Greenville, SC – The National Weather Service is warning drivers across the Carolinas — especially in western North Carolina, upstate South Carolina, and the Virginia foothills — to be alert for snow squalls, which are short but intense bursts of snow and wind that can create whiteout conditions and icy roads in minutes.
While rare outside the higher elevations, snow squalls can occur in the southern Appalachians and foothill regions when strong Arctic cold fronts sweep through the Carolinas. These fast-moving events usually last 30 to 60 minutes but can drop visibility to near zero, coat roads in snow or ice, and cause dangerous travel conditions, particularly on I-40, I-77, and I-26.
What Drivers Should Know:
- Visibility can drop almost instantly, even with minimal accumulation.
- Roads can flash-freeze, especially on mountain passes and bridges.
- If a Snow Squall Warning is issued, delay travel or safely pull over until the squall passes.
- Slow down, turn on headlights, and avoid abrupt braking or lane changes.
The Snow Squall Warning system, issued by the National Weather Service, is designed for short-term, high-impact winter hazards, similar to tornado or severe thunderstorm warnings. These alerts highlight localized danger zones where fast-developing snow and wind could severely impact visibility and road safety.
According to meteorologists, the combination of elevation changes, curved highways, and quick weather transitions makes these events particularly risky in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville area, and western Piedmont.
Drivers across the region should remain weather-aware through the winter months, especially when strong cold fronts move through the mountains and foothills.
For real-time alerts and travel updates, visit weather.gov/gsp, weather.gov/rnk, or weather.gov/rah for the latest forecasts and Snow Squall Warnings.
