Isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms may produce large hail, severe wind gusts, and heavy rain and isolated flash flooding across portions of the southern and central Plains. Showers and thunderstorms are expected to linger cross the South the next couple of days. Heavy showers are creating a flash flooding threat around Kauai and Niihau, Hawaii. Read More >
The weather has a habit of changing pretty quickly, especially during the winter season. Powerful winter storms can bring copious amounts of snow and ice, along with blowing snow and whiteout conditions. In some cases the temperature can drop over 40 degrees in a matter of hours. If travelers don't check the weather forecast and plan accordingly, these fast-changing conditions can be a matter of life or death when we are on the road.
Being aware of the weather conditions when traveling is crucial to ensuring a safe journey. According to the Department of Transportation, over 1,300 people are killed and more than 116,800 people are injured in vehicle crashes on snowy, slushy, or icy pavement annually.
What’s more, fast-changing weather conditions can be particularly dangerous. Just last year alone, white out conditions created by quickly developing snow squalls caused over 140 accidents and 3 fatalities in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire.
Of course, there are several steps you can take to avoid being caught unaware on the road in a hazardous winter event.
Learn more about winter weather by visiting the NWS Winter Safety website: https://www.weather.gov/wrn/winter_safety