Short answer
A snowstorm brings snow. A blizzard is defined by severe wind and very poor visibility from falling or blowing snow for at least three hours. Under US National Weather Service criteria, winds must reach at least 35 mph and visibility must frequently fall below a quarter mile. Snowfall amount alone does not make a blizzard. 1 2
A blizzard can involve falling or blowing snow, but a heavy snowstorm need not meet blizzard criteria.
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At a glance
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| Question | Blizzard | Snowstorm |
|---|---|---|
| Main feature | Wind plus near-whiteout visibility | Snowfall |
| US NWS threshold | At least 35 mph and under ¼-mile visibility for at least 3 hours | No single equivalent national snowstorm threshold |
| Can have little new snow? | Yes, blowing old snow can qualify | The term ordinarily implies falling snow |
The table summarizes the cited definitions and the article’s stated scope. 1 2
What each thing is
Blizzard. A winter storm meeting the National Weather Service combination of high wind, low visibility in snow and duration criteria. 1
Snowstorm. A general term for a storm that brings snowfall, without one fixed nationwide threshold in this comparison. 2
Key differences
Strong wind can loft snow already on the ground, creating ground-blizzard conditions even if little new snow falls. Conversely, many inches of falling snow in calm air may be a serious snowstorm without satisfying the blizzard definition. Both can create dangerous travel. 1 2
How to tell them apart
Look at the official NWS forecast or warning and the combined wind, visibility and duration criteria. Do not decide from snowfall depth alone. During a real event, follow local advisories; visibility can deteriorate rapidly. 1 2
Where they overlap
Both are winter weather events involving snow and may coincide. A severe snowstorm may become a blizzard if winds and visibility meet the criteria. 1 2
Edge cases
“Snowstorm” is a broad everyday term, and winter storm warnings also cover ice, sleet and mixed precipitation. A short burst of near-whiteout conditions may be dangerous without meeting the formal three-hour blizzard definition. 1 2
Why the distinction exists
The formal blizzard label signals a particular compound hazard—wind-driven visibility loss over time—rather than simply a large snow total. 1 2
Common misconceptions
A blizzard is not defined by how many inches of new snow accumulate, nor is every heavy snowfall a blizzard. 1 2
Examples
Ten inches of snow with light wind is a major snowstorm but not necessarily a blizzard. Strong wind blowing existing snow until visibility stays below a quarter mile for hours can meet blizzard criteria. 1 2
Sources
Sources checked October 3, 2026.
- National Weather Service — Winter Storms and Blizzards. Blizzard criteria.
- National Weather Service — Snow Storm Safety. Winter storm hazards.