Sudden Snow Squall Warning Issued for New York

More than 1.1 million people in New York warned of dangerous travel conditions due to intense bursts of heavy snow.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 3:39pm

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The National Weather Service in Buffalo issued a sudden snow squall warning on Tuesday afternoon for more than 1.1 million people in parts of western New York, including the Buffalo metro area. The warning was prompted by radar and webcam observations of "intense bursts of heavy snow" hitting the region, leading to whiteout conditions and hazardous travel on roads like Interstate 90.

Why it matters

Snow squalls can develop rapidly and cause sudden, dangerous conditions for drivers, leading to a history of deadly traffic accidents. While the snow accumulations may be minor, the combination of gusty winds, falling temperatures, and quick reductions in visibility make snow squalls an underrated weather threat, especially in the Northeast where they are common during the winter months.

The details

The snow squall warning was in effect until 4:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, encompassing areas including Buffalo, Cheektowaga, West Seneca, North Tonawanda, Clarence, Lockport, Lackawanna, Batavia, Kenmore, and Depew. Meteorologists reported visibility dropping to a quarter-mile or less, with snowfall rates high enough to quickly make roads slick and treacherous.

  • The warning was issued shortly before 3:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.

The players

National Weather Service (NWS)

The federal agency responsible for weather forecasting and issuing weather warnings across the United States.

Phillip Pandolfo

A meteorologist with the NWS Buffalo office who provided details on the snow squall conditions.

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What they’re saying

“Intense bursts of heavy snow. Gusty winds leading to blowing snow and rapidly falling visibility. Wind gusts up to 20 mph.”

— NWS Buffalo (Newsweek)

“Visibilities are very poor, a quarter mile or less is what we are observing.”

— Phillip Pandolfo, Meteorologist (Newsweek)

What’s next

The snow squall warning was set to expire at 4:30 p.m. ET, but additional warnings may be issued for nearby areas as the intense snow squall moves through the region.

The takeaway

This sudden snow squall highlights the dangers that these fast-developing winter weather events can pose, especially for drivers. While the snow accumulations may be minor, the combination of gusty winds, rapidly falling visibility, and icy road conditions can create life-threatening situations in a matter of minutes.