Wx Savvy | Winter

What's A Whiteout?

A white out further describes the effects of an extremely dangerous type of blizzard.

If you were stuck in a white out, you wouldn't know which was up or down, North or South. Due to strong winds and blowing or falling snow, everything around you appears white. You would lose your sense of depth and orientation. What makes this so dangerous is that typically blizzards, because of the strong winds and being a winter phenomenon, are accompanied by dangerous wind chills.

To recreate white out conditions spin around real fast about 20 times, then have someone turn out the lights.

OK, so this probably wouldn't re-create white out conditions, I just wanted to see if you would do it. But I digress...The point is, people stuck in white out conditions can't find their way to safety and usually also suffer from frostbite. Not fun, huh?

If you are stranded in your car on an open interstate in the middle of nowhere during a blizzard or whiteout conditions (South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana are good areas for blizzards and not being near anyone or any store or home to go to for safety), do not leave your car. Stay put and turn on your car for 10 to 15 minute intervals to conserve fuel and prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Also, make sure your exhaust pipe is clear of snow and leave a window cracked a bit for fresh air. Don't leave your lights on, it will drain the battery. During the nighttime, leave your interior lights on to make you visible. If your car is not stuck, the storm typically won't last more than 6 to 12 hours, so you can drive to safety after the blizzard dies down.

40 straight days of snow

In a 1976-77 snow storm, Buffalo, New York saw 40 days of straight snow. Then, to worsen the miserable weather situation, a blizzard came through with 70 mph winds. Some people froze to death in their cars and 20,000 people had no way to get to their homes for several days^(1).

⁽¹⁾The Handy Weather Answer Book. Lyons, A. Walter. Visible Ink, Detroit; 1997