Blizzards are a common winter storms in the Great Lakes. Defined as a storm with extremely low temperatures and winds of 35 mph or greater, these storms also yield an immense amount of snow.
A "blue norther" is another severe storm that occurs in the southern Great Plains. It is characterized by a bluish-black sky and a rapid-moving cold front that causes strong winds and a quick and extreme drop in temperatures.
Tornadoes are one of the most violent and dangerous forms of weather, packing wind speeds of up to 250 mph. The path of destruction can be 50 miles long, and the most violent tornadoes can last for an hour or more. The peak months for Great Plains tornadoes are May through July, but they can happen at any time.
Dust storms can also occur in the Great Plains during dry periods when sustained winds blow loose sand and dirt.
Hail storms are also common in the Great Plains, with March to May being the primary season.
Along with severe storms, the Great Plains has drastic changes in weather. The U.S. Global Change Research Program, which studies changes in the environment, has noted drastic weather patterns in the Great Plains, from a severe drought in 1995 to 1996, to austere flooding in 1998 and an outbreak of tornadoes in May 1999.
