Translation guide
Describes a storm with heavy snow and strong winds. Japanese has distinct words for snowstorms, blizzards, and heavy snowfall, with nuances in intensity and formality.
A storm with heavy snow and wind, the most common everyday term.
The standard word for a snowstorm or blizzard. Used in weather forecasts and daily conversation.
昨夜はひどい吹雪だった。
There was a terrible snowstorm last night.
吹雪で視界が悪い。
Visibility is poor due to the snowstorm.
Literally 'snow storm', emphasizes the storm aspect. Slightly more literary or dramatic than 吹雪.
山では雪嵐が続いている。
A snowstorm continues in the mountains.
A very intense snowstorm with extremely strong winds, often used in warnings.
A fierce blizzard. Commonly used in weather alerts and news.
明日は猛吹雪になる恐れがあります。
There is a risk of a severe blizzard tomorrow.
A ground blizzard where snow already on the ground is whipped up by strong winds, reducing visibility.
Emphasizes the amount of snow falling rather than wind.
Heavy snow. Often used in weather reports when accumulation is the main concern, even if winds are light.
大雪のため電車が止まった。
Trains stopped due to heavy snow.
Used in meteorological contexts or formal descriptions.
A technical term for a snowstorm with gale-force winds, used in official weather warnings.
暴風雪警報が発令された。
A blizzard warning was issued.
吹雪 (fubuki) implies strong winds and blowing snow, while 大雪 (ōyuki) simply means heavy snowfall. Use 吹雪 when visibility is reduced by wind, and 大雪 when accumulation is the main issue.
The English loanword スノーストーム is rarely used in natural Japanese. Stick to native terms like 吹雪 or 猛吹雪.
I couldn't see ahead because of the ground blizzard.