A winter storm warning was issued by the National Weather Service on Wednesday at 3:33 a.m. EST valid from 5 p.m. EST until Friday 1 a.m. EST for Osceola, Mecosta and Calhoun counties.

“Heavy snow and blowing snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 3 and 8 inches with locally higher amounts possible. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph,” explains the weather service. “Snow squalls will impact the Wednesday evening commute with visibility rapidly falling below 1/4 mile and rapid changes in road conditions including the I96, I94, US131, US127, and I69 corridors. Heavy lake effect snow along with gusty winds develop behind the squalls with a potential scattered power outages as well as poor visibilities and hazardous travel conditions Wednesday Night into Thursday.”

“Visibilities may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow. The strong winds and weight of snow on tree limbs may down power lines and could cause sporadic power outages. Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday evening and Thursday morning commutes,” adds the weather service. “If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.”

Staying safe on winter roads: Winter driving tips from the weather service

Winter weather can make driving treacherous, leading to over 6,000 weather-related vehicle fatalities and over 480,000 injuries each year. When traveling during snow or freezing rain, prioritize safety by slowing down. In near-freezing temperatures, it’s safest to assume that icy conditions exist on roadways and adjust your driving accordingly. Be cautious of ice accumulating on power lines or tree branches, which can lead to snapping and falling 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 immediately dial 911 if you come across one. Here are additional winter driving tips from the weather service:

Share your travel plans:

When traveling out of town in hazardous winter weather, inform your family or friends of your destination, planned route, and estimated time of arrival.

Prepare your vehicle:

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, stay composed. Notify someone about your situation and location. Avoid attempting to walk to safety. Attach a cloth to your car’s antenna or mirror to signal that you require assistance. 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 provide them with 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, check the latest 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.