A winter storm warning was issued for Central NY through early Friday morning – up to 8 inches of snow

At 4:23 a.m. Wednesday, the National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning in effect for Onondaga, Madison, Oneida and Cortland counties from 1 p.m. through 4 a.m. Friday.

“Total snow accumulations between 5 and 8 inches. “Wind gusts of up to 35 mph” are likely, according to the weather service. “Snow showers will begin to develop this afternoon, becoming more steady and heavy overnight. Embedded snow squalls may reduce visibility to near zero at times Thursday morning. The wind will become increasingly gusty on Thursday.”

“Traveling could be very difficult. Snowdrifts could significantly reduce visibility. The dangerous conditions could impact commutes Wednesday evening and Thursday morning,” the weather service commented. “If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.”

Winter weather wisdom: Driving tips from the weather service for challenging conditions

Winter weather can make driving treacherous, leading to over 6,000 weather-related traffic accidents and over 480,000 injuries each year. If you are driving in snow or freezing rain, prioritize safety and drive slower. When temperatures are near freezing, it’s safest to assume the roads are icy and adjust your driving accordingly. Be careful of ice accumulating on power lines or tree branches, which can lead to breakage and fall hazards. If possible, avoid driving in such conditions. If you must venture out, opt for routes with fewer trees and power lines. Never touch a downed power line and call 911 immediately if you encounter one. You can find more winter driving tips from the weather service here:

Share your travel plans:

If you are heading out of town in dangerous winter weather, be sure to let family or friends know your destination, planned route and expected arrival time.

Prepare your vehicle:

Make sure your gas tank is full and stock your vehicle with winter essentials such as a window scraper, jumper cables, a small shovel, a flashlight, a cell phone, a blanket, extra warm clothing, drinking water and high-calorie, non-perishable foods.

Stay calm when stranded:

If you get stuck, stay calm. Tell someone about your situation and location. Do not attempt to reach safety on foot. Indicate that you need help by attaching a cloth to your car’s antenna or mirror and make your vehicle more visible by using the dome light and turn signals

Beware of snow plows:

Keep an eye out for snow plows and give them plenty of room to pass. Only overtake a plow when you have a clear view of the road.

Check road conditions:

Before you travel, find out about current road conditions so you can make informed travel decisions.

These winter driving tips from the Weather Service are your key to safer driving on snowy roads. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and ensure your well-being in difficult winter weather.

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