Blizzards are dangerous primarily because they combine very strong winds with heavy snowfall and severely reduced visibility, creating life-threatening conditions both outdoors and indoors. Here’s how the hazards stack up and what makes blizzards particularly perilous.

Core hazards

• Very cold temperatures and wind chill
  • Strong winds drive temperatures downward, increasing the risk of hypothermia and frostbite even when air temperatures aren’t extreme. Prolonged exposure can lead to rapid heat loss and nerve/skin damage.

• Whiteout and limited visibility
  • Blowing snow and drifting snow can reduce visibility to near-zero, making travel dangerous or impossible and causing people to become lost or stranded.

• Transportation disruptions
  • Roads become treacherous due to slick surfaces, deep snow, and poor visibility, leading to accidents, road closures, and stranded travelers. Power outages in winter storms can compound danger by cutting heat and lighting.

• Structural and infrastructure stress
  • Heavy snow loads can cause roofs to collapse, and drifting snow can block ventilation or exhaust outlets, potentially leading to dangerous gas buildup or carbon monoxide risks indoors. Downed power lines can cut heat and shelter.

• Health risks from exposure and cold-related injuries
  • Frostbite can occur in exposed skin in a matter of minutes in subfreezing conditions; hypothermia can develop with extended exposure or inadequate shelter and clothing. People outdoors or in poorly heated buildings are especially at risk.

Why blizzards are more dangerous than a typical snowstorm

• Duration and intensity
  • Blizzards involve sustained winds (often exceeding 35 mph or 56 km/h in many definitions) combined with heavy snowfall, lasting for several hours and sometimes creating continuous whiteout conditions. This amplifies exposure time and impedes rescue or self-rescue efforts.

• Compounded hazards
  • Power outages, stuck vehicles, and collapsed infrastructure can cascade into life-threatening situations, including inability to heat homes, access water, or obtain medical care.

• Domestic risk amplification
  • Even indoors, weakened heating, frozen pipes, and gas leaks from damaged systems can create dangerous conditions if shelter isn’t adequately prepared or maintained.

Protective actions and safety basics

• Prep and planning
  • Have a weather plan, emergency kit, extra blankets, non-perishable food, a water supply, a battery-powered radio, and a way to heat temporarily if the power goes out.

• During the blizzard
  • Stay indoors, limit exposure if you must go outside, and keep a safe path between rooms in case of power outages. Maintain multiple layers of clothing and cover extremities (hands, feet, head).

• If driving
  • Avoid travel if possible; if stranded, stay with the vehicle, keep it as a shelter, run the engine for heat only in short intervals, and ensure proper ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide buildup.

• After the storm
  • Check for structural damage, inspect pipes and heating systems, and be cautious of delayed hazards such as ice dams, roof leaks, or downed lines.

If you’d like, I can tailor these safety points to a specific region or provide a quick one-page checklist you could use in a winter storm kit.