BLiZzaRdS

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BLiZzaRdS
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WhaT iS a BLiZzaRd?

• A blizzard is one of natures most exciting
  events. Severe winter storms that pack a
  combination of high winds and blowing snow that
  result in low visibility are known as blizzards.
  A blizzard is also defined as large amounts of
  falling or blowing winds. These winds usually
  attain speeds of up to 35 mph or greater for at
  least 3 consecutive hours. A severe blizzard is
  considered to have temperatures near or below
  10F, winds exceeding 45 mph, and visibility
  reduced by snow.

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HoW dOes a BLiZzarD fOrm?

• Blizzards are formed when strong winds pick up
  snow that has already fallen on the ground.
  However, a snowfall doesnt have to occur in
  order for a blizzard to happen. Heavy snow falls
  and severe cold can often accompany blizzards,
  yet blizzards can occur with only the snow that
  has already fallen. A blizzard occurs when a cold
  air mass moves out of the Arctic into the
  Temperate Zone. The advancing heavy, cold air
  forces the warmer, moist air to rise along the
  boundary between the two air masses. This
  boundary is called a cold front.

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In wHicH aRea oF tHe woRLd aRe BLiZzaRds
mOsT cOmMoN?

• Blizzards occur in mostly eastern and central
  Canada, the Great plains of the United States and
  in various parts of Russia. Blizzards usually
  occur in places near the North and South Poles
  where water vapour is able to crystallize because
  of the temperatures being able to cool to below
  Oº C.

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WhEre ArE BLizZarDs LeaSt LiKeLy To OcCuR?

• Blizzards are least likely to occur in warmer
  climates closer to the equator because these
  places are least likely to produce snow. This is
  because if it is warm, the vapour will not be
  able to crystallize and the snow is unable to
  form in these humid temperatures.

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HaVe ThEre BeEn SuCh EvEntS iN OuR ArEa?

• There have been many blizzards in Windsors
  history over the years. Fortunately, none have
  been totally ravaging enough to cause extensive
  disturbance. In fact, since we are so close to
  the great lakes, we arent so much affected by
  such an event. The water surrounding us keeps our
  climate temperate.
• However, just last January, we were hit by a
  devastating storm in which caused schools across
  Windsor and Essex Country to close along with
  people being unable to attend work places. This
  was such a shock to our city, which concludes
  that this doesnt happen very often.

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ReCenT SaMpLes Of OcCuRreNceS AcrOsS ThE wOrLd

• March 1214, 1993- eastern U.S.Super storm
  paralyzed the eastern seaboard, causing the
  deaths of some 270 people. Record snowfalls in
  which high winds caused 36 billion in damage.
• Jan. 68, 1996-eastern U.S. heavy snow paralyzed
  the Appalachians, the mid-Atlantic, and the
  Northeast. 187 were killed in the blizzard.
  Damages reached 3 billion dollars
• Aug 22, 1996- Himalayas, India 230 people died
  due to heavy snowfall

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ThE PoTenTiaL Of BLizZarDs fOr DesTrucTiOn

• Blizzards can create life-threatening
  conditions. Traveling by automobile can become
  difficult or even impossible due to "whiteout"
  conditions and drifting snow. Whiteout conditions
  occur most often with major storms that produce a
  drier, more powdery snow. In this situation, it
  doesn't even need to be snowing to produce
  whiteout conditions, as the snow which is already
  on the ground is blown around, reducing the
  visibility to near zero at times.The strong winds
  and cold temperatures accompanying blizzards can
  combine to create another danger. The wind chill
  factor is the amount of cooling one "feels" due
  to the combination of wind and temperature.
  During blizzards, with the combination of cold
  temperatures and strong winds, very low wind
  chill values can occur.

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• It is not uncommon in the Midwest to have
  wind chills below -60F during blizzard
  conditions. Exposure to such low wind chill
  values can result in frostbite or hypothermia.
  Blizzards also can cause a variety of other
  problems. Power outages can occur due to strong
  winds and heavy snow. Pipes can freeze and
  regular fuel sources may be cut off.

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ThE FreQueNcy Of a BLizZarDs OcCuRreNcE

• Blizzards occur at any time of the year when
  the temperature is right (below 0ºC.) Blizzards
  usually occur from November to April in our
  climatic zone. However, in colder climates,
  blizzards can occur at any time of the year.

NOVEMBER
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APRiL
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FacTorS Of WeaTher ThaT InTeraCt To PrOduCe sucH
an EveNt

• Cold Climate near and around various land forms
  (Temperatures at approx. 35ºC)
• Snow falling, or that has already on the ground
• Winds around 35 MPH that lift the snow
• Moisture (Depending on location)

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OthEr ExCiTinG anD InTerEsTinG FaCts

• Winter Deaths!
• Recent observations indicate the following
• Related to ice and snow
• About 70 occur in automobiles
• About 25 are people caught out in the storm
• Majority are males over 40 years old
• Related to exposure to cold
• 50 are people over 60 years old
• Over 75 are males
• About 20 occur in the home

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ThE EnD!!
Submitted To Mr. J Halpin Submitted By Ainsley
Siddall, Bobb-ay Janisse, Nicole Smtih April 10th
2003