The National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch at 3:22 a.m. on Tuesday valid from Wednesday 4 p.m. until Friday 4 a.m. for Elk County.
The weather service states to anticipate, “Heavy lake effect snow possible. Total snow accumulations between 4 and 8 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph.”
“Travel may be somewhat challenging. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday evening and Thursday morning commutes,” adds the weather service. “Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.”
Staying safe on winter roads: Winter driving tips from the weather service
Driving in the winter can be dangerous, resulting in more than 480,000 injuries and 6,000 vehicle fatalities annually. Prioritize safety by slowing down when driving in snow or freezing rain. When temperatures are close to freezing, it’s best to assume that there is ice on the roads and modify your driving appropriately. Watch out for ice buildup on tree branches or power wires as this can cause snapping and falling hazards. Steer clear of driving in such conditions if at all feasible. Choose paths with fewer trees and electricity lines if you must go outside. Never touch a downed electrical line, and if you see one, call 911 right once. The weather service has provided the following extra winter driving advice:
Tell us about your travel itinerary:
Make sure to let relatives or friends know where you’re going, how you plan to get there, 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:
Stay calm if you end up trapped. Tell someone where you are and what’s going on. Avoid trying to get to safety by foot. Put a cloth to your car’s antenna or mirror to show that you need help, and use the dome light and flashers to increase your vehicle’s visibility.
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.
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!