Roanoke, VA – The National Weather Service is warning Appalachian drivers across West Virginia, Virginia, and western North Carolina to be on alert for snow squalls this winter — short-lived but intense bursts of snow and wind capable of producing whiteout conditions and icy roads in minutes.
Snow squalls often form as Arctic cold fronts sweep across the mountains, producing brief but heavy snow, wind gusts up to 45 mph, and rapid temperature drops. They typically last 30 to 60 minutes, but even with light accumulations (under two inches), they can cause flash freezes and dangerous travel conditions on winding mountain roads such as I-77, I-81, and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
What Drivers Should Know:
- Visibility can drop to near zero with little warning.
- Roads can ice over instantly, especially in higher elevations and shaded curves.
- If a Snow Squall Warning is issued, delay travel or safely pull off the road until it passes.
- Slow down, use headlights, and avoid sudden braking or lane changes.
According to the NWS, Snow Squall Warnings are short-term, high-impact alerts that function much like tornado warnings — pinpointing localized but severe conditions. These warnings are designed to alert drivers to fast-changing hazards, particularly along mountain passes and high-elevation corridors where sudden snow bursts are common.
Forecasters note that snow squalls are among the most dangerous winter weather events in the Appalachians due to rapid elevation changes, limited visibility, and curving terrain, which can make reaction time critical.
Drivers are urged to plan ahead, stay alert for fast-moving fronts, and check weather.gov/rnk, weather.gov/lwx, or weather.gov/gsp for the latest Snow Squall Warnings and mountain travel updates.
