1.
blizzard; severe snowstorm with strong winds
A meteorological term for a severe winter storm combining heavy snow with strong, often dangerous winds. The formal term used in weather warnings and news in Japan.
暴風雪警報が出た。
A blizzard warning has been issued.
暴風雪のため、学校は休みになった。
Because of the blizzard, school was canceled.
北海道の各地では暴風雪により交通が乱れている。
Across Hokkaido, transportation is being disrupted by blizzards.
気象庁は、今夜から明日にかけて暴風雪に注意するよう呼びかけている。
The Meteorological Agency is calling for caution against blizzards from tonight through tomorrow.
暴風雪 combines 暴風 (violent wind, gale) and 雪 (snow). It is the standard meteorological/news term for a blizzard — heavy snow accompanied by strong winds severe enough to cause poor visibility and travel hazards.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 暴風雪警報: blizzard warning (high-level alert)
- 暴風雪注意報: blizzard advisory (lower-level alert)
- 暴風雪に見舞われる: to be hit by a blizzard
- 暴風雪のため: due to the blizzard
- 猛烈な暴風雪: a fierce blizzard
REGISTER:
- Formal / news / official weather forecast
- In casual conversation, the more general 吹雪 is far more common
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 吹雪: blizzard, snowstorm — everyday term used in conversation, song lyrics, and literature
- 大雪: heavy snowfall (heavy snow but not necessarily with strong winds)
- 地吹雪: blowing snow (existing snow being blown across the ground by wind)
- 暴風: gale, violent wind (without snow)
- 暴風雨: rainstorm (analogous formation with rain instead of snow)
DOMAIN: Used in weather forecasts, public-safety announcements, and news reports — most relevant to northern Japan, especially Hokkaido and the Sea of Japan coastal regions.