Burlington, VT – The National Weather Service Burlington is warning drivers across Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine to be prepared for snow squalls — short but intense bursts of snow and wind that can rapidly reduce visibility and create whiteout conditions on roads.
Unlike steady snowfall, snow squalls develop suddenly, often lasting less than an hour, but can make travel extremely hazardous. Even with minor accumulations (typically less than two inches), squalls can coat roads in ice, leading to slick conditions and multiple-vehicle pileups, especially on highways and interstates.
What Drivers Should Know:
- Expect rapidly changing visibility, sometimes dropping to near zero.
- Roads can become icy within minutes of a squall’s arrival.
- If you receive a Snow Squall Warning on your phone, delay or avoid travel until the warning expires.
- Do not stop in the travel lane during a squall — safely pull off the road if visibility drops suddenly.
The Snow Squall Warning system, issued by the NWS, is designed to alert drivers when these high-impact bursts are imminent. Warnings usually last 30 to 60 minutes and cover a small, targeted area.
Forecasters emphasize that snow squalls are among the most dangerous short-term winter events in New England due to their speed, suddenness, and travel impacts. Motorists are urged to plan ahead, keep headlights on, and slow down immediately if visibility deteriorates.
For real-time weather alerts and safety updates, visit weather.gov/btv or follow NWS Burlington for regional advisories across Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
