Chicago, IL – The National Weather Service is warning Midwest drivers across Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio to prepare for snow squalls this winter — brief but intense bursts of snow and wind that can create whiteout conditions and treacherous roads in minutes.
Unlike a steady snowfall, snow squalls arrive suddenly, often with strong gusty winds and rapidly falling visibility, making travel extremely dangerous. While snow totals are usually less than two inches, the flash freeze and slick roads that follow can trigger multi-vehicle crashes, particularly along I-70, I-80/90, and I-65.
What Drivers Should Know:
- Visibility can drop to near zero within seconds.
- Roads may instantly ice over, especially on bridges and interstates.
- If a Snow Squall Warning is issued on your phone, delay travel or exit the highway safely until it passes.
- Slow down immediately, turn on headlights, and avoid sudden braking or lane changes.
The Snow Squall Warning system, issued by the National Weather Service, is used to alert the public to high-impact, short-duration winter events that threaten highway safety. Warnings typically last 30–60 minutes and cover small but critical travel zones.
Officials say the goal is to reduce highway pileups and winter travel fatalities, which often occur during squalls when drivers encounter sudden whiteouts at high speeds.
Forecasters urge motorists to remain weather-aware, especially during early and mid-winter months, when snow squalls are most common across the Great Lakes region.
For the latest alerts, visit weather.gov or follow your local NWS offices in Chicago, Indianapolis, and Cleveland for updated winter weather information.
