A winter storm watch was issued by the National Weather Service on Wednesday at 8:39 p.m. valid from Thursday 4 p.m. until Friday 4 p.m. for Steuben, Schuyler, Chemung, Tompkins, Cortland, Chenango, Otsego, Tioga, Broome, Delaware and Sullivan counties.
Expect “heavy wet snow possible,” according to the weather agency. Higher elevations may see a total snow fall of 7 inches or more, while lower elevations may see up to 4 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. Be prepared for slick roads. The meteorological service notes 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.
Drive safely in winter: Expert advice from the weather service for challenging conditions
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. But if you must venture out, choose routes with fewer trees and power lines, and never touch a downed power line. If you come across one, call 911 right away. Here are some more driving guidelines for winter conditions:
Tell us about your travel itinerary:
When traveling out of town in hazardous winter weather, inform your family or friends of your destination, planned route, and estimated time of arrival.
Get your car ready:
Ensure your gas tank is full and equip your vehicle with essential winter supplies such as a windshield scraper, jumper cables, a small shovel, flashlight, cell phone, blanket, extra warm clothing, drinking water, and high-calorie non-perishable food.
Stay calm when stranded:
If you become stranded, remain composed. Inform someone about your situation and location. Avoid attempting 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 the dome light and flashers
Be aware of snow plows:
Keep an eye out for snow plows and allow them ample room to pass. Only overtake a plow when you have a clear view of the road ahead.
Check road conditions:
Before embarking on your journey, verify the current road conditions to make informed travel decisions.
Stay safe on wintry roads with these valuable winter driving tips from the weather service, and reduce the risk of accidents during challenging weather conditions.
Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.
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