A newly released video showing Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software version 14.2 piloting a Cybertruck through a major New Jersey blizzard is drawing widespread attention as winter conditions tested autonomous driving capabilities in real time. The 40-second clip, recorded Sunday evening by automotive content creator Billy Kyle, depicts the vehicle maintaining steady highway speeds in falling snow and reduced visibility while the system’s interface actively mapped surrounding vehicles and lane positioning.

The footage was captured during one of the most significant winter storms to impact the state in decades, a bomb cyclone that produced record snowfall totals exceeding 30 inches in some areas and prompted statewide travel bans. Despite the hazardous conditions, the Cybertruck’s vision-based system appeared to detect road boundaries and traffic flow, adjusting speed smoothly without any visible driver interventions during the recording. On-screen telemetry indicated continuous environmental tracking even as snow accumulation obscured traditional lane markings.

Supporters of Tesla’s camera-only autonomy approach argue that the demonstration highlights the maturity of neural-network-driven perception, particularly in complex weather scenarios where lidar and radar can experience signal degradation. The system’s ability to maintain lane discipline on snow-covered pavement suggests advances in predictive path modeling and traction-aware speed control. Owners and enthusiasts noted that the vehicle’s stability on potentially icy surfaces reflects integration between FSD decision-making and Tesla’s traction and stability management systems.

However, safety experts and skeptics emphasized that Tesla’s Full Self-Driving remains a supervised driver-assistance feature rather than a fully autonomous system. Current regulatory guidance requires drivers to remain attentive and ready to take control at all times, especially in severe weather where sensor occlusion, reduced contrast, and unpredictable road friction can challenge automated perception. Critics also cautioned that short video segments do not provide a complete operational context, including traffic density, road treatment status, or driver monitoring compliance.

The demonstration arrives as federal and state authorities continue evaluating advanced driver-assistance systems across the industry, with particular scrutiny on performance claims in adverse conditions. Winter weather remains one of the most demanding environments for automated driving due to dynamic surface friction, obscured signage, and rapidly changing visibility. Real-world testing under these conditions provides valuable data for both manufacturers and regulators assessing system reliability.

While the video does not alter Tesla’s official classification of FSD as a Level 2 driver-assistance system, it contributes to the broader debate over the pace of autonomous technology development and the viability of vision-only architectures. For now, the Cybertruck’s performance in the New Jersey blizzard serves as a high-profile case study in how advanced software, vehicle dynamics control, and sensor processing interact when confronted with one of the most challenging operating domains for modern mobility systems.