Excerpt
Introduction: What’s So Big About a Blizzard?
The snow starts falling, and at first, it feels magical. Streets get covered in soft white powder, rooftops sparkle, and everything feels quiet and calm. But then the wind picks up, the flakes fall faster and thicker, and before long, the world outside can become a completely different place—one where it’s hard to walk, hard to see, and even hard to breathe. Snowstorms have a way of turning dangerous in ways people don’t always expect, and it can happen faster than you think.
One of the first things that makes snowstorms dangerous is how they take away something we all depend on: visibility. You might have heard grown-ups say the word “whiteout.” That’s when the snow is falling so hard and blowing so strong that it becomes impossible to see even a few steps in front of you. Streets disappear, cars vanish in the swirling air, and even familiar places seem to vanish. People can lose their way in their own backyards. It’s a scary feeling to turn around and not know which way to go, and that’s why it’s so risky to be outside when a big storm hits.
The wind itself is no joke, either. Cold air already stings your skin, but when you mix it with powerful gusts of icy wind, it feels much worse. Weather experts have a name for how cold it feels when the wind is blowing: wind chill. Wind chill can make it feel much colder than the actual temperature, and when it gets really low, it can hurt your skin in just minutes. People who aren’t covered up properly can get something called frostbite, where the skin actually freezes. It usually starts with a tingly feeling in your fingers, toes, nose, or ears. If you don’t warm up fast, it can do serious damage.
Then there’s another risk people don’t always think about: the snow piling up. You’ve probably seen snowdrifts that get taller than your knees—or even taller than you. Those drifts can make it impossible to drive, trap cars, or even block doors so people can’t get out of their homes. Emergency crews sometimes have to dig paths through the snow just to reach people who need help. Even when snow doesn’t drift, the weight of a really heavy snowfall can cause roofs to sag or even collapse, especially on older buildings.
Travel becomes a big problem during a blizzard. Roads turn slippery and icy, and cars can skid out of control. Even the most careful drivers can have trouble steering when the road is hidden under snow or when the tires can’t grip the ice. In bad storms, plows can’t always keep up, and cars get stranded. There are stories of people stuck in their cars for hours—or overnight—because they couldn’t make it through the storm. That’s why it’s so important to stay home when the weather gets bad.
The power of a snowstorm doesn’t just stay outside, though. Heavy snow and strong winds can knock down power lines. When that happens, homes and buildings can lose electricity. No lights, no heat, no hot water. In the middle of freezing temperatures, that can be a big problem. People sometimes have to bundle up indoors or even leave their homes to find a place that still has heat. That’s why many families keep extra blankets, flashlights, and food on hand—just in case the power goes out.
Snowstorms also make it harder for emergency workers to do their jobs. Ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars can’t always get through deep snow or slippery roads. If someone gets sick or hurt, it can take much longer for help to arrive. That’s why many cities warn people to stay inside during bad storms—not just for their own safety, but also to keep the roads clear for crews who really need to be out there.
Animals struggle during snowstorms, too. Birds and other small animals can have trouble finding food when everything is buried under a thick layer of snow. Pets left outside can get very sick or even die if they’re not brought inside. Farmers worry about their animals freezing or getting trapped. Even animals that are used to winter weather have to work hard to survive when the snow just keeps falling.
Blizzards have even been known to cut off entire towns from the outside world. Roads can be buried for days, and nobody can get in or out. Trucks that usually bring food and supplies can’t reach stores, and grocery shelves start to empty. People have to depend on what they already have at home, and that’s why it’s smart to be ready before a big storm comes.
The snow starts falling, and at first, it feels magical. Streets get covered in soft white powder, rooftops sparkle, and everything feels quiet and calm. But then the wind picks up, the flakes fall faster and thicker, and before long, the world outside can become a completely different place—one where it’s hard to walk, hard to see, and even hard to breathe. Snowstorms have a way of turning dangerous in ways people don’t always expect, and it can happen faster than you think.
One of the first things that makes snowstorms dangerous is how they take away something we all depend on: visibility. You might have heard grown-ups say the word “whiteout.” That’s when the snow is falling so hard and blowing so strong that it becomes impossible to see even a few steps in front of you. Streets disappear, cars vanish in the swirling air, and even familiar places seem to vanish. People can lose their way in their own backyards. It’s a scary feeling to turn around and not know which way to go, and that’s why it’s so risky to be outside when a big storm hits.
The wind itself is no joke, either. Cold air already stings your skin, but when you mix it with powerful gusts of icy wind, it feels much worse. Weather experts have a name for how cold it feels when the wind is blowing: wind chill. Wind chill can make it feel much colder than the actual temperature, and when it gets really low, it can hurt your skin in just minutes. People who aren’t covered up properly can get something called frostbite, where the skin actually freezes. It usually starts with a tingly feeling in your fingers, toes, nose, or ears. If you don’t warm up fast, it can do serious damage.
Then there’s another risk people don’t always think about: the snow piling up. You’ve probably seen snowdrifts that get taller than your knees—or even taller than you. Those drifts can make it impossible to drive, trap cars, or even block doors so people can’t get out of their homes. Emergency crews sometimes have to dig paths through the snow just to reach people who need help. Even when snow doesn’t drift, the weight of a really heavy snowfall can cause roofs to sag or even collapse, especially on older buildings.
Travel becomes a big problem during a blizzard. Roads turn slippery and icy, and cars can skid out of control. Even the most careful drivers can have trouble steering when the road is hidden under snow or when the tires can’t grip the ice. In bad storms, plows can’t always keep up, and cars get stranded. There are stories of people stuck in their cars for hours—or overnight—because they couldn’t make it through the storm. That’s why it’s so important to stay home when the weather gets bad.
The power of a snowstorm doesn’t just stay outside, though. Heavy snow and strong winds can knock down power lines. When that happens, homes and buildings can lose electricity. No lights, no heat, no hot water. In the middle of freezing temperatures, that can be a big problem. People sometimes have to bundle up indoors or even leave their homes to find a place that still has heat. That’s why many families keep extra blankets, flashlights, and food on hand—just in case the power goes out.
Snowstorms also make it harder for emergency workers to do their jobs. Ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars can’t always get through deep snow or slippery roads. If someone gets sick or hurt, it can take much longer for help to arrive. That’s why many cities warn people to stay inside during bad storms—not just for their own safety, but also to keep the roads clear for crews who really need to be out there.
Animals struggle during snowstorms, too. Birds and other small animals can have trouble finding food when everything is buried under a thick layer of snow. Pets left outside can get very sick or even die if they’re not brought inside. Farmers worry about their animals freezing or getting trapped. Even animals that are used to winter weather have to work hard to survive when the snow just keeps falling.
Blizzards have even been known to cut off entire towns from the outside world. Roads can be buried for days, and nobody can get in or out. Trucks that usually bring food and supplies can’t reach stores, and grocery shelves start to empty. People have to depend on what they already have at home, and that’s why it’s smart to be ready before a big storm comes.