The National Weather Service issued a snow squall warning for Sullivan County on Wednesday at 12:49 p.m., which was in force until 1:30 p.m.
“At 12:49 p.m., a dangerous snow squall was located along a line extending from 7 miles northeast of Grahamsville to Carbondale to near Ricketts Glen State Park, moving east at 85 mph,” according to the meteorological service. “Travel will become difficult and potentially dangerous within minutes.”
Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Falls, Muhlenberg, Dunmore, Kingston, Fallsburg, Nanticoke, Plains, and Carbondale are among the places affected by the warning.
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. 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. Visibility quickly drops to less than a quarter mile due to gusty winds that cause snow to fly. Tree limbs could be toppled and unsecured objects could be blown around by wind gusts exceeding fifty miles per hour.
The snow squall guide: Preparation and caution on winter roads
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
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.
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: 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: 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.
Important supplies for your car’s emergency kit: Make sure your car has a complete emergency kit that includes necessities like blankets, water, non-perishable food, 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.
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