Blizzard warnings are active for today as a major winter storm strengthens over the plains. The featured map presents the number of NWS issued Blizzard Warnings since late 2005. You'll want to click the image for a better view. Blizzard conditions are not trivial to produce as the combination of near zero visibility needs to coincide with snow and very strong winds. The map shows the favored area for these conditions over very flat and mostly tree- less Upper Midwest. The gradient is clear in Minnesota as trees slow surface winds down and help keep blowing snow in check.

Voting:
Good = 47
Bad = 6
Abstain = 5

Tags:   nws   blizzard