At 8:48 a.m. on Thursday, the National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch for the counties of Steuben, Schuyler, Chemung, Tompkins, Madison, Cortland, Chenango, Otsego, and Tioga. The watch was in effect from 4 p.m. until Friday at 4 p.m.
“Heavy snow possible,” the weather agency warns. In valleys with some higher altitudes, total snow accumulations could be a few inches, although heavier banding could result in 5 to 9 inches.
Power lines may be brought down by strong winds and the weight of snow on tree branches, which might result in intermittent power outages. Traveling could be somewhat challenging. The meteorological service warns that the dangerous circumstances may affect travel on Thursday night and Friday morning. “For updates on this issue, keep an eye on the most recent projections. People ought to think about postponing all of their travel. Use considerable caution when driving if you must travel. Think about packing a snow storm kit that includes supplies like blankets, additional clothing, a shovel, flashlight, booster cables, tire chains, and other necessities. Additionally, pack a first aid kit, water, and anything else you might need to survive if you get stuck.
Mastering winter roads: Guidance from the weather service for safe winter travel
Roads are frequently made dangerous by winter’s icy grip, which results in more than 480,000 injuries and over 6,000 weather-related vehicle fatalities annually. Safety should be your first concern when you’re on roads that are covered in snow or freezing rain. Go more slowly and be careful. It’s wise to anticipate icy patches on the road and modify your driving in response when the temperature is close to freezing. Keep an eye out for ice buildup on tree limbs and power lines, since they could shatter and fall. Steer clear of driving in these situations at all costs. However, if you must go outside, avoid touching downed power lines and take paths with fewer trees. If you come across one, call 911 right away. Here are some more driving guidelines for winter conditions:
Tell us about your travel itinerary:
Tell your family or friends where you’re going, the route you’re taking, and when you expect to arrive when you’re leaving town in dangerous winter conditions.
Get your car ready:
A windshield scraper, jumper cables, a small shovel, flashlight, mobile phone, blanket, extra warm clothes, drinking water, and high-calorie non-perishable food are all necessary wintertime items for your car. Make sure your petrol tank is full.
Remain composed when stranded:
Remain calm if you end up trapped. Tell someone where you are and what’s going on. Avoid trying to get to safety by foot. To indicate that you need help, fasten a piece of fabric to the antenna or mirror of your vehicle. Use the dome light and flashers to increase the visibility of your car.
Watch out for snow plows:
Watch for snow plows and give them plenty of space to go by. You should only pass a plow when you can see the road well ahead.
Examine the state of the roads:
To make wise travel choices, check the state of the roads before setting out on your trip.
The weather service’s winter driving advice is essential for a safer trip on snow-covered roads. You may greatly lower your chance of accidents and protect your health during the harsh winter months by adhering to these rules.
United Robots offers a service called Advance Local Weather Alerts that gathers the most recent information from the National Weather Service using machine learning.
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