You’re unlikely to pay much attention to blizzards unless you’re getting struct by one! Take a look below for 9 interesting and awesome facts about blizzards.

1. It is only considered a to be blizzard conditions if the winds are in excess of 35 miles per hour, with a visibility of less than a quarter of a mile and it occurs for more than three hours.

2. In 1977, the first blizzard was declared a Federal Emergency. It affected Southern Ohio and upstate New York, and the winds were deadly.

3. The Great Blizzard of 1888 killed over 400 people, making it the worst winter storm in U.S. history (death-toll wise). Around 200 ships sank by waves due to these fierce winds. However, the deadliest blizzard in the world occurred in Iran, with an estimated 4,000 people dead (some included entire villages).

4. There were 27 blizzards in the U.S. during the winter of 1996.

5. It’s important to stock up on canned food, warm blankets, batteries, and torches when you hear a storm warning. You may need them when you lose electricity and traveling outside during a storm is the last thing you want to do. If you are required to travel, it is crucial that you have an emergency kit. This kit should ideally have jumper cables, tow rope, snacks and water (in case of an accident or you get stuck in the snow). However, traveling is highly discouraged and increases the chance of accident and death. It is best to stay put and wait out the storm.

6. A large blizzard affecting the U.S. in 1993 was responsible for over 10 million power outages with over 300 deaths.

7. You may receive a warning called ‘Winter Storm Watch’ when a blizzard is in the forecast. This means that there is a possibility of a storm taking place. In addition, a ‘Winter Storm Warming’ is given when a storm is already taking place or on its way. It is crucial that one takes these warnings seriously.

8. The extreme cold and wind when a blizzard is taking place actually cause the temperature to feel a lot colder than it is. For example, when the wind speed is constantly at 30-35mph, the air against your skin will feel much colder than the actual temperature. This cold causes frostbite quite rapidly.

9. The majority of the blizzards that affect the USA. tend to usually pile up around the East Coast area. This is due to the East Coast being home to a type of storm called Nor’easters. A high amount of snow is the result of the moisture gathered by the storms in the Atlantic.