What Does an Orange Blizzard Warning Mean?
An orange blizzard warning means that severe blowing snow is expected to make travel dangerous and cause significant disruptions across an affected region.
Environment and Climate Change Canada issues blizzard warnings when strong winds are expected to produce widespread visibility of 400 metres or less. In particularly severe conditions, visibility can drop to near zero.
The orange warning level is based on two factors: the expected impact of the weather and how confident forecasters are that those conditions will occur.
Unlike snowfall warnings, an orange blizzard warning does not require a specific amount of new snow. Strong winds can lift existing snow from the ground, creating dangerous whiteout conditions even when little snow is falling.
Blizzard Warning Colours in Canada
Canada uses three colour levels to communicate the expected impact of severe weather.
| Warning Colour | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Yellow | Hazardous weather that may cause moderate, localized or short-term disruptions. |
| Orange | Severe weather likely to cause major, widespread or longer-lasting disruptions. |
| Red | Extremely dangerous weather expected to cause extensive and prolonged disruptions. |
Orange warnings are less common than yellow warnings and indicate that conditions could significantly affect travel, transportation and daily activities.
What Causes an Orange Blizzard Warning?
Blizzards occur when strong winds carry falling snow or loose snow already on the ground, reducing visibility across a large area.
Several weather conditions can contribute to a blizzard:
- Strong winds: Powerful winds lift snow into the air and blow it across roads, fields and communities.
- Falling snow: Heavy or persistent snowfall can combine with strong winds to reduce visibility further.
- Loose snow cover: Previously fallen snow can be picked up by the wind, producing blizzard conditions without additional snowfall.
- Open terrain: Areas with few trees, buildings or other windbreaks are particularly exposed to blowing snow.
Blizzards can occur throughout Canada but are especially common in the Prairies, northern communities and other exposed regions.
What Should You Expect During an Orange Blizzard Warning?
An orange blizzard warning indicates that conditions may become dangerous enough to interrupt transportation and everyday activities.
Possible impacts include:
- Near-zero visibility: Blowing snow may make it difficult to see nearby vehicles, road signs and buildings.
- Dangerous road conditions: Highways and local roads may become difficult or impossible to navigate.
- Road closures: Authorities may temporarily close major highways and rural roads.
- Stranded motorists: Drivers may become trapped by drifting snow or unable to continue safely.
- Emergency response delays: Ambulances, police, fire services and road maintenance crews may experience significant delays.
- Reduced outdoor visibility: People travelling on foot may have difficulty finding their way, even over short distances.
Conditions can change rapidly as winds strengthen or shift direction. Roads that appear passable may become dangerous within a short period.
What Should You Do During an Orange Blizzard Warning?
During an orange blizzard warning, Environment and Climate Change Canada recommends staying indoors and avoiding unnecessary travel until conditions improve.
If a warning has been issued for your area, consider the following precautions:
- Avoid unnecessary driving. Postpone non-essential trips, particularly on highways and rural roads.
- Check current weather warnings. Follow Environment and Climate Change Canada for updates about the storm’s timing and expected impacts.
- Monitor road conditions. Check your province’s official road information service for closures and travel advisories.
- Prepare essential supplies. Keep food, drinking water, medications, flashlights and charged devices available.
- Dress appropriately if going outdoors. Wear warm, wind-resistant clothing and limit your time outside.
- Follow local instructions. Pay attention to road closures, travel restrictions and emergency notices.
If you become stranded in your vehicle, contact emergency services if necessary. Remaining inside the vehicle is generally safer than attempting to walk through a blizzard, provided the vehicle is in a safe location. Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow to prevent carbon monoxide from entering the vehicle.
How Long Does an Orange Blizzard Warning Last?
An orange blizzard warning does not have a fixed duration. Blizzard conditions may last several hours or continue for a day or longer, depending on the weather system.
The duration depends on wind speeds, available snow cover, snowfall and changing weather patterns.
Environment and Climate Change Canada updates its warnings as conditions develop. A warning may be changed or ended when the expected threat decreases.
Even after a blizzard warning ends, snowdrifts and icy roads may continue to affect travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
A yellow blizzard warning indicates hazardous weather that may cause moderate or localized disruptions. An orange blizzard warning indicates a greater risk of major or widespread disruptions, including dangerous travel, road closures and stranded vehicles.
There is no specific snowfall amount required. Blizzard warnings focus on severely reduced visibility caused by strong winds and blowing snow. A blizzard can develop without new snowfall if winds are strong enough to lift existing snow from the ground.
Driving during an orange blizzard warning is strongly discouraged. Visibility can fall to near zero, making it difficult to see other vehicles, road markings and hazards. Travel should be postponed until conditions improve whenever possible.
A blizzard warning focuses on strong winds and blowing snow that severely reduce visibility. A winter storm warning is issued when multiple types of severe winter weather are expected, such as a combination of heavy snow, freezing rain or strong winds.
You can check current blizzard warnings through Environment and Climate Change Canada’s weather website or the WeatherCAN mobile app. Both provide official warnings, affected locations, forecast conditions and updates as the storm develops.