The logo for the Daily Beast's Obsessed website. It reads: 'Obsessed: What to Watch, Binge, See, & Skip'
DAILY BEAST
Membership call to action crossword iconCrosswordNewsletters
  • Gift Guides
  • Cheat Sheet
  • Obsessed
  • Politics
  • Israel-Gaza
  • Entertainment
  • Media
  • Opinion
  • U.S. News
  • Scouted
CHEAT SHEET
    POLITICS
    • Biden World
    • Elections
    • Opinion
    • National Security
    • Congress
    • Pay Dirt
    • The New Abnormal
    • Trumpland
    MEDIA
    • Confider
    • Daytime Talk
    • Late-Night
    • Fox News
    U.S. NEWS
    • Identities
    • Crime
    • Race
    • LGBT
    • Extremism
    • Coronavirus
    WORLD
    • Russia
    • Europe
    • China
    • Middle East
    INNOVATION
    • Science
    TRAVEL
      ENTERTAINMENT
      • TV
      • Movies
      • Music
      • Comedy
      • Sports
      • Sex
      • TDB's Obsessed
      • Awards Shows
      • The Last Laugh
      CULTURE
      • Power Trip
      • Fashion
      • Books
      • Royalist
      TECH
      • Disinformation
      SCOUTED
      • Sales
      • Reviews
      • New Kids on the Block
      • Beauty
      • Fitness
      • Home
      • Technology
      • Travel
      COUPONS
      • Vistaprint Coupons
      • Ulta Coupons
      • Office Depot Coupons
      • Adidas Promo Codes
      • Walmart Promo Codes
      • H&M Coupons
      • Spanx Promo Codes
      • StubHub Promo Codes
      Products
      NewslettersPodcastsCrosswordsSubscription
      FOLLOW US
      GOT A TIP?

      SEARCH

      HOMEPAGE
      U.S. Newsvertical orientation badge

      What Is a Snow Squall? Dangerous Storm Warning Blasted Out Across Northeast

      SAY WHAT?

      Spencer Platt/Getty

      New York, New Jersey, and some areas in Pennsylvania were hit by the brief but powerful storm on Wednesday.

      Julia Arciga

      Reporter

      Updated Jan. 22, 2021 10:00AM EST / Published Dec. 18, 2019 4:12PM EST 

      Millions of East Coast residents received a “snow squall warning” on their cell phones Wednesday afternoon—confusing many who had no idea what the unusual weather term means.

      According to the National Weather Service (NWS), snow squalls are bursts of intense snowfall accompanied by strong winds. The good news is that the bursts don’t typically last long, and the “squall” is typically over within three hours. Most last 30 minutes to an hour.

      While short, snow squalls should be taken seriously. The NWS states that warnings are much like tornado or severe thunderstorm warnings, and can cause low visibility—making for dangerous travel conditions and accidents.

      The New York City mayor’s office announced that a warning would be in place until 4:15 p.m. Wednesday.

      “It will arrive quickly and powerfully, but it will not last very long. Be careful if you’re outside, visibility on the roads can decrease quickly,” the office wrote in a tweet.

      The city’s emergency warning Twitter account cautioned residents about “blowing snow" with “wind gusts up to 30 mph” that could create “life-threatening travel conditions.”

      NJ.com reports that 11 New Jersey counties received the snow squall warning due to an “arctic front” moving through the region. Four counties in Pennsylvania are also under the warning, news station WTAE reports.

      To stay safe, the NWS recommended that residents consider alternate routes for travel or delaying any travel. When moving on roads, the agency advised individuals to “stay alert” for changing conditions along with slowing down and using low-beam headlights.

      Advertisement

      Julia Arciga

      Julia Arciga

      Reporter

      @JuliaArciga

      Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here.

      DAILY BEAST
      • Cheat Sheet
      • Politics
      • Entertainment
      • Media
      • World
      • Innovation
      • U.S. News
      • Scouted
      • Travel
      • Subscription
      • Crossword
      • Newsletters
      • Podcasts
      • About
      • Contact
      • Tips
      • Jobs
      • Advertise
      • Help
      • Privacy
      • Code of Ethics & Standards
      • Diversity
      • Terms & Conditions
      • Copyright & Trademark
      • Sitemap
      • Coupons
      • Coupons:
      • Dick's Sporting Goods Coupons
      • HP Coupon Codes
      • Chewy Promo Codes
      • Nordstrom Rack Coupons
      • NordVPN Coupons
      • JCPenny Coupons
      • Nordstrom Coupons
      • Samsung Promo Coupons
      • Home Depot Coupons
      • Hotwire Promo Codes
      • eBay Coupons
      • Ashley Furniture Promo Codes
      © 2023 The Daily Beast Company LLC