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<p><font face="Arial" size="4">Ryan's Weather Disasters-Blizzards </font></p>
<p><font size="3" face="Arial">*Following Information From: <a href="http://www.weather.com">Weather.com</a></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="3"><b>Blizzards</b><br>
Blizzards are characterized by low temperatures (usually below 20°F) and
accompanied by winds that are at least 35 mph or greater, there must also be
sufficient falling and/or <a href="http://www.weather.com/glossary/b.html#blsn">blowing
snow</a> in the air that will frequently reduce visibility to 1/4 mile or less
for a duration of at least 3 hours.</font>
<p><font face="Arial" size="3">A severe blizzard is considered to have
temperatures near or below 10°F, winds exceeding 45 mph, and visibility reduced
by snow to near zero.</font>
<p><font face="Arial" size="3">Blizzard conditions often develop on the
northwest side of an intense storm system The difference between the lower
pressure in the storm and the higher pressure to the west creates a tight
pressure gradient, which in turn results in very strong winds.</font>
<p><font face="Arial" size="3">These winds combine with snow and blowing snow to
produce extreme conditions. Storm systems powerful enough to cause blizzards
usually form when the <a href="http://www.weather.com/encyclopedia/winter/jet.html">jet
stream</a> dips far to the south, allowing cold air from the north to clash with
warm air from the south.</font>
<p><font face="Arial" size="3">With the colder and drier polar air comes
atmospheric temperatures cold enough for the development of <a href="http://www.weather.com/encyclopedia/winter/precip.html#snow">snow</a>,
<a href="http://www.weather.com/encyclopedia/winter/precip.html#sleet">sleet</a>,
or <a href="http://www.weather.com/encyclopedia/winter/precip.html#frzra">freezing
rain</a>.</font>
<p><font face="Arial" size="3">The Dakotas and parts of Minnesota were pounded
by a succession of blizzards in the winter of 1996-1997. With few trees or other
obstructions to reduce wind and blowing snow, this part of the country is
particularly vulnerable to blizzards.</font>
<p><font face="Arial" size="3">A continuation of the broad central plains that
run from the Gulf of Mexico into Canada, this area often experiences severe
blizzard conditions, with <a href="http://www.weather.com/encyclopedia/charts/wind_chill.html">wind
chills</a> of 40°F below or more and whiteout conditions.</font>
<p><font face="Arial" size="3">Another scenario occurs when a <a href="http://www.weather.com/glossary/c.html#coldlow">cold
core low</a> over the Hudson Bay area is displaced southward over southeastern
Canada, the Great Lakes, and New England. As rapidly moving short waves, or
areas of upward vertical motion and energy, move around the low, they collide
with warmer air coming north from the Gulf of Mexico. This produces strong
surface winds, lots of <a href="http://www.weather.com/glossary/c.html#coldadvect">cold
air advection</a>, and extensive wintry precipitation.</font>
<p><font face="Arial" size="3">In the southern central Great Plains, rapidly
intensifying low pressure systems moving out of the Rocky Mountains can cause
heavy snows and strong winds to the north, while to the south and east are
thunderstorms and rain.</font>
<p><font face="Arial" size="3">When cold, moist air from the Pacific Ocean makes
it over the Rockies and into the Plains and warmer, moist air moves north from
the Gulf of Mexico, all that is needed is a cold closed low aloft and a strong
polar jet for potential blizzard conditions that may extend from the panhandle
of Texas to the Great Lakes.</font></p>
<p><font size="3" face="Arial">-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</font></p>
<p><font size="3" face="Arial">Following Information From: <a href="http://weathereye.kgan.com/expert/blizzard/wnstorms.html">Blizzard
Attack: Winter Storm</a></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="3"><b>Blizzards: The Worst Winter Storms</b> <br>
A blizzard is a storm which contains heavy snowfall, strong winds, and cold
temperatures. The combination of these elements creates blinding snow with
near zero visibility, deep drifts, and life-threatening wind chill values. <br>
<br>
Persons should never venture out in blizzards, nor should they continue to
travel if a storm is upgraded to a blizzard. You should seek shelter, <u>any
safe shelter</u>, immediately. A safe shelter is a public place such as a
motel or restaurant if you are on the road, or your home, school, or business if
you are already there. <br>
<br>
In a blizzard, winds are 35 mph or greater and visibility is reduced to less
than 1/4 mile by falling snow and blowing snow. </font><br>
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