Go Back
  • For Business
  • |
  • Warnings
  • Data Suite
  • Forensics
  • Advertising
  • Superior Accuracy™
Energy bills to soar this summer with widespread heat predicted. Read the full summer forecast. Chevron right
Polar vortex is linked to the next chill, frost coming to the eastern U.S. See the forecast. Chevron right

Columbus, OH

52°F
Location Chevron down
Location News Videos
Use Current Location
Recent

Columbus

Ohio

52°
No results found.
Try searching for a city, zip code or point of interest.
Create Your Account Unlock extended daily and hourly forecasts — all with your free account.
Let's Go Chevron right
Have an account already? Log In
settings
Help
Columbus, OH Weather
Today WinterCast Local {stormName} Tracker Hourly 10-Day Radar MinuteCast® Monthly Air Quality Health & Activities

Around the Globe

Hurricane Tracker

Severe Weather

Radar & Maps

News

News & Features

Astronomy

Business

Climate

Health

Recreation

Sports

Travel

For Business

Warnings

Data Suite

Forensics

Advertising

Superior Accuracy™

Video

Winter Center

Top Stories Severe Weather Hurricane Center Astronomy Climate Recreation Trending Today Health In Memoriam Case Studies Blogs & Webinars

News / Weather News

What is a Whiteout?

By Samantha-Rae Tuthill, AccuWeather staff writer

Published Feb 18, 2013 2:01 PM EDT | Updated Feb 25, 2013 3:25 PM EDT

Copied

"Whiteout" is a word that you may hear in a winter forecast. It occurs when snow (or even sand) reduces visibility to next to zero. When the ground is covered in a white blanket of snow, new snow that falls from a lake-effect storm or a blizzard can cause the landscape to blend together. Add in whitish grey storm clouds and your sense of spacial boundaries can become warped quickly.

This can obviously lead to very dangerous road conditions. When your vision is impaired during a storm it's important to slow down, leave more space between your car and the car in front of you, and keep your headlights on.

Report a Typo

Weather News

Severe Weather

Texas police rescue mom from surging floodwater using jumper cables

Apr. 30, 2026
Weather News

Southeast wildfires explode in Florida, Georgia as some evacuations ar...

Apr. 30, 2026
Winter Weather

Much-needed snow to close out April, start May in Colorado Rockies

Apr. 30, 2026
Show more Show less Chevron down

Topics

Top Stories

Severe Weather

Hurricane Center

Astronomy

Climate

Recreation

Trending Today

Health

In Memoriam

Case Studies

Blogs & Webinars

Top Stories

Weather Forecasts

Summer forecast: Heat, storms to shape the season as El Niño develops

1 day ago

Winter Weather

Polar vortex aftermath to bring chilly May days to Midwest, Northeast

44 minutes ago

Severe Weather

Monster 7-inch hailstone confirmed as Texas state record

20 minutes ago

Astronomy

Mysterious green glow in Hawaii sky likely rare atmospheric phenomenon

19 hours ago

Weather Forecasts

Rain to douse southern U.S. wildfire risk, ease drought into weekend

48 minutes ago

More Stories

Featured Stories

Severe Weather

Tornado survivor recalls emerging from storm shelter in Oklahoma

1 day ago

Recreation

U.S. Coast Guard rescues hikers stranded on Alaskan volcano

19 hours ago

Weather News

Humpback whale 'Timmy' guided to safety in rescue off Germany’s coast

1 day ago

Severe Weather

EF3 Texas tornado shreds homes, buildings following weekend twisters n...

4 hours ago

Astronomy

2 full moons will light up May 2026, including a rare blue moon

2 days ago

AccuWeather Weather News What is a Whiteout?
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy™ About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy™ About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
© 2026 AccuWeather, Inc. "AccuWeather" and sun design are registered trademarks of AccuWeather, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | About Your Privacy Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information | Data Sources

...

...

...