Hurricanes and tornadoes can be some of the fiercest and feared weather Mother Nature can produce. However, winter can bring its own peril, the blizzard.

When someone says “blizzard,” you might think of a thick ice shake from Dairy Queen – we are partial to Oreo cookie mix-ins— or a major winter menace producing snow that causes travel headaches and closes schools for days.

So, what exactly is a blizzard, winter’s troublemaker?

Surprisingly, a blizzard isn’t defined by its snowfall potential, but by its wind. A winter storm is considered a blizzard when sustained or frequent wind gusts exceed 35 mph for more than 3 hours and visibility is reduced to less than ½ mile due to blowing or falling snow.

Specific snowfall accumulations are not mentioned in the blizzard criteria; however, significant snow accumulations are likely during a blizzard. Additionally, the high winds can cause snow to drift, causing major snowdrifts along buildings and across major roadways, especially in rural and flat areas of the central U.S. where blizzards are common.

Travelers should heed blizzard warnings and avoid being out in one. Drivers can easily become disoriented by the low visibility and roads can quickly become slick, snow-covered, and impassable.

If you are driving during the winter months, a winter survival kit should be in your vehicle. This kit should contain warm, preferably synthetic blankets, chemical foot and hand warmers, high-energy food like granola or protein bars, water, flares, jumper cables, snow shovel, traction material like cat litter or sand, a snow scraper, and a first aid kit.

Stay safe and be sure to check out the WeatherRadar and WindRadar Maps for the latest wintry conditions in your area.