You’ve probably seen the weather forecasts and talks of snow squalls throughout the Midwest and Northeast this week. But what exactly is a snow squall? What makes them so dangerous? And most importantly, how can you stay safe if you get caught in one? The Weather Channel can explain it all for you.
What is a Snow Squall?
Snow squalls are brief, but intense bursts of snowfall that suddenly drops visibility and can make roads slick and extremely dangerous. Because of its rapid movement, accumulations from a snow squall are light, but the drop in visibility can create whiteout conditions in minutes. This makes a snow squall an unsuspecting danger for travelers, turning driving conditions from good to treacherous in an instant and sometimes resulting in multi-vehicle pileups.
They can even sometimes occur where there is no major large-scale winter storm ongoing. That means they often accompany weather systems that aren’t expected to produce snowfall totals high enough to trigger National Weather Service winter weather alerts that cover broad parts of one or more states.
That’s why the National Weather Service (NWS) created alert systems specifically for snow squalls.
Is there an Alert System for Snow Squalls?
The NWS actually issues snow squall warnings for the danger. They are of short duration and specify a localized area similar to what you would see with a tornado warning. Just this week, a snow squall warning was issued near the border between Pennsylvania and New Jersey on Dec. 3.
As with all other warnings the NWS issues, they are targeted at state and local officials, media, the general public and others. These warnings will also trigger a Wireless Emergency Alert on your smartphone.
What is it like to Get Caught in a Snow Squall?
Let’s say you’re driving in good winter conditions, with the pavement dry. Then, you a white haze some distance ahead. There is no winter storm warning in effect, so you’re not concerned about a big snowstorm. You keep driving expecting some snow flurries ahead. No big deal, right? But within a few minutes, it all changes.
The snow squall arrives. Strong winds and snow create a whiteout. You can barely see the vehicles in front of you, and a thin film of snow makes the road increasingly slippery. You hope the vehicles ahead of you don’t stop suddenly, or there isn’t an accident blocking lanes in front of you, since the sudden drop in visibility and slippery roads can lead to multi-vehicle, chain-reaction accidents. Scary, right?
And then, just like that, within minutes after the whiteout sets in, the snow squall moves on and conditions clear up. Sometimes blue skies can even appear. Going to this link gives an idea of what it’s like to drive into these blinding walls of snow.
How to Stay Safe in Snow Squall Conditions
Next time you hear “snow squall” mentioned by a meteorologist in your area, take the threat seriously. Do whatever you can to delay your trip until the snow squall passes. Put simply, there is no safe place on the road in a snow squall. If you’re already on the road when the alert is issued, try to exit the road at your earliest opportunity.
If you absolutely must travel, or there is no opportunity to get off the road:
- Slow down safely – avoid slamming on your brakes, which can make you skid and slide on an icy and slippery road.
- Create more distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.
- Turn on your headlights (low beam and hazards, if allowed).
If you become stopped on the road or involved in an accident, if, and only if it is safe to do so, exit your vehicle and move as far away from the road as possible. Don’t stand along or near the road, because approaching vehicles may not be able to see you and may have lost control of their vehicles.
—
Photo Credit: WendyCotie / Shutterstock.com