At 11:03 a.m. on Wednesday, the National Weather Service issued a snow squall warning for Montgomery, Saratoga, Schenectady, and Schoharie counties, which was in force until 11:30 a.m.
“At 11:02 a.m., a dangerous snow squall was located along a line extending from near Corinth to near Exeter Center, moving east at 70 mph,” according to the meteorological service. “Travel will become difficult and potentially dangerous within minutes.”
The following locations are affected by the warning: Ballston Spa, Fort Plain, Hagaman, Round Lake, Sharon Springs, Fort Johnson, Delanson, Galway, Ames, Amsterdam, Scotia, Mechanicville, Canajoharie, Fonda, Glenville, Niskayuna, Duanesburg, Schenectady, Clifton Park, Saratoga Springs, etc. The following roadways are included in this: Interstate 88 between exits 24 and 25. Between exits 25a and 29 on Interstate 90. Between exits 1a and 4c on Interstate 890. Between exits 10 and 16 on Interstate 87.
The weather service says, “Slow down! This severe snow squall is likely to cause rapid changes in driving conditions and visibility. Watch out for unexpected whiteout situations.
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: Safety protocols and prevention tips
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
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 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: It is best to wait until the snow squall has gone through your area before driving if a snow squall warning has been issued for your area. During snow squalls, roadways and highways are especially dangerous.
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 by giving the automobile in front of you plenty of space.
Steer clear of sudden braking: It’s also best to avoid applying the brakes too hard. This could lead to a loss of vehicle control and raise the possibility of a chain reaction collision on slick or icy roads.
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 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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