Blizzard Warning for Clearfield County Early Thursday Morning

On Thursday at 3:41 a.m., the National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning in effect until 4:30 a.m. for Clearfield County.

“At 3:40 a.m., a dangerous snow storm was located along a line extending from near Rockton to Woodland and South Philipsburg, moving northeast at 45 mph,” the weather service states. “For those driving on Interstate 80, this includes areas between Dubois Route 255 and the Snow Shoe exits, specifically from mile markers 107 to 138.”

Locations affected by the warning include Clearfield, Philipsburg, Woodland, Curwensville, Hyde, Osceola Mills, Plymptonville, Rockton, Chester Hill, Karthaus, Jeffries and Lecontes Mills.

“Travel will become difficult and potentially dangerous within minutes,” the weather service says. “Slow down! Rapid changes in visibility and road conditions are expected with this dangerous blizzard. Be alert for sudden blackout conditions. Consider avoiding or delaying travel until the blizzard passes your location “If you must travel, use extra caution and allow more. Rapid changes in visibility and slippery road conditions can lead to accidents.”

Snow showers: risks, differences and safety measures

What are snow flurries?

Snow flurries are brief but intense winter weather events, often linked to strong cold fronts. They can cause sudden blackout conditions and icy roads within minutes, even if there is no major winter storm. While they typically last less than an hour and may only cause minor snow accumulation, they pose significant risks to drivers due to reduced visibility, gusty winds, and rapidly falling temperatures. Historically, these conditions have caused fatal traffic accidents.

Understanding snow flurries and blizzards

The main difference between a storm and a snowstorm lies in their duration and intensity. Snow flurries are usually brief but intense, lasting between 30 and 60 minutes. In contrast, a blizzard can last several hours or even days.

Snow storm warnings

Snow flurries warnings are brief and focus on different areas (such as tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings). These warnings provide critical, highly localized information to save lives. If a blizzard warning is issued for your area, avoid or delay motor travel until the storm passes your location.

Actions during a snow storm warning

In response to a blizzard warning, people should follow guidelines provided by the weather service, which cover the following key actions:

Avoid or delay travel: If a snow flurry warning is issued for your area, avoid or delay motor travel until the flurry passes your location. There really is no safe place on the road during a snow storm.

Reduce speed and increase visibility: If you are already in traffic and cannot get off the road in time, reduce speed, turn on your headlights and hazard lights.

Keep a safe distance: Leave enough distance between you and the car in front of you.

Avoid sudden braking: In slippery and icy conditions, sudden braking can cause loss of vehicle control. It is safer to reduce speed gradually to minimize the risk of skidding or causing a chain reaction crash.

Winter Weather Safety Tips: For tips on how to stay safe before, during and after winter weather, visit the weather service’s Winter Weather Safety page.

Prepare your vehicle: Before traveling, take steps to prepare your vehicle for winter conditions by inspecting tires, brakes, and lights, and confirming that all fluids are at proper levels. A well-maintained vehicle is better prepared to face the obstacles of winter driving.

Emergency Kit Essentials: Always have a well-prepared emergency kit in your vehicle containing essential supplies such as blankets, non-perishable food, water, a flashlight, and a first aid kit. Also, include jumper cables, flares or a reflective triangle, an ice scraper, a cell phone car charger, a map, and sand or cat litter to improve tire traction. These items can be invaluable if you encounter an unexpected breakdown or emergency while traveling.

In conclusion, when faced with a snowstorm warning, prioritizing personal safety and following the recommendations of the meteorological service can significantly mitigate the risks. By understanding, preparing and staying alert, people can face these winter dangers with greater confidence and security.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to collect the latest data from the National Weather Service.