Blowing snow is snow lifted by strong wind, making it hard to see and travel. It’s a common winter hazard that can create dangerous whiteout conditions on roads and in open areas.
You’ve seen it before. The wind picks up and snow starts moving sideways. It’s not falling from the sky anymore. It’s moving across the ground like a ghost.
This is what we call blowing snow. It’s different from regular snowfall. The wind is the boss here, not gravity.
I’ve driven through it many times. It’s scary when you can’t see the road ahead. Knowing what it is helps you stay safe.
What is Blowing Snow Exactly?
Let’s break it down simply. Blowing snow is loose snow on the ground. The wind picks it up and carries it.
The snow isn’t fresh from the clouds. It’s old snow getting a second life from the wind. This is what is blowing snow at its core.
Think of it like sand in a desert storm. The sand was already on the ground. The wind just makes it fly.
It’s the same with snow. The wind speed needs to be strong. Usually over 15 miles per hour does the trick.
This weather event can happen day or night. It doesn’t need new snow to fall. That’s a key point about what is blowing snow.
According to the National Weather Service, it’s a major winter travel hazard. They issue special warnings for it.
How Blowing Snow Forms
It starts with snow on the ground. The snow needs to be loose and dry. Wet, heavy snow doesn’t blow as well.
Then you need wind. Strong, steady wind works best. Gusty wind can work too, but it’s less constant.
The wind hits the snow surface. It breaks up the top layer of crystals. These tiny pieces become airborne.
Now you have what is blowing snow in action. The wind carries these particles horizontally. They can travel for miles.
Open fields and plains are perfect for this. There’s nothing to block the wind. The snow just keeps moving.
Mountains can create it too. Wind funnels through valleys and passes. It picks up any loose snow it finds.
The NOAA studies these events closely. They help us understand the risks better.
Blowing Snow vs. Regular Snowfall
This is important to know. They look similar but act very different. Your safety depends on knowing which is which.
Regular snow falls from clouds. It comes straight down or at a slight angle. The wind might push it a bit.
What is blowing snow then? It moves mostly sideways. It comes from the ground, not the sky.
Visibility is the big difference. With falling snow, you can often see a few hundred feet. With blowing snow, you might see only a few feet.
Driving in falling snow is tricky. Driving in blowing snow is often impossible. I’ve had to pull over and wait it out.
The snow depth changes too. Falling snow adds to the total on the ground. Blowing snow just moves it from one spot to another.
One area gets deeper. Another area gets bare ground. This is called snow drifting, which is part of what is blowing snow.
The Dangers of Blowing Snow
This stuff is no joke. It creates what we call whiteout conditions. Everything turns white and you lose all depth perception.
You can’t see the road. You can’t see other cars. You can’t even see where the sky meets the ground.
This is what is blowing snow at its worst. It’s like driving inside a milk bottle. Everything looks the same.
Drifts form across roads quickly. One minute the road is clear. The next minute there’s a three-foot wall of snow.
These drifts can trap your car. I’ve seen trucks get stuck in them. You need a shovel or a tow to get out.
Frostbite risk goes up too. The wind chill gets extreme. Exposed skin can freeze in minutes.
The CDC warns about cold weather dangers. They say to limit time outside during these events.
How Meteorologists Measure It
Weather folks have specific terms for this. They don’t just say “it’s windy with snow.” They use precise language.
“Blowing snow” means snow lifted to eye level. That’s about six feet off the ground. It reduces visibility a lot.
“Drifting snow” is a related term. This is snow moved by wind but staying low. It doesn’t get up to eye level.
A “ground blizzard” is the worst version. This is what is blowing snow on steroids. Old snow gets whipped up by huge winds.
No new snow falls during a ground blizzard. But you get whiteout conditions anyway. It’s all coming from the ground.
They measure visibility in miles or feet. Less than a quarter mile visibility is a problem. That’s when warnings get issued.
The National Weather Service has clear guidelines. They tell us when to stay off the roads.
Where Blowing Snow Happens Most
Some places get it worse than others. Flat, open areas are the prime spots. There’s nothing to slow the wind down.
The Great Plains in the US are famous for it. North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska see it often. So do parts of Montana and Wyoming.
Canada’s prairies get it bad too. Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba know what is blowing snow all too well. Their winters are long and windy.
