BLIZZARDS AND ICE STORMSJAMES CLAWSON

WHAT ARE THEY?

BLIZZARDS• The National Weather Service defines Blizzards as

severe snowstorms accompanied by strong sustained winds of 35 mph or greater, with visibility reduced to 400 yards or less due to drifting snow.

• In order to earn the title Blizzard the above effects must last three hours.

• It is not necessarily the amount of snow that determines a blizzard but the strength of the winds.

ICE STORMS• The National weather service defines an Ice

Storm as a storm that is the result of at least a quarter of an inch of ice on exposed surfaces.

• Theses storms are not violent, they commonly occur as gentle rains occurring at temperatures just below freezing. Its for this reason that many people may be unaware of the real danger when it happens.

HOW FREEZING RAIN OCCURS

• Precipitation occurs in freezing air and then hits a warm patch of air which then melts the frozen precipitation allowing it to hit the ground while in a liquid state.

• The liquid undergoes a process called super cooling once it reaches the surface of an exposed object that is below freezing allowing it just enough time to nearly drip and freeze before it does thus building up layers and layers of ice on objects such as power lines and tree branches which can end up collapsing under the extreme weight.

ICE STORM EFFECTS

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ice_storm.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tree_branch_after_ice_storm.JPG

ICE STORM EFFECTS

• As you can see, the effect of these non-violent storms that produce gentle rains that freeze over on objects can be devastating.

• The power lines in the pictures can be pulled down by the weight of the ice as well as tree branches which can also block roads or fall down on cars or buildings.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:A_street_in_Elora,_Ontario,_after_an_ice_storm,_early_1900s.jpg

ICE STORMS IN THE U.S.

• The North American ice storm of 1998 occurred during January 5 through the 9, in 1998. It was one of the most damaging and costly ice storms in North American history. The storm caused massive power failures in several large cities on the east coast of the United States. Whole trees snapped and electrical pylons were pulled down under the weight of the accumulated ice.

http://www.jungleredwriters.com/2012/10/frankenstorm11.html

BLIZZARDS

• While similar to ice storms, blizzards focus more on the strength of winds during a snowstorm.

• Wind speeds of 35 mph and up categorize a snowstorm as a blizzard, and 45 mph and up as a severe blizzard.

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/dmx/?n=dec20blizzard

BLIZZARD EFFECTS

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tochal_sport_complex_16.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Old_farm_at_Overtown_in_deep_snow_in_1963.jpg

BLIZZARD EFFECTS

• From these pictures we can “clearly” see that the heavy snowfall associated with high wind speeds reduces visibility greatly and will leave behind vast amounts of snow.

• With heavy amounts of snow, it is possible that trees, telephone poles, and even buildings can collapse or cave in.

• Heavy snow will also cover the roads and prevent travel whether it be airplanes or cars.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2087210/Seattle-weather-Worst-blizzard-nearly-30-years-heading-Northwest.html

BLIZZARDS IN THE U.S.

• Great blizzard of 1978, also called the Cleveland superbomb. It occurred in late January and was one of the worst snowstorms the Midwest has ever seen. Wind gusts approached 100 mph causing snowdrifts to reach heights of 25 ft in some areas making roadways impassable. About 70 deaths occurred during the storm.

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/01/clevelands_1978_blizzard.html

HOW TO PREPARE

THREE DAY SUPPLY OF:• Non-perishable foods and water• First aid supplies• Pet supplies (if applicable)• Batteries, flashlights, candles, heating

fuel• Clothing and blankets to keep you warm.

OTHER PREPARATIONS:• Prepare your vehicle for hazardous winter weather.• Stay indoors and restrict travel to emergencies only.• Storm-proof your home

• Cover windows with plastic sheeting to keep cold air out and close off all unnecessary rooms to concentrate heat.

• Know when to go to a shelter.• If your home loses power for an extended period, you

run out of supplies or the weather is extremely cold

SOURCES

• www.Weather.Com/encyclopedia/winter/blizzard.Html

• http://www.Weather.Com/encyclopedia/winter/ice.Html• www.wikipedia.com