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Mid-Atlantic – Snow squalls are brief but intense bursts of snowfall that can rapidly create dangerous driving conditions across the Mid-Atlantic region.
According to the National Weather Service, a snow squall is a narrow band of heavy snow often accompanied by gusty winds, causing visibility to drop sharply—sometimes to near zero—in just a few minutes. While most snow squalls last only 15 to 60 minutes, their sudden onset makes them especially hazardous.
In the Mid-Atlantic, snow squalls typically form along strong winter cold fronts sweeping southeast from the Ohio Valley. Cold air rushing in behind these fronts can trigger quick bursts of heavy snow, strong wind gusts, and rapidly falling temperatures. Roads that appear wet or only lightly slushy can freeze quickly as colder air arrives.
The greatest danger comes from the abrupt change in conditions. Drivers may encounter clear skies or light snow before suddenly entering blinding snowfall and icy pavement. This has contributed to multi-vehicle crashes along major routes such as Interstates 95, 81, 83, 66, and 270, particularly during high-traffic commuting hours.
Because of the immediate threat to motorists, the National Weather Service may issue Snow Squall Warnings for parts of the Mid-Atlantic. These warnings urge drivers to slow down immediately, turn on headlights, increase following distance, and avoid sudden braking.
Snow squalls are most common in interior sections of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and northern Delaware, but urban corridors and coastal plain highways can also be affected during strong cold outbreaks.
For Mid-Atlantic commuters, students, and early-shift workers, snow squalls can significantly disrupt travel despite their short duration.
