The national weather agency is a federal agency under NOAA,  whom provides weather forecast and data to The United States. Their purpose is to provide weather watch warnings utilizing a network of satellites, radar and weather balloons throughout their one hundred twenty two local weather forecast offices throughout the United States.

Over the weekend, a winter storm made it's way across The United States causing chaos from Texas to the tip of Maine, disrupting roadways, knocking out power and burning major cities under a thick blanket of snow, with a few deaths being reported.

It is being reported that there has been approximately seven thousand flight delays in combination with six thousands being cancelled. More than half a million Americans were without power with the most affected southern state being Tennessee, where Nashville experienced a deep freeze in a cold dark environment.

In Canada Ottawa and Quebec received their fair share of snowfall with a record number of eighteen inches being reported, leading to multiple transportation issues and school closures. In The United States as of Monday evening there has been twenty deaths believed to be linked to cold temperatures even though investigations are still being conducted and may be too early to determine.

Now what defines or classifies a winter storm. Well according to NSSL, a NOAA national severe storm lab a winter storm is considered to be life a threatening weather condition which consists of heavy snow, blowing snow and dangerous wind chills. Snow storms may be classified into four categories. Blizzards which are a combination of blowing snow and wind causing a very low visibility. There is also a term known as a ground blizzard, where strong winds may pick and blow snowfall, creating the same low visibility effect.

An ice storms create dangerous walking and driving conditions and contributes greatly to the disruption of power. In an ice storm at least point two five inches of snow must be visible on the surface. Trees and power lines can be easily snapped with this accumulation of ice on its surfaces.
Lake effect storms though not considered to be low pressured system storms, occurs when cold dry air masses moves across The Great Lakes picking up the moisture then dumping it as snow.
Snow qualls generally occur in the Great Lakes region and are brief intense snow showers accompanied by gusty winds with a significant accumulation of snow.