A snow squall is often associated with strong cold fronts and can move in and out quickly, typically lasting less than an hour, according to the National Weather Service. But what is a snow squall?. The National Weather Service has issued a snow squall warning for the New York City tri … The National Weather Service issued a snow squall warning for parts of upstate New York over the weekend. With a snow squall, the snow accumulation may or may not be significant. With a snow squall, the snow accumulation may or may not be significant. Snow squalls actually have similarities to the types of thunderstorms you usually see in the summer, AccuWeather meteorologist Bernie Rayno explained. A snow squall, or snowsquall, refers to an abrupt violent wind that is usually accompanied by snow, hail, or rain. A pedestrian stands in Times Square during a snow squall on December 18, 2019, in New York. Be familiar with a Snow Squall Warning. If a snow squall warning is issued for your area, avoid or delay motor travel until the squall passes through your location. + Actions to Take There truly is no safe place on the highway during a snow squall. Snow squalls are bursts of heavy snow, but they're very brief, typically lasting less than an hour. You may have heard or seen weather forecasts calling for snow squalls, but what exactly are these and why is there reason for concern? But that doesn't mean it isn't dangerous. For many, the first response was to wonder what exactly a snow squall was. It's similar to a blizzard with massive snowfall, strong wind gusts, and whiteout conditions -- but it only occurs for a relatively brief time and appears in relatively small areas at a time. A snow squall is a sudden, heavy snowstorm that doesn't last very long. They may be characterized by one main squall or multiple squalls. After the National Weather Service issued warnings in the New York tri-state area, many questioned how the snowstorm would unfold. A snow squall is none of these things, says Brian Jackson, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service: “It’s a quick, heavy burst.” Squalls are the worst of both weather conditions. Snow squalls have caused travel chaos Credit: Alamy What is a snow squall? Snow squall warnings will not be issued for areas when a winter storm or blizzard warning is already in effect. Original story below. A line of snow squalls is moving across Pennsylvania this morning, ahead of days of bitter cold.. A snow squall is an intense short-lived burst of heavy snowfall that leads to a quick reduction in visibilities and is often accompanied by gusty winds. Because of its rapid movement, accumulations from a snow squall are light. A snow squall is a sudden, heavy snowstorm that doesn't last very long. What's a snow squall, and why did I get an alert for it on my cellphone? Often likened to a whiteout, a snow squall closely resembles a blizzard but is localized to a certain area, does not last as long, and the accumulation of snow varies.