Ohio Valley – Snow squalls are brief but intense bursts of snowfall that can rapidly create dangerous travel conditions across the Ohio Valley.
According to the National Weather Service, a snow squall is a narrow, fast-moving band of heavy snow often accompanied by gusty winds. Visibility can drop to near zero within minutes, even when road conditions appeared safe just moments earlier. Most snow squalls last between 15 and 60 minutes but can have lasting impacts on travel.
In the Ohio Valley, snow squalls frequently develop along strong winter cold fronts moving southeast from the Midwest. Cold air surging in behind these fronts can trigger quick bursts of heavy snow, blowing snow, and sharply falling temperatures. Wet pavement can freeze rapidly, leading to flash icing on untreated roads and bridges.
The sudden nature of snow squalls poses the greatest risk. Drivers may move from clear skies into blinding snowfall with little warning, increasing the likelihood of spin-outs and chain-reaction crashes. Major routes such as Interstates 64, 70, 71, 75, and 77 are especially vulnerable during peak travel periods.
Because of the immediate danger to motorists, the National Weather Service may issue Snow Squall Warnings for parts of the Ohio Valley. These alerts emphasize immediate action, urging drivers to slow down, turn on headlights, increase following distance, and avoid sudden braking.
Snow squalls are most common in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, western Pennsylvania, and parts of West Virginia, particularly from late fall through winter when Arctic air masses move through the region.
For Ohio Valley commuters, students, and shift workers, snow squalls can disrupt travel with little advance notice despite their short duration.
