“Snow Squall Alert: Sudden Whiteout Conditions Threaten Travel—What Drivers Need to Know Now”

A fast-moving snow squall barreled across southern Michigan late Friday morning, prompting the National Weather Service (NWS) to issue an urgent Snow Squall Warning for Branch, Hillsdale and St. Joseph counties until noon EST. Radar showed a narrow but intense band of snow racing east at roughly 20 mph, producing wind gusts up to 35 mph and slashing visibility to near-zero within minutes. Unlike a widespread winter storm, a snow squall is brief—often 30–60 minutes—yet packs blinding snowfall, sudden pavement icing and dangerous crosswinds. Those rapid shifts can transform dry asphalt into an ice rink and leave drivers with little time to react, a combination the NWS says is responsible for some of winter’s deadliest pile-ups. What happened today • Timeline: At 11:22 a.m. EST, meteorologists detected the squall roughly six miles southeast of Hillsdale; it sprinted eastward, clipping communities from Prattville to Fawn River before weakening just after noon. • Impacts: White-out bursts dropped visibility below ¼ mile, while 35 mph gusts whipped fallen snow back onto the roadway, creating near-instant slick spots. • Temperatures: Surface readings plunged below freezing behind the front, triggering a flash freeze on bridges and untreated roads. Why December squalls matter 1. Early-season complacency: With many Great Lakes residents still acclimating to winter driving, sudden squalls catch travelers off guard. 2. Holiday traffic: The week before Christmas is one of the busiest travel periods of the year; heavier volumes mean a single spin-out can spark multi-car chain reactions. 3. Lake-effect ingredients: Arctic air sweeping over the relatively warm lakes fuels narrow convection bands that intensify just as they slam inland. Safety checklist when a Snow Squall Warning hits • Delay departure if possible; the worst conditions usually pass in under an hour. • Already on the road? Slow to 30 mph or less, switch on headlights and hazards, and leave triple the normal following distance. • Avoid sudden braking—ease off the accelerator and steer gently to maintain control. • If visibility drops to zero, pull off the roadway, turn on flashers and remain in the vehicle until the squall passes. • Keep an emergency kit stocked with blankets, phone charger, traction sand or kitty litter, water and high-energy snacks. Looking ahead Computer models show additional lake-effect bands firing overnight as northwest winds strengthen behind today’s cold front. While widespread accumulations remain light, another quick-hitting squall could flare along I-69 and portions of US-12 during the Friday evening commute. Travelers should monitor local forecasts and enable Wireless Emergency Alerts to receive any new Snow Squall Warnings in real time. Bottom line A snow squall may look like “just a snow shower,” but its explosive mix of blinding flakes, wind and flash freezing can be as treacherous as any blizzard—only with far less notice. Stay weather-aware, adjust travel plans and remember: in a squall, seconds matter and speed kills.