Wanderlust World Wanderlust World One of the causes of whiteout conditions involves low, dense cloud cover over a field of snow. Sunlight becomes heavily diffused by the cloud cover and disperses further as it reflects off the snow. The lack of light and shadows will make objects lose definition; in some cases, these objects may appear to float.
Blizzards may cause whiteout conditions due to high winds blowing around dry, powdery snow. Low surface visibility causes everything to appear white with no objects visible. Feelings of disorientation may occur because the lack of depth perception.
Fog can create whiteout conditions when winds blow over warm ocean or lake waters, and then pass over the cooler land, creating low, dense clouds. Fog may not cause completely zero visibility, but travelers need caution when driving.