Snow

Region/Country	Description
US	A blizzard means that the following conditions are expected to prevail for a period of 3 hours or longer: Sustained wind or frequent gusts to 35 miles an hour or greater; Considerable falling and/or blowing snow (i.e., reducing visibility frequently to less than ¼ mile) Blowing snow is wind-driven snow that reduces surface visibility. Blowing snow can be falling snow or snow that has already accumulated but is picked up and blown by strong winds. Blowing snow is usually accompanied by drifting snow. Generally means snowfall accumulating to 4" or more in depth in 12 hours or less; or snowfall accumulating to 6" or more in depth in 24 hours or less Low pressure system produces a combination of winter weather (snow, freezing rain, sleet, etc.) Sleet is defined as pellets of ice composed of frozen or mostly frozen raindrops or refrozen partially melted snowflakes. These pellets of ice usually bounce after hitting the ground or other hard surfaces. Heavy sleet is a relatively rare event defined as an accumulation of ice pellets covering the ground to a depth of ½" or more. Snow showers that are created when cold, dry air passes over a large warmer lake, such as one of the Great Lakes, and picks up moisture and heat.
CA	A Blizzard Warning is issued when winds of 40 km/h or more, are expected to cause widespread reductions in visibilities to less than one kilometre, due to blowing snow, for at least four to six hours. Warnings are generally issued 12 to 24 hours in advance. A Frontal Squall Warning may be issued when blizzard-like conditions are expected to develop in the vicinity of a cold front. A Snow Squall Warning will be issued to the lee of the Great Lakes when 15 cm or more of snow is expected to fall within 12 hours, or the visibility is likely to be near zero for at least four hours because of falling and blowing snow. A Snowfall Warning is issued when hazardous amounts are expected to fall over a 12- or 24-hour period. These amounts vary across the country due to topographical and climatic considerations. They range from five cm in 24 hours for parts of southwestern BC to 15, 20 and even 25 cm in 24 hours elsewhere. A Winter Storm Warning will alert you that a combination of hazardous winter conditions are occurring or expected to develop shortly. A warning is normally not issued more than 12 to 14 hours in advance. When blowing snow is expected to reduce visibility to less than 1 km (<5/8 mile) but not necessarily meet the blizzard definition for duration and temperature, or if it is more local in nature, a Blowing Snow Warning or Special Weather Statement may be issued. Accumulation of 10 cm or more with moderate or strong winds for a period of 24 hours or less. Accumulation of 15 cm or more for a period of 24 hours or less. Heavy snowshowers reducing visibilities to near zero during a brief moment. Size equal or superior to a diameter of 20 mm.
EU	Heavy snow accompanied by winds of 30 m.p.h. or more reducing visibility to near zero Moderate or heavy snow accompanied by winds of 30 m.p.h. or more with visibility reduced to 200m or less, or drifting snow giving rise to similar conditions Snow falling at a rate of approx. 2 cm/hour or more expected for at least two hours.
JP	The Daisetsuki special warning will be announced when heavy snowfall is expected, which will result in snowfall amount once every several decades. A storm snow special alarm will be announced when wind storms accompanied by snow are expected to be blown by temperate low pressure similar to strong typhoon once every several decades. Issued when serious disasters are expected to occur due to heavy snow. Issued when serious disasters are expected to occur due to winds of 20m/s or greater with snow.
DE	> 10 cm in 6 Stunden, > 15 in 12 Stunden, über 800 m: > 30 cm in 12 Stunden > 25 cm in 12 Stunden, über 800 m: > 50 cm in 12 Stunden 5 bis 10 cm in 6 Stunden, 10 bis 15 cm in 12 Stunden, über 800 m: bis 30 cm in 12 Std Neuschnee oder lockere Schneedecke > 10 cm und wiederholt Böen ab 8 Bft Neuschnee oder lockere Schneedecke > 25 cm und wiederholt Böen ab 8 Bft Neuschnee oder lockere Schneedecke 5-10 cm und wiederholt Böen 6 oder 7 Bft.