![]() There are three different conditions that cause a white-out. This qualifying wind strength is the main difference between blizzards and white-outs. For a storm to be qualified as a blizzard, the winds must be blowing in excess of 35 mph and visibility must be reduced to less than 1/4 mile for more than 3 hours. A white-out is a condition found in polar regions in which snow and low cloud layers create uniform lighting, causing landscape features to disappear. Thank You.In many ways blizzards and white-outs are related. I hope you can give a answer that will help drivers all over who have no choice, they must drive. I would appreciate to know how far to pull over? Is there so e way to tell? I was lucky I was in so called daylight. How do you know how far to pull over ? When I got back to the group home safe with my guys I actually thought it was a blizzard,and couldn’t understand why this snow storm Wasn’t a blizzard ? I no now. I just came to a stop and hoped for the best. ( it all turned out well) but I did not know where to pull over, was I still on the road ? Or going to far into the woods or a ditch.Yes there were others spinning out and minor accidents. My problem was I could not see where to go for safety for my guys. I did all U said to do except the flashers. This was the first and I hope the only one I will ever drive in again. ,Autistic guys to their home from program. I was Definatly in a snow squall driving a mini van with my M.R. Read our list of must-have items for winter driving here.īeing prepared is your best defense against any weather event. ![]() It’s important that every driver has an emergency kit in the vehicle containing such items as drinking water, food, a blanket, a first-aid kit, and a flashlight. ![]() Headlights on! In a whiteout, make sure your headlights are on, and if you need to, turn on your emergency hazards (“flashers”), to alert other drivers that caution is needed, plus, this gives them a better chance of seeing you. Instead, slow down and keep a distance from the car in front of you. Slow down!ĭon’t slam on the brakes. Your instinct may be to slam on the brakes when a whiteout hits, but this increases your chances of getting rear-ended or sliding off icy roadways. You have to drive to match the conditions. Reduce speed: We hear it all the time from police but reducing your speed is your best defense in reduced visibility. Since they are fast-moving, it’s best to pull safely over to the side of the road, if possible, and wait it out. Snow squalls arrive quickly, but they also tend to pass just as fast. If you see one advancing toward you while you’re driving, try to pull off the road somewhere safe. Observe your surroundings: Sometimes you can see a snow squall coming. So what can you do if you find yourself in the middle of a snow squall while on the road? 5 Tips For Safe Driving Driving In A Snow Squall At the beginning of 2014, a snow squall was blamed for a 100-car pileup on Highway 400, just north of Toronto. Combine that with snow blowing across the roadways, creating slick conditions, it can be a recipe for disaster. The intensity of the snow coming down combined with high winds means not only is your visibility behind the wheel is greatly reduced, but whiteouts skew your perception of where the horizon is, causing disorientation. Often the words “whiteout conditions” are used when describing snow squalls. So much so that the National Weather Alert system has included snow squall warnings for your area. So think of them like a blizzard that only lasts about 30 minutes or less. Even if they only last a few minutes, snow squalls can dump a significant amount of snow in a short period, and those intense gusty winds can reach 50 mph. What exactly is a snow squall and how can you stay safe if you find yourself driving in one? What Is A Snow Squall?Ī snow squall is defined as a brief intense snow shower with gusty winds that does not qualify as a blizzard due to its short duration.īut don’t let the word “brief” fool you-snow squalls can strike with such intensity that they can make driving conditions dangerous within split seconds. Different from a snow shower, squalls are feisty storms. But they don’t have to take you by surprise. The above event describes what can happen when you encounter a snow squall. Snow squalls are localized winter weather events that can happen (depending on where you live) without notice. You slam on your brakes and the next thing you know, you’re spinning out of control. You can’t see the car in front of you anymore. Suddenly, in an instant, a wall of snow envelops your vehicle, cutting visibility down to just a few feet. The sky is blue and the road is clear, with a clear line of sight to the cars around you. Imagine this: You’re driving along the highway on a cold, blustery day, traveling at a moderate speed.
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