Watch vs warning › Blizzard warning
National Weather Service alert guide
Blizzard warning
A blizzard warning is about wind and visibility, not snow totals. It means frequent gusts of 35 mph or greater with falling or blowing snow will cut visibility to less than a quarter mile for three hours or more.
Check for active alerts in your area above. If a blizzard warning is issued: do not travel. People die in blizzards after getting stuck on roads they thought they could make.
What the National Weather Service says
Blizzard Warning
Frequent gusts greater than or equal to 35 mph accompanied by falling and/or blowing snow, frequently reducing visibility to less than 1/4 mile for three hours or more.
- Issued by
- Your local National Weather Service forecast office.
- How long it lasts
- The conditions above must be expected to last three hours or more. The alert itself carries its expiration time.
Winter Storm Watch
Issued when conditions are favorable for a significant winter storm event (heavy sleet, heavy snow, ice storm, heavy snow and blowing snow or a combination of events).
- Issued by
- Your local National Weather Service forecast office.
- How long it lasts
- A Winter Storm Watch is issued when there is the potential for significant and hazardous winter weather within 48 hours.
Snowfall amount is not part of the blizzard definition. A blizzard can happen with snow that is already on the ground, blown around by wind.
The National Weather Service winter safety page defines the Blizzard Warning. It does not define a separate blizzard watch. If blizzard conditions are possible but not certain, the alert you are most likely to see first is a Winter Storm Watch, which covers heavy snow and blowing snow.
The 48 hour figure for a watch comes from the National Weather Service office in Baltimore and Washington, cited at the end of this page.
What to do
If a winter storm watch is issued and blizzard conditions are possible
- Cancel or move any travel you can.
- Fill your gas tank and pick up food, water, and medicine now.
- Charge every phone and battery pack.
- Get out flashlights and check your weather radio batteries.
- Work out how you would stay warm if the power went out.
- Check on neighbors who would struggle without heat.
If a blizzard warning is issued — do this in the next hour
- Do not travel. Call and cancel any trip now.
- If you are already driving and conditions are bad, pull off the road to a safe place. Do not try to reach your destination.
- If you are stranded in a vehicle, stay in the vehicle. See the steps below.
- At home, stay inside and stay warm.
- Never run a generator, a grill, or a camp stove indoors or in a garage.
- When using heat from a fire place, wood stove, or space heater, use fire safeguards and properly ventilate.
- Check on older neighbors and anyone without reliable heat.
Common questions
What is the difference between a blizzard watch and a blizzard warning?
The current NWS winter alert guide uses Winter Storm Watch when significant winter weather is possible, including heavy snow and blowing snow. A Blizzard Warning means blizzard conditions are expected or occurring. Prepare during a watch. During a blizzard warning, avoid travel and follow your local NWS instructions.
Source: www.weather.gov/safety/winter-wwWhat makes a storm a blizzard?
Wind and visibility, not snow depth. A Blizzard Warning requires frequent gusts of 35 mph or greater with falling or blowing snow, frequently reducing visibility to less than a quarter mile, for three hours or more. A storm can drop a foot of snow and never be a blizzard, and a blizzard can happen with no new snow falling at all.
Source: www.weather.gov/safety/winter-wwIs a blizzard warning worse than a winter storm warning?
They describe different hazards. A Winter Storm Warning covers significant winter weather that can make travel difficult or impossible. A Blizzard Warning specifically concerns strong winds and blowing snow that severely reduce visibility. Both can be dangerous. Read the actual alert and follow local instructions.
Source: www.weather.gov/safety/winter-wwWhat do I do if I am stranded in my car during a blizzard?
Stay in the vehicle. If you leave it you will become disoriented quickly in wind driven snow and cold. Tie a bright colored cloth, preferably red, to your antenna or door, and run the motor about 10 minutes each hour for heat. Clear snow from the exhaust pipe first to avoid gas poisoning, and open the window a little while the motor runs.
Source: www.weather.gov/safety/winter-duringIf you are stranded in your vehicle
- Stay in the vehicle. If you leave your vehicle, you will become disoriented quickly in wind driven snow and cold.
- Tie a bright colored cloth, preferably red, to your antenna or door.
- After snow stops falling, raise the hood to indicate you need help.
- Run the motor about 10 minutes each hour for heat.
- Clear snow from the exhaust pipe to avoid gas poisoning. Do this before you run the motor, every time.
- While running the motor, open the window a little for fresh air to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Keep moving your arms and legs to keep blood flowing.
How a blizzard warning reaches you
Blizzard Warnings are not on the National Weather Service list of alerts sent to cell phones as Wireless Emergency Alerts. Do not expect your phone to buzz for one.
Snow Squall Warnings are on that list. A snow squall is a short, violent burst of snow and wind that drops visibility to near zero on the road within minutes. It is a different alert from a blizzard warning.
Source: www.weather.gov/wrn/weaHow a blizzard warning reaches you when the power is out
NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards broadcasts official Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, directly from the nearest National Weather Service office.
A battery powered weather radio is the one that keeps working through a blizzard. Buy it before winter, not during a warning.
Source: www.weather.gov/nwrSources
Get alerts when the power is out
A NOAA weather radio with backup power provides another way to receive official alerts. It needs a working transmitter, reception, power and the correct alert settings. Compare home alert radios and portable emergency radios.