Many people do not realize that there does not even need to be snow falling toreach the technical criteria for blizzard conditions.Sustained and frequent wind gusts must reach 35 mph or higher. Heavily fallingsnow or just blowing snow also has to reduce visibility to less than a quartermile. Not only must these two criteria be met, but they must last for threehours or more for a true blizzard.

While not every community across the Midwest today may get true blizzardconditions, it is a nasty and dangerous storm pounding the region.

AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Meghan Evans.