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blizzard A severe weather condition characterized by low temperatures and by strong winds bearing a great amount of snow (mostly fine, dry snow picked up from the ground). The National Weather Service specifies the following conditions for a blizzard: a wind of 32 miles per hour or higher, low temperatures, and sufficient snow in the air to reduce visibility to less than 500 feet; for a severe blizzard, it specifies wind speeds exceeding 45 miles per hour, temperature near or below 10° F, and visibility reduced by snow to near zero. In popular usage, in the United States, the term is often used for any heavy snowstorm accompanied by strong winds.

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