Twin Cities, MN – The National Weather Service is alerting Upper Midwest drivers — especially in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa — to the dangers of snow squalls, short-lived but intense bursts of snow and wind that can create whiteout conditions and flash-freeze roads in minutes.
Snow squalls often develop along strong Arctic cold fronts sweeping across the region, producing brief but heavy snow, gusty winds up to 40 mph, and rapid temperature drops. Though total accumulation is usually an inch or less, these events can cause sudden, life-threatening travel conditions, especially on major highways such as I-35, I-90, and I-94.
What Drivers Should Know:
- Visibility can drop to near zero within seconds.
- Roads can turn icy instantly, particularly on bridges and open interstates.
- If you receive a Snow Squall Warning, delay travel or safely pull off the highway until it passes.
- Slow down, turn on headlights, and avoid sudden braking or lane changes.
The Snow Squall Warning system, issued by the NWS, functions similarly to a tornado or severe thunderstorm warning but targets short-term, high-impact winter hazards. These warnings are designed to alert drivers of fast-changing, localized danger zones that typically last 30 to 60 minutes.
Forecasters say snow squalls are among the most underestimated winter threats in the Upper Midwest, responsible for numerous multi-vehicle crashes each season. Motorists are urged to stay weather-aware, especially during late fall and early winter, when the first Arctic fronts of the season often produce these bursts.
For up-to-date information, visit weather.gov/mpx, weather.gov/mkx, or weather.gov/dmx for local forecasts and snow squall alerts across the Upper Midwest.