Mountain passes are another hotspot. Wind gets squeezed between peaks. It speeds up and picks up any loose snow.
Even coastal areas can get it. Cold wind blows over snowy land and out to sea. This creates what is blowing snow over beaches and cliffs.
Basically, anywhere with snow and wind can have it. But some landscapes make it much more common. And much more dangerous.
Research from the U.S. Geological Survey shows changing patterns. Climate change might affect where it happens most.
How to Stay Safe in Blowing Snow
If you can, stay home. That’s the best advice I can give. Wait until the wind dies down.
You must travel? Check the forecast first. Listen for warnings about what is blowing snow in your area.
Tell someone your route and arrival time. If you get stuck, they’ll know where to look. This is a simple safety step.
Pack a winter survival kit in your car. Include blankets, food, water, and a flashlight. A small shovel can help dig out of drifts.
If you get caught in it while driving, slow down. Use your low beam headlights. High beams just reflect off the snow and make it worse.
Don’t stop on the road shoulder. Someone might hit you from behind. Find a parking lot or rest area if you need to stop.
Run the engine for heat only if the tailpipe is clear. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a real risk. Crack a window for fresh air.
The Science Behind the Phenomenon
It’s all about physics and snow crystals. Dry snow has tiny, intricate shapes. These shapes don’t pack together tightly.
Wind energy breaks the bonds between crystals. Once free, they’re light enough to lift. This process is what is blowing snow in scientific terms.
The wind speed needed is called the threshold friction velocity. That’s a fancy way of saying “how fast the wind must blow to pick up snow.”
For fresh, dry snow, it’s about 11-13 miles per hour. For older, crustier snow, it takes more wind. Maybe 20-25 miles per hour.
The snow travels in jumps near the ground. Scientists call this “saltation.” It’s like the snow is hopping along.
Higher up, the snow can go into full suspension. It becomes part of the air itself. This creates the worst visibility problems.
Studies from the National Science Foundation fund this research. They want to improve forecasting and safety.
Blowing Snow and Climate
This isn’t just a winter nuisance. It plays a role in the bigger climate picture. It moves water around in solid form.
Snow is a fresh water resource. Where it ends up matters for spring runoff. What is blowing snow does is redistribute that resource.
It can pile snow into deep drifts. These drifts melt slower in spring. They provide water later in the season.
Areas that lose snow to wind become drier. Plants and animals feel this effect. The whole local ecosystem adjusts.
In polar regions, it’s a huge factor. It shapes the landscape of Antarctica and Greenland. Vast snow dunes form, just like sand dunes in deserts.
Scientists track these events with satellites. They see how patterns change from year to year. It’s one piece of the climate puzzle.
The NASA Climate Center monitors global snow cover. Blowing snow is part of their data collection.
Historical Blowing Snow Events
History has some famous examples. These storms show the raw power of wind and snow.
The “Children’s Blizzard” of 1888 was tragic. It hit the US plains on a relatively warm day. Kids walked home from school without coats.
Then the temperature plummeted and the wind roared. What is blowing snow became a killer. Many people got lost and froze just feet from safety.
The “Great Blizzard of 1977” hit the eastern US. Buffalo, New York, got buried. But the snow wasn’t all new fall.
Strong winds blew snow from Lake Erie onto the land. This is a classic lake-effect blowing snow event. Drifts reached up to 30 feet high.
More recently, the “Snowmageddon” of 2010 had blowing snow. High winds followed a huge snowfall in Washington D.C. It crippled the city for a week.
Each event teaches us something new. We learn better ways to warn people. We improve how we clear roads and restore power.
Records from the National Weather Service archive these storms. They help us prepare for the next one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is blowing snow in simple terms?
It’s snow that the wind picks up off the ground. It moves sideways instead of falling down. This makes it very hard to see through.
How is blowing snow different from a snowstorm?
A snowstorm has new snow falling from clouds. Blowing snow uses old snow already on the ground. The wind is the main actor, not the clouds.
Can blowing snow happen without new snowfall?
Yes, that’s very common. A sunny day with strong wind can create it. All you need is loose snow on the ground and enough wind.
What wind speed causes blowing snow?
Usually winds over 15-20 miles per hour will do it. For light, dry snow, it can start at lower speeds. The drier the snow, the easier it blows.
Why is blowing snow so dangerous for drivers?
It creates whiteout conditions. You
