What is a difference between a blizzard and a snowstrom!?

I know there is a difference between a snowstorm and a blizzard, but I always get confused, so can anyone help me out here?|||I am assuming you're asking which set of conditions officially defines a blizzard as it pertains to the NWS or, basically, all professional synoptic meteorologists? I mean...sometimes a snowstorm is just a snowstorm...and its pretty relative to where you live (here in SC...an inch of the white stuff is a veritable snowstorm. In Buffalo, it's a whole different ballgame).





Anyway...a blizzard is:


- heavy snow (that's the 4 little asterisks arranged in a diamond on the wx map),


- 5sec (gust) / 2min (sustained) winds of 35mph (~30kt) or greater and,


- (in most cases) an ambient temperature of %26lt;20F


All observed for at least 3 consecutive hours.


(Some NWS offices require 1/4 mile or less visibility as an add'l requirement, esp for issuing a warning.)





BTW...the NWS has a "Severe Blizzard Warning" as well. Those are rare, and generally constitute an add'l 10 mph to the wind speed and 10F less to the temp for the same observational period.





Hope this helps!|||A blizzard occurs when there are low temperatures, high winds, and heavy blowing snow. It does not actually have to be snowing when there is a blizzard and in fact, the skies can be clear during one. A snowstorm is simply when there is snow falling. There doesn't have to be high winds or low temperatures during a snowstorm.|||a snow storm is just a heavy amount of snowfall in a short period of time. a blizzard is heavy snow with strong winds, making it dangerous to drive, play, go outside in general. if you are driving in a blizzard it is really hard to see and stay on the road because the wind/snow mix causes drifts which can be deadly and very dangerous. i live in iowa so i know the difference.|||Don't quote me,but- A blizzard means a certain windspeed combined with a certain snowfall rate. In other words, a condition that is dangerous to be outside compared to a gentle snowfall.|||I think a blizzard is kinda the same thing as a snowstorm, I always thought that a blizzard is when there's hail mixed in with the snow, and snowstorm is pure snow... but, thats just what I think.