Luce County is under a winter weather advisory through Thursday evening – up to 10 inches of snow

A winter weather advisory was issued by the National Weather Service at 3:24 a.m. EST Wednesday, effective from 7 p.m. EST until 7 p.m. EST Thursday for Luce County.

The weather service adds that to expect “total snow accumulations of between 5 and 10 inches. Winds gusting up to 35 mph may result in blowing snow and additional reductions in visibility.”

“Travel could be very difficult. Scattered snow flurries could significantly reduce visibility. Hazardous conditions could impact commutes Thursday morning and evening,” the weather service said. “Slow down and be careful when traveling.”

Winter driving guide: tips from the weather service for safe travel

Winter conditions can make driving dangerous, leading to more than 6,000 weather-related vehicle fatalities and more than 480,000 injuries each year. When traveling in snow or freezing rain, prioritize safety by slowing down. At temperatures near freezing, it is safer to assume that the roads are icy and adjust your driving accordingly. Be careful of ice accumulating on power lines or tree branches, which can cause 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. Here are more winter driving tips from the weather service:

Share your travel plans:

When traveling out of town in dangerous winter weather, 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 the latest road conditions to make informed travel decisions.

These winter driving tips from the weather service are the key to traveling safely on snowy roads. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and ensure your well-being during harsh winter 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.