Definition
A weather condition in which snow is lifted from the surface by the wind to a height of six feet or more above the ground, reducing horizontal visibility at eye level. Reported in aviation weather products with the abbreviation BLSN.
Plain English
Wind-driven snow that is picked up off the ground and carried high enough to obscure how far you can see across the airfield.
Context Anchor
Seen in airport weather reports, forecasts, and winter flying discussions when wind is moving snow across or above the surface.
Why Pilots Care
Reduces surface visibility, can hide runway markings and lights, and makes takeoff, landing, and taxiing hazardous.
Grounding Statement
Picture loose snow being swept off a field or runway by strong wind until the air itself looks partly white.
Intuition Check
Blowing snow does not always mean snow is currently falling from clouds. It means wind is lifting snow from the ground high enough to reduce what you can see.
Example Sentence 1
The METAR reported blowing snow with visibility down to one-half mile, so the crew held short and waited for conditions to improve.
Example Sentence 2
The pilot delayed takeoff because blowing snow obscured the runway edge lights.