At 4:20 a.m. on Tuesday, the National Weather Service issued a snow squall warning for Clinton, Essex, and Franklin counties, which was in force until 5:15 a.m.
“At 4:19 a.m., a dangerous snow squall was located along a line extending from 9 miles northwest of Beecher Falls to Clay Point to 8 miles south of Axton Landing, moving southeast at 25 mph,” according to the meteorological service. “Travel will become difficult and potentially dangerous within minutes.”
Essex Junction, Westport Village, Montpelier, Port Henry, Burlington, Keeseville, Island Pond, Lyndon, Burlington International Airport, St. Johnsbury, Newport City, South Burlington, Vergennes, Lake Placid, Middlebury, Morrisville, Orleans, Derby Center, Charleston, and Glover are among the places affected by the warning. Interstate 87 between mile markers 82 and 138, Interstate 89 between mile markers 54 and 102, and Interstate 91 between mile markers 132 and 177 are all included in this.
“Think about avoiding or postponing travel until the snow squall passes your location,” the weather agency advises. If you have to travel, be especially careful and give yourself more time. Accidents may result from sloppy roads and abrupt changes in visibility. Locate the closest exit or rest area if you’re on a highway, then park securely out of traffic. Do not try to restart travel until snow squalls have passed.
Strong bursts of heavy snow are one of the hazards. Visibility quickly drops to less than a quarter mile due to gusty winds that cause snow to fly. gusts of up to 35 miles per hour.
Snow squalls: Risks, differences, and safety seasures
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
Like warnings for tornadoes or severe thunderstorms, snow squalls are quickly issued for specific locations. They provide vital, locally relevant information that can save lives. If there is a snow squall warning in your location, it is recommended to wait until the squall passes before driving.
Actions during a snow squall warning
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.
Reduce speed and improve visibility: If you’re already on the road during a snowstorm, put safety first by slowing down. To improve visibility for other vehicles and yourself, turn on your danger lights in addition to your headlights.
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 detailed instructions on how to keep safe before, during, and after experiencing winter weather. This website provides helpful advice and safety measures to assist you successfully deal with the difficulties presented by winter weather.
Get your car ready:Make sure your car is winter-ready before you hit the road this winter by checking the tires, brakes, lights, and making sure all the fluids are at the right levels. A well-maintained car can handle the rigors of winter roads more easily.
Essentials for your car’s emergency kit: Always keep a first-aid kit, blankets, non-perishable food, water, a flashlight, and other essentials in your car’s emergency 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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