Snow “squalls” are streaks of very violent snowfall: more than an ordinary fall of snow, as is the case everywhere, it is a sudden, dramatic event, which produces so much snow that it obscures all visibility. stops
“Squalls of snow”, as the Americans call it, doesn’t really translate into French: in our language, we speak of squalls of snow, or even rain of snow, but Storm Name a very violent trend. The Storm In fact, they are similar to a “mini blizzard”, with very short duration storms. Judging from radar and satellite images, the incoming line is clearly very thin.
Seen from the ground, the arrival of “snow waves” is impressive: an arcs-type roller cloud often precedes them.
Ice storms along lakes or oceans
Snow squats are performed in two ways:
- In case of lake effect: Whenthe windthe wind The Arctic Ocean descends from the Arctic to the American Great Lakes. On the contraryOn the contrary Between the frozen air and the relative softness of the lakes, an explosive situation develops. The development of moving clouds gives rise to snow storms.
- During the arrival of a cold front of a depression in winter: The cold zone that accompanies the end of a passing depression may be followed by one or more lines of “snow waves”. This heavy snowfall is sometimes accompanied by thunderstorms here.
In all cases, “snow waves” require freezing air and high humidity.EnvironmentEnvironmentHence the fact that this phenomenon occurs near the American Great Lakes, or even the coasts. The US East Coast (in Canada as in the United States) regularly experiences these lines of heavy snowfall, and the phenomenon has sometimes occurred along the Channel coast. More you northMore you north.
A phenomenon responsible for monstrous piles
It usually snows for only a few minutes in a very limited area, but its intensity rainrain That’s enough to make this phenomenon very dangerous on the streets. Over the past 10 years in the United States, there have been several times that “snowstorms” have caused horrific pileups of 100 to 200 vehicles!
What to do if there is snow on your road? It is important to turn on your headlights immediately so that other drivers can be seen and not hit. Obviously you have to slow down, keep a good distance from others, ideally park safely when the rain is passing.
This trend is rare in France, but if you’re traveling in the United States or Canada, be warned Weather reportWeather report Usually issued in advance. Hazards are generally well predicted, but as with all dynamic phenomena, it is always difficult to predict the exact region where they will occur.
