Thu Jan 01 08:30:00 UTC 2026: Here’s a news article summarizing the text:

Rapid Snow Squall Hits Sullivan County, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and Hazleton Early Thursday Morning

SULLIVAN COUNTY, PA – A dangerous snow squall swept through Sullivan County and parts of Northeast Pennsylvania early Thursday morning, prompting a rapid-issue warning from the National Weather Service (NWS). The warning, issued at 2:45 a.m. and lasting until 3:30 a.m., covered areas including Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton, and surrounding communities.

The NWS reported the fast-moving squall was traveling east at 40 mph, bringing with it intense bursts of heavy snow, gusty winds up to 35 mph, and near-zero visibility due to whiteout conditions.

“Travel will become difficult and potentially dangerous within minutes,” the NWS cautioned in their alert. They urged drivers to reduce speed and turn on headlights to increase visibility.

Snow squalls are brief but intense weather events that can create hazardous driving conditions in a short amount of time. While lasting less than an hour, they can cause sudden whiteouts and icy roads, leading to potentially deadly traffic accidents. The NWS likened the urgency of snow squall warnings to those issued for tornadoes or severe thunderstorms.

Safety Recommendations:

  • Avoid or Delay Travel: If a snow squall warning is issued for your area, postpone or avoid driving until the squall passes.
  • Reduce Speed and Increase Visibility: If already on the road, slow down and turn on both headlights and hazard lights.
  • Maintain Safe Distance: Leave ample space between your vehicle and the one ahead.
  • Avoid Abrupt Braking: In slippery conditions, gradual slowing is crucial to prevent skidding.

The NWS also advises drivers to prepare their vehicles for winter conditions by inspecting tires, brakes, and lights and ensuring all fluids are at appropriate levels. An emergency kit containing blankets, food, water, a flashlight, a first-aid kit, jumper cables, flares, an ice scraper, a cell phone charger, a map, and traction aids like cat litter or sand is highly recommended.

For more information on winter weather safety, visit the National Weather Service’s Winter Weather Safety page. This alert was compiled by Advance Local Weather Alerts using machine learning to gather the latest data from the National Weather Service.

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