Question

5 multiple choice 1 point
what defines a blizzard, according to the articles explanation of storm conditions?
○ lightning and thunder in a snowstorm
○ a sudden drop in air pressure of 24 millibars per hour
○ sustained (or frequent gusting) winds of at least 35 miles per hour, lasting for at least three hours
○ snowfall of at least 10 inches per hour

6 essay 10 points
in 1–2 paragraphs (or 5-10 sentences), explain why some snowstorms end up dumping heavy snow over one community while a nearby area receives almost nothing. use examples from the article in your explanation. your answer should be at least 75 words.
short answer rubric (10 points)
category points description

Explanation:

Question 5 (Multiple Choice)

To determine the correct definition of a blizzard, we analyze each option:

• Lightning and thunder in a snowstorm: This describes a thundersnow event, not a blizzard. Blizzards are defined by wind and snow conditions, not lightning/thunder. Eliminate this option.
• A sudden drop in air pressure of 24 millibars per hour: This is the definition of a bomb cyclone (explosive cyclogenesis), not a blizzard. Eliminate this option.
• Sustained (or frequent gusting) winds of at least 35 miles per hour, lasting for at least three hours: This matches the standard meteorological definition of a blizzard, which requires strong winds (≥35 mph) for an extended period (≥3 hours) along with reduced visibility from snow.
• Snowfall of at least 10 inches per hour: This is extremely heavy snowfall (more typical of a snow squall or extreme snow event), but blizzards are defined by wind, not snowfall rate. Eliminate this option.

To answer why snowstorms vary in snowfall between nearby areas, we consider meteorological factors like:

1. Frontal Boundaries/Topography: Snowstorms form along weather fronts (e.g., cold fronts, warm fronts). A front’s position and movement determine where lift (needed for snow) occurs. For example, if a cold front stalls near a mountain range, the windward side (e.g., upslope) gets heavy snow (orographic lift), while the leeward side (downslope) gets little (rain shadow effect).
2. Atmospheric Instability/Moisture: Differences in moisture availability (e.g., proximity to a lake, ocean) or instability (temperature profiles) create uneven snowfall. A lake-effect snowstorm, for instance, dumps heavy snow on the downwind shore (where cold air picks up lake moisture) but little elsewhere.
3. Storm Track/Intensity: The path of the low-pressure system (storm track) dictates where the heaviest snow falls. A slight shift in the track can mean one area is in the “snowband” (heavy snow) and a neighboring area is on the edge (light snow).

Using an example from the article (e.g., a storm where a city near a lake gets 12 inches, while a town 10 miles away gets 2 inches due to lake-effect orographic lift), we explain how these factors create localized snowfall differences.

Answer:

C. Sustained (or frequent gusting) winds of at least 35 miles per hour, lasting for at least three hours

Question 6 (Essay)