Ask the Chief

A term that may be new to some of you is "snow squall" and "snow squall warning". The National Weather Service web page describes a snow squall as: "Snow squalls, often associated with strong cold fronts, are a key wintertime weather hazard. They move in and out quickly and typically last less than an hour. The sudden white-out conditions combined with falling temperatures produce icy roads in just a few minutes.
"Squalls can occur where there is no large-scale winter storm in progress and might only produce minor accumulations. Snow squalls can cause localized extreme impacts to the traveling public and commerce for brief periods of time. Unfortunately, there is a long history of deadly traffic accidents associated with snow squalls. Although snow accumulations are typically an inch or less, the added combination of gusty winds, falling temperatures and quick reductions in visibility can cause extremely dangerous conditions for motorists.”
On Nov. 12, 2020, I-94 near Monticello was hit by a snow squall that resulted in a 29-vehicle pileup with at least nine people being injured.
The National Weather Service issues Snow Squall Warnings and if you are in an area that receives one you are encouraged to avoid travel during the warning period. If you are already traveling you should slow down, turn on your headlights and add distance between you and other vehicles. If you can exit the roadway do so and find a safe place to park.
Keep in mind that a squall is not a storm but a weather hazard that can pop up with very little warning. The good news is that they don’t last very long and will only cause a minor delay in your plans.