Winter Weather Terms

How do you learn about the weather? You can check the forecast online or hear it on TV or on the radio. Following the weather can help you stay prepared. But sometimes, it can be hard to understand. Here are some terms you might hear this winter.

Whiteout

noun: a condition in which it’s very hard to see because of the snow

Sometimes, a storm produces a drier, more powdery snow. Then a whiteout (above) can occur. Dry snow blows around easily. The falling snow and the snow swept off the ground fill the air. It’s hard to tell what is what. Everything is white. This makes travel unsafe.

Black ice

noun: an invisible coat of ice on a road or other surface

Black ice isn’t black. It’s clear. Its name comes from the black of the road underneath. The ice makes driving dangerous. A road might be very slippery, even though it doesn’t look it. Black ice can be found on sidewalks, too. That makes walking difficult.

Winter storm warning

noun: an alert that winter weather is coming

Winter storm warnings alert people to heavy snow, sleet, or freezing rain. A warning comes shortly before a weather event. It gives people time to prepare and seek shelter. A winter storm watch might come first. A winter storm warning means a storm is close.