Snow squall warning for millions of Iowa [Video]

A warning for a “dangerous” snow squall—a sudden, moderately heavy downfall of snow—has been issued for central Iowa by the National Weather Service (NWS).

Residents of the state have been told that travel “will become difficult and potentially dangerous within minutes.”

A snow squall warning was also issued in Canada, according to the Weather Network, which predicted that up to 60 centimeters (almost 2 feet) of snow could fall on parts of Ontario, potentially making travel “treacherous.”

Why It Matters

Snow squalls can come on very suddenly, causing whiteout conditions and icy roads within minutes. Iowa residents have been warned to slow down while driving because of “rapid changes in visibility and road conditions.”

Snow squalls are a winter weather hazard, but are not the same as a snowstorm because of their duration, the NWS says. A snowstorm is typically a lot longer, lasting for several hours or even days, while a snow …