A Winter Storm Warning was issued by the National Weather Service at 11:52 a.m. Tuesday for the South Central Oregon Cascades from 2:00 p.m. Wednesday until 5:00 p.m. Friday.

The weather service describes: “Heavy snow is expected above 5,000 feet in the Cascades in Klamath and Douglas counties. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 2 feet. Winds gusting up to 45 mph”.

“Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Strong winds and heavy snow could bring down tree branches,” the weather service added. “If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in the vehicle in case of an emergency.”

Drive safely in winter: expert advice from the weather service for difficult conditions

Winter weather can make driving treacherous, leading to more than 6,000 weather-related deaths and more than 480,000 injuries each year. When traveling in snow or freezing rain, prioritize safety by slowing down. In near-freezing temperatures, it’s safest to assume icy conditions exist on the roads and adjust your driving accordingly. Watch out for ice build-up on power lines or tree limbs, which can lead to snapping and falling hazards. If possible, avoid driving in such conditions. If you must venture, opt for trails with fewer trees and power lines. Never touch a downed power line and call 911 immediately if you encounter one. Here are some additional wintertime tips:

Share your travel plans:

When venturing out of town in dangerous winter weather, be sure to inform family or friends of your destination, intended route, and estimated time of arrival.

Prepare your vehicle:

Make sure your gas tank is full and stock your vehicle with essential winter supplies, including a windshield scraper, jumper cables, a small shovel, flashlight, cell phone, blanket, extra warm clothing, drinking water, and non-perishable food high in calories.

Stay calm when stuck:

If you get stuck, stay calm. Inform someone of your situation and location. Avoid trying to walk to safety. Indicate that you need assistance by attaching a cloth to your car’s antenna or mirror, and make your vehicle more visible by using your lights and flashing lights.

Be aware of snow plows:

Watch out for snow plows and give them plenty of room to pass. Only pass a plow when you have a clear view of the road ahead.

Check road conditions:

Before you start your journey, check the latest road conditions to make informed travel decisions.

Stay safe on winter roads with these valuable winter driving tips from the weather service and reduce the risk of accidents in difficult weather conditions.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots that uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.