The National Weather Service declared a snow squall warning for Albany, Columbia, Greene, and Rensselaer counties on Tuesday at 7:21 a.m., which would last until 7:45 a.m.
“At 7:20 a.m., a dangerous snow squall was located along a line extending from East Greenbush to Westerlo to Stamford, moving southeast at 30 mph,” according to the weather service. “Travel will become difficult and potentially dangerous within minutes.”
Albany; East Greenbush; Rensselaer; Chatham; Nassau; Delmar; New Baltimore; Ravena; Coxsackie; Valatie; Castleton-On-Hudson; Kinderhook; Feura Bush; Selkirk; Coeymans; Ghent; Stockport; Stuyvesant; Coeymans Hollow; and Brookview are among the places affected by the alert. The following highways are included in this: Between entrances 10 and 9, Interstate 90; between exits 21B and 23; and between exits 1 and 4, Interstate 787.
According to the weather service, “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. gusty winds that cause snow to blow and visibility to drop quickly. gusts of wind exceeding 35 mph.
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.
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.
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 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.
Prepare your car: Take proactive steps to get your car ready for winter driving conditions before you leave. This entails making sure your car’s fluids are topped off and inspecting your tires, brakes, and lights. The difficulties of winter driving are better handled by a well-maintained car.
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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