Snow Squall Engulfs New York City, Twitter Reacts
If you're like everyone in New York, you were today years old when you learned what a snow squall is.
On Wednesday afternoon, millions of phones in New York City and its surrounding areas started buzzing with an ominous warning:
everyone in my office just now yelling at once: SNOW SQUALL!!!!! pic.twitter.com/HiEClQoh8I
— laurel (@releasethedoves) December 18, 2019
Immediately, everyone had the same reaction: What, precisely, is a snow squall?
Sees Snow Squall alert
Every New Yorker….. pic.twitter.com/ypUvyOL8dg
— Gamer1🎮🕹 (@LFCFanClub3) December 18, 2019
Is this one of those things that everyone somehow knows about but you?
Everyone googling snow squall right now: pic.twitter.com/AN3ELI0QzN
— DESUS & MERO on SHOWTIME (@SHODesusAndMero) December 18, 2019
And now you have to pretend to know what a snow squall is when you really have no idea?
So now we are just going to act like we all know what #snowsquall is?
— Jim Gaffigan (@JimGaffigan) December 18, 2019
Should we prepare ourselves?
New York right now pic.twitter.com/DNdM1HNEMc
— Alex (@Brazil201) December 18, 2019
A quick search reveals that a snow squall is basically a blizzard, except that it's confined to a certain time and space. Snow squalls typically last for less than three hours, but they can certainly cause a lot of strife.
You may be hearing the term 'snow squall warning' this afternoon. So here's some information on snow squalls and how to stay safe if a warning is issued ❄️⚠️ pic.twitter.com/HqYHf3QRyT
— NWS New York NY (@NWSNewYorkNY) December 18, 2019
Exhibit A: Within minutes, New York City went from blue skies to doom and gloom.
Indeed, what! Is! Happening! #snowsquall pic.twitter.com/boZ23iHp0f
— Meghan Simon (@_megsimon) December 18, 2019
We were half-expecting the Wicked Witch of the West to come riding in on her broomstick.
NYC just got squallowed up. #snowsquall pic.twitter.com/uhMt8fYN6j
— Preeti Desai🌿 (@preetalina) December 18, 2019
The entire city essentially disappeared.
Wow! Check out this time lapse of the #SnowSquall moving over Manhattan. Crazy cool view from the top of One World Trade Center. pic.twitter.com/K7kxjcA0Zt
— David Jones (@DavidJonesTV) December 18, 2019
And we were all plunged into night.
It's sooo dark in Manhattan right now. #snowsquall not even 430pm. Hell's Kitchen. pic.twitter.com/6sagH3AzWQ
— rachel (library cormorant) 🌱 (@VeganRachel) December 18, 2019
Luckily, it passed—as snow squalls tend to do. But, for a minute there, it was squall anyone could talk about.
This except it's everyone in my office saying SQUALL: #SnowSquall pic.twitter.com/mzfty0cYhD
— Patrick Guaschino (@Pat_JG) December 18, 2019
It was one of the year's last viral moments, so we'll always remember you fondly, snow squall.
And just like that, after less than 10 minutes of #snow and wind, it's over!#snowsquall #nywx pic.twitter.com/xrIaLGGHTe
— Geoff Bansen (@WeatherGeoff) December 18, 2019
After squall (last one, we promise), it's an important reminder that the worst never lasts for long!
And for more weather-related records, check out The Coldest Temperature Ever Recorded in Every State.
