snowstorm
UK: ˈsnəʊstɔːm | US: ˈsnoʊstɔːrm
n. a heavy fall of snow accompanied by strong winds
n. a tumultuous or chaotic situation (figurative)
The word "snowstorm" is a straightforward compound of "snow" (from Old English snāw, meaning frozen precipitation) and "storm" (from Old English storm, meaning violent weather). The combination logically describes a weather event characterized by heavy snowfall and strong winds. Over time, it has also gained figurative use to describe chaotic situations, mirroring the disruptive nature of the weather phenomenon.
The snowstorm disrupted travel across the region.
We stayed indoors during the snowstorm to avoid the harsh conditions.
The airport canceled all flights due to the approaching snowstorm.
A sudden snowstorm caught the hikers off guard.
The political scandal became a media snowstorm overnight.