1.
whiteout; a weather condition where heavy snow or fog reduces visibility to near zero, making it impossible to distinguish the ground from the sky
whiteout; a weather condition where heavy snow or fog reduces visibility to near zero, making it impossible to distinguish the ground from the sky
A loanword from English describing an extreme weather condition, particularly dangerous in northern Japan (北海道 and the 日本海側). During a whiteout, blowing snow fills the air so completely that the horizon disappears and all visual reference points are lost.
Common collocations
- ホワイトアウトになる — to become a whiteout
- ホワイトアウト状態 — whiteout conditions
- ホワイトアウトで視界ゼロ — zero visibility from a whiteout
Usage
Frequently appears in weather warnings and driving safety advisories in snow-prone regions. Multi-vehicle pileups on highways during whiteouts are regularly reported in winter news. The word entered mainstream usage in Japan through weather reporting and is well understood.