A snow squall warning was issued by the National Weather Service Wednesday night for highways in parts of Cook and DuPage counties, warning of life-threatening travel conditions.
A snow squall warning is in effect until 10:15 PM CST for I-290, I-294, I-355, I-55 near Chicago, IL–IN. pic.twitter.com/skQyyI27DG
— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) December 5, 2024
The warning was in effect for parts of I-290, I-294, I-355 and I-55, covering much of eastern DuPage County and southern Cook County.
What is a snow squall?
A snow squall is defined as a short but intense burst of snow accompanied by strong winds that can produce whiteout or near whiteout conditions and is “a key wintertime weather hazard,” according to the NWS.
Forecasters warn that serious injuries and deaths may result from people exiting their vehicles during a snow squall, explaining drivers may not see others or stop.
“Unfortunately, there is a long history of deadly traffic accidents associated with snow squalls,” according to the NWS website. “Although snow accumulations are typically an inch or less, the added combination of gusty winds, falling temperatures and quick reductions in visibility can cause extremely dangerous conditions for motorists.”
A snow squall warning usually covers a small, targeted area, is typically in effect for 30-60 minutes and similar to tornado or severe thunderstorm warnings.