These silent fireworks are often seen on clear winter nights in a variety of shapes and colours. Also referred to as the Northern Lights. The opposite of a veering. It is characterized by low temperatures, strong winds and poor visibility due to blowing snow. True blizzard conditions are most common on the prairies of Canada and the United States.
Blizzards are a rare occurrence in Atlantic Canada.
Drifting snow is snow lifted to a height of less than 2 metres. Blowing snow will reduce visibility to a greater extent than drifting snow . Moist air is forced up the mountains bringing both cloud and precipitation to the windward side. The descending air then becomes warmer and drier as it is forced down the leeward side of the mountains. The relatively warm, dry gusty winds that occasionally occur to the leeward side of mountain ranges around the world are known by many names.