Definition

1. Noun:
   • A severe snowstorm with strong winds and low visibility: A "blizzard" is a meteorological event characterized by heavy snowfall, high winds (typically exceeding 35 mph or 56 km/h), and significantly reduced visibility (often less than 1/4 mile or 400 meters) for an extended period, usually three hours or more.
   • A large or overwhelming number of things arriving suddenly: Figuratively, a "blizzard" can describe a sudden, intense, and overwhelming quantity of something, such as information, paperwork, or events.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Meteorological):
  • The blizzard shut down the city for two days.
  • Driving is extremely dangerous during a blizzard due to whiteout conditions.
• Noun (Figurative):
  • The office was hit by a blizzard of emails after the system came back online.
  • The politician faced a blizzard of criticism from the press.

Advanced Usage

• "A blizzard of [something]": This is the standard figurative construction to indicate an overwhelming, sudden onslaught.
  • The announcement triggered a blizzard of questions from reporters.
• "Blizzard conditions": A phrase used to describe weather that meets the criteria of a blizzard.
  • Blizzard conditions are expected to develop overnight.

Variants and Related Words

• Blizzardly (adj., rare): Of or relating to a blizzard.
• Snowstorm (n): A storm with heavy snow, but this term does not necessarily imply the specific high-wind, low-visibility criteria of a blizzard.
• Whiteout (n): A weather condition in a blizzard where snow and sky blend together, making it very difficult to see the horizon or any objects.

Synonyms

• Snowstorm (for the meteorological sense, though less specific).
• Flurry (can refer to a light, brief snowfall or a sudden, brief period of activity; less intense than a blizzard).
• Barrage, deluge, avalanche (for the figurative sense).

Related Phrases

• To be snowed in/under: An idiom related to the effects of a blizzard. "Snowed in" means trapped by snow. "Snowed under" figuratively means overwhelmed with work, similar to the figurative use of "blizzard."
  • After the blizzard, we were snowed in for a week.
  • I'm completely snowed under with paperwork.

Noun

1. a series of unexpected and unpleasant occurrences
   • a rash of bank robberies
   • a blizzard of lawsuits
2. a storm with widespread snowfall accompanied by strong winds