Sudden New York Weather Alert Warns of ‘Dangerous Travel’

More than 1.1 million individuals in New York had been warned of sudden whiteout situations and harmful journey on Tuesday afternoon after a snow squall developed quickly.

The sudden warning was issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) workplace in Buffalo shortly earlier than 3:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday afternoon after climate radar and webcams detected “intense bursts of heavy snow” hitting the realm.

More than 1.1 million individuals dwell within the warning space, which encompasses Northwestern Wyoming County, Northern Erie County, Southeastern Niagara County, Orleans County, Genesee County, and Northwestern Monroe County. Cities and cities affected embody Buffalo, Cheektowaga, West Seneca, North Tonawanda, Clarence, Lockport, Lackawanna, Batavia, Kenmore, and Depew.

As of the time of the warning’s issuance, the “dangerous” snow squall was positioned close to Point Breeze, 11 miles northwest of Angola on the Lake. It was transferring east at 30 mph.

Roads impacted embody Interstate 90 between exits 48 and 57.

“Intense bursts of heavy snow,” NWS Buffalo stated within the warning. “Gusty winds leading to blowing snow and rapidly falling visibility. Wind gusts up to 20 mph.”

People driving within the affected areas can be most impacted.

“Visibilities are very poor, a quarter mile or less is what we are observing,” NWS meteorologist Phillip Pandolfo advised Newsweek.

Pandolfo added that the snowfall charges had been important sufficient to make the highway situations slick.

The warning will stay in place till 4:30 p.m. ET, though further warnings could also be issued in close by areas because the snow squall strikes via the realm.

“Slow Down! Rapid changes in visibility and road conditions are expected with this dangerous snow squall. Be alert for sudden whiteout conditions.”

What Is a Snow Squall?

A snow squall develops rapidly, inflicting sudden whiteout situations that will be deadly for drivers caught in it. When mixed with falling temperatures, roads change into icy in minutes. Snow squalls usually final for round an hour.

“Squalls can occur where there is no large-scale winter storm in progress and might only produce minor accumulations,” the NWS says. “Snow squalls can cause localized extreme impacts to the traveling public and to 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.”

Much of the Northeast is vulnerable to snow squalls this weekend amid an incoming Arctic blast that’s set to plunge temperatures throughout the area.