Different Terms for Snow

2/23/2021 (Permalink)

Snowflakes are ice crystals that cling to each other as they fall. Precipitation continues to fall as snow when the temperature remains at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

Snow flurries is light snow for short periods that result in either no accumulation or a light dusting.

Snow showers vary in intensity for brief periods and have some accumulation.

Snowstorms produce a heavy accumulation of snow with high winds.

Blowing snow is wind-driven snow that causes drifting and reduces visibility. This type of snowstorm can either come from loose snow on the ground or falling snow.

Blizzards have sustained wind or frequent gusts of winds 35mph or higher. In order to be considered a blizzard, it also has to have blowing snow reducing visibility to under a quarter mile and/or heavy snowfall and continue for three consecutive hours.