True or False: Snow Squalls are More Dangerous than Blizzards

2/25/2022 (Permalink)

Although they’ve been around as long as blizzards, the term “snow squall” is new, with the official start of snow squall warnings launched in 2018. What makes a snow squall worthy of warnings? 

You’ll find it in what meteorologists refer to as the “flash freeze,” which occurs when plummeting temperatures meet fresh snow, practically turning a road into a skating rink in a matter of minutes. 

According to Jonathan Guseman, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, “The flash freeze component essentially makes travel and controlling a vehicle next to impossible.” 

Dubbed “blizzards without attention spans,” lasting only a half-hour at most, they are threatening enough that Pennsylvania launched Snow Squall Awareness Week in 2021. 

While snow squalls share many characteristics with blizzards, the real danger distinguishing the two comes down to speed or intensity. Of course, most of us would not want to risk blizzard conditions while driving; however, as the National Weather Service advises, “there is no space on a highway during a snow squall;” thereby, making it that much more dangerous than a blizzard. 

We can’t be on the road with you, but your local SERVPRO servicepro team is always standing by to help clean up any storm damage on your property. Stay safe this season and contact SERVPRO of Haverhill / Newburyport for professional reliable storm damage remediation.