Snow emergency alerts are issued when a major winter storm is expected to bring dangerous conditions, and a forecast of 13 inches of snow is enough to disrupt travel, power, and daily life across an entire region. As this powerful storm approaches, communities need to prepare for hazardous roads, possible outages, and strict parking and travel rules that accompany a declared snow emergency.​

What a snow emergency alert means

A snow emergency alert is an official notice from local or state authorities that heavy snow, often combined with wind and cold, will severely affect normal activities and require special rules for safety and snow removal. These alerts are often triggered by forecasts of a foot or more of snow, blizzard-like conditions, or rapidly worsening road conditions that could overwhelm regular plowing operations.​

Cities and counties typically use multiple channels to spread the word, including text messages, automated phone calls, emails, social media, and local news outlets. In some communities, flashing lights, sirens, or highway message boards reinforce that a snow emergency is in effect and that residents must follow specific parking and travel restrictions.​

The significance of a 13-inch forecast

A forecast of 13 inches of snow usually means prolonged heavy snowfall over many hours or even more than a day, creating deep accumulations on roads and sidewalks. In recent late-fall and early-winter storms, similar totals in the Midwest and Great Lakes have produced nearly impassable roads, stranded vehicles, and widespread travel delays during busy holiday periods.​

Meteorologists note that once snowfall exceeds roughly 6 inches, impacts expand rapidly, and by 12 inches or more, even well-equipped northern cities can struggle to keep up with plowing and de-icing. When heavy snow is combined with gusty winds, visibility can drop to near zero at times, further increasing the risk of crashes and highway closures.​

Expected impacts on transportation and power

Transportation is usually the first sector to feel the impact of a powerful winter storm, as heavy snow and ice reduce road capacity, slow traffic, and force temporary closures. Highways, bridges, and local streets can quickly become slick and rutted, leading to spinouts, jackknifed trucks, and a spike in collisions, especially where drivers underestimate conditions.​

Air and rail travel are also vulnerable, with low visibility, snow-covered runways, and ice on tracks causing delays, cancellations, and cascading disruptions far beyond the storm zone. Strong winds and the weight of wet, heavy snow can bring down tree limbs and power lines, resulting in outages that affect heating, communications, and water systems.​

Typical impacts at different snow totals

During a snow emergency, many cities enforce special parking rules so plows can clear streets from curb to curb, often designating certain routes as priority corridors. Residents may be required to move vehicles off snow emergency routes or alternate sides of the street on specific days or nights so that plows can make multiple passes.​

Failure to follow these rules can lead to tickets or towing, not only to maintain order but also to ensure ambulances, fire trucks, and police vehicles can move through neighborhoods during and after the storm. In more severe situations, officials may warn against nonessential travel or even restrict it entirely to reduce crashes and free up resources for emergency response.​

Staying informed and receiving alerts

Modern snow emergency alerts increasingly rely on digital systems that send messages directly to phones and email, often through city-run alert platforms or third-party providers. Residents are typically encouraged to sign up in advance and to use more than one alert method, since no single channel can be guaranteed during a fast-moving storm.​

Wireless Emergency Alerts, which can appear on smartphones with a unique tone and vibration, may also be used when conditions are life-threatening or when officials issue urgent travel warnings. Local government websites, radio, and television remain critical backstops for people who miss or do not receive direct notifications.​

Safety steps before and during the storm

As a 13-inch snow event approaches, households are advised to build or refresh emergency kits with food, water, medications, flashlights, and batteries in case travel becomes impossible or power goes out. Ensuring that vehicles have full fuel tanks, winter tires or chains where needed, ice scrapers, and blankets can make an unexpected delay or roadside stop safer.​

Inside the home, maintaining adequate heating, preventing pipes from freezing, and using generators or space heaters only according to safety guidelines reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and fires. People with medical needs that depend on electricity or regular treatments may need to coordinate early with caregivers, clinics, or local emergency services.​

Community resilience and recovery

After the snow ends, the work of clearing streets, sidewalks, and driveways can take days, especially when more than a foot of snow blankets a wide area. Municipal crews and contractors often work around the clock, but residents are also responsible for shoveling sidewalks and hydrants in front of their homes to keep neighborhoods safe and accessible.​

Businesses, schools, and public agencies may phase back into normal operations only as roads improve, transit resumes, and power is restored, emphasizing the link between individual preparedness and community resilience. For many communities, each major storm becomes a test of emergency plans, communications systems, and neighbor-to-neighbor support networks that will be needed again in future winters.​

 

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FAQs

Q1: Why did officials declare a snow emergency for 13 inches of snow?
Because totals near or above a foot typically overwhelm normal road maintenance, trigger dangerous travel conditions, and can threaten power and critical infrastructure.​

Q2: Should people drive during a snow emergency?
Authorities usually urge people to avoid nonessential travel to reduce crashes and give plows and emergency vehicles room to work.​

Q3: How long do snow emergency rules usually last?
Rules often remain in place until main roads and priority routes are plowed curb to curb, which can take a day or more after heavy snowfall ends.