What is a snow squall, and is it the same as a blizzard as the US and Canada face harsh winter weather?

Severe winter weather across the United States and Canada is resulting in dangerous situations, with snow squalls, blizzards, and ice storms interrupting daily life. Snow squalls are brief but intense bursts of snowfall that can lead to unexpected whiteouts, icy roads, and hazardous travel within minutes, even without large accumulation. Blizzards, in contrast, are characterized by longer-lasting events marked by strong winds and widespread blowing snow.