WHITEOUT CONDITIONS❄️: An arctic front is making its way across the Midwest toward the Northeast sparking snow squalls. Lake-effect snow and strong winds are expected to create whiteout conditions along three major interstates.
BUFFALO, NY – A powerful cold front is making its way across the country with the possibility of several snow squalls developing along the way. Early Thursday, this front is beginning to move into the Northeast, and the fast-hitting bursts of snow could create extremely dangerous whiteout conditions and impact travel.
A large cold front is continuing its shift east, extending across the Great Lakes and into the Plains.
A strong area of high pressure is tailing that front and will quickly make its way into the middle of the U.S. As the cold front makes its way East, it will be accompanied by an arctic air mass containing some of the coldest temperatures this season, along with moisture, allowing the cold front to act as a trigger for snow showers.
POTENTIAL ICE THREAT, FIRST SNOW OF SEASON LOOMS FOR MID-ATLANTIC, CAROLINAS AMID ACTIVE LA NIÑA WINTER
This image shows a life-threatening snow squall just west of Grand Forks, North Dakota, on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. (@NWSWPC/X)
Snow Squall moving through Milwaukee. (FOX 6 Meteorologist)
This image shows a snow squall in Amarillo, Texas, on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Diana Penn via Storyful)
FILE – A semi-truck with hazard lights on navigates through the snow squall on I-81 on December 5, 2024 in Watertown, New York. This region in New York is experiencing the second snowstorm of the week and has been under a Winter Storm Warning for two days. (Photo by Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images) ( )
Near-whiteout conditions on Interstate 690 in Syracuse, New York, as a clipper system prompts Snow Squall Warnings. ( )
Ahead of the system, it will be cold and calm, but as the system moves to the south, a sharp rise in winds will likely begin and temperatures will tumble.
According to the FOX Weather Center, the threat of snow squalls ramps up on Thursday when the traveling cold front becomes a true artic front. Just enough moisture will accompany this system to allow snow to develop, with the peak expected to happen in the morning and afternoon hours.
Time lapse video shows a snow squall hitting Interstate 94 in Warrens, Wisconsin Wednesday afternoon. (Video: Wisconsin DOT via National Weather Service)
Throughout the day, whiteout conditions are possible along major U.S. Interstates, including I-90, I-81 and I-80, with some areas around the Great Lakes and in the Northeast forecast to see several inches of snow.
WHAT ARE SNOW SQUALLS AND WHY ARE THEY SO DANGEROUS?
With winds switching out of the west and northwest, cold air will move over Lake Erie and Ontario, which increases the risk of Lake-Effect Snow downwind. Winter Weather Advisories have been issued for portions of Western New York, including Buffalo, Watertown and Syracuse, where 3-5 inches of snow is likely.
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