Where Do Snow Storms Occur?
According to the Natural Disasters Association, snow storms occur in locations where air and ground temperatures reach below freezing. North America and Canada experience around 10 snowstorms a year, each affecting approximately 2.5 million people.
Snow storms are usually referred to as blizzards. They are characterized by strong winds, heavy snowfall and flooding caused by large quantities of melting snow. Areas along the eastern seaboard of the United States are the most common locations for snow storms during the winter. According to Decoded Science, the northern plains are the perfect location for blizzards because the flat terrain allows the wind to reach blizzard-speed requirements. The cold temperatures in the region also allow the snow to be light and easily blown around. A blizzard can cause the visibility to drop to about a quarter of a mile and can last up to three hours.
According to Weather Explained, intense snowstorms are usually accompanied by cold waves, ice or glaze, heavy snow, blizzards or a combination of these. A large snowstorm has the ability to destroy large areas and isolate and kill people and livestock in its path. Southern states also experience occasional severe winter storms that can present severe hardship and loss of warm-weather crops.
