Winter Weather Awareness Day is being recognized across Iowa Thursday, and the National Weather Service and Adair and Guthrie County Emergency Management Agency stresses preparing now for severe winter weather.

As Iowa freeways have seen recent dangerous vehicle pileups in winter storms, Adair and Guthrie County Emergency Management Coordinator Bob Kempf says the National Weather Service is introducing a new warning aimed at motorists facing intense periods of snowfall accompanied by gusty winds, “During that blizzard, the actual white-out condition in the area right where it is is what’s called a ‘snow squall.’ Those usually last anywhere from 30-60 minutes. So you’re going to hear more about that this year coming from the weather service and on your radio and television that there’s a snow squall warning for a particular area, maybe on I-80, for a 10 mile area.”

When a snow squall warning is issued, motorists should be prepared to encounter dangerous travel conditions and to delay or adjust travel plans as possible. Kempf urges to always carry a winter survival kit in your car if you must drive, as high winds and white-out conditions will make driving extremely dangerous. For more information on winter alerts, visit here.