Update: Winter storm warning for 4 Michigan counties through Wednesday evening – up to 9 inches of snow

At 2:31 a.m. EST Wednesday, the National Weather Service issued an updated winter storm warning in effect until 7 p.m. EST for Emmet, Cheboygan, Chippewa and Mackinac counties.

The weather service says to expect “additional snow accumulations between 5 and 9 inches. Winds gusting up to 35 mph may result in whiteout conditions due to blowing snow. A drift of Heavy snow is also possible.”

“Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slippery and dangerous. Visibility may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling snow and blowing snow. Strong winds and the weight of the snow on tree branches may bring down power lines and cause sporadic power Travel could be very difficult Blowing snow areas could significantly reduce visibility Hazardous conditions could impact travel Wednesday morning and evening. “, explains the meteorological service. “If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.”

Mastering winter roads: tips from the weather service for safe winter travel

Winter’s icy grip often makes roads dangerous, leading to more than 6,000 weather-related vehicle deaths and more than 480,000 injuries each year. When you find yourself on snowy or freezing rain roads, your top priority should be safety. Slow down and be careful. In near-freezing weather, it is prudent to anticipate icy areas on the road and adjust your driving accordingly. Be aware of ice accumulating on power lines and tree branches, as they could break and fall. If possible, avoid driving in these conditions altogether. But if you must venture out, choose routes with fewer trees and power lines, and never touch a downed power line. If you encounter one, call 911 immediately. Other winter driving tips include:

Share your travel plans:

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

Prepare your vehicle:

Make sure your gas tank is full and equip your vehicle with essential winter supplies, such as a windshield scraper, jumper cables, small shovel, flashlight, cell phone, blanket, very warm clothing, drinking water and non-perishable, high-calorie foods.

Stay calm when you are stuck:

If you get stuck, stay calm. Tell someone about your situation and location. Avoid trying to walk to safety. Attach a cloth to your car’s antenna or rearview mirror to signal that you need help. Make your vehicle more visible by using the dome light and turn signals.

Pay attention to snow plows:

Keep an eye out for snowplows 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 embark on your trip, check current 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 harsh 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.