At 2:04 a.m. on Tuesday, the National Weather Service published a forecast for St. Lawrence, Franklin, Clinton, and Essex counties that called for a snowstorm and showers through 4 a.m.
“A more severe snow squall and arctic front were approaching into the St. Lawrence Valley at 1:59 a.m., and snow showers were spreading across the valley and into the Adirondacks. By 4 am, all of this will have moved into the Champlain valley from northern New York, according to the weather service. “Traveling will be very difficult due to poor visibilities, near zero at times and rapidly accumulating snow.”
Mooers Village, Morristown Village, Tupper Lake Village, Hammond Village, Champlain Village, Richards Field at Massena International Airport, Plattsburgh International Airport, Gouverneur Village, Potsdam Village, Keeseville, Massena Village, Richville, Rensselaer Falls, Malone Village, Saranac Lake, Adirondack Regional Airport, Norwood, Dannemora, Rouses Point, and Heuvelton are among the places affected by the alert. The following roadways are included in this: Interstate 87 between mile markers 137 and 175. Between mile markers 101 and 129 on Interstate 89.
Snow showers and squalls with a lot of snow, strong winds, and extremely low visibility are among the dangers.
The snow squall guide: Preparation and caution on winter roads
What are snow squalls?
Strong cold fronts are frequently associated with snow squalls, which are short but intense winter weather phenomena. Even in the absence of a significant winter storm, they can quickly result in icy roads and unexpected whiteout conditions. Even while they often last less than an hour and may only cause slight snow accumulation, their reduced visibility, strong winds, and quickly dropping temperatures make them extremely dangerous for driving. In the past, these circumstances have resulted in fatal traffic accidents.
What is the difference between a snow squall and a snowstorm?
The length of the event distinguishes a snowstorm from a snow squall. Typically lasting between 30 and 60 minutes, snow squalls are incredibly powerful. Days or even hours may pass during a snowfall.
Snow squall warnings
Similar to tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings, snow squall alerts are short-fused and targeted at specific locations. These alerts offer vital, extremely targeted information that can save lives. If your neighborhood is under a snow squall warning, stay indoors or postpone driving until the squall has passed.
Actions to take
When a snow squall warning is issued, people should heed the weather service’s instructions, which include the following crucial steps:
Avoid or postpone travel: If your area is under a snow squall warning, stay indoors or wait for the squall to pass through before driving. During a snowstorm, there is absolutely nowhere safe to drive on the roadway.
Decrease speed and improve visibility: If you are already traveling and won’t be able to get off the road in time, slow down and activate your headlights and hazard lights.
Keep a safe distance: Make sure there is enough space between your car and the one in front of you. In order to account for decreased vision and the possibility of unpredictable road conditions during a squall, this precaution is crucial.
Steer clear of quick braking: Sudden braking can cause a vehicle to lose control in icy and slippery conditions. To reduce the chance of sliding or producing a chain reaction crash, it is safer to reduce your speed gradually.
Winter weather safety advice: Go to the weather service’s Winter Weather Safety page for advice on how to be safe before, during, and after a winter storm.
Make sure your car is ready for winter driving by checking the tires, brakes, lights, and making sure all the fluids are at the right levels before you go. A well-maintained car is better equipped to handle the challenges of winter driving.
Essentials for an emergency kit: Always keep a fully stocked emergency bag in your car with essentials like water, non-perishable food, blankets, a flashlight, and a first aid kit. For better tire traction, add jumper cables, flares or a reflective triangle, ice scraper, a map, a car cell phone charger, and cat litter or sand. Should you experience an emergency or unplanned breakdown while traveling, these supplies can be quite helpful.
In conclusion, putting one’s own safety first and following the weather service’s advice can greatly reduce dangers when a snow squall warning is in effect. People can travel through these winter dangers with more assurance and security if they are aware of them, plan beforehand, and remain alert.
United Robots offers a service called Advance Local Weather Alerts that gathers the most recent information from the National Weather Service using machine learning.
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