What's the difference between a winter storm and a blizzard?

I live in ND. Last weekend we had a blizzard. This weekend we're going to have a winter storm. Both include new snowfall and strong winds. What's the difference?|||A blizzard defined by the National Weather Service is considered to be snow falling or snow on the ground with sustained winds of 35mph for at least 3 hours or visibility below 1/4 of a mile. It does not matter what the temp is at the time. A blizzard warning means blowing snow is occurring from either snow falling or snow that is on the ground already.





A winter storm warning is issued when severe weather conditions are expected. This is issued when a winter storm is producing or is forecast to produce heavy snow or significant ice accumulations or both. The criteria for this warning can vary from place to place.|||Here's a great video definition so you can see: http://www.videodictionary.tv/video/99/Blizzard

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|||A blizzard must have at least 35 mph with it, plus very low temperatures. A blizzard also means that visibility is less than a quarter mile because of the blowing and drifting snow. A winter storm can actually have more snow than a blizzard. A blizzard more less means a lot of wind than snow.





A winter storm is just a lot of winter type precipitation with it. There doesn't have to be any wind with it or low visibility with it.|||The terms blizzard and winter storm are often used interchangeably but a blizzard usually means when the storm creates such a heavy downfall of snow, combined with high winds to create "white out" conditions which means that visibility is severely affected.|||I live in ND too!! Dont you just love our winter so far?? ha..





BLIZARD-Snow with winds in excess of 35 mph and visibilities of 1/4 mile or less, for an extended period of time


blizzard conditions can occur without falling snow....it's severe blowing snow


One of the reasons why blizzards are so dangerous is the reduced visibility due to snow flying everywhere from the fast wind.





WINTER STORM: A heavy snow event.|||For a blizzard you need to have:





1) heavy snow


2) temperatures under 20 degrees (F)


3) winds over 20 mph