Update: Snow squall warning affecting Cortland and Tompkins counties Monday midday
An updated snow squall warning was issued by the National Weather Service on Monday at 10:18 a.m. in effect until 11:15 a.m. for Cortland and Tompkins counties.
“At 10:16 a.m., dangerous snow squalls were stretching across the area on NWS radar,” states the weather service. “Travel will become difficult and potentially dangerous within minutes.”
Locations impacted by the warning include Ithaca, Cortland, Sidney, Cayuga Heights, Lansing, Homer, Walton, Delhi, Guilford and Virgil.
The weather service states, “Reduce speed and turn on headlights! During snow squalls, the visibility may suddenly drop to near zero in whiteout conditions.”
Hazards include intense bursts of heavy snow. Gusty winds leading to blowing snow and visibility rapidly falling to less than one-quarter mile. Wind gusts greater than 35 mph.
Navigating snow squalls: Understanding, preparing, and staying safe
What are snow squalls?
Snow squalls are brief but intense winter weather events often linked to strong cold fronts. They can cause sudden white-out conditions and icy roads within minutes, even if there’s no major winter storm happening. While they usually last less than an hour and might only result in minor snow accumulation, they pose significant risks to drivers due to reduced visibility, gusty winds, and rapidly falling temperatures. These conditions have historically led to deadly traffic accidents.
What is the difference between a snow squall and a snowstorm?
The difference between a snow squall and a snowstorm is the duration of the event. Snow squalls are usually very short-lived (on the order of 30-60 minutes) and extremely intense. A snowstorm could last for several hours or even days.
Snow squall warnings
Snow squall warnings are short-fused and focused on distinct areas (like tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings). These warnings provide critical, highly localized life-saving information. If a snow squall warning is issued for your area, avoid or delay motor travel until the squall passes through your location.
Actions during a snow squall warning
In response to a snow squall warning, individuals should follow the guidelines provided by the weather service, which encompass the following key actions:
Avoid or delay travel: If a snow Squall warning is issued for your area, avoid or delay motor travel until the squall passes through your location. There truly is no safe place on the highway during a snow squall.
Reduce speed and increase visibility: If you are already in transit and cannot exit the road in time, reduce your speed, turn on your headlights and hazard lights.
Maintain safe distance: Allow plenty of distance between you and the car in front of you.
Avoid abrupt braking: In slippery and icy conditions, sudden braking can lead to loss of vehicle control. It’s safer to slow down gradually to minimize the risk of skidding or causing a chain reaction crash.
Winter weather safety tips: For tips on how to stay safe before, during, and after winter weather, visit the weather service Winter Weather Safety page.
Prepare your vehicle: Prior to hitting the road this winter, ensure your vehicle is winter-ready by inspecting tires, brakes, and lights, and confirming all fluids are at appropriate levels. A properly maintained vehicle is more capable of navigating the demands of winter roads.
Emergency kit essentials: Ensure your vehicle is equipped with a comprehensive emergency kit, featuring essentials such as blankets, non-perishable food, water, a flashlight, and a first-aid kit. Don’t forget to add jumper cables, flares or a reflective triangle, an ice scraper, a car cell phone charger, a map, and cat litter or sand to enhance tire traction. These provisions can prove invaluable in the event of an unforeseen breakdown or emergency during your journey.
In conclusion, when faced with a snow squall warning, prioritizing personal safety and adhering to the weather service recommendations can significantly mitigate risks. By understanding, preparing, and staying vigilant, individuals can navigate these winter hazards with greater confidence and security.
Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.
