At 6:02 a.m. on Tuesday, the National Weather Service issued a snow squall warning for the counties of Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego, Schuyler, Seneca, Tioga, and Tompkins. The warning was in force until 7 a.m.
“At 6:02 a.m., a dangerous snow squall was located along a line extending from 6 miles northwest of Richmondville to Van Etten, moving southeast at 30 mph,” according to the meteorological service. “Travel will become difficult and potentially dangerous within minutes.”
Binghamton, Ithaca, Vestal, Cortland, Johnson City, Oneonta, Endicott, Barton, Norwich, and Maine are among the places affected by the warning.
The weather service remarks, “Slow down and switch on your headlights! Whiteout situations during snow squalls can cause visibility to abruptly plummet to almost nothing. Think about staying put or postponing your trip till the snowstorm has passed. If you have to travel, be especially careful and give yourself more time. Accidents may result from sloppy roads and abrupt changes in visibility.
Strong bursts of heavy snow are one of the hazards. gusty winds that cause snow to blow and visibility to drop quickly. gusts of up to 35 miles per hour.
Snow squalls: Risks, differences, and safety seasures
What are snow squalls?
Strong cold fronts are frequently linked to snow squalls, which are severe winter weather conditions. Even in the absence of a significant winter storm, they can swiftly cover roads with snow and ice. Even while these squalls usually last less than an hour and only produce light snow accumulation, their restricted visibility, strong winds, and quickly falling temperatures can make them dangerous. Unfortunately, in the past, these circumstances have played a role in catastrophic and occasionally fatal road accidents.
Understanding snow squalls vs. Snowstorms
A snowstorm and a snow squall differ primarily in their strength and length. Usually lasting 30 to 60 minutes, snow squalls are short yet fierce. A snowstorm, on the other hand, can last for several hours or even days.
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.
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 by giving the automobile in front of you plenty of space.
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.
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 of an emergency kit: Make sure your car has a complete emergency kit that includes supplies like water, non-perishable food, blankets, a flashlight, and a first aid kit. To improve tire traction, don’t forget to have jumper cables, flares or a reflective triangle, ice scraper, a map, a car cell phone charger, and cat litter or sand. In the event of an emergency or unplanned breakdown while traveling, these provisions may prove to be quite beneficial.
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.
+ There are no comments
Add yours