What are blizzards, we know firsthand. Probably, each of us had a chance to get into a strong snowstorm in the winter. But it is one thing to feel a blizzard, and quite another to have a whole base of knowledge dedicated to this natural weather phenomenon. So, what are blizzards from the point of view of the concepts of meteorology and the Russian language? Let's take a closer look at the intricacies of this beautiful, but at the same time dangerous natural phenomenon.
Snowstorm. Definition
From a scientific point of view, a blizzard is called the transfer of snow masses over the surface of the earth through a powerful and gusty wind. This is a natural phenomenon characteristic of the winter season. There are snowstorms, general and low snowstorms. They appear in completely different ways:
- in the form of a light winter drift,
- in the form of snowstorms,
- in the form of drifts of snow.
Let's consider all three types in more detail.
Drying snow
What are snowstorms? This is the transfer of snow masses from the surface of the snow cover in layers not exceeding a height of 1-2 meters. Such a snowstorm does not at all lead to a noticeable deterioration in visibility on the roads, unless, of course, there are other atmospheric phenomena (haze, snowfall), and its horizontal visibility at a height of 2 meters is from 10 kilometers and further.
Drying can be observed not only during snowfall, but also in cloudy weather. This phenomenon usually occurs under the condition of dry and non-sticky snow cover. A prerequisite is a wind speed of 5 to 6 meters per second and more powerful.
General blizzard
What are general blizzards, or general blizzards? From the point of view of meteorology, such phenomena are accompanied by an intensive transport of snow by means of wind in the so-called surface layer of the atmosphere. They are quite developed vertically, which causes significant difficulties in determining the state of the sky.
The fact is that the shape and number of clouds cannot be determined during a general blizzard, it is not possible to establish whether snow falls from them. A snowstorm of a general nature can only carry snow lifted by the wind from the earth's surface, or it can turn into a so-called blizzard, scattering snow masses that come directly from the clouds over the expanses.
Blowing Snow
This type of blizzard is characterized by the transfer of snow from the earth's snow surface in layers several meters high with a noticeable deterioration in visibility. Usually snow rises from the ground to a height of up to 2 meters. During this weather event, vertical visibility is usually quite good. The condition of the sky is adequately defined.
Like a blowing snow, blowing snow can occur both in cloudy and clear weather, and in snowfalls. But if we compare it with a general blizzard, then a blowing blizzard only lifts snow from the ground and never scatters snow masses coming from the clouds around. By the way, sometimes people call it a white blizzard.
What is a blizzard?
Above we have considered the main three types of this weather phenomenon. But that is not all! Some meteorologists characterize the concept of "blizzard" as the transfer of snow that falls from the clouds, but has not yet had time to touch the surface of the earth. This allows them to additionally highlight the so-called crown blizzard.
In their opinion, it is characterized by snowfall in the wind, during which snowflakes fly along with passing or oncoming air currents until the very moment they touch the snow cover. As soon as they touch him, they will remain motionless. However, many weather stations (including the Hydrometeorological Center of Russia) do not recognize the crown blizzard as an independent species.
What else do we need to know about snowstorms?
Probably, we all remember the wonderful song, first performed by Alla Borisovna Pugacheva, called "Again a snowstorm …". Ah, if this weather phenomenon were as metaphorical and romantic as it is sung in this song… But, unfortunately, in most cases, snowstorms that occur in some regions of our country (for example, in Siberia) cause real problems for residents.
Sometimes they can manifest themselves in the most diverse and even sophisticated manifestations: it can be snowstorms, snowdrifts, blizzards, steppe blizzards, etc. For a person, snow masses moving in a horizontal direction are considered the most dangerous: they make breathing difficult, movement and noticeably reduce visibility.
A blizzard and a blizzard are they the same thing?
Not really. Let's repeat again: a blizzard is the transfer of snow over the ground through a powerful and gusty wind. In this case, the snow usually moves in one direction. A blizzard is somewhat different from a blizzard. A blizzard is a snowstorm accompanied by a powerful wind that carries snow masses through the air in different directions.
If you rely on many dictionaries of the Russian language, then both of these concepts are synonymous. But this is only in terms of definition. In fact, both of these natural phenomena have nothing in common. A blizzard cannot even be called a kind of blizzard, since it is a completely independent phenomenon. It is worth noting that officially it is customary to use the term "blizzard" for both cases. "Blizzard" is, rather, a popular name for this phenomenon, sung in prose and poetry, rather than a meteorological one.
