blizzard, winter storm characterized by high winds, low temperatures, and driving snow; according to the official definition given in 1958 by the U.S. Weather Bureau, the winds must exceed 35 mi (56 km) per hr and the temperature 20°F; (-7°C;) or lower. Blizzards are most common in the N Great Plains states—South Dakota is sometimes called "the Blizzard State"—but they also occur as far south as Texas and as far east as Maine.