What causes winter storms or snowstorms?
Q: What causes winter storms or snowstorms?
A: Winter storms or snowstorms happen when warm, wet air meets with cold air.
Q: How big can the warm, wet air mass and the cold air mass be?
A: The warm, wet air mass and the cold air mass can each be 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) or more in diameter.
Q: Where do snowstorms affecting Northeastern United States get their moisture from?
A: Snowstorms affecting Northeastern United States often get their moisture from air moving north from the Gulf of Mexico.
Q: Where does the warm, wet air in the Northwest United States come from?
A: In the Northwest United States warm, wet air from the Pacific Ocean cools when it is pushed upward by the mountains.
Q: What affects the type and severity of the snowstorm?
A: Many different things can affect the direction of movement, moisture content, and temperature of air masses. All of these differences affect the type and severity of the snowstorm.
Q: How much snow can winter storms and blizzards make?
A: Winter storms and blizzards can make several meters of snow that blow into big drifts.
Q: Can the snow drifts caused by winter storms and blizzards be really tall?
A: Yes, sometimes the drifts can be over 3 metres (9.8 ft) tall and can even cover a house.
