Blizzards!

Blizzards!

The Great White Hurricane On a March Sunday in 1888, it began to rain in New York. The temperature dropped quickly as night fell. The rain turned to ice, then to snow. On Monday, people woke to howling winds. Snow piled high in the streets. The “ Great White Hurricane" lasted three long days. The storm buried the northeastern United States.

When it was over, more than four hundred people had died. The storm caused millions of dollars in damage. It would be summer before the last of the snow would melt. The Blizzard of 1888 was one of the worst storms in history.

Extreme Storms Three things turn a snowstorm into a blizzard--strong winds, blinding snow, and freezing cold. In a blizzard, winds blow at speeds of 35 miles (56 km) per hour. They blow for at least three hours. Wind gusts may even reach a hurricane force of 75 miles (119 km) per hour or more.

The winds whip snow through the air, making it hard to see. This is known as a whiteout. A whiteout is when no one can see anything more than a quarter of a mile (402 m) away. Safe travel is nearly impossible during a whiteout.

Blowing winds also create something called wind chill. Wind chill causes the body to lose heat faster. Skin feels like it is in air that is much colder. Wind chill can cause bare skin to freeze.