At 10:04 a.m. on Wednesday, the National Weather Service issued a snow squall warning for Cayuga, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tompkins, and Yates counties. The warning was in force until 10:45 a.m.
“At 10:03 a.m., a dangerous snow squall was located along a line extending from near Vernon to Taughannock Falls to near Cameron, moving southeast at 50 mph,” according to the meteorological service. “Travel will become difficult and potentially dangerous within minutes.”
Onondaga, Syracuse, Ithaca, Auburn, De Witt, Cortland, Sullivan, Oneida, Corning, and Lenox are among the places affected by the alert.
Additionally, the weather service says, “Slow down and switch on your headlights! Whiteout situations during snow squalls can cause visibility to abruptly plummet to almost nothing.
Strong bursts of heavy snow are one of the hazards. gusty winds that cause snow to blow and visibility to drop quickly. Tree limbs could be toppled and unsecured objects could be blown around by wind gusts exceeding fifty 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
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: 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 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: Check out the weather service’s Winter Weather Safety page for advice on how to keep safe before, during, and after 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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