IntroductionAccording to Richard Wild, the first use of the word "blizzard", to define a set of weather conditions, was used in 1860 to describe a weather event in the Midwest during which "high temperatures hot and The “soft” state suddenly took a turn for the cold. The result: freezing temperatures, heavy snowfall and huge snow drifts (1996, web). A blizzard is the most severe of all types of snowfall. Its effects go beyond those of heavy snowfall warnings, flurries, blowing and drifting snow, and travel warnings. Blizzards are caused by a confluence of cold air, moisture, and lift (which is necessary to lift cold air and turn it into clouds that produce precipitation) (Weather Almanac, 2004, p. 81) . With a blizzard warning, residents can expect winds in excess of 35 mph, heavy accumulation of light and powdery snow, and low visibility. These conditions make it difficult for individuals to get to and from work and school, which, in turn, makes it difficult for businesses to operate, for governments to provide services, and for companies to provide services. utilities to provide essential services (e.g. electricity, gas, etc.). The blizzard of 1888; Importance of the topicThe Great Blizzard of 1888 (which lasted from March 11 to 14) struck the northeastern United States with snowfalls of more than four feet, whiteouts, and winds gusting between 40 and 50 miles on time. The storm received much attention because it paralyzed New York City, stranded many residents, and created life-threatening danger as precipitation fell on overhead wires, causing them to collapse. As Polly Fry notes, several conditions must exist to distinguish a blizzard from a snowstorm: a blizzard must have winds over 35 mph, reduced visibility due to "blowing or drifting... mid paper... ...I think it's just a fact of life. Part of the reason blizzards are difficult to define is because people's perceptions of what constitutes a blizzard vary. Works Cited “Arctic Climatology and Meteorology”. NSIDC.org. 2011. Internet. October 26, 2011.Fry, Polly. "Blizzard". Dictionary of American History. Ed. Stanley I. Kutler. 3rd ed. Flight. 1. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2003: 485-487. Hayden, Edward E. The West Indian Hurricanes and the Blizzard of March, 1888. New York: Forest & Stream Publishing, 1889. “Within Range of a Blizzard.” » NYTimes.com. 1888. the canvas. October 25, 2011. “Nor’easters.” Web.Archive.org. 2002. Internet. October 25, 2011. Wild, Richard. “A historical review of the origin and definition of the word Blizzard.” DrRichardWild.co.uk. 1996. Internet. October 26, 2011. “Winter Storms.” Weather Almanac. Ed. Richard A. Wood. 11th ed. Flight. 1. Detroit: gale, 2004: 81-92.