Weather
Tennessee Winter Weather Awareness Through Oct 31: Snow Squall Dangers
Nashville, TN – Tennessee drivers traveling through mountain communities and major interstate corridors can encounter dangerous highway conditions when fast moving snow squalls suddenly reduce visibil
By Dylan Reeves · 2026-10-28T09:39:42.800Z
Nashville, TN – Tennessee drivers traveling through mountain communities and major interstate corridors can encounter dangerous highway conditions when fast moving snow squalls suddenly reduce visibility to near zero. As winter weather preparedness messaging continues Wednesday, Oct. 28, motorists are being reminded that brief bursts of heavy snow and gusty winds can create hazardous travel conditions within minutes.
According to the National Weather Service NWS , snow squalls are short lived, intense bursts of snowfall accompanied by strong winds and rapidly deteriorating visibility. These conditions can quickly cover roadways, reduce traction and increase the risk of multivehicle crashes.
How Snow Squalls Threaten Tennessee Highways Unlike prolonged winter storms, snow squalls can arrive suddenly, leaving drivers little time to respond before visibility drops and pavement becomes slippery.
Interstate 40, Interstate 75, Interstate 81, Interstate 24 and Interstate 26 are among Tennessee's major travel corridors where sudden snowfall could create hazardous driving conditions.
Motorists traveling through Knox, Sevier, Cocke, Carter, Johnson and Sullivan counties may face additional risks along elevated highways, steep mountain grades and exposed roadways.
Eastern Tennessee is particularly vulnerable to rapidly changing winter conditions, especially across higher elevations of the Great Smoky Mountains and Appalachian region.
The Cumberland Plateau can also experience sudden bursts of snow and strong winds during colder weather patterns.
What Is a Snow Squall Warning? The NWS issues Snow Squall Warnings when dangerous snow squalls are occurring or imminent.
These warnings generally last 30 to 60 minutes and may activate Wireless Emergency Alerts on compatible mobile phones.
A warning signals an immediate threat to motorists, particularly those traveling at highway speeds where sudden visibility loss can contribute to chain reaction crashes.
What Tennessee Drivers Should Do When a Snow Squall Warning is issued, the safest option is to delay travel until conditions improve .
Motorists already traveling should:
Reduce speed gradually and increase following distance. Turn on headlights to improve visibility. Avoid sudden braking or abrupt lane changes. Exit the highway safely before entering dangerous conditions when possible. Never stop in an active travel lane during a whiteout. Residents can monitor forecasts and official warnings through the NWS Nashville office , NWS Morristown office and NWS Memphis office , which serve different portions of Tennessee.
Winter weather preparedness messaging continues through Saturday, Oct. 31, as part of this editorial series , emphasizing how quickly snow squalls can transform Tennessee highways into dangerous whiteout conditions.