What is a sudden violent wind often accompanied by rain or snow called?

A sudden violent wind that is often accompanied by rain or snow is specifically referred to as a squall. Squalls are characterized by a rapid increase in wind speed that can occur suddenly, typically in conjunction with severe weather conditions like rain or snow. This phenomenon involves brief but intense bursts of wind that can lead to hazardous conditions, making it essential for weather warnings to be issued when squalls are expected.

While thunderstorms, hurricanes, and blizzards represent different types of weather events, they do not precisely capture the nature of a squall. Thunderstorms involve electrical activities and may produce severe winds, but they do not necessarily define the violent wind aspect specifically. Hurricanes are large storm systems that produce sustained winds and are typically much more prolonged in duration and larger in scale, while blizzards are winter storms characterized by heavy snowfall and strong winds, but they don't specifically refer to the sudden onset of wind. The uniqueness of a squall lies in its abrupt wind changes and the associated weather conditions, which is why it is the correct answer in this context.