United States – Rare Snow Squall Warnings were issued early Thursday across a wide swath of the eastern United States, stretching from southeastern Ohio through Pennsylvania and into New York during the first hours of the New Year.
According to multiple National Weather Service offices, a fast-moving line of snow squalls developed before dawn Thursday and prompted warnings between roughly 2:15 a.m. and 4:15 a.m. EST. The warnings spanned parts of Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and southern New York, an unusually broad footprint for the short-duration but high-impact winter hazard.
Snow squalls are sudden, intense bursts of heavy snow accompanied by gusty winds, often producing near-zero visibility and rapidly deteriorating road conditions. Forecasters reported wind gusts frequently reaching 30 to 35 mph as the squall line moved east at 25 to 40 mph.
In Ohio and West Virginia, warnings covered multiple counties and key travel corridors including Interstate 79, Interstate 77, and Route 50. As the system progressed eastward, additional warnings were issued across central, eastern, and northeastern Pennsylvania, impacting major highways such as the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Interstates 70, 78, 81, 83, and 99.
By the early morning hours, snow squall warnings extended into northeastern Pennsylvania and southwestern New York, affecting areas including Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton, and portions of Sullivan County, New York. In Maryland and West Virginia, the National Weather Service highlighted “significant” impacts along Interstate 68 and Interstate 70, citing rapidly developing whiteout conditions.
While snow squalls typically last only 15 to 45 minutes at any given location, the National Weather Service warned that travel conditions can become dangerous within minutes. Motorists were urged to slow down immediately, turn on headlights, and delay travel when possible.
The New Year’s Day timing heightened concern for overnight travelers, early-shift workers, and long-distance motorists, as many roads appeared clear just before the squalls arrived.
