A Snow Squall Can Turn Into a Pileup in Seconds. Here's How to Survive One.

A snow squall isn’t a “cute little flurry.” It’s a fast-moving blast of snow that can turn clear pavement into a whiteout in minutes. Visibility drops hard. Roads ice over fast. The danger is the speed. Drivers roll in at normal highway pace and hit a wall of zero vision.

The National Weather Service says snow squalls can be life-threatening because they combine heavy snow, gusty wind, and sudden loss of visibility. That mix can trigger pileups fast, especially on interstates and bridges.

How to Drive Through a Snow Squall Without Becoming the Next Crash Photo

First, learn the term. The National Weather Service uses “Snow Squall” and “Snow Squall Warning” for these quick-hit events. If you see that wording, assume rapid visibility loss and slick roads. Treat it like a short, sharp emergency, not a slow all-day storm.

If you see a dark, low band of snow ahead, treat it like a hazard sign. Slow down before you enter it. If you wait until you’re in the whiteout, you’re already late.

Turn your headlights on. Not your hazards. Headlights help other drivers track you. Hazard lights can make it look like you’re stopped. Keep a longer gap than you think you need. A three-second following distance is a summer rule. In a squall, give yourself real space.

Stay off cruise control. You want full control of throttle and braking. Keep both hands on the wheel. Avoid sudden lane changes. Don’t pass. In low visibility, a “quick move” is how you collect another car’s bumper.

If you start to slide, look where you want the car to go and steer smoothly. Don’t jerk the wheel. Don’t slam the brakes. If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, press the brake firmly and let the system work.

Here’s the big one: don’t stop in the travel lane. If you panic-stop on the road, you become a parked target. Keep moving at a safe speed. If you must pull over, get completely off the roadway and out of the path of traffic.

Prep matters, too. The National Weather Service’s winter safety guidance stresses checking conditions before you roll and keeping basic supplies in the vehicle. NHTSA’s winter driving tips echo the same truth: tires, visibility, and speed control decide what happens next.

My Verdict

If you hear “snow squall” in a forecast, don’t treat it like normal snow. Slow down early, keep your lights on, and stay moving unless you can get fully off the road. The whiteout lasts minutes. The crash can last all day.