Linguistics question

[conuly]

Poll #34102 Snow

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 29

View Respondents

After the snow has fallen, sometimes it looks like more snow is falling when the wind blows it off of trees and roofs. Do you have a word or specific phrase for this?

View Answers

Yes, and I'll tell you in the comments
4 (14.8%)

No, but I've heard some people use a term which I'll tell you in the comments
0 (0.0%)

No
21 (77.8%)

No - I don't live where it snows and am unfamiliar with this phenomenon
2 (7.4%)

Clicky?

View Answers

CLICKY
21 (100.0%)

And for reference, I generally call this "treedrift". It's a noun. I could use it as a verb form, but I don't.

Comments

[ioplokon]

Our forecast calls this blowing snow (or a snow squall if there is really a lot of it).

[conuly]

Aha, I don't believe I've heard that term, but to be fair, we don't get many blizzards nowadays, and when I see this it's not in quantities high enough to deserve a weather advisory past "Gosh, that's pretty!"

[cactuswatcher]

Yes, blowing snow.

[chomiji]

Yes, blowing snow.

[chazzbanner]

In Minnesota this is a 'ground blizzard' - more or less. It's commonly used about exposed areas (prairie) where the wind drives snow that's already fallen on the ground. It can cause white-out conditions, dangerous driving. I don't really think of it as from snow blown off trees and roofs, though.

[conuly]

If you have enough to cause white-out conditions then it's a ground blizzard everywhere, but I'm just talking about a small amount of flakes. Enough to be pretty, not nearly enough to be hazardous.

[jessie_c]

Not unless it falls down the back of my neck, and then what I call it is unprintable.

[conuly]

Sartorial advice is beyond the scope of this post, but have you considered a scarf? A hoodie? Both?

[jessie_c]

When you prepare for it, it never happens. But go out without them and just watch...

[julian]

I suppose this can count as drifting.

[conuly]

Like in Mario Kart?

[sabotabby]

I've lived with snow all my life and I've never heard a term for that!