What is a whiteout in snow?

: a surface weather condition in a snow-covered area (such as a polar region) in which no object casts a shadow, the horizon cannot be seen, and only dark objects are discernible also : a blizzard that severely reduces visibility.

Is whiteout a blizzard?

As nouns the difference between blizzard and whiteout is that blizzard is a severe snowstorm, especially with strong winds and greatly reduced visibility while whiteout is a heavy snowstorm; a blizzard.

How far can you see in a whiteout?

Keep your distance One of the most dangerous factors of a whiteout is the sudden loss of visibility. Drivers can go from seeing several hundred feet in front of them during normal conditions to seeing virtually nothing in a whiteout.

What is a sudden snow storm called?

A snowsquall, or snow squall, is a sudden moderately heavy snow fall with blowing snow and strong, gusty surface winds. It is often referred to as a whiteout and is similar to a blizzard but is localized in time or in location and snow accumulations may or may not be significant.

What does whiteout mean in a weather forecast?

“Whiteout” is a word that you may hear in a winter forecast. It occurs when snow (or even sand) reduces visibility to next to zero. When the ground is covered in a white blanket of snow, new snow that falls from a lake-effect storm or a blizzard can cause the landscape to blend together.

How can you tell if there is a whiteout in the snow?

No surface irregularities of the snow are visible, but a dark object may be clearly seen. There is no visible horizon.” A whiteout may be due simply to extremely heavy snowfall rates as seen in lake effect conditions, or to other factors such as diffuse lighting from overcast clouds, mist or fog, or a background of snow.

When do whiteout conditions occur in the Arctic?

Whiteouts happen most frequently in spring and fall, when the sun is near the horizon. Low clouds or fog and high-albedo surfaces such as snow create whiteout conditions because, under those conditions, light is reflected by multiple surfaces.

What happens when there is a whiteout in the sky?

Whiteout is a weather condition in which visibility and contrast are severely reduced by snow or sand. The horizon disappears from view while the sky and landscape appear featureless, leaving no points of visual reference by which to navigate.