cars and other vehicles under snow; when clean up began, 3,500 cars were found abandoned under the snow[8]. Several deaths occurred because people did not leave their cars, and as the exhaust pipe became blocked by snow they died from asphyxiation[5]. Unlike most storms of the type, the blizzard of 1978 snowed for 36 hours, at a rate of 4 inches per hour[5]. Drifts of up to 15 feet could be found[8], which blocked and covered homes and other buildings. Along the coast 1,700 houses incurred heavy damage, costing the fed over $200,000,000[5].

Safety ====One must know the correct safety precautions to take during a blizzard or face serious consequences or even death. If at home when a blizzard strikes it is smart to avoid travel and stay indoors if possible[7]. It is common that their are power shortages during blizzards because of telephone wires being blown down by the winds, so be prepared and make a fire or turn on a stove[7]. If none of these things are options then you should try to insulate the room, which means to trap the heat in by stuffing a rag underneath cracks of the doorways to make sure no heat escapes[7]. Assume that stores will be closed so try to prepare for a blizzard by stocking up on food and water because pipes can freeze during blizzards[7]. Eat and drink a lot during a blizzard because eating gives you more energy and insulates body heat. If traveling be careful because roads are very hazardous to drive on during a blizzard. During a blizzard the roads are icy and their is almost no visibility[1]. The highest percentage of car crashes occur during blizzards[7]. Also don't travel alone and dress like you could be walking during a blizzard because your car can break down or if it is really serious people will leave their cars and then you will be stranded[7]. When traveling during a blizzard check your exhaust pipe every hour because it is possible to die from carbon monoxide poisoning if your exhaust pipe has snow covering it[7]. If caught outside in a blizzard it is important to stay dry and find shelter quick[1]. If their is no shelter available then be prepared to make a fire or build a snow cave[1]. Building a snow cave insulates the heat and shields you from the wind, remember this should be a last resort idea because it uses up your energy and takes 2 to 6 hours to make depending on the conditions and without a change of cloths because you get while building one it would just make you colder.[1]====



=Additional Links=

For more Historical blizzards try
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For how to survive blizzards try

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Sources

1) unknown. "Blizzards".U.S Search and Rescue Task Force., Date of Publication unknown. September 20, 2010 web [] 2) "Weather.com - Storm Encyclopedia Blizzards." National and Local Weather Forecast, Hurricane, Radar and Report. No date of Publication Web. 22 Nov. 2010. <[] l>.

3) Unknown. "How do Blizzards Form". Tech Community., No date of Publication. Web 20 Nov. 2010. []

4)Author Unknown. "Dangerous Weather." NCAR Education & Outreach Homepage. no date of publication Web. 23 Nov. 2010. <[]>.

5)Unknown. "78blizzard." Home weather station. no date of publication Web. 29 Nov. 2010. <[]>.

6)unknown. "Blizzards" Think Quest library. no date of publication web Novemver 16 2010. []

7)Unknown. "Blizzard Safety." Windows to the Universe. no date of publication Web. 25 Nov. 2010. <[]>.

8)Unknown. "Blizzard of 1978: Encyclopedia II - Blizzard of 1978 - Conditions." Enlightenment - The Experience Festival. Web. 30 Nov. 2010. <[]>.

9)Unknown. "Snow Shelter for Winter Camping." Stock Photos. Web. 30 Dec. 2010. <[]>.

10)Unknown. "Blizzard of 1996." Web. 30 Nov. 2010. <[]>.

11)Unknown. "A Look Back at the Blizzard of 1978." //Boston.com//. Web. 30 Nov. 2010. <[]>.

12) "Storms and Other Natural Disasters in Hampton's History." Lane Memorial Library. Web. 30 Nov. 2010. <[]>.