What is a snow squall?
A snow squall warning was issued for parts of the Chicago area during the morning rush hour commute Wednesday as near white conditions and rapidly reducing visibility quickly hit drivers across the area.
And those conditions were expected to continue.
“Conditions continue to rapidly deteriorate around the southern Chicago metro as busts of heavy, blowing snow persist. The I-57 and I-65 corridors in particular will be extremely difficult to navigate until this passes over later this morning. Avoid travel if you can!” the National Weather Service wrote on social media just before 9 a.m.
Just before 8 a.m., a snow squall was reported along a line extending from Newark to near Lemont to New Chicago to Westville, the NWS report.
Chicago Snow 3 hours agoWinter storm warnings, advisories issued for parts of Chicago area; rounds of snow to follow
Chicago Snow 2 hours agoWeather radar: Track snow across Chicago area, with gusty snow squalls moving through
“Intense bursts of heavy snow” and gust winds of up to 50 mph were reported “leading to blowing snow and rapidly falling visibility.”
“Travel will become difficult and potentially dangerous within minutes,” the NWS warned.
A snow squall warning was in effect through 9 a.m. for Kankakee, Will and southeastern Cook counties in Illinois, and Porter, Lake, central Newton and Jasper counties in Indiana as the National Weather Service warned of intense bursts of heavy snow, including on interstates. Meanwhile a ground stop was in place at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport.
So what is a snow squall exactly?
What is a snow squall?
A snow squall is defined as a short but intense burst of snow accompanied by strong winds that can produce whiteout or near whiteout conditions and is “a key wintertime weather hazard,” according to the NWS.
Forecasters warn that serious injuries and deaths may result from people exiting their vehicles during a snow squall, explaining drivers may not see others or stop.
“Unfortunately, there is a long history of deadly traffic accidents associated with snow squalls,” according to the NWS website. “Although snow accumulations are typically an inch or less, the added combination of gusty winds, falling temperatures and quick reductions in visibility can cause extremely dangerous conditions for motorists.”
What is a snow squall warning and what does it mean?
A snow squall warning usually covers a small, targeted area, is typically in effect for 30-60 minutes and similar to tornado or severe thunderstorm warnings.
According to the NWS, “sudden whiteout conditions and slick roadways can lead to high speed accidents with large pileups that result in injuries and fatalities.”
“This new warning aims to bring better situational awareness to drivers and mitigate impacts related to these squalls,” the agency reported.
NBC 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Kevin Jeans warned that residents under such a warning should “take it seriously and avoid travel until the snow squall has passed.”
“Snow squalls are responsible for some of the most deadly winter traffic crashes,” Jeanes said.
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