Milwaukee, WI – As Wisconsin wraps up Winter Weather Awareness Week, the National Weather Service is reminding residents about one of the most dangerous cold-season hazards: snow squalls. These brief but intense bursts of snow and wind can reduce visibility to near zero and quickly turn roads icy and hazardous.
According to the National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan office, snow squalls typically last 30 to 60 minutes and can produce sudden whiteout conditions, even on otherwise quiet winter days. Forecasters say the biggest risk occurs when fast-moving snow bands collide with high-speed traffic, often leading to multi-vehicle pileups.
NWS officials highlighted several key characteristics of snow squalls:
- Intense bursts of snow and strong winds
- Short duration
- Severe visibility reduction
- Rapidly deteriorating road conditions
When conditions are favorable for dangerous squalls, meteorologists may issue a Snow Squall Warning. These warnings are typically limited to small geographic areas and short time windows but can trigger Wireless Emergency Alerts on smartphones—similar to tornado or flash flood warnings.
Officials stress that when a Snow Squall Warning is issued, drivers should slow down immediately, turn on headlights, increase following distance or, if possible, delay travel altogether. Entering a snow squall at highway speeds is considered one of winter’s most dangerous driving scenarios.
The National Weather Service continues to use Winter Weather Awareness Week to educate Wisconsinites on severe cold-season hazards, encouraging residents to stay alert and review safe-travel practices ahead of the winter months.
