What Is a Blizzard Warning?
A Blizzard Warning is issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada when severe winter weather is expected to produce dangerously poor visibility from falling or blowing snow.
Blizzards combine strong winds with snow or blowing snow, creating widespread low visibility that can make travel extremely difficult or impossible. Blizzard conditions can occur as part of a major winter storm or develop when strong winds lift existing snow from the ground.
Blizzard Warnings should be taken seriously because visibility can fall to near-whiteout conditions, roads can become impassable, and exposure to strong winds and cold temperatures can increase the risk of cold-related injuries.
Related Warnings
| Warning or Alert | Description |
| Yellow Blizzard Warning | Issued when blizzard conditions are expected to cause hazardous conditions and moderate impacts, including severely reduced visibility and difficult travel. |
| Orange Blizzard Warning | Issued when unusually severe blizzard conditions are expected to cause significant impacts, dangerous travel and major disruptions. |
|---|---|
| Blowing Snow Advisory | Issued for wind-driven snow that significantly reduces visibility but produces less severe impacts than a Blizzard Warning. |
| Winter Storm Warning | Issued when multiple types of severe winter weather are expected together and may cause significant impacts. |
| Snowfall Warning | Issued when significant snowfall is expected to create hazardous conditions. |
When Is a Blizzard Warning Issued?
A Blizzard Warning is issued when winds are expected to create widespread visibility of 400 metres or less in falling or blowing snow.
The warning focuses on the combination of wind, snow and severely reduced visibility, rather than snowfall accumulation alone. This means blizzard conditions can develop even when little new snow is falling if strong winds pick up loose snow already on the ground.
Environment and Climate Change Canada warnings indicate that severe weather is occurring or expected and that people should take action to protect themselves. Warnings are generally issued approximately 6 to 24 hours in advance, although timing depends on the weather event and forecast confidence.
Under Canada’s colour-coded alert system, a Blizzard Warning may be yellow, orange or red depending on the expected impacts of the event.
What Weather Conditions Should You Expect?
During a Blizzard Warning, expect a combination of strong winds, falling or blowing snow and severely reduced visibility.
Visibility may fall to 400 metres or less, with near-whiteout or whiteout conditions possible. Strong winds can lift loose snow from the ground, creating blowing snow and large snowdrifts even after snowfall has weakened or stopped.
Travel can become extremely hazardous because roads, vehicles, signs and other landmarks may be difficult to see. Snowdrifts can also accumulate quickly across roads and other exposed areas.
Blizzard conditions can be accompanied by very cold temperatures and severe wind chills, making prolonged exposure outdoors especially dangerous.
What Should You Do During a Blizzard Warning?
Avoid unnecessary travel and stay indoors until conditions improve whenever possible. Environment and Climate Change Canada advises people to remain indoors when a blizzard begins because people can become disoriented or lost even over very short distances in blinding snow.
If a Blizzard Warning is in effect:
- Avoid driving unless travel is absolutely necessary.
- Monitor current weather alerts and local forecasts.
- Stay indoors during the worst conditions.
- Keep emergency supplies available in case roads become impassable or power is interrupted.
- If you must go outside, wear warm layers and cover exposed skin.
- Be prepared for extremely poor or near-zero visibility.
- Avoid unnecessary exposure when severe wind chills accompany the storm.
- If travelling, carry a winter emergency kit and be prepared for rapidly deteriorating road conditions.
Conditions can vary considerably within a warning area, so continue checking the full warning for information about timing, location, expected impacts and recommended actions.
FAQ
A blizzard warning means severe winter weather involving strong winds and falling or blowing snow is expected to create dangerous conditions, including severely reduced visibility.
A blizzard warning is a serious weather alert. Possible impacts may include dangerous travel, severely reduced visibility, road closures, transportation disruptions and hazardous outdoor conditions.
A snowstorm is a general term for a storm involving snow. A blizzard involves strong winds and falling or blowing snow that creates severely reduced visibility and dangerous conditions.
A Yellow Blizzard Warning indicates hazardous weather that may cause moderate, localized or short-term impacts.
An Orange Blizzard Warning indicates severe weather that is likely to cause significant damage, disruption or health impacts that may be major, widespread or last for several days.
There is no standard duration. The length of a blizzard warning depends on the weather system, expected impacts, forecast confidence and local conditions.
A blizzard warning focuses on strong winds and falling or blowing snow that severely reduces visibility. A snowfall warning focuses on the expected impacts associated with significant snowfall.
