What is the difference between snow showers and snow flurries?

These terms are sometimes used interchangeably when referring to light snowfall. However, they do have slightly different definitions.

A flurry is defined as a light snow shower, lasting for only a short period of time. The definition for a snow shower is a brief period of snowfall in which the intensity can be variable and may change rapidly. We try to use these words within their descriptions. If flurries are in the forecast you can expect a quick, light snowfall, with usually little or no accumulation.

When snow showers are in the forecast we are looking for off and on snow, which could accumulate up to a few inches over a given period of time. If heavier or steadier snow is expected, we’ll try to be more descriptive in the wording of coverage and intensity.